Mantralaya-1049
(Sri Raghavendra Swamiji showing the real meaning of Chaturmasya)
Date
: Aug 3, 2023
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji showing the real meaning of Chaturmasya is described in Mantralaya(1049).
Meaning
In
the previous series, we were witness to the divine grace of Lord
Narayana as he bestowed a boon upon Goddess Ratri Devi and fulfilled
the heartfelt desire of Goddess Dharani Devi. By making Chaturmasya a
cherished and auspicious time, Lord enabled the people in Kaliyuga to
receive abundant blessings with ease and simplicity. This sacred period
became a golden opportunity for all to engage in virtuous deeds and
draw closer to the divine, guiding them on the path of righteousness
and spiritual fulfillment.
Let's explore how Sri RaghavendraTeertharu exemplified the true essence of Chaturmasya.
Sri
RaghavendraTeertharu's devotion and scholarly pursuits were truly
remarkable. He completed two significant works, the Bhava Deepa on
Tattva Prakasha and a commentary named Tattva Manjari on Acharya
Madhva’s Anubhashya, both at the sacred location of Aluru, situated on
the banks of the revered river Krishna. After these profound
accomplishments, Sri Rayaru embarked on a journey to the east and chose
Manavi (currently in Raichur district) as the place for observing
Chaturmasya at the Hanuman Temple.
Indeed, during the sacred
Chaturmasya period in Manavi, Sri Rayaru's presence was nothing short
of divine. The atmosphere felt like the celestial abode of Lord Vishnu,
Vaikunta itself. The entire surroundings were immersed in the
enchanting sounds of Vedic chants, filling the air with a sense of
transcendence and spirituality.The divine teachings of Sri
RaghavendraTeertharu elevated the ambiance even further, enriching the
hearts and minds of all who were fortunate to be present. His words
carried profound spiritual wisdom and knowledge, guiding the devotees
towards a deeper understanding of the path to divine realization.
On
a serene morning, as the sun's golden rays gently caressed the temple
spires, an old man with tattered clothes and a humble appearance found
himself drawn to the temple's entrance. Inside the temple, Rayaru was
engrossed in a captivating discourse on Lord Narayana's divine leelas.
Sensing the presence of a visitor, he looked up and saw the old man
standing with utmost reverence. Welcoming the old man with a warm
smile, Rayaru invited him inside. Rayaru with a kind and compassionate
smile inquired, "What brings you here?". The old man's eyes glimmered
with sincerity as he replied "I have come as you instructed. I seek
your divine guidance to elevate my life once again, just as you did for
me before." Rayaru's eyes twinkled with fondness as Rayaru recalled
their past encounter. "Ah, I remember," Rayaru chuckled warmly. "Bring
an offering for Lord Moola Rama tomorrow, and then you may continue
your journey." Overjoyed and filled with hope, the old man departed,
leaving his heartfelt prayers with Rayaru
The onlookers were
astonished and puzzled by the old man's presence and wondered why
Raghavendra Swamiji had welcomed him into the temple in the first
place. The unfolding events seemed mysterious and left them curious.
On
the following day, as the sun began its ascent, the old man returned to
the temple, carrying a small bag in his hands. Rayaru, with his usual
warmth, inquired about the offering the old man had brought. With a
hint of excitement in his voice, the old man replied, "I brought
mustard, revered sage." Rayaru's face lit up with joy, and a knowing
glint sparkled in his eyes. Without hesitation, he instructed the head
cook to use the mustard for the day's sacred offering to Lord Rama.
This was against the tradition of not using mustard during Chaturmasya.
Indeed, Rayaru's decision to break the tradition of not using mustard
during Chaturmasya was driven by a profound insight Rayaru gained from
the old man's offering. The old man's innocent and unwavering devotion
touched Rayaru's heart in a way that transcended mere rules and
customs.In the old man's offering, Rayaru witnessed the essence of
Bhakti, the supreme form of devotion that connects the soul with the
divine
While some devotees hesitated due to the breach of
tradition, those with unwavering devotion to Rayaru didn't think twice
about it. Rayaru knew the thoughts of the people gathered there and
sensed their confusion. Rayaru then asked them if they knew who the old
man really was. To their astonishment, Rayaru revealed that he was none
other than the greatest Haridasa, KanakaDasaru.In their previous birth,
Vyasarajaru told Kanaka Dasaru, "We will meet again in the next birth.
You will be reborn when I am born as Sri Raghavendra Teertharu.".
Overjoyed to see his dear disciple once again, Rayaru felt a mix of joy
and concern, knowing that Kanaka Dasaru was still destined to face
hardships in this life. People were amazed at the profound power and
grace that emanated from Sri Rayaru, as Rayaru displayed his boundless
compassion, wisdom, and spiritual insight.
The old man, now
revealed to be KanakaDasaru, cried out, "Vyasappa, Raghappa, please
grant me Mukti now!" Rayaru closed his eyes in deep concentration and
began praising Lord Narayana. In a mesmerizing spectacle, KanakaDasaru,
in the form of the old man, collapsed there. Suddenly, a shower of
flowers cascaded from the heavens, and KanakaDasaru's soul ascended
gracefully, carried away by celestial beings known as Narayana Dutaru.
The divine sight was reminiscent of the moment when the waterman,
Venkanna, had attained liberation.
The witnesses stood in awe,
witnessing the divine grace bestowed upon the great Haridasa,
KanakaDasaru, as he attained eternal liberation. The profound
connection between Sri RaghavendraTeertharu and KanakaDasaru showcased
the power of devotion and the divine blessings that can elevate a soul
to ultimate freedom.
During Rayaru’s Chaturmasya in Manavi, Sri
RaghavendraTeertharu had an encounter with Sri Shreenivas Acharya, a
devoted follower of Uttaradi Mutt from Bidarahalli. Shreenivas Acharya
humbly presented his works to Sri Rayaru, seeking Rayaru’s guidance and
blessings.With his compassionate heart, Rayaru appreciated the hard
work and dedication Shreenivas Acharya had put into his literary
pursuits. Rayaru blessed him, acknowledging that despite being a
householder, Shreenivas Acharya had worked with the commitment and
dedication of a sanyasi (renunciate) in service of AnandaTeertharu
(Madhvacharya). Such was the potency of Rayaru's blessings that from
that moment onwards, Sri Shreenivas Acharya came to be known as
Bidarahalli SreenivasaTeerthru.
Although SreenivasaTeerthru was
a scholar, he hadn't fully grasped the deeper meaning of Bhakti
(devotion) and was entangled in rituals. During lunch that day, when he
noticed that the food served to him contained mustard, which was
against the rules of Chaturmasya in his Mutt, he hesitated to accept
it.Rayaru, ever observant and compassionate, noticed his hesitation and
immediately ordered a separate dish to be prepared for
SreenivasaTeerthru. At the end of the day, as SreenivasaTeerthru bid
farewell, Rayaru offered him mantrakshate (red rice). However,
when SreenivasaTeerthru came home, examined the mantrakshate later, he
was taken aback to see the red rice turn black, resembling mustard. His
face lost its glow as he realized he had committed a grave mistake by
going against Rayaru's wishes.
Deeply troubled by his actions,
SreenivasaTeerthru understood that any dharma that hurt the feelings of
the Lord's devotees becomes adharma of the highest order. Filled with
remorse, he rushed back to Rayaru, seeking his forgiveness. Rayaru,
with his kind heart, readily forgave him and invited him to share lunch
once again. This time, the scholar accepted the food without any
protest, having learned a valuable lesson in humility, devotion, and
the significance of adhering to the desires of the divine.
Indeed,
Rayaru's encounter with KanakaDasaru and SreenivasaTeerthru taught us
valuable lessons. Firstly, Rayaru reminded us never to judge others
based on their appearance, for the true nature of a soul lies beyond
the physical exterior. Just as KanakaDasaru's divine presence was
hidden behind the old man's humble facade, we must learn to see the
inner essence and potential in every being, regardless of their
external appearance.
Secondly, Rayaru emphasized the true
purpose of rituals. While rituals are an integral part of our spiritual
journey, they should not be followed blindly or turn into rigid
practices that breed arrogance or disdain for others. Instead, rituals
should lead us towards a path of purification, devotion, and connection
with Sri Hari (Lord Vishnu). SreenivasaTeerthru's realization and
rectification of his mistake demonstrate the importance of humility and
openness in our spiritual practices.
In essence, Rayaru's
teachings inspire us to cultivate a compassionate and understanding
heart, embracing the diversity and uniqueness of each individual's
spiritual journey. By doing so, we can walk the path of Bhakti with
sincerity, love, and respect for others, ultimately drawing closer to
the divine.
To emphasize the principle that devotion transcends
rituals, Sri Rayara Mutt continues the tradition of using mustard
during Chaturmasya to this day. The profound qualities exhibited by Sri
RaghavendraTeertharu have become a guiding light for all the subsequent
Swamijis of Mantralaya.
Today, the current Pithadipati, Sri
SubhudendraTeertharu, extends a warm welcome to all devotees of Sri
Rayaru, regardless of their caste, creed, gender, or nationality. The
Rayara Mutt stands as a beacon of unity, where everyone is embraced as
part of the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - the divine family of Lord
Vishnu. Through this inclusive approach, the teachings and love of Sri
Rayaru continue to inspire countless souls, fostering a harmonious and
loving environment within the spiritual community.
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||