“ SARVA MOOLA CINTANE “
[ Thoughts on all original works of Sri Madhva ]
Article – 1.
“ Sri Krishna Padyam “ or “ Kanduka Stuti “
Acharya Sri Madhva’s literary works are referred as Sarva Moola Granthas or “All-original writings” in traditional circles. They are generally 37 works, that is what ancient peers have said about it. Please refer Sri Vyasa Tirtha’s Grantha Maalika Stotra, Sri Vijaya Dasa’s Suladhis and Sri Pranesa Dasar’s Kriti etc., But if you scan through Sri Hrishikesa Tirtha’s original Tulu manuscripts of Sarvamoola Granthas, the total number of Sarvamoola Granthas exceeds 41,including Sri Krishna Padya. Bilvamangala Saduh Nyaasa Paddati and Thithi Nirnaya. If you count 12 Stotras of Dwadasa Stotra as separate works, as per Bannanje Govindacharya’s view point, The total Sarvamoola Granthas exceeds 52. If you consider some slokas attributed to Madhva the total Sarvamoola Granthas exceeds 55. But for all practical purposes , let us keep the total Sarvamoola granthas as 37 only.
Kanduka Stuti (Ball verse), popularly known as “Sri Krishna Padya “, is an one versed poem as follows.
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It is believed that this small work was composed by Sri Madhva while he was playing with a ball, when he was just a boy of about 5 years old. It is in praise of Lord Krishna. It has a lot of poetic beauties and embellishments.It is usually sung in Kuntala Varaali Raga in South India by our ancients. It is the first literary work of Sri Madhva and he composed it in his pre-monkhood days.
The poem is composed in an unique meter. That shows the child’s precosious nature in the young age itself. with high sense of Kavya jnana. Similies and metaphors are used freely in this small poem. Mainly, devotion is the predominant rasa in this verse.
Murari is a right word used by Madhva in his first work. His philosophical rival, Sankara also composed his poetic work by name Murari Sataka.So says disciples of Sankara.
Some baala leelas are recalled in this small poem.
Acharya, metaphorically tells “ daughter, Sky Ganges kisses his(Murari) little feet. That Sucha flower-like feet kicked a big cart and killed a demon residing in it. That small soft feet crushed the hoods of terrific poisonous snake. The feet also kicked innumerable demons into pieces. He is always flying on an eagle which travels faster than wind. Let such a God protect us”, he beseeches.
This is the first Sarvamoola cintane.
Other articles one after another, will follow in due course of time.
Sri Krishnarpanamastu
OM