Shri Vadiraja has contributed a lot for Dvaitha Vedantha
and his works illustrate great personality and divine power of Shri Vadiraja.
Shri Vadiraja has composed many works and they can be classified as
* 'Shasthra grantha' which deal with
the philosophy of Dvaitha and supports that with many explanations and
commentaries
* 'Kaavyas" which are in poem style
and does not directly deal with the Vedantha.
Kaavyas
1.Rukmineeshavijaya
One of the famous composition of Shri Vadiraja, exemplifying his
mastery in literature and philosophy is Rukmineeshavijaya,
which was adjudged as the best composition of the day. The
Peshwe of Pune honored this work by organizing a grand procession on elephant
through out the city Poona. The background story goes like this.
King of Poona had great respect for scholars and used to honor them. There
was debate going on about the best literary work of that time. The
crowd of the scholars in the court of the King adjudged that 'Shishupala
vadha', written by poet 'Maagha' as the best work and it was decided
to honor that with a grand procession 'ambari', the elephant
ride. At that time, Shri Vadiraja informed the king to re-look into
the decision and as a challenge, within 19 days, this great work is composed
and given to the team of scholars. Everyone in the scholars wing
appreciated the this work in all respects and adjudged this
as the best composition of the day. It is great pleasure
to all of us to know that Shri Vaadiraja, who had renounced the world ,
was greatly honored by an outside King of other religion and it a great
reward for the whole community and also to our school of philosophy.
Shri Vadiraja was a great Acharya both in religious and literary world.
Click here
for more details about this outstanding literary work.
2.TheerTha
prabandha : Shri Vadiraja went around the whole India
twice visiting all the holy places and composed a 'TeerTha prabandha',
in 235 shlokas, a unique travelogue in Sanskrit literature . Shri
Vadiraja explains the sacredness of each holy places, prays God in a special
way, while bring out the dvaitha philosophy embedded in the historical
events and mythological incidents. This book is to be read by everyone
before taking up a pilgrimage tour. Though this composition looks
like a tour guide, it is much more than that. In praising and praying the
holy deities, Shri Vadiraja excels in his mastery over philosophy and literature.
Amid of his detailed tour, around India twice with out any facilities
of the modern days, Shri Vadiraaja continued his remarkable
literary work and spiritual practice.
Click here
for an introductory article about this outstanding literary work.
Click on the following to listen to the verses about few holy places / deities.
Shasthra granthas:
1.Yukthi Mallika a magnum-opus work, running into 5379 shlokas. It is a monumental work establishing the Nyayas and Yukthis along with Pramanas to establish firmly the Dvaitha vada. It is fine example of poetic gift being utilized for philosophic exposition. With simple logic and explanations, Shri Vadiraja Theertha brought the wisdom of his predecessors within the reach of all.
2. Nyaya Rathnavali It is condensed version of Yukthi Mallika. Prof S.L. Betty has translated this to english way back in 1978. In this work Shri Vadiraja contests the Non Dualism, combining deft analogy- charming metaphor and ruthless method of reduction and absurdum untill Non Dualism is destroyed
3. Vivarana Vrana: This works is created to criticize the set of three works belonging to School of Advaitha - 'Panchapaadhika' (suthrabhasya teeka of Shankaracharya) , its commentary 'Vivarana', and explainatory-' tathvapradeepa'.
4. Shruthitathvaprakashika : This work consisting of 507 shlokas explain the meaning of 6 important 'shruthi vakya'. Shri Vadiraaja explains these 'shruthi vakyas' with special logic, examples and explanations and brings out the valid interpretations very nicely. The logic, the narration, the style everything is great and commendable.
5. Paashanda matha khandana : This work consists of 129 shlokas to disprove the logics of 'Bhuddism' and 'Jainism'. Here also the special style of Shri Vadiraja's argument is very well appreciated by one and all.
6. Kalpalatha: This work disproves the the Jainism work 'pramaananirnya'. The special style of Shri Vadiraaja in disproving the opponent is very well established here also.
7. Haribhakthilatha: In this work ShrI Vadiraja, explains the supremacy of Shri Hari and explains the simple means to attain Jnana, Bhakthi and vairagya. ShrI Vadiraja says that through this route all devotes can easily reach the abode of Shri Hari.
8. Sarasabharatheevilasa: This is another very important work of Shri Vadiraaja and contains all 'shasthric' knowlegde in nutshell. Like Mahabharatha Tathparya Nirnaya of Shri Acharya Madhva, this work is considered as very important and authoritative work. The chapters of this work are called as 'vilasa' and contains 695 shlokas in 12 chapters. In this work Shri Vadiraja explains the three eternal couples: Shri Hari - Laxmi Devi, Shri Brahma -Vani Devi, Shri Vayu - Bharathi Devi, known as 'parashuklathraya'.
9. Adhikarananamavali: This work consists of 4 chapters and deals with the listing or organization of 'Brahmasuthra' in an order. The 564 Brahmasuthra, composed by Shri Vedavyasa is spread around 223 'adhikarana' or sections and this work classifies them in an order and lists all the 'adhikarana'.
10. Ekadashi Nirnaya: This work provides detailed explanation for deciding the day of 'Ekadashi', in special cases. Shri Acharya Madhva has explained about Ekadashi in his work Shri Krishnamratha Maharnava, and certain special cases were told to his disciples in person. Shri Vadiraja collects all those special considerations here to clarify the right way of deciding the Ekadashi day.
11. BhOgola Nirnaya: In this work, Shri Vaadiraja Theertha provides detailed explanation of 'earthen sphere' and 'space sphere' as indicated in the fifth chapter of 'Bhagavatha' and 'Mahabharatha Tathparya Nirnaya' of Shri Acharya Madhva. In 361 shlokas, Shri Vadiraja explains about earth, ocean, composition of cosmo sphere etc. This also contains the explanation about Shri Hari's special form and Shri Badari. These explanations here are not for the physical world, as seen by us. Only enlightened souls can see the metaphysical world explained here.
12. Lakshalankara:
This is a special work of Shri Vadiraja, to explain many special
and difficult instances of Mahabharatha. When Shri Vadiraja was in
Prayaga, ShrI Vedavyasa instructed to create this work
and Shri Vadiraja, after completion, offered this to Shri Vedavyasa
in Badari. This contains 18 chapters, out of which only few are published
so far. The story is that
Shri Vadiraja's mother had taken a vow to offer Lord a special jewellary
called "LAkshabarana", consisting of one lakh special stones. This was
obviously far beyond the capacity of the poor couple. When the mother told
Shri Vadiraja about this, Sri Vadiraja
thought of fulfilling her desire but Lord prompted Shri Vadiraja
to compose this work consisting of very pithy and enlightening comments
on one Lakh verses of Mahabharatha to get proper meanings. Shri Vadiraja
wrote this and offered to Lord as a special jewellary.
13 Bhavaprakashika : In this work Shri Vadiraaja Theertha provides further explanation for Mahabharatha, in tune with Mahabharatha Tathpraya Nirnaya of Shri Acharya Madhva. Shri Vadiraaja explains in detail the symbolic meaning of the personalities , as applied to our daily life. Mahabharatha is not what has happened centuries back. It is ongoing clash within everyone and we need to win the six enemies and surrender ourselves to Lord Hari.
14 Gurvarthadeepika (nyayasudha): This is a commentary to 'Nyayasudha' of Shri Jayatheertha. This is an important and authentic guide for 'Nyayasudha'. Though small, it has explained many critical instances and also provides explanation for many instances of 'Nyayavivarana' of Shri Acharya Madhva.
15. Gurvarthadeepika ( thathvaprakashika): This an explanatory to 'Thathvapakashika' of Shri Jayatheetha. This is the oldest guide and mainly brings out the implied meaning of 'Brahma Suthra Bhasya'. Shri Vadiraja explains many instances in tune with Shri Acharya, though Shri Jayatheertha has explained it in a little different way. Shri Vadiraja also tells why Shri Jayatheertha has explained in different way.
16. Ishavasya upanishadbhaasya Tika Tipaani : Shri Acharya Madhva has writen bhashya to 10 famous Upanishath and Shri Jayathertha has written commentary on these 'Bhasya's. Shri Vadiraja has composed Tippani for these teekas. These are very good and highly educative.
17. Shat-prashnopanishadbhashya Tika Tippani
18. ThalavakarOpanishad-bhaashya Tika Tippani
19. Kaatakopanishadh-bhaashya Tippani
20. AthrvanOpanishadh-bhashya Tippani
21. MaandUkOpanishadh-bhaashya Tippani
22. ThaiththrIyOpanishadh-bhashya Tippani This is not available fully.
23. ShrImadbaagavathanukamanika : In this work, in 117 shlokas, Shri Vaadiraja Theertha has briefly mentions about the various incidents of Shri Bhagavatha chronologically.
24. Upanyasa Rathnamala: This is an essay type composition. Though it is mentioned as 10 essays, only three are available now. Two essays are for explanation of two special instances of Rukmineesh Vijaya, seven are for 'Pramana paddathi', one for 'Mayavada khandana'. Also it looks Shri Vadiraja Theertha has written essays for 'Upadhi khandan' and 'Mithyatvanumana khandana', thus totalling 12.
As mentioned here 7 essays are not available. There may be many more, indicating that we don't have information about all the works of Shri Vadiraaja. A lot of research is required to bring out and publish all the works of ShrI Vadiraja
