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Works of Sri Madhwacharya
By S Ananthapadmanabhan
In order to propagate the Dvaita philosophy i.e. the True Knowledge, our Acharya adapted two tactics. One is to preach his disciples directly and another way is writing books. He has written 37 works. All are called Sarva Moola Grantha. To remember these works, there are two stotras . Tradition attributes a belief that if we enchant these stotras, that will give the benefit of reading the entire Sarva Moola Grantha. One stotra consists of 14 stanzas, bearing the name of "Granthamalika Stotram" authorship of which is called as, "Sri Poorna Pragya Grantha Malika Stuthy" written by Sri Yadupatyacharya.
For the benefit of the readers, Sri Yadupatyacharya's sloka is reproduced here.
Bhashyam Dasakam Cha Panchakayutham Thisrascha Nirneethayo
Vishno: Stotrayugam Dasa Prakaranam Kalpadvayam Cha Smrithyhi |
Sri Krishnamritha Thanthrasara Yamaka Nyayavali Deepanam
Yenakari Sadaiva Madhwa Munirat Datyad Suvidyam Mama ||
The works mentioned in the above sloka are:
Geetha Bhasyam
Geetha Thatparyam
Brahma Sutra Bhasyam
Anu Bhasyam
Anu Vyakyanam
Nyaya Vivarnam
Nrisimha Nakhastuthy
Yamaka Bharatham
Dwadasa Stotram
10.Krishnamrita Maharnavam
Thantrasara Sangraham
Sadachara Smrithy
Yathy Pranava Kalpam
Jayanthy Nirnayam
Bhagavatha Thatparya Nirnayam
Sri Mahabharatha Thatparya Nirnayam
Rik Bhasyam
Pramana Lakshanam
Katha Lakshanam
Upadi Khandanam
Mayavada Khandanam
Prapancha Mithyatva Anumana Kandanam
Thatwa Sankhyanam
Thatwa Vivekam
Thatvodyotam
Karma Nirnayam
Vishnu Thatwa Vinirnayam
Aiteraya Upanishad Bhasyam
Thaitraya Upanishad Bhasyam
Brihadaranya Upanishad Bhasyam
Isavasya Upanishad Bhasyam
Kataka Upanishad Bhasyam
Chandogya Upanishad Bhasyam
Atharvana Upanishad Bhasyam
Mandukya Upanishad Bhasyam
Shat Prasna Upanishad Bhasyam
Thalavakara Upanishad Bhasyam
There is one sloka as, "Kanduka Stuthy" composed by our acharya while he was playing ball with his friends, before taking Sanyasa Ashrama.
Just a few lines are given here about each and every above mentioned work just to create an interest among the readers.
Geetha Bhasyam: It gives a true meaning of Geetha. In this Hari Sarvothamatva has been established. The views of other schools are condemned.
Geetha Thatparyam: In this, substantiate evidence from Puranas, for the true meaning expounded in Geetha Bhasyam, is established.
Brahma Sutra Bhasyam: For the 564 Bramha Sutras composed by Sri Veda Vyasa our Acharya has given a beautiful meaning. It is a perfect commentary which erases controversial handling (explanation) done by Acharyas of other school.
Anu Bhasyam: A small poetical work consists of 4 cantoes. Readers are requested to read our magazine "Parimalam" December, January, February and current issues for the full meaning of all the 4 chapters.
Anu Vyakyanam: Advaitha and Vishishtadvaita position is analysed and Dvaita viewpoint is established.
Nyaya Vivarnam: Based on Yukthy Poorva Paksha has been discussed and discarded, Dvaita stand is established in emphatic manner.
Nrisimha Nakhastuthy: It is read even now before and after "Harivayustuthy" done by Sri ThrivikramaPanditha Acharya. Sri Madhwa prays at Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha as let the lustre of His protects us. And also he advised that every one should enchant this Nakhastuthy of 2 slokas before and after reading Harivayustuthy. Readers are requested to read our article 'Whom does our Guru protect?' appeared on this Magazine Parimalam of January Issue.
Yamaka Bharatam: Yamaka means repetition of some letters or words, by splitting which suitably, different meaning will evolve. Our Acharya, in this style, narrated the entire Mahabharata and also it forms a stotra of Lord Sri Krishna.
Dwadasa Stotram: While bringing the idol of Sri Krishna from 'Malpe' beach, got it from a Captain by helping a ship to attain the shore safely this was enchanted by our Acharya. Virtually Acharya brought the idol to Udupi by dancing. This stotra is composed out of different tunes, will be pleasing to ears if chanted/listened. It is a praising song of Lord Sri Krishna.
Krishnamritha Maharnava: The greatness of Lord Sri Krishna is extolled and also "Yekadasi" upvasa and Hari smarana are glorified in this work.
Thantrasara Sangraham: Which mantra should be enchanted for which purpose, how to install an idol, procedure of performing pooja etc. are dealt here.
Sadachara Smrithy: The procedure of daily routine explained here. (Snana Krama, Japa Krama etc.)
Yathy Pranava Kalpam: The meaing of 'Om' and procedure for acceptance of Sanyasa Ashrama are explained here.
Jayanthy Nirnayam: Sri Krishna's time of birth at midnight when the Star Rohinee was there with Ashtami thithy i.e. eigth day of Krishnapaksha (from new moon day to no moon day) are explained.
Sri Bhagavata Thatparya Nirnayam: The essence of Bhagavata Purana and also some secrets hidden in controversial episode have found a new dimension in this work.
Sri Mahabharatha Thatparya Nirnayam: This work consists of 32 chapters. First 3 chapters are called Sarva Sastra Nirnaya (Suvakyodarana). From 4th to 9th chapters deal with Ramayana and from 10th to 32nd chapter deal with Mahabharatha. All works of our Acharya is extraordinary one. But this one is most stupendous one.
Rig Bhasyam: Some important 40 verses of Rik Samhita has been explained with which we will try to understand the meanings of other Vedas also to some extent.
Pramana Lakshana: The characteristics of Pratyaksha, Anumana and Agama i.e. Perception, Inference and Vedas are explained as the means of True Knowledge to obtain Moksha. (Liberation)
Katha Lakshana: The procedure to be followed in an argument to decide a fact as an offendant and defendant are explained.
Upadhi Khandanam: It is a condemnation of Advaita principle which calls Parabrahma 20. as Upadhi and he himself deformated as animate and inanimate etc.
Mayavadha Khandanan: The illusory appearance of world as expounded by Advaitins is condemned here.
Prapancha Mithyatva Anumana Khandanam: The famous Advaita position of "World is false" is condemned here.
Thatva Sankhyanam: The gradation from Deities to the souls of lower order is explained.
Thatwa Vivekam: The proof of Dependent and Independent deities are explained.
Thatvodyotam: "The difference is real" as per Dvaita concept is explained.
Karma Nirnayam: The procedure to be followed in enchanting mantras and other activities at the time of performing a sacrifice is explained.
Vishnu Thatwa Vinirnaya: The Apaurusheyatwa of Veda. i.e. Veda not created by any human agency, bimba-pratibimba bhava i.e. the image and it's reflection of God and Soul. The condemnation of viewpoint of other schools are expliained here.
Aitereya Upnishad Bhasyam: The details of Lord Vishnu assuming the form of Mahidesa and his advice about the greatness of Brihati Sahasra Veda to Sri Lakshmi, Brahma etc. are explained.
Thaithreya Upanishad Bhasyam: The five Vyuha forms of God as Sankarshana, Pradyumna, Vasudeva, Anirudhdha, Narayana, the definition of Brihma as Satyam, Gyanam, Anantham etc. the students life in Gurukulavasa, Ananda Tharathamya (gradation) are explained in this book.
Isavasya Upanishad Bhasyam: Lord Vishnu born with Yagna name as a grandson of Svayambuva manu, and God's help of Manu from the clutch of Asuras (demons) are explained.
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Bhasyam: The greatness Ashwameda sacrifice etc, very important passages like, "Aham Brahma Asmi" etc. and also, creation, upasana procedure are well dealt here. Among all the Upanishads this is the biggest upanishad.
Chandogya Upanishad Bhasyam: This Upanishad also describes a number of upasanas such as Udgita, Samopasana, Madu vidya, Samvarga vidya, Vaisvanara Vidya, the importance of Mukhya Prana are dealt in this Upanishad. More over this Upanishad provides a lot of "Vishaya Vakhya" (i.e. subject
matter) of Brahma Sutra.
Kataka Upanishad Bhasyam: This Upanishad is in the form of a dialogue between Nachiketas and Yama which gives a full exposition of God, who regulates the soul after death and liberation and how be regulates etc. are explained here.
Atharvana Upanishad Bhasyam: The central idea behind this Upanishad is 2 levels of Knowledge (Para vidya and Apara vidya), the importance of Karmanushtara, Status of liberation souls etc.
Mandukya Upanishad Bhasyam: Varuna Bhagavan assumed the form of a Manduka i.e. a frog and praised the God's form Viswa, Pragja, Thaijasa and Thuriya. The 'Om' kara Upasana and Ashara are explained in this Upanishad.
Shat Prasna Upanishad Bhasyam: The sage Pippplada's answer to the six questions put up by six sages by name Sukesha, Satyakarma, Gargya, Kousalya Aswalayana, Bhargava, Kabandi form this Upanishad. It deals about process of Creation, Importance of Vayu Deva, 'Om' Kara Shodasa Kala Purusha.
Thalavakara Upanishad Bhasyam: This Upanishad is in the form of conversation between Chaturmukha Brahma and Siva. It brings about two important facts of God i.e. God cannot be comprehended fully by any one and all are regulated by God. It is notable point that in all the works he used the words Vedas, Puranas, Ithyhasas only and his words are only very minimum.
Here ends the works of Sri Madhwacharya.
The above gist is given only to induce a taste in our Acharya's work so that the reader will be certainly on the look out for our Acharya's works with translation or without translation.
But I would like to put a question before the readers and want to answer myself to provoke their thoughts. That is:-
There is one quoted general statement in Sanskrit language as
"Prayojanam Anuddisya Na Mandoapi Pravartate".
The meaning of the above statement is "Even a fool will not proceed with in a matter without the intention of benefit".
So being the case, my question is -
Why do we have to read Madhwa Shastra?
What benefit it will accrue?
The answer for the above is -
Since we all are human being we should definitely read Madhwa Shastra.
The benefit we will obtain, by reading the Madhwa Shastra is explained in Sumadhwa Vijaya 11th canto and 79th sloka. (Separate article will be issued about Sri Sumadhwa Vijaya at a later date). The above mentioned sloka is-
Mahananda Theerthasya Ye Bhasya Bhavam Manovakbhihi Avartayante Swashaktya |
Suradya Narantha Mukunda Prasadad Imam Moksham Yete Bhajante Sadethy ||
The aspired persons starting from Devata to Human being, who repeat the commentaries of Sri Madhwa by mind and by words according to their strength (or capacity) will certainly enjoy the bliss according to their capacity by grace of Lord Vishnu.
This answers our above question.
Out of personal interest, we provide the following information to our valuable readers.
Ten principal Upanishads according to Madhwa Bhasyam are beautifully translated 1. into English with Ten principal Upanishads according to Madhwa Bhasyam are beautifully translated into English with Sanskrit passages by the living legend Mr. K T Pandurangi of Bangalore, Published by SMSO Sabha.
Sri Mahabharata Thatparya Nirnaya first 3 chapters translated into English with Sanskrit passages by the same above-mentioned author.
Sri Mahabharatha Tharparya Nirnaya chapters 10 to 32 are translated into English with Sanskrit word to word meaning by the leading lawyer Sri T S Raghavendran, Published by SMSO Sabha.
Interested reader may contact the following address if they require the above books.
The Secretary,
SMSO Sabha,
19, Car Street,
Triplicane,
Chennai (Madras) ,
Tamil Nadu - 600005,
India.
Mr. T S Raghavendran
120, Telugu Brahmin Street,
Coimbatore,
Tamil Nadu - 641001,
India.
Vedanta Book House,
VI Main Road,
Chamarajapet,
Bangalore - 560018,
India.
Dvaitha Vedantha Studies and Research Foundation,
88, R.R. Choultry,
K R Road,
Bangalore - 560004,
India.
And also we request the readers to provide if they have any information about our Acharya's books published with or without English translation.
I dedicate this article to Lord Krishna Sarvantharyami.
Sri Madhwesarppanam Astu,
S Ananthapadmanabhan
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