ब्रह्मान्ता गुरवः साक्षात् इष्टं दैवं श्रियःपतिः |
आचार्या श्रीमदाचार्या सन्तु मे जन्मजन्मनि ||
On this auspicious day of Madhwanavami presenting a wonderful shloka on Shrimad Anandathirtha Bhagavadpadacharya also knows as Madhwacharya and it elaborate meaning
This describes the person and personality of श्रीमदानंदतीर्थ भगवत्पादाचार्य most beautifully, in a way that makes Him shine forth brightly on our mind screen. It is a perfect ध्यान श्लोक. It is not just eulogizing and praising, but a description that one needs to concentrate on to realize the greatness of not only the guide but destination too.
श्रीमदानंदतीर्थ भगवत्पाद is surrounded by ज्ञानिसमूह and the common men (the context is on his return from payasvini teera. But that may not restrict us as it fits for all time)
Those people along with ज्ञानिसमूह gathered there saw a bright ONE shining with the light of many Suns. In comparison, the light of stars vanished. The sparkling and lightening like brightness of His knowledge was so intense that it simply vanquished/outshined the intellect of the best of the best gathered there.
His power was like that of a fierce lion which can break the heads of wild elephants. Those who were opposing Him with wrong understanding of the shastra could not withstand His eloquence, effectiveness, cogency, persuasiveness, impressiveness and authoritativeness of his logic which established the TRUTH.
The righteous and the ones who were fit, looked at Him and saw Him cool and nourishing like a moonlight with soothing rays which blossoms the water lily (kumuda)
The ज्ञानिसमूह, the righteous and fit were blessed with a view of the विश्वगुरु whose personality was completely blemishless and pure. (possessed of 32 सल्लक्षण). He was the jewel of crown among the ज्ञानिसमूह . May श्रीमदाचार्य bless us and may we follow Him , the जीवोत्तम forever.
(The छन्दस used here is शार्दूल-विक्रीड़ित. It signifies the description of the personality of श्रीमदानंद तीर्थ भगवत्पादाचार्य.
शार्दूल also means excellent, eminent, best, pre-eminent and the like. When eminence and excellence is required to be told then शार्दूल-विक्रीड़ित छन्दस becomes most appropriate. Please note the selection of शार्दूल-विक्रीड़ित here was not random. The शार्दूल-विक्रीड़ित छन्दस provides a visualization which helps us peep into the immortal personality of श्रीमदानंद तीर्थ भगवत्पादाचार्य)
अभ्रमं भंगरहितं अजडं विमलं सदा। श्रीमदानंदतीर्थार्यं भजे तापत्रयापहम् ।।
✍️ Vishnu Venkatdas Shanbhag, Kalbagkar. Kumta.
(Write-up with the input of a friend and help of Kannada translation by Vidvan Sanuru Bheemabhatta Acharyaru)
