Hayagriva
By S. Hanumantha Rao
Summary
The Tantra-sara of Madhvacarya describes Hayagriva in the Dhyana-§loka (verse 4.4) as a four-armed deity holding a conch, rosary, book, and jainamudra (thumb and middle finger touching). The associated mantra includes verses praising Hayagriva, with the phala (reward) stated in verse 4.4 as granting all knowledge, victory, liberation, and bestowing radiance and wisdom. Verse 5.4 further elaborates on Hayagriva’s divine attributes, emphasizing his unwavering focus and meditative state. Saint Vadiraja, a disciple of Vyasaraja and contemporary of Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara, was a prominent devotee of Hayagriva, composing lyrics under the pen name Hayavadana. The text references historical and scholarly sources, including studies on Madhva’s religious school and Karnataka’s medieval religious movements.
Conclusion
This study of Hayagriva's Tantra-sara reveals the deity's iconographic complexity and the theological significance of its mantras, particularly in Madhvacharya's Dhyana-§loka. The detailed description of Hayagriva's four arms—conch, rosary, book, and jAiinamudra—underscores his multifaceted divine attributes, while the mantra's phala (reward) emphasizes its transformative power in granting knowledge, victory, liberation, and wisdom. The text also highlights the historical context through Saint Vadiraja's devotion, linking Hayagriva to the Vijayanagara period and Madhva's religious school. These findings enrich our understanding of Hayagriva's role in Hindu theology and its medieval interpretative traditions.