Mantralaya-2012
(Harapanahalli Bheemavva/BhimeshaKrishna)
Date : Oct 17, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Extraordinary woman Haridasa Harapanahalli Bheemavva/BhimeshaKrishna described in detail in Mantralaya (2012).
Meaning
This
week, I am thrilled to introduce an extraordinary woman who devoted
herself to the Haridasa tradition. Sadly, her name remains unfamiliar
to many, even though her soulful compositions are cherished in
Karnataka. Through her songs, she not only spread devotion to Lord Hari
but also enriched the spiritual lives of countless people. Her story is
a shining example of the transformative power of faith, and it deserves
to be celebrated far and wide.
I am talking about the illustrious
and divine personality, Harapanahalli Bheemavva. A remarkable saint
from the Haridasa tradition, Bheemavva’s contributions to Dasa Sahitya
embody devotion, simplicity, and wisdom. Despite her towering spiritual
presence, her name remains less known, though her soulful compositions
are still sung with reverence across Karnataka.
Despite today’s
advances in education, opportunities, and legal protections, women
still strive for equality with men. Now, imagine the challenges faced
by women in earlier times—those with exceptional intellect and
capability—who stood resilient amidst rigid societal norms, lack of
education, and harsh restrictions on their freedoms. These women, who
thrived against such odds, exemplify true empowerment. They broke
barriers when society placed numerous constraints on their choices and
roles. Here, I speak solely of Women—pioneers of strength, grace, and
resilience.
Bheemavva was born on July 6, 1823, in Narayanakere
village, near Hospet in the Bellary district. Her parents, Raghunath
Acharya and Rangamma, were Yajurvedi Brahmins associated with the
Raghavendra Matha.Bheemavva was born with the blessings of Sri
Raghavendra Swamy. Interestingly, the village of Narayanakere, now
submerged under the Tungabhadra River, was also the birthplace of Sri
Krishnavadhootaru, another great devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
These divine connections reflect the spiritual prominence of the
region, contributing significantly to the legacy of devotion and
Haridasa tradition.
Bheemavva's birth name was Kamalakshi. Her
parents and grandparents were devoted followers of Sri Hari, Sri
Raghavendra Swamy and were deeply engaged in community service and Hari
Seva. From birth, Kamalakshi bore divine signs, with clear imprints of
a Shanka (conch) and Chakra (discus) on her body, as well as Padma
Rekha (lotus markings) on her feet. These sacred marks symbolized that
she was no ordinary soul, destined for a higher spiritual purpose,
indicating divine grace and a life dedicated to serving the Lord.
Kamalakshi’s
grandfather, Joeesha Venkappa Acharyaru, was a renowned astrologer.
When he studied Kamalakshi’s birth chart, he was delighted to see that
she was destined to become a famous devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. He
predicted that Kamalakshi would bring great honor to their family name,
illuminating it with her spiritual achievements and unwavering
devotion. His foresight was a divine affirmation that her life would be
one of profound service, setting her apart from the ordinary path.
Though
born as Kamalakshi, she was affectionately known as Bheemavva. One day,
while she lay in her cradle, Venkappa Acharyaru witnessed a miraculous
vision: a radiant light followed Bheemavva, visible only to him. To
Venkappa Acharyaru’s astonishment, within that light, he saw Sage
Vedavyasa bestowing blessings upon the child. This divine encounter
affirmed his belief that Bheemavva was no ordinary child but a precious
gift from Sri Hari, destined for a life rich in spiritual greatness.
Bheemavva
would often sleep in her cradle while her parents sang Hari Dasa songs,
a beautiful tradition that surrounded her with devotion from a young
age. She would listen intently for hours, completely captivated and
serene, without a single cry. This early exposure to spiritual melodies
nurtured her soul and deepened her connection to Lord Hari,
foreshadowing her future as a great devotee and Haridasa poet.
As
Bheemavva grew, she blossomed into a beautiful child with a sharp
intellect and remarkable memory. Although she was eager to learn and
had a strong interest in her studies, societal norms of the time
limited her opportunities. Being a girl, she was denied the chance to
read and write in the local Kannada script, leaving her with an
unfulfilled desire for knowledge. Despite this, her innate wisdom and
spiritual depth began to emerge, laying the foundation for her future
as a revered devotee.
At the tender age of 11, Bheemavva married
Muniyappa, a 45-year-old man from Harapanahalli, who had previously
lost two wives and all his children. After their marriage, she was
named Krishnabai in her husband’s household. Together, they had a son
and a daughter, bringing joy and happiness to their family. Despite the
challenges of her early marriage, Bheemavva’s presence uplifted her
household, showcasing her nurturing spirit and capacity for love.
At
the age of 36, Bheemavva became a widow, facing the societal rituals
and challenges that accompanied her loss. Throughout this period, she
remained devoted to Lord Vishnu, expressing gratitude for the gift of
life rather than lamenting her circumstances. Her attitude teaches us a
valuable lesson about gratitude; while we often focus on our
struggles—be it education, career, or personal growth—we should also
take the time to appreciate what we have. Bheemavva’s unwavering faith
and resilience serve as a profound inspiration for us all.
One
night, Bheemavva had a profound dream in which a Brahmin appeared,
holding a Tamburi (In English, the tamburi is often referred to as a
tambura) in one hand and a Krishna Sarpa (Krishna Sarpa refers to a
serpent associated with Lord Krishna) in the other. He instructed the
Krishna Sarpa to inscribe letters onto Bheemavva's tongue. Upon waking,
she discovered that she could read and write, endowed with extensive
knowledge of all the Vedas and Shastras. The Brahmin who blessed her
was none other than Narada Muni, signifying her divine transformation
and the beginning of her spiritual journey.
After this divine
incident, Bheemavva began to compose beautiful songs in praise of the
Lord, singing them with grace and devotion. One day, Narada Muni
appeared to her in a dream, urging her not only to compose but also to
write down her songs. However, she lacked a pen name. Narada Muni
instructed her to adopt the name BhimeshaKrishna as her Ankita Naama,
ensuring her compositions would be recognized and revered in the
spiritual tradition.
As BhimeshaKrishna began to write and sing
her devotional songs, she faced ridicule from society for being a widow
expressing her faith. This mockery deeply affected her, leading her to
consider stopping her writing altogether. However, in another dream,
numerous Rishis appeared, encouraging her not to give up her composing
and singing, emphasizing that her works were precious to Lord Sri Hari.
Their divine reassurance reignited her spirit, urging her to continue
sharing her devotion through her songs.
Bheemavva resumed her
songwriting with renewed fervor. She would often dream profound
messages at night and then compose songs inspired by those visions. For
instance, when Lord Shiva appeared in her dream, declaring himself a
great devotee of Lord Vishnu, she awoke and crafted a song capturing
that divine revelation. This process of dreaming and composing became a
hallmark of her spiritual expression, allowing her to channel celestial
messages into her art.
Bheemavva emerged as a revered Hari
Dasaru BhimeshaKrishna, traveling to numerous holy shrines and temples.
Everywhere she went, she received warm welcomes and honors, as people
recognized her extraordinary spiritual presence. Her devotion and the
profound wisdom reflected in her songs set her apart, earning her
respect and admiration from devotees and scholars alike.
BhimeshaKrishna
composed over 200 devotional songs, including aarati songs, welfare
songs, marriage songs, and pieces for various occasions. Some notable
compositions are Rathi Kalyana, Subhadra Kalyana, Muyyada Song,Sudhama
Charithre, and Nala Charithre. She wrote songs honoring Sri Krishna,
Sri Venkateshwara, Ganesh, Eshwar, Laxmi Devi, Anjaneya, Vadiraja, and
Raghavendraswami. Her work continues to inspire devotees today. For
more of her compositions.
In the year 1903, Bheemavva attained
the lotus feet of Sri Narayana, marking the end of her earthly journey.
Her legacy as a great Hari Dasaru continues to inspire countless
devotees, reminding them of the power of faith and devotion in
overcoming societal challenges. Her songs and teachings remain a vital
part of the spiritual heritage in Karnataka, celebrated and cherished
by many.
As a woman Hari Dasa in a predominantly male-dominated
spiritual tradition, Bheemavva’s journey exemplifies the strength of
perseverance and dedication. She teaches us to remain steadfast in our
commitments, regardless of societal challenges, inspiring others to
follow their spiritual paths with courage and conviction. Her life
encourages all individuals, especially women, to pursue their passions
and beliefs without succumbing to societal limitations.
From
Bheemavva's life story, we learn the importance of perseverance, faith,
and inner strength in overcoming societal challenges. Her life teaches
us to look beyond superficial differences and recognize the inherent
value in every individual. Bheemavva’s journey inspires us to remain
committed to our spiritual paths, regardless of obstacles, and to
embrace our unique talents and voices. Ultimately, her story highlights
the transformative power of devotion and the ability to uplift others
through compassion and understanding.
Through Bheemavva, Lord
Sri Hari teaches us to look beyond appearances, transcending barriers
of caste, creed, gender, and marital status. It emphasizes the
importance of recognizing the inner soul of every individual. As
Madhavacharya states, each soul possesses a unique character, known as
Jeeva Swabhawa, which influences our attractions and interactions.
Understanding this concept encourages us to stop judging others based
on superficial criteria, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive
perspective.
The devotion towards
Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple
and effective way to reach Sri Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE
GURUGALA"! “Those who have complete faith in this Guru will never be
disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||