The great Guru Shri Vaadiraaja Thertha walked all over the country on foot twice, visiting all the holy places. Shri Vadiraja Theertha  is a Ruju Yogin and next to Shri  Acharya Madhwa in the order. His pilgrimage was not aimed at merits for himself, but to bless the devotess, to sanctify the Kshetrabhimani Devathas to a higher degree and to please their Anthrayamin  Shri Hari. Shri Vadiraja Theertha has authored the unique travelogue " Theertha
Prabhandha" and this book is unique mixture of essence of scriptures.
The book comprises of four well organised chapters.
1) Paschima Prabhandha  comprising of 44 holy places of the western region described in 99 verses
2) Utthara  Prabhandha  of 20 kshetras of Northern region in 46 shlokas
3) Poorva Prabhandha of 23 places of Eastern region in  43 verses
4) Dakshina Prabhandha 0f 20 places of the Southern region in 47 slokas.

 Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha has visited 107 holy Kshetras, rivers and mountains and worshipped them in 235 Shlokas in sanskrit, explaining the spiritual significance and glory of these places and deities. In short we can see the glory of ancient Indian culture in this book. The reading of this book is virtually a "Bharath Darshan", as seen by Shri Vaadiraaja nearly 500 years ago, when the modern transport system and other facilities were not available. Shri Vadiraja proceeds from Shri Krishna Temple in Pradakshinakara (clock wise direction) to Lord Krishna and unravels the glory of holy Karma Bhoomi Bharatha as envisaged in  Sruthi, Smrithi, Ramayana, Mahabharatha,  Bhagavatha etc.
        With the blessing of Shri Hari, Shri Vayu and Shri Vaadiraja, an attempt is being made here to go through the book. There are many commentaries available on this in English and Kannada also. Let us try to understand this great book to enrich our Jnana, Bhakthi and Vairagya. Note: We are using the "Bharaha" software to transliteate the english version to Kannada. Devotees may use the same to read the shlokas  in Kannada script

|| shri  hayavadanAya namah ||

Invocation:

harikshIrAmbuDhEh swairam bhavaghaRMaripORmanah |
viharAharahashchithrachArithrachathurORMiShu ||

Prose version:
hE manah, bhavaghaRMaripO, harikshIrAmbuDhEh,
chithrachArithrachathurORMiShu,   Aharah, swairam, vihar

English Translation:
Oh Mind, please ever concentrate on Shri Hari
For the thought of Shri Hari,
like the waves of the Ocean Milk,
can cool our body and mind,
Besides liberating us from all the miseries.

   Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha prays Shri Hari for purity of mind and grace of God. Since this book is about Theertha kshethras, the milk Ocean, the king of all theerthas,  is remembered   here in the first verse. Lord Hari is the greatest and most pure theertha and He only can bless us with liberation.

hayagrIvadhayAsimDhuramDhUkRuthaBavAmbuDhih  |
prabamDhamaprathidhvamdhvam karOthvEnamanEnasam || 2||

Prose version :
amDhUkRuthaBavAmbuDhih , hayagrIvadhayAsimDhuh, anEnasam , Enam
prabamDham, aprathidhvamdhvam  karOthu |

English Version :
The ocean deep life's miseris are cleansed,
By the grace of Hayagriva,
Oh kind Lord, please ever bless us,
And make our  Theertha Prabhandha an outstanding work.

  Shri Vadiraja prays Lord Hayagreeva for the  full success of this Grantha. Again here Ocean is described as in the previous verse,  implying that every verse of this book explains "Theertha" or holywater.   In the next sloka Shri Vadiraja prays Shri MAdhwa and in sloka 4 Guru Vageesha theertha is being prayed.

AjanmabhUmEratathOkhilEShu
thIRThEShu thadhvaRNanabhAramUDvA |
AyAsamasmanmRudhumAnasasya
vAyuRmuhuh kRumthathu maDhwarUpI ||3||

 Prose version:
AjanmabhUmEh akhilEShu thIRThEShu  thadhvaRNanabhAram UDvA
 atathah asmanmRudhumAnasasya AyAsam maDhwarUpIvAyuh muhuh kRumthathu ||3||

 English version:
 The cool breeze comforts
The tourist moving with head-load
Oh wind God Madhwaachaarya
 Shower thy grace upon us fully
 And relieve the drudgery of the tour at each pace of the travel.

 Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha prays  Guru Madhwa for the successful completeness of the tour. The metaphar of traveller, head load, cool breeze etc. is very beautiful indicating the excellence of Shri Vaadiraaja in poetry.

vAgIshathIRThamunivaRya BhavadhdhayAmbu-
 yOgEna pAvaya manOgRuhamanvaham mE |
 nAgEmdhrathalpamaDhirOpaya thathpadhAbja-
 rAgENa ramjaya kalim jaya thadhvivikshum || 4||

 Prose version:
 (hE) vAgIshathIRThamunivaRya BhavadhdhayAmbuyOgEna mE manOgRuham anvaham pAvaya | nAgEmdhrathalpam aDhirOpaya. thathpadhAbjarAgENa ramjaya.
thadhvivikshum kalim jaya || 4||

 English version:
 Oh our Repsected Guru Vageesha Muni,
 Please cleanse our mind by your,
 Kripajal and shut the entry of Kali(evil thoughts)
 Amd present Sheshashayi Narayana to our mind.

 Shri Vaadiraja prays his ashrama Guru Shri Vageesha Theertha for purity of mind, and deep devotion to Lord Vishnu. Here also description of holy water cleansing the mind is seen indicating the very purpose of the tour is to purify the mind.

 Brief History: Shri  Achaarya Madhwa gave 'sanyasa' to eight people(and thus started eight mutts) and arranged for the regular pooja of Shri Krishna at Udupi in turn of two months. The tradition of 'balasanyasa'(becoming sanyasi at the age of eight) continuing the line of these eight people started and is being continued. One of them
is Shri Achaarya's own brother namely Shri Vishnu Theertha who spent most of his time in Subramanya and established that mutt also. Shri Vishnu Theertha is still doing "tapas" in the moutain called "Kumara Parvatha", near Subramanya. His disiple Anirudha Theertha continued at subramanya Mutt and other disciple Shri Vyasa Theertha  headed the mutt at Udupi. Hence the present Sode Mutt was earlier known as Vishnu Theertha Mutt. In that mutt, the 12th swamiji is shri Vageesha Theertha who used to live most of the time in Kumbhashi, near
Koteshwar, 25 miles north to Udupi. Shri Vaadiraaja's parents lived in nearby village called "Hoovinakere". These couple namely "Ramacharya" and "Saraswathi"(Gowri) did not had son for a long time and they approached Shri Vageesh Theertha to bless them. Shri Vageesha Theertha blessed the couples with the clause that the baby boy is to be given to the Mutt. The couples got worried and then shri Vageesha Theertha suggested that if the child borns inside the house then he can be retained by the couples. The couples were happy thinking that baby will not born outside the house. Later Saraswathi became pragnant and developed immense interest towards pooja, visiting temple indicating the boy's deep interest towards God.

    On the holy day of "saadhana dwadhashi", in the year 1480, Shri Ramacharya was doing parane(taking food in the early morning of dwadadhi ). He saw a cow eating the paddy crop in the front of the house. Though he was very careful all these days not to send wife outside, at that moment he asked his wife to get that cow away. When Saraswathi came out a little away from the house, she developed labour pain all of a sudden. Shri Vageesha Theertha was knowing this and had arranged nurses for the the help at that spot. That was God's wish and
Saraswathi deleiverd baby boy outside the house in the paddy field. The baby was received in the golden tray, as per the instruction of Shri Vageesha Theertha.
 

Shri vaadiraaja Theertha now states that he is proceeding to compose the Theertha Prabhanbha.

 thIRThakshEthrathadhIshanAm mAhaathmyAni yaThaamathi |
vaadhiraajO yathi sthouthi padhyaih kathipayaih kavih || 5 ||

Prose version:
kavih vaadhiraajO yathi thIRThakshEthrathadhIshanAm mAhaathmyAni
yaThaamathi kathipayaih padhyaih sthouthi ||

English Version:
Our name is Vaadiraaja Yathi,
We are authoring Theeretha Prabhabdha,
Major rivers like Ganga and holy places like Sriranga,
are presented here to the best our ability.

  In the next verse Shri  Vaadiraja Theertha descibes the "ParashuramaKshetra"

Brief history (continued):
  Thus was the miraculous incident how Shri Vaadiraaja appeared on this earth. The paddy field where Shri Vaadiraja born now called as "Gowri gadhdhe"( Gowri is other name of Shri Vaadiraaja's mother). Now
 a beautiful statue of Shri Vaadiraja(as he was in his younger days) is installed there. Every year the paddy grown in this field is being sent to Sode for Shri Vadiraaja's Aradhana.
    It was quite evident at  his birth itself, that the baby boy was going to become an extra ordinary person. He was named as "BhooVaraaha", after the name of the main deity of Shri Vishnu Teertha Mutt. Not to say again that his childhood days were very special and unusual. His attitude and behaviour were all like a elderly scholar.
Shri Ramacharya conducted his son's thread ceremony at the very young age of 5(normally it is done at the age of 8) and  with heavy heart surrendered his son to Shri Vageesha Teertha.
       Shri Vidyaanidhi Theertha, the disciple of Shri Vageesha Teertha started educating "Bhoovaraha".  As mentioned earlier, his childhood days were were very unusual and  special. He showed great devotion to Lord and his games were nothing but Pooja. He learnt things much faster. After three years, at the age of eight, Shri
Vageesha Teertha gave  "sanyasa" to Bhoovaraha with the name " Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha". For few more years, Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha continued his study  with Shri Vageesh Teertha and  mastered all the
shastras and excelled in practicing strictly the "sanyasa dharma". Shri Vaadiraja used to meditate for a long time forgetting the  outside world and used to pray God with his own songs and slokas.
  After few years Shri Vaadiraaja went for pilgrimage tour with the premission of his guru Shri Vaageesha Theerth. At that time, his mother could not bear the feeling of not seeing her son for months together. To console her, Shri Vaadiraaja prepared  small beautiful statue and gave to her. That statue  is still being worshipped in Sode
Mutt. Similar statue is installed in  Gowri Gadde ( as mentioned earlier). Shri Vaadiraja went around India twice and visited every holy place. Shri Vaadiraaja blessed the devotees  through out his tour and displayed supernatural powers to solve the problems of his devotees.  Let us try to recollect some of these incidents as we proceed further through this tour.
  There is no description available about the year and duration of the tour and also the places visited  during each time. It appears that Teertha Prabhandha was written during the second pilgrimage tour. Also it is not sure whether this  "prabhanbha" was written during the tour as each place was visited or later after few days or weeks.
( Any information to support these things are very much appreciated.)

Parashuraama Kshethra

kaRNEpadhanyastharuchIriramsuh vaaraashivasthram jaghanaadhDhi yasyaa |
amUmuchadhbaaNakarENa bhoomEh shrI bhaaRgavassaa jayathi kshithiRnah || 6 ||

prose version :
 bhoomEh  kaRNE padhanyastharuchih  shrI bhaaRgavah riramsuh (san) yasyaa  Jaghanaath  vaaraashivasthram  baaNakarENa  amUmuchath hi saa  nah  kshithih  jayathi  |

English Version:
Oh Parashurama to avoid stay on gifted lands,
You by an arrow pushed the sea God backwards,
From Gokarna to Kanyakumari and created fresh earth for stay,
Our birth place in Parasu Kshetra is thus supreme indeed. || 6 ||

 In sloka 3 Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha mentions  that he starts his tour from his  'Janmabhoomi'. In this verse he prays the Janma bhoomi 'Parashurama Kshetra". Lord  Parashuraama went around the whole  earth 27 times with the aim of wiping out the kstathriyas  from the earth and conquered, punished  all  wicked kshatriyas.  The whole land was then donated to bhrahmanas. Shri Parashurama did  not want to live in that land  and so created another piece of land  by pushing back the sea on the west coast. The piece of land from Gokarna to KanyaKumari
on the west of western  ghats is known as Parashuramakshetra.
      Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha next starts describing Udupi; madhwa saroovara in one shloka,  Udupi Shri krishna in six shlokas, Shri Anatheshwara in two shlokas.

Rajathapetapuram -Madhwa saroovara

kaashIthalE kRuthapadhaapi sarithsuraaNaa-
maayaathi yadhgathapavithrasarO$Dhunaapi |
rudhraadhidhEvagaNasEvithasaRvaBhaagam
thadhrUpyapITapuramaprathimam thrilOkyaam || 7||

Prose Version:
suraaNaam sarith kaashIthalE kRuthapadhaapi yadhgathapavithrasarah aDhunaapi aayaathi rudhraadhidhEvagaNasEvithasaRvaBhaagam thath rUpyapITapuram thrilOkyaam aprathimam (asthi) || 7||

English ersion :
Oh Holy river Ganges, you are ever present in Kashi,
You also appeared in Madhwa Saroovara,
For the sake of  Shri Acharya Madhwa,
In Kashi one finds only Vishwanath
Here is Udupi, we have Chandreshwara and Balakrishna
Holy town RajathaPeetha is indeed matchless in three worlds. || 7||

Shri Vadiraja Theertha here explains the glory of Madhwa Sarovara. It is explained in Sumadhva vijaya that Ganga appeared in Madhwa sarovara ( sarga 4 sloka 43). Shri Acharya, after taking sanyasa, within a
short period, wanted to go to Kashi for holy bath in holy river Ganga (Gangasnana).  Then Shri Achuthapreksha Teertha could not bear the pain of his beloved shishya going away for a long time. Shri Achuthapreksha Acharya prayed Lord Ananthasana to solve this issue and thus Ganga appeared in Madhwa sarovara as per the instructions of Lord Ananthasana and continues to visit Madhwa sarovara once in every 12 years. Hence Udupi is  really highly sacred place.
   Udupi was previouly known as Rajathapeeta pura i.e city with silver base(seat for GOd) and Shri Anantheswara  was known as  Shri Ananthasana. We will know the details about this in the next part.

RajathaPeetapura

rUpyaathmakasya Bhavathathsulanaam na BhEjuh
kshEthraaNi BhaarathamahIrachithaanyamUni |
Ishaachalam cha jayasIshwaramaathravaasam
shrimaDhwahasthakamalaaRchitha kRuShNamURthyaa   || 10 ||

Prose version:
( hE rupyapItapura) BhaarathamahIrachithaani amUni kshEthraaNi rUpyaathmakasya Bhavathah thulanaam na BhEjuh. (yathah) shrimaDhwahasthakamalaaRchitha kRuShNamURthyaa Ishwaramaathravaasam
Ishaachalam cha jayasi ||

English Version:
Bharatha Khanda has several holy places,
Udupi, among them stands on Rajathapeetha,
Prominent among them is indeed Kailasha,
The abode of Shankara standing on Silver moutnain,
But Rajathapeetha (UDUPI) is far superior to Ishachala,
For we have Blakrishna here installed by Revered Madhwa ..10..

Shri Vaadiraaja brings out the supremacy of of Udupi. The story behind the name "Rajathapeetha" may be remembered here. Long back there was a king called Ramabhooja. He wanted to do "Ashwa Medha" and started
cleaningand purifying the ground. During this process a cobra got killed. The king got highly upset and started tapas to get rid of the " sarpahatya", the sin of killing the cobra. Then Lord Parashurama appeared before him and consoled him saying that it was not a real cobra, but  demon in the form of Cobra and there is no sin because of
its death. But the king was not satisfied with this explanation. Then Lord Parashurama asked him to establish and worship  icon of cobra installed on silver base, on four sides of his city. Lord Parashurama blessed the king that the place will become a holy place with the name "Rajatha peetha Pura", also self will incarnate in this holy place
after a while.  Hence the name Rajathapeethapura. Lord Anatheshwara is known as incarnation of Parashurama. Now also there are four Subramanya temple in four places near udupi supporting the story. Since this  place is having silver base, it can be compared to only with Kailash which is also supposed to be of Silver. But Udupi is far superior that Kailasha since Lord Krishna, who is Sarvotthama and much above than Lord shankara.    Next Shri Vaadiraja prays Lord Krishna as follows.

UDUPI KRISHNA

niRmaThyOgraBhavaaRNavE nijamanO$BhIShtam dhishaamIthi yah
saMyag jnaapayithum karENa vilasanmamThaanamanyEna cha ||
raMyam dhaama dhaDhanmahEsharajathagraamashriyO$lamkRuthih
kaRmamdhIshwarabhakthibamDhanavashah prIthO$sthu kRuShNah prabhuh ||11||

Prose Version:

ugraBhavaaRNavE niRmaThya nijamanO$BhIShtam dhishaami ithi
saMyag jnaapayithum  karENa  vilasanmamThaanam cha anyEna
raMyam dhaama dhaDhath mahEsharajathagraamashriyah alamkRuthih
kaRmamdhIshwarabhakthibamDhanavashah kRuShNah prabhuh prIthah asthu ||

English Version:
Oh Saligrama-Murthy Balakrishna,
You hold Kadagolu & churning rod,
In your hands, by which you wipe out the sins,
Of the devotees and ever shower upon them,
Knowkedge, Devotion, Non-attachment,
Peace, prosperity  in plenty, Oh lovely Krishna,
Ever worshipped by eight monks, please
Shower your eternal grace upon us.  ...11...

Shri Vaadiraja was great sanskrit scholar and the poetic wordings and rich compositions brings out  several meanings. The phrase "mahEsharajathagraamashriyah alamkRuthih" can be explained in three different ways. We  will  also  see that the next verse has got many meaning examplifying the greatness of Shri Vaadiraja Theertha.
 

chaamchalyam pRuShTadhEshE kaTiNakRuthiraDhOvakthrathA kvaapi kOpO
yaachJnyaa kasmaadhakasmaadhapakRuthirupakaariShvapi praajJnyaMoulE |
sthyaRThE$nyasthrIShvavajJnyaa  kiMithi ramaNa thE chOrathaaMaayikathvam
chithram rOhaavarOhaavithi virasagiraapyaadhRuthah paathu kRuShNah ||12||

Prose version:

hE praajJnyaMoulE thE chaamchalyam kasmaath?  pRuShTadhEshE kaTiNakRuthih  kasmaath?  aDhOvakthrathA  kasmaath?  kvaapi kOpah kasmaath?  yaachJnyaa kasmaath? upakaariShvapi apakRuthih  kasmaath?  sthyaRThE anyasthrIShu  avajJnyaa  kasmaath?  hE ramaNa  thE chOrathaa kiMithi Maayikathvamkasmaath?  rOhaavarOhou chithram ithi virasagiraapi aadhRuthah  kRuShNah paathu ||

English version:

Oh Krishna Your greatness is supreme,
In matsyavathara, you saved the Vedas,You were quite strong as Kurma,
As Varaha you redeemed mother earth,As Narashimha, you were deeply angry,
As Vamana you entreated Bali to save Indra,
As Parashurama you were thankless to your own mother,
As Srirama you were deeply attached to Seetha,
As Krishna you stole milk and butter,As Buddha you mis-lead the Asuras,
As Kalki you are fast as horse-rider,All your actions are highly wonderful,
Oh krishna please ever shower your grace upon us. ... 12 ...

Shri Narayanacharya, son of Shri Lakshmipathi Bhattopadhyaya has written commentary for Theertha Prabhandha. He has written that this verse has got many meanings and  can be understood only by Shri
Vadiraja's blessings. He has explained three different meanings for this verse. The english version given above is the most common one narrating the various actions of Lord in his ten avataras.
   Another meaning is in the context of  a gopika lady questioning Shri Krishna about his neglegence towards her. She says that Shri Krishna is  highly fluctuating and does not show deep love in one lady. He behaves indifferently in her absence and when asked he puts his face down. He  becomes angry for no reason and pleads other
ladies.  His behaviour among the Gopika ladies is very peculiar.
  Yet another meaning is related to Shri Lord's various extra ordinary activites. Shri Hari protects Shri Rudradeva from terrifying Bhasmasura. Yet he pretends to be worshipping Lord Rudra. Shri Hari becomes Mohini  and while distributing "Amrtha", the kind lady performs the horrible action of cutting the head of "Rahu". Lord Krishna is un atttached though he is surrounded by his eight queens and sixteen thousand Gopikas. Like that Shri Hari performs many many wonderful and peculiar actions. Shri Vaadiraja Theertha prays Lord Krishna in this verse bringing out all his supremacy.
 

rUpyaathmakaamarapurassara sannirUpya
rUpyaathmakam cha bhavathah kRupayaa gathasya |
rUpyathmakaalayakRuthaalaya yaththvamEva
rUpyathmanO gathirihaapi thadhIsha pAhi ||13||

Prose Version :
rUpyaathmakaamarapurassara sannirUpya rUpyathmakaalayakRuthaalaya  hE Isha yatt bhavathah kRupayaa rUpyaathmakam gathasya cha aathmanah thvamEva gathih ithi praMEyam) rUpi. thath ihaapi pAhi ||

English Version:
Oh Lord of Rajatha Peetha Sri Krishna
You are worshipped by Brahma and other Gods,
You offer Moksha(Eternal Bliss) to the deserving,
And relieve them from the pangs of birth and deaths,
Please be pour saviour during our life-time as well. ..13...

   Shri Vadiraja Theertha here affirms that Lord Hari is  only "sarvottham" and he only can offer "Moksha" to jivas. Lord Hari is only being worshipped by other Gods and Goddesses in the 'upper lokas' like 'Swarga' etc. So Lord Hari is only has save us in this life too.
The word "roopya" is used with different meaning in all four lines of the verse and this  composition is considered to be a great work.  Mext Shri Vadiraja Theertha describes Lord Ananthasana(LordAnantheswara).

Shri Ananthaasana:

shivaamthaRyaamithaam svIyaam priyaan prathi nibODhayan
dhayaavaariniDhishshaivIm shilaamaashrithya  shObhathE ||14||

Prose version:
dhayaavaariniDhih svIyaam shivaamthaRyaamithaam  priyaan prathi nibODhayan san shaivIm shilaam aashrithya  shObhathE ||

English Version:
Oh Lingamurthy - You are known as,
Ananthapadmanabha and confirm,
The belief that Srisha dwells in the heart of  Isha,
And to proclaim this to the world,
Parashurama appears in Lingakara here.  .....14.....

IshasyaahIshapadhavIm bhaasayanniva  bhaavinIm |
aDhyaasthE shEShashayanah snigDhaam limgashilaam harih ||15||

Prose Version:
shEShashayanah harih Ishasya bhaavinIm ahIshapadhavIm bhaasayanniva snigDhaam  limgashilaam aDhyaasthE   ||

English Version:
Isha (Shankara) becomes Aheesha (Adishesha) in the next Kalpa,
To illustrate this fact Sheshashayi  Shri Hari takes Shivaroopa here....15..

 Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha here very clearly explains that the God at the temple is Shri Hari only in the form of  'shiva-Linga', though in general 'shiva-Linga' represents Lord Rudra. As explained earlier, Lord ParashuRama appeared here in this place to King Rama Bhoja.. There is yet another story as follows. Once upon a time a brahmin by name "Kunja Madhava", worshipped Lord Narayana  to get a son. Lord appeared in his dream and asked him to go to Roopyapeeta pura. Also suggested him to offer milky bath to 'Nagapeetha' on silver base, already  established by King RamaBhoja. Lord also told brahmin that he will appear there in the form of 'Shivalinga', as requested by Lord Rudra sometimes earlier.  With all these things, it is very clearly asserted that Lord Narayana is the deity in that old temple of Udupi.
      Acharya Madhwa used to teach his disciples in this old temple and disappeared from the eyes of all and went to Shri Badarikashrama  while teaching itself.  That place is still preserved as it is and a small name plate is put there for the information of devotees. Even now Shri Acharya isvisibly present at Badari and invisibly at Udupi.
  Shri Vadiraja Theertha now starts his pilgrimage tour in the west coast region and visits holy places starting from Pajaka Kshetra. In the next 84 slokas Shri Vadiraaja explains 39 holy places. Additional info(for those who have not seen Udupi):
 Udupi is connected to Bombay, Bangalore  by train and air and to all major cities by bus. The nearest airport is at Bajpe(60 Kms). Visitors can stay at Birla Choultry, Shri Krishna Dhama etc. Allmost all mutts have guest house or choultry for lodging. Udupi ia also famous for education and banking. Manipal is vary famous for his medical facilities. Students from from all over India come here for studying medicine and Engineering. The Admar Mutt education council started during 1961 runs many scholls and colleges spread in Karnataka, Bombay and Delhi. Shri MAdhwa Siddantha Prabodini Sanskrit Maha Patashala
started by eight swamijis offers courses in Sanskrit upto post-graduate in Vedantha, Tarka, Jyothisha and Alankar.
    The holy town Udupi must be visited bt the devotees at least once.

Pajaka Kshethra

pavithram paajakakshEthram kO na sEvEtha kOvidhah |
sathyalOkEshwarah praaNO yathraavaatharadhuthsukah ||16||

Prose Version:
pavithram paajakakshEthram kah kOvidhah na sEvEtha, yathra  sathyalOkEshwarah praaNO uthsukah (san) avaatharath ||16||

English Verion:
Who would not like to worship,Pajaka Kshetra a holy place,
Considered as supreme and sacred,
For the Lord of Sathyaloka, Mukyaprana,
Came down here as Acharya Madhwa ..16...

Shri Vaadiraaja Theertha praises here the sacred place Pajaka, the birth place of Acharya Madhwa. Lord Mukyaprana, the supreme among the 'jivas' selected this place for his appearance. By the word "Sathyalokeshwara", Shri Vadiraja Theertha confirms Acharya Madhwa as "Brahma" in the next kalpa.

parashvaDhaDhanuRbaaNagadhaathIRThOpashOBhithE |
girou yathra suthaprEMNEvaasthE nithyam harisvasaa ||17||

Prose Version:
parashvaDhaDhanuRbaaNagadhaathIRThOpashOBhithE yathra girou harisvasaa suthaprEMNA iva nithyam asthE   ||17||

English Version:
Four sacred tanks namely,Parashu, Dhanu, Bana andGadha
Theerthas enhance theBeauty of Pajaka four fold.
And Mother Durga standing on,The hills, looks as if she is here,
To bless her son Mukyaprana,Now appearing as Madhwa Muni here ..17..

  Shri Vadiraja Theertha calls Durga as sister of Shri Hari, reminding us the avatara of Goddess Durga, born as baby girl to Yashodha and Nandagopa during Shri Krishna Avatara. In the next three verses Shri Vadiraja Theertha praises Goddess Durga.
Additional Info: Pajaka Kshetra, the  Birth Place of Shri Acharya is 7 miles south-East of Udupi. There is a small hill called
Vimanagiri(Kunjaru) close to Pajaka and on the four sides of the hill there are four holy water tanks namely Parashu, Dhanushu, Bana and Gadha. On the top of Kunjaru hill, there is a Durga temple founded by Lord Parashurama. By the side of Durga Temple, there is  one Parashurama Temple. In Pajaka Kshetra, there are many marks left by Shri Acharya, related to various incidents during his childhood. There is foot mark of Acharya Madhwa where is stood after a miraculous leap
from Durga hill, to respond to his mother's call. On this sacred place, Shri Vaadiraja Theertha installed a shrine for Shri Acharya. We can still see the the place, known as Mudu Mutt where Shri Acharya's elders lived. Unfortunately  Pajaka Kshethra was not properly  recognised and protected for many years. Now a big project is going on to restore  and protect the place where Shri Acharya spent his earlydays.
 

thrishUlaDhaariNI dhaithyagajakumBhavidhaariNI |
girImdhrashikharaavaasaa dhurgaa  swaRgaapavaRgadhaa ||18||

Prose Version:
thrishUlaDhaariNI dhaithyagajakumBhavidhaariNI girImdhrashikharaavaasaa dhurgaa  swaRgaapavaRgadhaa (asthi) ||

English Version:
Oh Durga Matha you possess trishula,
Like Lion that, severes the, head of elephant,You have slain Mahishashura,
And are now present in Kunjaru Hills,
Granting solace and liberation to devotess   .. 18 ..

pralayE jaladhuRgaasi saRgaadhou girivisthrathih |
idhaanim sThaLadhuRgaasi dhuRgaa  thvam sadhguNaaRNavE || 19||

Prose version:
sadhguNaaRNavE pralayE jaladhuRgaa asi saRgaadhou giri visthrathih idhaanim sThaLadhuRgaasi (athah) dhuRgaathvam  || 19||
English Version:
Oh Sri Devi, during pralaya you,
Remain in the form of deluge as Jaladurga,
During creative period, you are found,
Breathing forth the Vedas, and now you
Are found on earth as Stala Durga          ..... 19 ...

   Durga temple is found in three places in three different forms. In Kateelu, near Mangalore Goddess is known as JalaDurga and the temple is surrounded by water. In Kunjaru Goddess is known as GiriDurga and temple is found on the top of the hill. In Bappanadu, near Mangalore, Goddess is known as SthalaDurga. Shri Vadiraja Theertha here explains that these three forms are corrosponding to three main activities of Lord Hari namely creation(srashti), operation(sthithi) anddestruction(laya).

dhuRjJnyEyathvaath dhuhkhadhathvaathdhuShpraapathvaachcha dhuRjanaih |
sathamabhayabhUmithvaathdhuRgaa   thvam  hRudhguhaashrayaath || 20||

Prose Version:
dhuRjJnyEyathvaath dhuhkhadhathvaath dhuRjanaih  dhuShpraapathvaath cha satham abhayabhUmithvaath hRudhguhaashrayaath thvam   dhuRgaa ||

English Version:
Oh Durga Matha it is difficult to know you fully,
For you inflict pain to the wicked  and keep them away,
And always bless and protect the learned,
Dwelling in the hearts you control our actions    ....20....

    Shri Vaadiraja Theertha here praises Goddess Durga for her action against good and bad people.  
Additional  Info: There is  a small lake called "Vasudeva Theertha" in Pajaka. Acharya Madhwa created this small water pond, and requested holy Ganga to appear here, when his mother wanted to have holy bath in Ganga river.(Scholars may narrate this incident for the benefit of devotees). Recently this pond has been reconstucted. Devotees must visit this place once to see the marks left behind by great Acharya.
   Next Shri Vadiraja Theertha visits Elluru, a place famous for God Viswanath, 8 miles south of Udupi.

Viswanatha Kshetra (EllUru )

Yelluru Viswanatha Temple is 24 km away from Udupi towards south. The temple was closed when  Shri Vadiraja Theertha visited this place. Shri Vadiraja Theertha  Prayed Lord Shankara outside the temple. Lord Shankara  was pleased by the prayer and opened the door himself. Shri Vadiraja Theertha continued praying God and in five verses praised Lord Shankara as  follows.

rakshOgaNakshapaNadhakshamahaathrishUlam
thryaksham valakshathanuMullasadhakshaMaalaam |
rUkshaaghashikshaNavichakshaNashakthiyUTham
dhakshaaDhvarakshayadhaMaashraya vishwanaaTham || 21 ||

Prose version:
rakshOgaNakshapaNadhakshamahaathrishUlam thryaksham valakshathanum ullasadhakshaMaalaam rUkshaaghashikshaNavichakshaNashakthiyUTham dhakshaaDhvarakshayadham vishwanaaTham aashraya  || 21 ||

English Version:
Oh Maheshwara, you hold a strong Trishula,
Which has slain powerful demon like Andhakasura,
You are quite handsome and are three eyed,
And you possess a shining and powerful Japamala
Which can wipe out the sins of devotees
You have destroyed Daksa Yajna,
Oh Shambho, we pray to you. ....21....

AmgaanuShamgathaBhujamgaMathumgaBhOgam
gamgaatharamgakrathaMamgalaMouLiBhaagam |
samgIthalOlayathipumgavageethagaaTham
tham gouRyapaamgarasaMaashraya vishwanaaTham ||22||

Prose Version:
AmgaanuShamgathaBhujamgaMathumgaBhOgamgamgaatharamgakrathaMamgalaMouLiBhaagam
samgIthalOlayathipumgavageethagaaTham gouRyapaamgarasam tham
vishwanaaTham  aashraya ||22||

English Version:

Oh Nagabhushana Shambho,
You are decorated by serpemts
Bearing Ganga on your head,You are quite holy and sacred,
Even saints who are quite expert musiciansSing your glory and
Praise your  valourous acts,Such as Tripura Vijaya and other glories
Parvathi has set her lovely looks upon you,
Oh Viswanatha we pray to you.  ...22.....

imdhraadhidhEvagaNavamdhithapaadhapadhmam
chamdhraaRDhachUdamaravimdhadhalaayathaaksham |
kamdhaRpavairiNaManimdhyaMaMamdhabODham
tham dhEvadhEvaMiMaMaashrayavishwanaaTham ||23||

Prose Version:
imdhraadhidhEvagaNavamdhithapaadhapadhmam chamdhraaRDhachUdam aravimdhadhalaayathaaksham kamdhaRpavairiNam animdhyam aMamdhabODham tham dhEvadhEvam iMam vishwanaaTham ashraya ||23||

English Version:
All celestials, including IndraWorship your Lotus feet,
You bear half-moon on your head,And are Lotus eyed one,
Manmatha the God of love was,Reduced to ashes by your angry looks,
You are the tresaure house of noble,Qualities and deep scholarship
You are superior to IndraAnd all other celestials
Oh Shankara, we always worship you. .....23....

Yelluru Viswanatha Kshethra

vamdhaarunaaradhasanamdhanaMuKyayOgi-
vRumdhaih pravamdhyacharithaih parithashcha sEvyam |
imdhimdharOpaMasithEtharakamTakaamthim
soumdhaRyaMURthiMiMaMaashraya vishwanaaTham ||24||

Prose Version:
pravamdhyacharithaih vamdhaarunaaradhasanamdhanaMuKyayOgivRumdhaih parithashcha sEvyam imdhimdharOpaMasithEtharakamTakaamthim soumdhaRyaMURthim iMam vishwanaaTham aashraya ||24||

English Version:
All yogis like Narada, Sanandana,Always praise your glory,You are blue necked.
All your acts are ever npraisedOh mind, please ever
Worship the  handsome Shankara  ..24 ...

Chamdhashchayasthuthacharithra purathrayaarE
kumdhaprasoonakRuthasEvanathRupthachiththa |
thvaam dhInabamDhuMaruNEmdhulasathkapaRdham
vamdhE$riMaRdhana suhRudhDhana vishwanaaTha ||25||

Prose Version:
Chamdhashchayasthuthacharithra purathrayaarE
kumdhaprasoonakRuthasEvanathRupthachiththa ariMaRdhana suhRudhDhana hE
vishwanaaTha  dhInabamDhum aruNEmdhulasathkapaRdham thvaam vamdhe  ||25||

English Version:
Oh Tripurari Shambho, Rudrasukta
And other Veda mantras praise your glory,You are ever kind on devotee who,
Worship you  with Jasmine and Bilwa patra,
And always bless those who seek your helpYour matted looks are radiant by
The presence of lustrous moon on your head,
And you are a great benefactor of devotees,Kindly eradicate our evil thoughts
Oh Shankara, we  worship you. ..25 ...

suchaarukaRNalaamgUlashRumgaamGhryudharadhRuGnymuKham
kakudhmamtham vRuSham shwEthaM noumi shamkaravaahanam ||26||

Prose Version:
suchaarukaRNalaamgUlashRumgaamGhryudharadhRuGnymuKham kakudhmamtham shamkaravaahanam shwEthaM vRuSham  noumi  ||26||

English Version:
Oh fair coloured Mahanandi you are,Used as the main vechicle of Shankara
And possess beautiful ears, tailHorns, feet, stomach, eyes, face,
And a beautiful hump on  the backWe always worship you. ...26...

Additional info: The story about this temple is as follows. Years back, when Bargava Muni was invited to this place, by then chief of
this place namely BhooriKeerthi, the saint rejected the offer  stating that there is no temple in that place. The king got upset and went to
Kashi to worship Lord Viswanatha who blessed him saying that he will appear in his land. While Lord Shankar was coming up in the form of Shivalingam in the forest, the Shivalinga was hit with a knife by a lady who wantrd to dig the land for some nuts. Shivalinga started bleeding and the lady got frightened and ran away screraning "yello", her son's name. Hence the place is called "Yelluru".  The Shivaling   came up with the wound on the top. Now also it is visible and the priests apply sandal paste to that part.
  Shri Vadiraja Theertha installed a Laxmi Narashimha saligrama here. These slokas are being recited in the temple  during car festival.
While Shri Vadiraja Theertha was offering prayer to Lord Shiva, Nandi draw the attention of  Shri Vadiraja towards him and so a special
verse was created for Nandi. In Shiva temple Nandi will be sitting in front of Shivalingam and so full view of Shivalingam is normally not
possible from a distance outside. But here to signify the above incident, Shivalingam can be fully seen even from a distnce. The
pontiff of Sode mutt offers special pooja here whenever he visits thisplace.  Next Shri Vadiraja Theertha worships Lord Vedavyasa at "Madhyavata MaTha"