King Shibi got his daughter Sunanda married to king Pratipa on the condition, that the son born to them shall be given to him for succeeding him. Thus, one of the three sons was given to King Shibi and this child was Bahalika. It is said by aparoksha gyanis that Sri Raghavendra tirtha was King Bahalika in Dwapar yuga.

King Bahalika was virtuous and had many admirable qualities. He was blessed by Lord Brahma and was given a mace called ‘Shatagni’ which would kill hundreds once released.  He was the senior most in the Kurukshetra war. His brother’s son was Bhishma and he was on the side of the kauravas. He had great devotion towards lord Krishna and pure love for Bheemasena. He had to fight with Bheemasena with no choice. In the battlefield he knew of his defeat from Bhimasena as he was none other than Vayuputra. He prayed Bheemasena seeking blessings to have him as an ardent devotee in the next birth and accordingly he then was blessed. Bheemasena then tells him that he would not harm Bahalika as he was a devotee of Lord Krishna and he would only hit back after Bahalika hits him .Then with utmost hesitation Bahalika threw mace Shatagni on Bheemasena but nothing happened  as he was the Bhavi Brahma. Then reacting to Bahalika’s action he was hit by Bheemasena to end his life.

The next birth of Bahalika, takes the avatar of Vyasa Tirtha who followed the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya. He was able to consecrate 732 statues of Lord Hanuman and preach the doctrine Hari Sarvothama and Vayu Jeevothama.