Pranam Mantra of Jayatirtha:
Yasya vak kamadhenurnah kamitarthan prayacchati
Sevetam Jayayogindram Kambanachidam Sada.
The former life of Jayatirtha:
Jayatirtha appeared in this world around 1346 AD. His former name was Dhondo Patreya Raghunatha. His father’s name is Dhonduraya Raghunatha. He belonged to the Brahmin class of Bharadwaja caste. He was the son of a high-ranking soldier. He had two wives. Jayatirtha was often seen mounted on a big war-horse and wearing armor and helmet like a local prince. He was a skilled horseman.
Sri Jayatirtha’s scholarly talent and writings:
At that time, no one was equal to Jayatirtha in philosophical conclusions. He was a genius and adept at scriptures. To reveal the folly of the Mayavadis, he wrote a commentary on Ramanujacharya’s works. He composed about twenty books to refute the notion: “Brahma Satya Jagat Mithya” of the Mayavadis. In this way, he expanded the glory of his own Sampradaya. He was very humble despite being the author of these priceless books. He considered himself to be a worthless servant of his predecessors and attributed all of his achievements to Madhavacharya and his Guru Akshovya Tirtha.
Meeting with Gurudev and recollection of past birth:
One summer afternoon he came to a river to drink water. His drinking scene was not common. He used to drink water directly from the water while riding his horse. Suddenly, from the other side of the river, Akshovya Tirtha was witnessing the wonderful sight of his drink. Akshovya Tirtha called him and said—
“O Equestrian, you drink water just like a bull.” This little word plunged the rider into deep thought and reminded him of his previous birth.
He remembered the time spent with Madhavacharya. But now ‘he is the son of a nobleman’. He could clearly remember how he carried Madhavacharya’s books everywhere in the form of a bull. Madhvacharya used to instruct the scriptural conclusions in a sweet voice. This was the best memory for him.
The Bull’s Relationship with Madhvacharya:
Madhvacharya would often praise his bull by saying “Indeed this bull had the best listener and could assimilate different conclusions faster than his other disciples”. Wherever Madhvacharya preached, the bull would listen very attentively with its erected ears. His faithfulness and loyalty were immense. Madhvacharya was often heard saying that this bull would improve considerably just by listening attentively. With the blessings of Madhvacharya, the bull once survived a snakebite.
Introduction of Shripad Madhavacharya’s beloved bull:
Indeed, it was not an ordinary bull. The bull was an incarnation of Indra and Lord Ananta Shesa. Similarly, it was not an ordinary incident to be born in a pious Kshatriya family like Jayatirtha and to be educated in Vedic literature under the guidance of Madhvacharya.
Jayatirtha’s surrender to his Gurudev:
Sri Jayatirtha recognized his Gurudev and said, “Your Grace, who are you?” Where are you from and how do you know me? My entire life has changed just by your single word. You are my Gurudev. You have opened my eyes. You have cut through the veil of ignorance from my original form. Please save me from the cycle of birth and death by instructing me my true duty”. Saying this, he immediately prayed for formal discipleship to Akshovya Tirtha there. But Akshovya Tirtha returned him that day. But his heart was fixed on the feet of his Guru.
Renunciation and Asceticism:
When he returned back to his wives that night, a strange incident happened. His young wife entered his room and saw a large python coiled up. The snake was in deep meditation. The wife got scared, screamed out of the house, and fell unconscious. After this incident, his father became very alarmed and he reluctantly allowed his son to go to Akshovya Tirtha. He was given the formal initiation first. Later, he took sannyasa in 1376 AD at the age of twenty. His ascetic name was Jayatirtha. Tikacharya Shripad Jayatirtha travelled all over India. He was never defeated. He came to be known as a pure Vaishnava Acharya.
Disappearance of Jayatirtha:
Jayatirtha spent his last days at Manyakshetra, once the capital of the Rashtrakuta kings of Karnataka in Mysore province. Here, at the age of forty, he performed his passing away Lila on the fifth day of Ashadha month.
