Background: In the 16th century, the philosophy of SrimadAchArya spread far and wide thanks to the incessant zeal of great saints like Sri SripAdarAja and VyAsarAja, and great HaridAsAs like PurandaradAsa, KanakadAsa and others. The Vijayanagar emperors were great patrons of literature who held MAdhva saints and haridAsAas in great esteem and encouraged their progress both inside and outside their domain. Sri VyAsarAja had saved KrishnadevarAyA, the greatest king of Vijayanagar, during the Kuha yoga. Unfortunately, RAmarAya (the successor to KrishnadEvarAya) was not a good ruler and commited a lot of misdeeds which eventually led to his downfall. The battle of Talikota in 1565 ravaged all of Vijayanagar and some parts of south India. The architectural splendor of Hampi was reduced to rubble and many MAdhva families migrated south. Due to the patronage of the Marathas and the Nayaks, the MAdhvas were able to sustain themselves in the south. The followers of SanAtana dharma, regardless of sect or religion were put to untold hardships. There was an urgent need for powerful personalities who would protect the community against material and spiritual onslaughts and guide. Fortunately, by the grace of Sri Hari and Vayu, three great souls emerged to lead the followers of SrimadAchArya through turbulent times. These three were Sri VadirAjaru, Sri VijAyendraru and Sri RaghUttama tIrtharu. This document focuses on the life and achievements of Sri RaghUttama tIrtha.

Content Author: Sri .Hunsur Sriprasad

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