Vadiraja Punyadina

Sri Vadiraja was born with the Anugraha of Vaageesha Thirtha.  Sri Vaageesha Tirtharu blessed had imposed a condition that the child born to be handed over to the Mutt for upbringing if the child happens to born outside the house. On Magha Shudda Dwadashi, a golden plate was sent from the Mutt and the child was brought to the Mutt after its birth. The parents named the boy as “Bhoovaraha”.

Bhoovaraha learnt all skills and studied well right from his early days itself.   After some time the swamiji asked the parents to hand over the boy to the mutt.

Bhoovaraha or Varahacharya learnt Veda, Vedanga, Madhwa Shastra etc., from Sri Vageesha Theertharu. He decided to give him Sanyashrama at the age of 8 years and was given the name “Vaadiraaja Theertha”  Sri Vaadirajaru studied under Sri Vaagisha Theertharu.    Then he went to Sri Vyasarajaru in Hampi, where he met Purandara Dasaru, Kanakadasaru, Sri Vishnu Theertharu  (later Vijayeendra Theertharu) and King Krishnadevaraya.

King Krishnadevaraya was impressed by Vaadiraaja’s personality and gave him the title of “prasangaabharana Theertha”“ (Jewel of a Speaker). Vaadiraaja returned back to Udupi after a few years.

Tirupathi Darshana

During his visit to Tirupathi hills, the entire hill and each and every stone looked to him, as full of “Saaligrama” and he ascended the entire hill with his knees and hands only without the help of his legs, it is said.  The Saligraama garland worn by Srinivasa was a humble offering made by Sri Vadirajararu.

As a Reformer

Initially all the disciples of Srimadacharya used to perform the pooja of Sri Krishna.   In 1532, Sri Vadirajaru,  created the Paryaya System for the Sri Krishna Pooja and each Asta Mutt Seer would get 2 years term for their Administration and Pooja of Sri Krishna Mutt. Vaadiraajaru has completed 5 terms of Paryaya at Udupi.

Arasappa Naika was the Chieftain or King of Soda was attacked by rebels. Vadirajaru gave him Mantrakshate and blessed him and instructed to go back and fight against the enemies. He got success and Sode was liberated.

Arasappa Nayaka constructed a temple for Rama Trivikrama Devaru to be brought from Badari.  For bringing the Rama Trivikrama Devaru alongwith a chariot, Vadirajaru sent in Bhootarajaru. The Chariot he was attacked by some demons, he then immediately took one Wheel of the Chariot and defeated the demons. Even today, one can see, the Rama Trivikrima Devaru placed in a big chariot with only 3 wheels and one wheel missing in Sonda.

Subsequently Vadirajaru shifted from Udupi to Sonda or Sode.

There are a lot of similarities between Sonda and Udupi.

Vaadraaja Tirtha’s Important Literary Works

• Rukminisha Vijaya
• Theertha Prabhanda
• Swapna Vrundavanakyanam
• Sarasa Bharathi Vilasa
• Kavi Kadamba Kanta bhushana
• Mahabhaaratha Lakshalankara Teeka
• Talavakaropanishad  Bhashya Teeka
• Taittareeyopanishad Bhashya Teeka
• Kathakopanishad Bhashya Teeka

Sri Vadiraja’s punyadina is held with great devotion since his Vrundavana pravesha in 1600 AD every year on this auspicious day.