|| Shri Akshobhya Teertha Gurubhyonamaha ||

Introduction to Shri 1008 Shri Akshobhya Teertharu :

Shri Akshobhya Teertha is one of the famous saints who took sanyasa directly from Shri Madhvacharya. His name before he became the disciple of Sri Madhvacharya was Govinda Shastri. He is supposed to belong to the northern karnataka region. With the tours of Shri Madhvacharya, the fame of Shri Madhvacharya spread to all corners of the country. Sri Govinda Shastri listened about the erudition, works and the disciples of Shri Madhvacharya and went to Udupi. He was a follower of a non-Vaishnava ('advaitin') line before meeting and surrendering to Shri Madhvacharya.

Shri Akshobhya Teertharu was born in 1159 Sakabja era (1238 AD) and was the last of Madhva's direct disciples to sit on the Vedanta Pitha. He did so from 1350 AD -1365 AD. After initiating Akshobhya Teertharu into sanyasa Shri Madhvacharya gave him the Deity of Aja-Vithal. (Krsna standing with His hands on His hips, accompanied by Shri Devi and Bhudevi, though some say this is Krsna with Rukmini and Satyabhama).

Shri Akshobhya Teertharu who initiated Shri Jaya Teertharu (author of Shriman Nyaya Sudha) was a contemporary of the great 'advaitin' Shri Vidyaranya and also of a celebrated 'Visistha-advaitin' scholar Shri Vedanta Desika.

In the year 1336 AD., Shri Akshobhya Teertharu had a scholarly debate with Shri Vidyaranya on the interpretation of the scriptural passage "Tatvam-asi". Extensive and elaborate arguments were exchanged in the presence of Shri Vedantha Deshika who was chosen by both as an arbitrator. Another tradition says that all the arguments were literally written down and then sent to Shri Vedantha Deshika whose verdict was in favour of Shri Akshobhya Teertharu. The epigraphic evidence of this historic victory is on a commemorative pillar of victory on a hill near Mulabagilu that can be seen even today.

Shripad Akshobhya Teertharu moved after this a little north to Pandharapur on the banks of the Bhima-rathi River, which is where he met his future disciple Jaya Teertharu. In the years to follow Akshobhya Teertharu dedicated most of his time training Jaya Teertharu in 'Dwaita' philosophy. The relationship was so nice that Shripad Akshobhya Teertharu gave his every breath to make Shripad Jaya Teertharu the most proficient and dynamic preacher since Madhva, hence Jaya Teertharu was called the second moon of Madhwa and Tikacharya, for his many small commentaries. Shripad Akshobhya Teertharu taught him how to search out hidden significance's in the words of Madhwa which others missed.

Sri Akshobhya Teertha Moola Vrindavana, Malkhed.

How to visit Malkhed

Malkhed :

Malkhed comes under Gulbarga District. It is 40 kms away from Gulbarga. There is sufficient bus facilitiy to Malkhed from Gulbarga. It is situated in between Gulbarga and Sedam, 12 kms from Sedam.

Shri Venkannachar Pujar,
Shri Jayateertha Brindavana,
Malkhed, Sedam Taluk,
Gulbarga Dist-585 317 (Karnataka).
Ph : 08441-680343.

|| Shri Digvijaya Rama Vijayate ||
|| Shri Krishnarpanamastu ||

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