Sharana of the week: Ambigara Chowdayya
The history of Ambigara Chowdayya is a mystery.
We do know much
about his parents, family or place of birth.
We have little or no reference
in the "Shunnaya Sampadane". He was a great
Sharana who followed
the principle of Ariviu (Realization) and
Ahachara (Practice).
His critical remarks, free and frank opinion,
pungent words of truth, fearless
action and rational thinking might have contributed
the fear among the hypocrites!!.
It is surprising to know that he was a great
yogi of perfect harmony.
He beloved in yoga of SILENCE. So far we are
able to collect about 300 of his Vachana.
As there is no big river near Basava Kalyan
(Bidar Dist), he might have
practiced his nobel profession in Malaprabha
river near Chowdadanapura
in Dharwad district or Bhima river near Sholapur.
We are not interested in place
of his profession. We are interested in his
deeds. He was a sailor of mankind who guaranteed
Moksha from the river of sorrow. in simple
words, he was a great sailor of mankind.
He said we have pay little price and it not
NOT FREE.
The price is surrender of ego to the Lord.
In those days of ultra orthodoxy and caste
system,
some body might have make fun of his profession
or caste
then he said the following vachana.
I am the sailor of this Samsara,
the river of sorrow - with infinite width
and bottomless bottom.
I am the sailor of this Maya
the river of illusion - with infinite provocation
and endless desires
I am the sailor of the mankind
with a guaranteed heavenly destination
I am such an Ambiga who will command the ship
of Samsara
with a minimal charge: surrender of ego to
the Lord.
--Ambigara Chowdayya
(Adopted from: Ariviu - Ahchara by Sri.
Mahadevappa)