Sri
Vasavi Maatha is hailed with veneration for promoting peace and Ahimsa during
the 11th century AD. She is credited with averting war and thereby saving many
lives through logic and reason and overcoming brute force. She taught the world
harming oneself or others isn't the way forward but bringing a change of heart
is what matters in averting wars.
She
is elevated with heavenly stature as a goddess amongst some sections of the
Komti community and for some of these sections has become the "Kula Daiva"
or the caste goddess as per the various versions of Vasavi Puranamulu written
in Telugu during the 18th century AD.
Jaina
Komtis venerate her as Shanti Matha Vasavi who promoted Ahimsa for the benefit
of all mankind and averted warfare and loss of life through peace and reason.
Her actions brought a change of heart in the King who repented and became a
Jain Monk handing over his kingdom to his son.
Story of Vasavi
Shaivate
tradition of the story mentions the Kanyaka as Kanyaka Parameshwari who cursed
a king and killed him. She later showed herself as an incarnation of Parvati
and went to Kailasa marrying Shiva who was worshipped as Nagareshwara. This
tradition is more common among-st Beri Komatis and Gavara Komatis or Arya
Vysys's whose family deity is Shiva.
This
version has further evolved in recent years where the orthodox sections have
dropped even the name Vasavi and only call her Kanyaka Parameshwari.
Vaishnavite Tradition
According
to Vaishnavite Tradition Kanyaka is not associated with Parameshwari but as an
incarnation of goddess Laxmi.
Kusuma
Sresti, the king of the Arya Vysyas was ruling the kingdom making Vasavi
Penugonda Kusumamba was his wife. His kingdom was part and parcel of
Vengidesha, which was ruled by Vishnu Vardhana-7 or Vimaladitya Maharaj.
The
couple were childless and became concerned about who would succeed them. During
the auspicious hour, Kusuma Sresti couple started Puthra Kamestiyaga. Within a
few days the sign of pregnancy was found with Kusumamba. She expressed unusual
desires, which indicated that she would give birth to children who would fight
for the welfare of all.
Childhood
Kusumamba
gave birth to twins on 10th of Vaishakha (a Telugu month). The boy was called
Virupaksha, and the girl Vasavamba. During childhood, Virupaksha demonstrated
leadership qualities while Vasavamba was inclined towards art, architecture and
music and showed a philosophical approach to life.
Under
the guidance of the Vysya kula guru Bhaskaracharya, Virupaksha learnt Vedas,
fencing, horse riding, martial arts and archery. Vasavamba studied fine arts
and mastered philosophical subjects.
Attempted marriage
Kusumasresti
welcomed and entertained Vishnu Vardhna (Gandharva Chitra Kanta's incarnation
on Bhoolok) at Penugonda and noticed Vasavamba and determined to marry her.
This caused Kusumasresti a dilemma: The disparities of age and caste, as well
as the fact that the emperor was already married, were significant objections,
but, in consultation with advisers and family members, Kusumasresti decided
that Vasavamba should make up her own mind. Her response to was express a
desire never to marry and to focus her life on less worldly issues.
Kusumasresti
told Vardhana of his daughter's decision, which caused a fury and an attempt to
capture Vasavamba by force. The battalion sent to achieve this aim was thwarted
by the Vysyas of Penugonda.
Bhaskaracharya
told retaining respect was of greater significance than protecting life, and
Kusumasresti was inspired by this support. Thus, the unity of the Vysyas was
broken and the 102 gotras prepared for the defence of Penugonda against further
attacks by Vardhana.
Vasavi
entered and said: "We can control war through non-violence and
self-sacrifice. Vasavi's new idea was delightful and her parents decided to act
in accordance with Vasavi's directions.
Athmam Balidhana
As
per the directions of Parameshwari, at the holy place of Brahmakunda on the
banks of Godavari, the royal servants arranged 103 Agnikundas (fire pits) in a
special way. Then Parameshwari asked the couples of the 102 Gotras: "Will
you plunge into this holy fire along with me?" Everyone of them whole
heartedly gave their consent.
She
smiled and revealed her true self and said: "I am the incarnation of Adi
Parashakti. To safeguard the caste system. I come here in Kali Yuga.
Kusumasresty during last birth was a great Saint by name Samadhi as per his
aspirations he could attain salvation along with the people of 102 Gotras. That
is why I asked you all to undergo Athmam Balidhana." Parameshwari advised
the gathering about Feeding Bramhins, Practising Rituals, Agriculture, and Cow
Worship.
Devi
disappeared. Vishnuvardhana reached the main entrance of Penugonda. He fell
down vomiting blood and he was no more.
Sri Vasavi Devi's legacy
Vasavi's life is worth remembering because of her faith in non-violent religious values and her defense of the status of women. She averted the needless loss of life of many people of her community / kingdom through the Supreme sacrifice of sacrificing one's life through "Sati" or "Self-Immolation".