Mantralaya-1046

(Sri Rayaru's  devotion towards Lord Kirshna and Chapter 8 of Geeta - 1)

Date : July 13, 2023

Background

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA   JAYATI NA ANRUTA

Sri RaghavendraTeertharu’s affectionate devotion towards Lord Kirshna and Chapter 8 of Geeta, Akshara Brahma Yoga are described in Mantralaya(1046).

Meaning

Sri RaghavendraTeertharu held a deep reverence for the Bhagavad Gita because it was imparted by Sri Krishna, whom Rayaru cherished as his beloved Lord in all incarnations. An interesting familial connection exists between Sri Krishna and Prahalad Rajaru, the first incarnation of Sri RaghavendraTeertharu. Let us explore this lineage:

Prahalad, renowned for his unwavering devotion to the divine, was the son of Hiranyakashipu. Prahalad’s son was Virochana, and Virochana's son was Bali Chakravarthi. Bali Chakravarthi, in turn, had a son named Banasura. Banasura had a daughter named Ushe.Ushe captured the heart of Anirudha, Krishna's grandson, and their love led to Anirudha's abduction by Banasura. However, Krishna, in his divine grace, rescued Anirudha by vanquishing Banasura. In a beautiful turn of events, Krishna arranged the sacred marriage between Ushe and Anirudha.

Anirudha's lineage traces back to Krishna's wife, Rukmini, who bore sons named Pradumnya, Charudeshna, and others. Anirudha was the son of Pradumnya, making him Krishna's beloved grandson. Thus, the great-granddaughter of Prahalad and the grandson of Krishna were united in holy matrimony.While the family of Hiranyakashipu carried a demonic nature, Krishna recognized Prahalad as the pure lotus amidst the mire. It is for this reason that Krishna bestowed his cherished grandson to the great-granddaughter of Prahalad, symbolizing the triumph of divine purity over darkness.

This intricate lineage serves as a testament to the divine interplay and the intricate connections woven throughout the cosmic tapestry. It highlights the divine wisdom of Sri Lord Krishna, who discerned the pure devotion residing within Prahalad's lineage and brought forth the union between the two families in a divine union of love and spirituality.

When Prahalad incarnated as King Bahalika Rajaru, he displayed unwavering devotion towards Lord Sri Krishna and Bhimasena Devaru. During the grand Raja Suya Yagnya, King Bahalika Rajaru presented a magnificent Golden Chariot to Lord Krishna and Bhimasena Devaru as an offering. Filled with deep reverence, King Bahalika Rajaru himself walked barefoot, leading a splendid procession where Lord Krishna and Bhima were invited to grace the Golden Chariot. Immersed in devotion, King Bahalika Rajaru's heart overflowed with the purest intentions. His selfless act of offering the Golden Chariot stirred the depths of Sri Krishna's divine heart. In his boundless grace, Sri Krishna bestowed a profound blessing upon Bahalika Rajaru: In the Kaliyuga, when Bahalika Rajaru would be reborn as Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, a daily procession of the resplendent Golden Chariot would grace the Earth, showering devotees with divine blessings and celestial bliss.

Today in Mantralaya, as the golden sun casts its radiant glow upon the Earth, the sacred tradition lives on. The Golden Chariot, a symbol of transcendent devotion, gracefully glides through every temple of Sri RaghavendraTheertharu, accompanied by jubilant chants and the fragrance of devotion. The sight of Sri Rayaru, seated upon the resplendent chariot, evokes a sense of awe and reverence, captivating the hearts of all who behold the divine spectacle.

Following in the footsteps of Bahalika Rajaru, the next incarnation, Sri Vyasarajaru, dedicated himself to the daily worship of Lord Krishna. He revered the divine deity known as Sri Moola Gopal Krishna Devaru. Additionally, Sri Vyasarajaru crafted an idol of Santhana Gopal Krishna Devaru, symbolizing the divine child form of Lord Krishna.

Sri Vyasarajaru, in his literary endeavors, adopted the pen name "Sri Krishna." He composed 18 verses of the Bhagavad Gita as Kannada poems, a remarkable contribution to the sacred text's translation and dissemination. His poetic renditions of the Gita enriched the Kannada language and deepened the understanding of its profound teachings.

After successfully completing his divine mission of writing the Bhashya in Udupi, Sri RaghavendraTeertharu experienced a blessed vision of Lord Krishna himself. This divine encounter left a profound impact on Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, inspiring him to personally sculpt the idol of Lord Krishna. This sacred idol, known as Santhana Venugopala Swamy, holds immense significance.

Even to this day, the current pontiff of Mantralaya, Sri SubhudendraTeertharu, reverently worships the Santhana Venugopala Swamy idol. It is believed that those who yearn for offspring and desire to have children can seek the blessings of the deity. As a part of this devotional practice, a sacred artifact called "tayata" is placed at the feet of the Santhana Venugopal Swamy idol, invoking the divine grace and blessings for fertility and the gift of children.

Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, in his literary endeavors, chose the illustrious pen name of Dheera Venugopala. This distinguished title reflected the valor and divine connection with Lord Krishna that Sri RaghavendraTeertharu embodied.

When the time came for Sri RaghavendraTeertharu to enter Brindavana,it was during the Krishna Paksha. This beautifully symbolized the eternal connection between Sri Rayaru and Lord Krishna, as Lord Krishna was intricately woven into every aspect of Sri Rayaru's existence.Through Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, Lord Krishna's divine presence flowed like a gentle breeze, permeating every breath and imbuing every incarnation of Sri Rayaru with the essence of the beloved Lord.Sri RaghavendraTeertharu held immense love and reverence for the Bhagavad Gita. He dedicated his profound wisdom and knowledge to writing extensive volumes on the teachings of the Gita. Some of these notable works include:

These writings by Sri RaghavendraTeertharu are a testament to his deep understanding and reverence for the Bhagavad Gita. They serve as invaluable resources for spiritual seekers, offering profound insights and guidance on the path of self-realization and enlightenment.


In Chapter 8 of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna emphasizes the importance of always remembering him. He explains that those who can remember him at the time of death will attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Sri RaghavendraTeertharu further elaborates that it is not an easy task to remember the Lord only at the final moments of life. It requires dedicated practice over a long period of time.

Sri RaghavendraTeertharu warns against the misconception that one can live as they please throughout their life and simply remember the Lord during their last moments to attain salvation. Such an approach is misguided. It is crucial to cultivate a continuous remembrance of the Lord throughout one's life, as it shapes our thoughts, actions, and devotion.The story of King Bharat, the son of Lord Vrushabha, serves as a powerful example to illustrate this principle. We will explore this captivating story in the upcoming series, where we will witness the significance of unwavering remembrance of the Lord at all times.

The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach to Sri Hari  - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"!

   || BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
   SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||