BHAKTI SAGAR

### How did the idol of Lord Krishna, worshipped by Rukmini Devi in Dwarka, reach Udupi? According to the traditional account of the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, this idol is believed to have been worshipped by Rukmini Devi in Dwarka. Over time, it became completely covered in a thick layer of Gopichandana (sacred sandalwood clay). Centuries later, this large lump of Gopichandana was loaded onto a ship sailing across the sea. No one on board knew that the idol of Lord Krishna was hidden inside it. The story is believed to have taken place around eight centuries ago. One day, the sea turned violent. A fierce storm arose, and enormous waves battered the ship as it sailed towards Karnataka’s western coast. The ship was in danger of sinking. For those on board, survival itself seemed uncertain. Everywhere they looked, there was water, wind, raging waves and the fear of death. At that moment, a great saint is said to have been standing on the shore. Sri Madhvacharya, according to devotional tradition, was meditating near the sea when he noticed the ship struggling in the storm. Caught amid the waves and having lost its direction, the ship was unable to reach the shore. It is believed that Madhvacharya waved his cloth from the shore and guided the ship towards safety. The ship eventually reached the shore safely. Those on board could hardly believe what had happened. Only moments earlier, they had feared for their lives. Now they were safe. Overwhelmed with gratitude, the captain stood before Madhvacharya and offered him valuable possessions from the ship. Gold? Silver? Precious objects? Madhvacharya asked for none of these. Instead, he asked only for the large lump of Gopichandana. The sailors must have wondered why the saint would choose something resembling an ordinary lump of clay instead of valuable treasures. They did not know that a great secret was hidden within it. What emerged from the Gopichandana? Madhvacharya took the lump and began cleaning it. As the Gopichandana was gradually removed, a beautiful child-form idol of Lord Krishna emerged. The devotional tradition associated with the history of Udupi Sri Krishna Matha recounts that Madhvacharya obtained the idol hidden within the Gopichandana and installed it at Udupi. Madhvacharya brought the sacred idol from the seashore to Udupi and consecrated it there. Even today, this story remains an important part of the devotional tradition surrounding the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, revered by millions of devotees. The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is traditionally associated with Sri Madhvacharya, who established it in the 13th century, a fact also referenced in official and government sources. #UdupiSriKrishna #Krishnashtami #KarnatakaTemple #Spirituality