Sreepada Sreevallabha Charitaamrutam - 8

Chapter – 8

Description of Incarnations of Datta

Those who pine for brahmajnaana are brahmins

Next day after finishing daily worship Tirumala Das began to narrate in the following manner, ‘My Son! Shankar Bhatt! When the revelation of soul takes place, the sixteen potencies merge with their respective elements. The powers of various deities enter into their basic origin of consciousness.The knowledge of self, and all actions get absorbed in the form of Brahman. Whoever yearns for such brahmajnaana (knowledge of Paramaatma) is really a brahmin. ‘Life, faith, sky, air, fire, sea, earth, organs of the body, mind, food, water,thought, mantras, actions, worlds, various names in the worlds’ are called sixteen potencies. Sreepada Sreevallabha is a comprehensive incarnation of Parabrahma endowed with shodasa kala(all sixteen potencies). Food becomes mind. By saatwic food purity of mind takes place.Brahma created life at first. Life is the totality of life in the universe. This is called subtle soul, and Hiranyagarbha. The Creator also has the name Hiranyagarbha. The urge or drive for creation in the physical, mental and intellectual facets of man is named praana(life force). The praanamaya kosa body is called shakti sarira(body of strength). The physical troubles can be removed by correcting the life consciousness. The praanamaya sarira becomes diseases prior to the onset of disease in humans. The gross body becomes ill only afterwards. After the urge for creation gets confident, the five elements are formed. To perceive the attributes of the five elements the five organs are created. The mind is formed to coordinate these organs and to oversee that all functions take place at the sametime. Human beings should observe adequate precautions in the matter of food. Mind is formed out of the infinitesimal components of food. If mind is strengthened by food thoughts abound. When this stream of thoughts is regulated and controlled, such reflection of the thoughts’ flow is termed as mantra. When sacrifices and other rituals are conducted as ordained by scriptures, and when mantras are chanted systematically, such process is called karma. The construction of the world was done according to karmas. World cannot exist without name and form. In this way the shackle with links of profound misery is formed with sixteen colours.

In human anatomy each organ is influenced by a particular deity. When the soul reveals to the yogi in deep meditation the sixteen potencies merge in their respective elements.

The powers in the physical organs of the yogi get mixed in the elements in the innermost recess of the Universe. Human beings with organs of action, and organs of knowledge cannot remain without action.Liberation cannot be achieved unless the ego is destroyed Only from the promptings of ego in man actions are performed.Aham(ego) is the glow of consciousness regulated by the stipulations of mind and intellect. For the yogi who had aatma saakshaatkaara(the vision of soul), the fruits of actions in the previous lives will get totally annulled. Unless the separatist tendency of the ego is completely destroyed aatma saakshaatkaara will not take place. When the yogi has the vision of aatma scriptural rituals and their rewards, the ego centre and its illusory tricks merge in the eternal Paramaatma. The yogi will merge with

Paramaatma and lose his individuality.Paramaatma has individuality and is a personification of shakti (power). With the destruction of karma and their results yogi attains siddha avastha(a state of perfection). Even when his gross body is experiencing the

effects of karma when he has no awareness of physical body, he remains in a liberated state. God may some times reveal His divine play through a perfect yogi. If Yogi mistakes that, the strength and efficacy belong to him;Paramaatma would withdraw them and destroy his pride. If yogi has to become an instrument in the hands of Paramaatma his egoistic arrogance must be liquidated in that Super Soul.

Sri Baapanaarya had transmitted power from the solar region into the ‘Sree Mallikarjuna Linga’ in SreeShaila, ‘Mahaabaleswara Linga’ in Gokarna and in other holy places. Transmission of power also took place into the icon of worship of Self-existent Datta. This power related to the fire has to be pacified. Otherwise the priest and all the worshippers will be punished due to the terrible power of the icon of worship. Undesirable results will follow. Only Yogis who had internal knowledge can understand the matter that the power from the solar region descended into Self-manifested Datta. The transmission of power in SreeShaila took place under the direction of Sri Baapanaarya in the presence of thousands of people. A brilliant illumination released from the region of sun merged in th‘Mallikaarjuna Linga’, when all people who were present witnessed the spectacle. There is an important secret divine mystery between this transfer of power and the actual incarnation of Sreepada Sreevallabha. That is a matter to be divulged to or to be known only by great sages. In SreeShaila a great sacrifice of propitiation was conducted. As food was offered to thousands of people the fire of hunger was assuaged on a mass scale. When shakti 

 sheds its ferocity and remains in a tranquil state all auspicious events happen in that placid state. However, there were no visible indications in Pithapuram that shaktipaata took place into Sree Swayam–Bhoo Datta. Therefore, no propitiatory rituals were conducted. Even when Sri Baapanaarya suggested that massive food offering should be held and that other procedures of pacification should take place, the local pandits rejected the proposal with their ill conceived arguments. 

 

Sreepada is totally accomplished with Sixteen Lustrous Potencies 

 

Time was passing by. Sreepada entered into second year of age. Through His many sportive miracles He was proclaiming the matter that His was the glorious incarnation of the age endowed completely with all the sixteen splendiferous faculties. He left Pithapuram when He was sixteen years old. Afterwards He moved for about 14 years in Kuruvapuram and other places but His age remained constant as 16 years. 

 

The names of Dattatreya’s sixteen incarnations

 

There is another significance to the number 16. Sree Dattatreya Swamy revealed himself in 16 forms in ancient times. Those forms are–

 (1) Yogiraj (2) Atrivarada (3) Digambaraavadhoota Dattatreya (4) Kaalaagnishamana (5) Yogijana Vallabha (6) Leela Viswambhara (7) Siddha Raja (8) Jnaana Sagara (9) Vishwambharaavadhoota (10) Maayamukthaavadhoota (11) Aadi Guru (12) Samaskaaraheena Shiva Swaroopa (13) Devadeva (14) Digambara (15) Dattaavadhoota (16) Shyaama Kamala Lochana.

Lord Sree Datta grants happiness, enjoyment and liberation. To worship Him it is enough to worship His Divine Paadukas . The four vedas assumed the form of four dogs and are licking His holy Sandals. Vedas absolve all impurities. When such vedas themselves became dirty dogs and lie at His Lotus Feet, it is difficult for humans to guess about His holiness. Even for celestials, and seven sages it is well nigh impossible.

In ancient ages during the time of incarnation of Vamana one sage by name Vamadeva Maharshi was living as His contemporary. During the time of birth his head came out of the womb of his mother and atonce retreated into the womb after seeing the surroundings outside. Then when deities and hermits prayed he was born again. He was‘Brahma Jnaani’ from the very birth.The same thing happened in the birth of Sreepada also. As He was born twice He is a dwija(twice-born) from the very birth. He is a brahmajnaana sampanna(one who is rich with the knowledge of Paramaatma) from the very birth. As He incarnated with complete, undivided and infinite non-dualistic satchhitaananda(fountain of being, intelligence and happiness) there was no preceptor for Him.

Sreepada was born on Ganesh Chaturdhi in Chitta star under Tula Raasi in Simha Lagna. In reality He is not the combined form of the Trinity, but a special phenomenon much beyond them. To indicate that He belongs to fourth dimension transcending the Trinity He took birth on Chathurdhi. Also Suggesting that He is Ganesh who is the Lord of ‘Pravrutti Ganas’ and ‘Nivrutti Ganas’ He took birth on Ganesh Chathurdhi. Mars or Angaraka is the Lord of Chitta star. Angaraka is also called planet Mangala. If this planet is afflicted, many inauspicious events take place in the life of a person. Sreepada was born in Chitta star to remove all ill effects and to grant all auspicious results.Hence, if Sreepada is worshipped during the tenure of Chitta star, one derives abundant beneficial results. Sreepada is actually DharmaSaasta. So to make it known that He is the son of Hari and Hara, Sree Ayyappa Swamy, He is born in ‘Tula Raasi’. He was born in ‘Simha (Leo) Lagna’ the house of Sun, the king of all planets. He is making it clear that He is the Lord of the Universe. And that He is the emperor who came to hold His resplendent royal darbaar .There are no niceties of dharma unknown to Sreepada. when a dilemma of dharma arises right path of righteousness would be visible when we worship Him.

‘Trimurthis’ from Lord Sree Datta; from ‘Trimurthis’ three crores of celestials; and from those celestials 33 crores of deities emerged. Therefore, when the name of Datta is remembered, it results in the remembrance of all the 33 crore deities. For the ‘Brahma face of Datta’, ‘Rushipooja’ (worship as for a sage) has to be done. For the ‘Vishnu face of Datta’, ‘Sri Satyanarayana Vrata and Chanting of Vishnu Sahasranama’ are to be conducted. For the ‘Rudra face of Datta’, ‘Rudraabhisheka’ is to be performed. As Saraswati resides on the tongue of Brahma, She resides on the Brahma face of Sree Datta. As Sree Maha Lakshmi dwells in the chest of Vishnu, She resides in the Vishnu face of Sree Datta. As Gowri Devi occupies the left side of Shiva, She resides on the Shiva face of Sree Datta. As Sree Datta Himself is Sreepada Sreevallabha–all Goddesses and their powers are on the left side of the body of Sreepada and all Gods and their powers are on the right side of the body of Sreepada. Sree Venkateswara who manifested on the seven hills in Tirupathi is verily Lord Datta only!

‘Vem’ means sins. ‘Kata’ stands for cutter or one who drives out. ‘Vem’ is amruta beeja and ‘kata’ is iswarya beeja. There Venkateswara is the one who bestows divine ambrosia and affluence. He is also the One who drives out all sins. There is no difference between Sree Venkateswara and Sreepada Sreevallabha. They are one and the same.Then I said like this, “Sir! Tirumaladas! Our ancient elders enjoined that the regulations of caste system are to be strictly followed. However, I feel that Sreepada is telling something different. Please remove my doubt.”

 

The characteristic traits of a brahmin 

 

Then Tirumala Das began to tell them in the following manner, “My child! A brahmin should live like a seeker of brahmajnaana. Then only he will be called a sath-brahmin(good brahmin). One who abandons the ordained duties and follow bad ways becomes a bad brahmin. When his bad ways exceed and he indulges in such acts as killing a cow and eating its flesh, coveting other woman, it may be understood that he does not possess even an iota of brahmanism. On account of excessive bad conduct the brahmanic glow in him would be totally withdrawn. Even the live cells in his body undergo many changes and he finally becomes a chandaala(a pariah). Then he becomes a brahmin for name-sake. A kshatriya with an intense desire for brahmajnaana can attain brahminhood through constant penance. Then the live cells in his body from birth get transformed into brahmanic nature. Viswaamitra achieved brahminhood in this way.

When Saturn travels through three zodiac houses during 7½ years the life cells in the body of every individual undergo many changes. Old life cells die and new live cells are created. All this process goes on without the knowledge of man. 

 

The characteristic traits of kshatriya 

 

A kshatriya who leaves his regular duty and engages in peaceful activities like agriculture, animal husbandry and trade, his military valour will not at all remain, if the peaceful occupations reach a zenith. His mind, intellect and body undergo many changes and he becomes a vysya (merchant). A brahmin who follows the path of a soldier becomes a person like Parasurama. Have no Dronacharya and Krupacharya though brahmins by birth adopted a knightly profession in ancient timies! Have I not realised brahmam through the grace of Sreepada even though I am a low caste sudra? A person who is born as sudra can become a vysya, or a kshatriya or a brahmin through relentless endeavour. Yamadharmaraja will not punish or will punish merely because of the birth of a person in a particular caste. Rewards are awarded based upon the good and bad deeds of ours. I may be born as a brahmin in the next birth even though I am a sudra by birth now. A brahmin by birth may take birth as a sudra in the following birth. Caste system is organised for some social regulations. Once Sreepada said that, Almighty’s face indicate ‘brahmanatwa’; hands indicate ‘kshatriyatwa’; thighs ‘vysyatwa’ and feet ‘sudratwa’. Shankar Bhatt! You are accepting the hospitality in our house. The meals in our house are brahmin meals only! 

 

The secret of Karma 

 

This surrounding area which is constantly reverberating with the chanting of Sreepada’s name and is filled with thoughts about Him is overflowing with auspicious and sacred vibrations.

Narasaavadhaani is a brahmin by birth, but, all the material, mental and spiritual pulsations in his house are venomous. Therefore, Sreepada rejected hospitality in that brahmin house which was filled with polluted airy atmosphere. This is the secret! Living beings should have some castes to take birth following the principle of karma in the process of evolution or devolution! This arrangement was made for that purpose.

John, a German national was a seeker of brahmajnaana. Because of his sincere efforts he had the good fortune of having the vision of Sreepada in Kuruvapuram in the final stages of spiritual evolution. He was blessed with the efficacious grace of Sreepada even though He was an alien.Though a resident of Pithikapura Narasaavadhaani could not recognize Sreepada as an incarnation for many years. Hence he could obtain the grace of Sree Datta even after recognising Him, only after a great and arduous effort.

Then Shankar Bhatt questioned like this, “Sir! You said that living cells undergo changes. Then will each race has a soul of its own? What is the idea behind the statement that Paarvati Devi is the daughter of Himalaya Mountain.

Then Tirumala Das spoke thus, “Every race has a soul. That is a mental matter. That is a part or a portion released from the divine soul, Sree Datta. That is a great power which has always a direct connection with it. Race is not a collection of individuals born in it, as you mistakenly assume. In that collective individuality the various strengths, efficiencies and attributes of all the concerned individuals lie inside. Just as living cells exist in the living individuals, in the same way each village, each town and each country have their own souls. The earth in which we live also has a soul. We call that soul as Bhoomaata(mother earth). It means that, we call that deity favouring the earth as Bhoomaata.Her soul is a great mentally related maha Shakti emanated from the supreme soul. In the same manner the patron deity of Himalayan Mountain is named Himavantha. Hymavati is the daughter of that Himavantha. When it is said that YamadharmaRaja is the son of Sun God who is a witness of all things, the meaning is that He is a divine soul who delivers judgement depending upon the good and bad deeds of living beings and punishes sinners.

Only on account of ‘Surya Bhagavan’ all living beings are deriving the necessary life force to undertake respective activities. The sun adorning the sky is different and the divine soul who is the patron deity of that sun is different. I told you that Sreepada would disappear when He is 30 years old. He will merge in every atom of crores and crores of Brahmaandas. He is omnipresent! You may ask, “Then what is this merger?” Even though He is Omnipresent crores and crores of greater Universes are situated at some distance from His power and influence. To accelerate evolutionary processes in them He attracts them nearer to His power and influence. When a certain crisis develops in the evolutionary stages of the entire creation Sree Dattatreya incarnates in this fashion. Magnet attracts iron. When the iron has impurities, the power of attraction becomes very weak. This kind of Avataar descends when it is intended to remove all impurities and attract every atom in the creation towards Him and give a fresh direction to the evolution of the Universe.

Explanation about five Virgins (Pancha-kanyas)

 

Shankar Bhatt asked Tirumaladas, “It is said that uttering daily the names of Ahalya, Draupadi, Sita, Taara and Mandodari destroys great sins. It is not easily understood by me. Kindly explain me.”  

Tirumala Das then said, “Devendra had infatuation for Ahalya. He contrived a cunning scene to enjoy her. He assumed the form of a cock and crowed. Gautama went out for performing due rituals thinking that it was early morning dawn. Devendra could not touch Ahalya who was a great devoted wife. Devendra had divine powers. So from the strong mind power under the infatuation for Ahalya, a form of a woman resembling Ahalya emerged. All the living cells in the body of the duplicate Ahalya were formed by the strong mind power of Devendra. Gautama who saw Indra indulging in sexual intercourse with the duplicate Ahalya cursed them both. Then Ahalya exclaimed, “Oh! Foolish Sage! What have you done?” Ahalya was spiritually in an exalted position than Gautama. Due to the curse of Ahalya, Gautama became mentally unstable for 12 years and regained normalcy after adoring lord Shiva. The mental power of Ahalya became inert. With that, her body also became inert and turned into a rock. Ahalya was redeemed from the curse when the dust particles from the feet of Sree Rama fell on her. Therefore, understand that Ahalya is very pious

The cursed Devendra took birth as five Paandavas. Even though having five forms and five minds, their supporting souls are only one! This is a strange thing. Sachidevi was born as Draupadi from the sacrificial altar. Her birth is not an ordinary birth. The God of fire hid real-Sita inside Him. Ravana took maaya-Sita to Lanka. When Sita entered into the fire two Sitas came out. Therefore, know that Sitadevi is a great devoted pativrata(chaste, virtuous and pious wife). There are 27 stars in the 12 houses of zodiac. The patron deity for the 27 stars was born as Taaradevi. When she was in her full youth the patron deity of planet Guru, Brihaspati loved her and married her. An old husband cannot satisfy the full blown young damsel. This is a travesty of dharma. Violating the solemn pledges made during marriage cannot be pardoned. Taaradevi did not have the idea of a husband whenever she saw Brihaspati. The responsibility for evoking the feeling of a husband in her rests with Brihaspati. He who knew all dharmas behaved in violation of dharma. The live cells in the body of Taaradevi underwent many changes in tune with her mental attitude. The form of moon was established in her mind. Her heart was captured by moon. This transformed Taaradevi, who was not at all the same Taaradevi who married Brihaspati before. Therefore, the connection between Tara and Chandra was not a violation of dharma. According to the regulations of creation Chandra has to go around all the 27 stars. It is His duty. This is not the duty of planet Jupiter. If Jupiter were to move like this it would become a

transgression of dharma. Anything which violates dharma is bound to be destroyed. Therefore, it is dharma that the patron deity of 27 stars, Taaradevi joins Moon, the patron deity of ‘Chandra mandala’. My child! In consonance with this subtle dharma

 Taaradevi is a maha pativrata.

 Bhishma on his bed of arrows gave beneficial preaching to Dharmaraja. Bhishma told, “When bad things take place they must be stopped, if possible. Otherwise they should leave the place where an unrighteous thing occur.” On hearing this Draupadi laughed loudly. Then Bhishma said, “I kept quiet when the modesty of Draupadi was out raged. I was taking the food offered by Dhuryodhana and others at that time. So my mind was corrupted then. Now all that bad blood came out of the body. At present my mind is unblemished. I understood truth.” 

A living being takes many births in the process of evolution. It may be born as a female in some births, and as a male in some other births. They may be born as animals or birds without having human birth. Mandodari was born as a male in one birth. In that life she had a fickle minded wife, a cruel wife and a gentle natured wife. The fickle minded wife was born as a monkey under the name Vali. The cruel wife took birth as Ravana and the gentle-natured wife was born as Vibhishana. In a different kalpa(a combination of four yugas) when Mandodari was born as a male, all the three were his wives. In the present birth Mandodari became wife to Vali and gave birth to Angada. Afterwards she became the wife of Ravana. After the death of Ravana she became the royal wife of Vibhishana. The life cells at different stages when she was wife of Vali, Ravana and Vibhishana were different and varied. Therefore, Mandodari is also a

 maha pativrata.

Then Shankar Bhatt asked, “Sir! It is said that women and men should observe monogamy! Is not polygamy reprehensible?” 

 

The development of cycle of Karma 

 

Then Tirumala Das said, “What you are telling is very much true. If a person subjects his wife to harassment without any reason, he becomes a young widow for seven births. If a man marries four or five females, he will be born as a female in the next birth. If the sexual desires, and urges of those four or five females are not destroyed, they take birth as males and have sexual indulgence with that female. If this happens in one life it becomes adultery which is a sin. On the other hand, if those males marry her in different births separately, no sin arises. This is the power of wheel of time. In this rotation of great wheel many such countless wonders take place. If one takes the birth of a female the duties of that birth have to be followed. So is the case of males. The sinner who separates a couple would take birth as a eunuch. He would be impotent not belonging to any gender and be deprived of marital bliss. He experiences utter misery and undergoes mental agony. Eating meat is prohibited. Suppose one killed a goat, and ate it in the company of ten others, that goat experiences terrible pain at the time of the exit of life. Those painful reactions lie concealed in the airy region. My boy! In the sphere of air, painful reactions and happy reactions lie concealed.

Good deeds produce happy vibrating reactions and bad deeds produce agitating reactions.The dead goat intends to harm the ten persons who ate her. On accout of its thought about humans the goat takes the life of a man. These ten persons are born as goats. In this way the results of actions ensue. For every action, there would be a corresponding reaction. Therefore man should cultivate the quality of forgiveness.A saatwic person would not like to eat the flesh of goat, even if he saw it. Even if the goat happened to be the man who ate it, if he forgives and grants it life, the wheel of karma stops.The collective virtue and the collective sin of the residents of Pithikapura fructified at once and became the cause for the birth of Sreepada Sreevallabha. Pious people realised him as Sree Datta and derived auspicious results. Sinners did not realise Him as Sree Datta and suffered ill effects. Those who abuse Sreepada Sreevallabha fall into Rourava and other hells, even though they adore Sree Datta. It is better to be silent if the matter is not understood; but one should not abuse that beautiful, divine glorious, auspicious and magnanimous Form.Those who offer camphor haarati (waving of lighted camphor) to His face but drive nails in His feet, and those who abuse the incarnation of Sree Datta would have veneral diseases. Not only this. Sree Datta has added a peculiar yogic power in His sportive play of grace.For pious people the remembrance of the name of Sree Datta, brings fulfilment of all their desires unasked for and without any effort. For those sinners who abuse Sreepada countless obstacles and undesirable things occur in strange ways.

Sreepada’s is a form of fire. 

He wears a fabric of fire. His body is an embodiment of holy fire of yoga.To describe the efficacy of His holy Paadukas even aeons are not sufficient. It is impossible even for vedas and upanishads to describe and completely narrate the greatness of His

Sree Paadukas.How many yugas elapsed? How many kalpas passed? How many cycles of creation, sustenance and destruction took place? Nevertheless, Sree Datta is Sree Datta only. There is none comparable to Him. He is verily Sreepada Sreevallabhaa! Every atom in this creation bears testimony to this supreme truth.

The Re-consecration of Self-existent Datta

A strange avadhoota came to Pithikapuram. He was a mad monk. He was a peculiar ascetic who blessed people through curses and abuses. If he praised any one, the fruits from virtuous deeds of the other person get diminished. The residents of Pithikapura enquired from him about the whereabouts of Self-manifested Datta. Then that Siddha informed them that Self-manifested Datta took bath in all holy centres and was resting in river Ela. Then when a search was conducted in Ela River the statue of Self-manifested Datta came out. During an auspicious time,Apara Sarva-mangala Devi Sumati Maharani and Appalaraja Sarma shining with brahmanic brilliance, reconsecrated that Icon. This was done according to the wish of that Siddha. Sree Baapanaarya presided over that grand celebration. 

 

Birth of Sree Vidyaaranya 

 

Baapanaarya invited that Siddha to their house for bhiksha(donation of food or money) on the day when reconsecration took place in the temple. Siddha agreed. He saw Sreepada in the house of His grandfather. An over whelming filial affection swelled in him on that divine child aged two years who was treading softly on the floor. That divine child climbed on to the shoulder of His maternal uncle Venkavadhani. He was playing merrily with the tuft of hair on the head of His uncle. He saw Siddha and started laughing. Siddha who heard that laughter went into the trance. After he returned to normalcy Sreepada said,“Madhavaa! Bukkarayadu establishes a Hindu Kingdom as per your wish when I attain 16 years of age. You protect Hari Hara and Bukkaraya. May You become famous under the name of Vidyaranya Maharshi! In the ensuing century Govinda Dikshitulu will be born in the house of your brother Saayanaacharya. That Govinda Dikshitulu is non else than You! May you prosper as a

raajarshi and a great minister of Tanjavur.”  Then tears of joy showered from the eyes of that Siddha. He embraced Sreepada. Sreepada paid obeisance to the feet of Siddha sportively.Siddha exclaimed, “What is this wonder?” Then Sreepada said, “you will ascend Srungeri Peetha and become well known as Vidyaaranya. You will be born as Krishna Saraswati as the third one in the lineage of your disciples. You will have lot of filial affection towards Me. Therefore, when I incarnate again as Nrusimha Saraswati you will initiate Me into the ascetic order as My preceptor, Sree Krishna Saraswati in Kashi. Kashi Visweswara and Annapoorna Maata are witnesses. You have to restore  ascetic  dharma.” 

The manner in which Vajapeyaajula Maadhavaacharya belonging to ‘Paraasara Gotra’comprising of Vasistha: Shakti and Paraasara Sages became famous as Vidyaranya Maharshi, and some more things will be told tomorrow.” Saying so, Tirumala Das concluded the narration for that day. 

 

Victory Victory unto Sri Sreepada Sreevallabha!