Remembering Srimad Acharyaru on Madhwa navami

Na mAdhava samO dEvO na cha madhva samO guruH

This sloka is inscribed on the wall in my in-laws home. The meaning of this sloka is that there is no God equal to Madhava and there is no teacher equal to Sri Madhwacharyaru. Sri Madhavanami (Magha masa shukla paksha navami) is the day Sri Madhvacharya took leave of his disciples and disappeared from our mortal eyes. People pay homage to Acharyaru on this day in various ways. Learned scholars and priests perform devara pooje, recite Vayustuti (listen), read portions of the Sarvamoola grantha, and recite Sumadhvavijaya.

What significance does this day have for me?

At home in Hyderabad, my father-in-law will get up early and do devara puje with honey abhisheka to Mukhyaprana. My mother-in-law will sing devaranama (according to taratamya) including Madhvanaama (listen) In the evening we would all go to the mutta. Ever since we moved to the US, we don’t do anything significant on this day. However, living in the Bay area has ensured that we can acknowledge this day, albeit on the weekend. This year too we want to attend the event organized by SVBM at the Livermore temple. It is a wonderful opportunity to see devarapuje, listen to pravachana, and take part in the rathotsava.

This day re-instills my faith in Lord Vishnu and Srimadacharyaru… Hari Sarvottama Vayu Jivottama!!