Tattvodyota
सर्वत्राखिलसच्छक्तिः स्वतन्त्रोशेषदर्शनः।
नित्यातादृशचिच्चेत्ययन्तेष्टो नो रमापतिः ।।
Tattvodyota is a short but significant polemical text written by Sri Madhwacharya. This is one of the ten Prakarana Texts Sri Acharya composed to accomplish a portion of the objectives of the Scriptures. In the Tattvavada tradition, this text occupies a special place. This text is considered as the launch pad into polemical exegesis. Many stalwarts have written their commentaries on this text. This includes the Tika of Sri Jayateertha and sub-commentaries by Vedesha Tirtha, Vijayeendra Tirtha and Dvaita Dyumani by Huligi Sripatyacharya.
Central Theme
The Central Theme of this work is to establish the Supremacy of Lord Vishnu and to propound His distinctness from all souls. The existence of the Lord is established by Verbal Testimony and Inference. Refutation of several Mayavada tenets is made to firmly establish the Tattvavada doctrines.
Background
A debate was organized between a scholar by name Pundarika Puri with Sri Madhwacharya. When the debated started, Pundarika Puri, became dumbfounded and failed to debate at the very sight of Sri Acharya. While he was listening, Sri Acharya ably discoursed about Tattvavada while critically expounding the flaws in the Mayavada. Acharya ordered his disciples to write down the discourse for the benefit of future readers and it became famous as Tattvodyota. This work is referred to as the Vada grantha in Sumadhwa Vijaya.
Establishing Ishwara and His Supremacy
Lord Vishnu is mentioned in several Vedic passages as the creator of the Universe. He is the Supreme God upon which everything in this Universe is dependent. Both the sentient and non-sentient entities depend of Him. Experience also tell us that we are not in control of anything. If everyone is perfect control of his own destiny why would there be incompleteness or sorrow in the world at all?
Establishing the Supremacy of the Lord over the liberated souls
The liberated are said to be complete in all aspects. Hence one might get a doubt whether they become independent once they reach the liberated state or not. Tattvodyota categorically refutes this possibility leaving no iota of doubt about the supremacy of the Lord over the liberated souls. It puts forth an inference to prove the distinction of liberated souls from the Lord in the following way – विमतो भिन्नो मुक्तत्वात् यदित्थं तत्तथा यथा सम्प्रतिपन्नः ।
Teaching the nuances of polemics
While putting forth the syllogism to prove the Bheda among the liberated, debating skills are cleverly exhibited by Sri Madhwacharya, giving no chance, whatsoever, for the opponent for refutation. Acharya’s astute acumen cuts across the logic of the opponent like the thunderbolt of Lord Indra. When the opponent asks a question about the Bheda, Acharya shrewdly replies saying such a question is implausible regarding Bheda. Acharya says - A question could arise only when there is a doubt. As there can be no doubt regarding Bheda, a question does not arise here. – न च भेदे विकल्पो युज्यते ।
Anirvachaniya is invalid
The question the opponent wanted to ask is – “Is Bheda real or Anirvachaniya?”. Such a question is not possible as there is nothing called Anirvachaniya. There is also no proof to say that the word Mithya means Anirvachaniya. Even Arthapatti cannot be a proof as it is also flawed. Can Nasadiya Sukta be a proof for existence of Anirvachaniya Avidya? The Nasadiya Sukta only speaks about the absence of Sat and Asat and the existence of Tamas. It does not speak about the Anirvachaniyatva of Tamas.
Concepts elaborated in Tattvodyota are
» Brahman is called Satasad Vilakshana because he is distinct from Moorta and Amoorta entities.
» Brahman is called Anirvachyam because He is full of wonders. अद्भुतत्वात् अनिर्वाच्यं ब्रह्म
» Reality of Bheda is established by quoting Vedic passages viz., विश्वं सत्यं मघवाना ...
» Bhagavad Gita is quoted to establish the reality of the Universe.
» Asat Pratitihi is established.
» Inference to prove Mithyatva using Drishyatva, Jadatva, Paricchinnatva Hetus are refuted.
» Mithyatva of the Universe is against the Brahma Sutras.
» Similarity between Shunyavada and Mayavada is expounded.
» Akhandartha Vada of Advaita, which states that Brahman has no qualities, is refuted.
» The true purport of Vacharambhana Shruti is brought out.
Conclusion
Tattvodyota concludes by establishing the complete distinction of Lord Vishnu from the liberated souls. The Supremacy of Lord Vishnu, who is saluted by all celestials, is also categorically established. Thus, this work Tattvodyota, is like the ray of light, which removes the darkness of ignorance and illuminates the truth.
सत्यचिच्चेत्यपतये मुक्तामुक्तोत्तमाय ते ।
नमो नारायणायार्यवृन्दवन्दितपद्द्वय ।।
जयत्यमितपूरुषस्वजनतेष्टचिन्तामणिः ।
अजेशमुखवन्दितो गुणगणार्णवः श्रीपतिः ।।
सर्वज्ञसन्मुनीन्द्रोच्चसन्मनःपङ्कजाश्रयः ।
अजितो जयति श्रीशो रमाबाहुलताश्रयः ।।