Pranam Mantra:
Yo Vidyaranya Bpinam Tattvamasi asinacchinatah
Srimadakshovya tirtharyaham sinam tam namamyaham.
Sripad Akshovya Tirtha was born in 1238 AD in the north of the Karnataka state. He was the last disciple of Madhvacharya. He was Acharya from 1350 to 1365 AD. His former name was Govinda Shastri. Before meeting Sripad Madhvacharya and taking shelter at his feet, he was a Mayavadi.
Obtaining the service of Aja Bitthala:
Madhvacharya appointed Akshovya Tirtha as the head of the Pejawara Matha and presented him with the Aja Vitthala deity. In this deity form, Vitthala (Krishna) is stood with His hands on his loins. He is accompanied by Sridevi and Bhudevi.
Books written by Akshovya Tirtha:
Although Akshovya Tirtha was not a prolific writer, he became a significant figure in the Madhva sect. He authored a book called Madhva Tattsara Samgraha. This book describes the special nature and importance of Sri Manmadhavacharya’s teachings. He was a contemporary of the famous Advaitin Vidyaranya and the eminent Vishistadvaita Pandit Sri Vedanta Desika.
Sri Akshovya Tirtha refutes Mayavada:
Sri Akshovya Tirtha was the abbot of Uttaradi Matga. He invited the famous Advaitin Acharya of Sringeri, Vidyaranya, to an argument. Vedanta Deksikacharya was unanimously accepted as the moderator of that philosophical debate. Akshobhya Muni, the eminent scholar of Dvaita-Vedanta or Madhva Vedanta, defeated Vidyaranya Swami only by explaining the word ‘Tattvamsi’. Soon, this incident turned into a legendary event. As a result, a verse became famous among the scholars since then—
Asina tattvamasi na parajivapravedina.
Vidyaranya Maharanyam akshovya Muniracchinat.
Akshovya Muni cut down the great forest named Vidyaranya with the sword of Tattvamsi which differentiates the living beings from the Supreme being.
This vigorous triumph brought him the greatest success. He defeated Vidyaranya to such an extent that in history it became a turning point in the Madhva Sampradaya who advocated for pure dualism.
Jayatirtha’s meeting with Akshovya Tirtha and transmission of power:
Later, Akshovya Tirtha visited Pandharpur, located on the banks of the Bhima River. There, he met his disciple Jayatirtha. After the meeting, he devoted most of his time to teaching Jayatirtha. The relationship between the guru and the disciple was so sweet that he strove to make Jayatirtha the most efficient and indomitable preacher after Madhavacharya. As a result, Sri Jayatirtha became the second moon of the Madhva sect and was known as Tikacharya for his numerous short commentaries. He enlightened Jayatirtha on how to get the esoteric meaning of Madhvacharya’s various texts and to compose a commentary on these particular contexts.
Disappearance of Akshovya Tirtha:
In the Brahma Madhva Sampradaya, Akshobhya Tirtha is believed to be the incarnation of Sri Rudra, an expansion of Lord Shiva. He passed away at a place called Malker in Karnataka on the banks of the Kagini River. His tomb was built there.
