STORY OF BHAKTHA KANAKA DASAR – A MAHAVISHNU DEVOTEE
Posted on May 23, 2011 by PALLASSANAS
After writing the Story of BHAKTHA NANDANAR who is one among the 63 NAYANMARS and known as THIRUNAALAI POVAAR NAAYANAAR,(திருநாளைபோவார் நாயனார்), I am writing now the story of a profound Krishna Bhaktha called KANAKA DAASA.

Kanaka Dasa’s original name was Thimmappa Nayaka. He was born in a very low caste called KURUBA whose job was to graze sheep, in a small village called BODA in Dharwar District. He was the contemporary of Shri Vaadi Raja Theertha and another famous poet of Karnataka called PURANDARA DASAR. His father, BYRAPPA, although was born as a shepherd (an untouchable caste of those times )was one of the chiefs of a small group of soldiers of KRISHNA DEVA RAYAR and his mother’s name is BUCHAMMA. Both of them were ardent devotees of Tirupati Thimmappa called Venkateshwara Swamy. Hence they named their son as THIMMAPPA.

From early age itself Thimmappa had no interest in studies and wanted to become a soldier like his father. Unfortunately, he lost his parents when he was very young, and no one liked him in the village since he was an atheist, Thimmappa was very sad. One day Lord Krishna came in his dream and said that HE loved Thimmappa and hence to become his devotee. Thimmappa refused to obey Lord’s words and was after material interests and hence joined the Army like his father. Here he had the opportunity to show his valour, but alas one day a soldier threw a sword from his back and Thimmappa was in pains. Again, Lord Krishna appeared before him in dreams and asked him whether he was in pains for which Thimmappa answered in an arrogant manner as to why He was pestering him again and again for which Lord told that in previous birth Thimmappa was his ardent devotee and hence asked him to become his devotee again, for which Thimmappa answered thus “ You relieve me from this pain and I would become your devotee”. Next morning Thimmappa saw to his surprise that he was not only having any pain but also his wound had disappeared.

This brought a sea-change in Thimmappa who was an atheist. He became a strong believer of Lord Krishna. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, he started making many songs on Lord Krishna like PURANDARA DASA. It is said that once Thimmappa went to a Temple of Lord Krishna and saw the doors were closed. He sang one such song:

“Bagilanu tegedu sevenpanu koduhariye
Kugidarudwani kelalillave Narahariye”

meaning “Oh God! You saved the Elephant from the crocodile even as you were enjoying the company of Sri Devi. You saved Prahlaada from his father’s attack by appearing from a pillar. When you were so kind to your devotees, why are you so cruel to me? Why don’t you open the doors for me?” it is said that immediately the doors of the temple was opened darshan of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Thus he became a wandering sage and wherever he went, he made songs and sang before the deity.

He also went to UDUPI to have darshan of lord Udupi Krishna. This temple is in the hands of MADHWA BRAHMINS. Being born in a low caste he was forbidden to go inside the temple by the Head priest. However, he wanted to have Darshan of Lord Udupi Krishna which was installed by none other than “POORNA PRAJNA” known as H.H. MADHWACHARYA. Madhwas consider him as an avathar of Bheema “ ll प्रथमो हनुमान नामः द्वितीयो भीम ऐव च

पूर्णेप्रज्ञ त्रितीयस्तु भगवतकार्यसाधक ll “

H.H. Madhwacharya gave the control of this temple to 8 mutts called ASHTA MUTTS which are “Pejavara, Puttige, Palimaru, Adamaru, Sodhe, Kaniyooru, Shirur and Krishnapura” Even today it is controlled by them only although the Government took over the control for name sake. Before I start the story again few words about the Lord Krishna of Udupi will not be out of place. MAADWAACHAARYA founded DWAITHA SIDDANTHA in which he says “God, is ‘Vishnu’ or Narayana alone. Vishnu in Samskrita means Omnipresent and Omnipotent. Narayana means a repository of infinite perfect qualities, devoid of all defects and the goal to be realised and reached by all good souls (2) Madhvacharya declares that God is a category by himself, called ‘Svatantra’ or Independent. The independent character of God is repeatedly emphasised by him as a fundamental tenet of his philosophy. In a particular context . According to him human soul is different from God. This is the ADVAITHA SIUDDAANTHA he propounded. The Story of UDUPI KRISHNA AS PER FOLK LORE; there was a storm in the sea at Malpe. Shri Madhvacharya was on the shore at the time and saw a ship which was in trouble. He helped the ship reach the shore to safety, by waving his Anga Vasthra The sailors were very grateful to him and were prepared to give him whatever he chose from the ship. Maadwaachaarya told the captain of the ship that he was a saint and did not want anything from them. However, when they insisted him to take some thing as a gift,, H.H. Acharya took a mud roll as a gift. When the mud roll was opened to his surprise he saw two VIGRAHAS in it. The Vigrahas or deities were of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama. He performed the installation ceremony of the deity of Lord Balarama near Malpe. This temple is known as Vadabhandeshwara.

He brought the deity of Lord Krishna and performed the installation at Udupi. This temple is known as Krishna Mutt. Or the Temple of LORD KRISHNA OF UDDUPI. Friends, please note that this deity is as powerful as the deity at GURUVAYUR OR TIRUPATI.

Note : Malpe is the sea port of Mangalore.

Friends, now coming to our Story there is no clear proof as to how his name is changed as KANAKA DASA; as per one story He came to be called Kanaka Nayaka as he found a treasure-trove of gold , which he distributed among the poor. From that day he was called as KANAKA DAASA since he was also the servant of Lord Krishna or Vishnu. Since he was forebidden entry to the temple, he stood outside the temple and started weeping . Immediately there was an earthquake and a crack appeared on the wall of the temple .The idol of Lord Krishna which was facing east till that time turned to west where the crack appeared. This place through which Kanaka Dasa viewed the Lords image became very famous as KANAKANA KINDI. Even now all pilgrims have darshan of the lord through this opening. Even the eight Mathadipathis in turn go to the temple to take charge at the time of paryaaya go in procession to this window. It is only after looking at the icon through this window that they enter the shrine. If we ask the Madhwa Brahmin head priests they would say Lord facing west is not new. But the legends say for the sake of BHAKTHA KANAKA DASA the image turned to west which was facing initially the EAST.

P.R.RADHAKRISHNAN

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