Kanaka Dasa

Kanaka Dasa (1509–1609) was a Haridasa saint and philosopher, popularly called Daasashreshta Kanakadasa (ದಾಸಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠ ಕನಕದಾಸ). He was a renowned composer of Carnatic music, poet, reformer and musician. He is known for his keertanas and ugabhoga, and his compositions in the Kannada language for Carnatic music. Like other Haridasas, he used simple Kannada and native metrical forms for his compositions. Kanaka Dasa was born into a Kannada Kuruba (shepherd) family in Baada village, near Bankapura in Karnataka, and was a warrior at the Bankapura fort. He was taught by Srinivasacharya. As a child, he became an expert in "tarka", "vyakaran", and "mimamsa". Based on one of his compositions, it is interpreted that he was seriously injured in battle and took to the practice of chanting the name of Lord Hari. A beggar appeared to Kanaka Dasa, and Kanaka asked who he was. The beggar responded by saying he was called by him (Kanaka). Kanaka Dasa understood the beggar to be Lord Hari (Krishna) Himself. Lord Hari offered to give Kanaka Dasa three wishes. Lord Hari first asked if Kanaka wanted treasures. Kanaka Dasa refused, but asked for the following, 1) To be healed of all his injuries, 2) For Lord Hari to appear whenever Kanaka Dasa called for Him, and 3) To give darshan in His Original Form. The Lord granted these wishes. Upon seeing Lord Hari in His Original Form, Kanaka Dasa became mesmerized. After this incident, Kanaka abandoned his profession as a ksatriya (warrior) and devoted himself to composing music, writing literature and explaining philosophy to the people about Sri Hari. His early spiritual works include poems such as "Narasimha Stotra", "Ramadhyana Mantra", and "Mohanatarangini". Kanaka Dasa had a connection with Udupi as he was the disciple of Vyasatirtha. The priests would not let him enter the mutt, judging him to be a member of lower caste based on his clothes, even though Vyasatirtha asked them to let Kanaka Dasa into the temple. It is believed that a wall cracked and the idol of Krishna turned towards Kanaka.