Mantralaya-1053
(Sri Raghavendra Swamy 352nd Aradhana Special part 1)
Date
: Aug 31, 2023
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Sri Raghavendra Swamy 352nd Aradhana Special part 1 is described in Mantralaya(1053).
Meaning
On
this auspicious occasion of the Sharvana Masa, we are joyfully
commencing the celebration of Sri Raghavendra Teertharu Aradhana. This
marks the 352nd Aradhana Mahotsava of the revered Kaliyuga Kamadhenu,
Kalpavruksha Sri Raghavendra Swamy. The festivities will grace
Mantralaya Sri Kshetra from August 29th to September 4th, 2023, in the
divine presence of His Holiness 108 Sri Sri Subudhendra Teertha
Swamiji, the esteemed Peetadhipathi of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt,
Mantralayam.
Sri Raghavendra Teertharu Aradhana day marks the
day when Sri Raghavendra Teertharu entered Brindavana while still
alive. Rayaru continues to reside in Brindavana with his body, blessing
devotees from all around the world, without any distinction of caste,
creed, gender, or nationality. It has been 352 years since Rayaru
entered Brindavana alive, and Rayaru will continue to bless us from
there for a total of 700 years, all thanks to the blessings of Lord
Narayana.
As many of you may already know, Sri Raghavendra
Swamy is believed to be the divine incarnation of ShankuKarana, Sri
Prahlada Rajaru, Bhalika Rajaru, and Sri Vijay Rayaru.
During
the Prahlada avatara, when Lord Narasimha Devaru came to defeat
Hiranyakashipu, He extended an invitation to Prahlada to join Him in
Vaikunta. In a humble response, Prahlada declined this divine offering.
He expressed his desire to remain in the human realm during Kaliyuga to
serve humanity, helping people elevate their spiritual consciousness
through devotion to Lord Hari.
Touched by Prahlada's selfless
wish, Lord Narasimha Devaru blessed him. Lord assured Prahlada that his
noble aspiration would be fulfilled.Indeed, the Lord Himself would
accompany Prahlada in his future incarnations as Sri Vijay Rayaru and
Sri Raghavendra Teertharu.
Sri Raghavendra Teertharu, being both
Vayu and Shesha Amsha, possesses a divine nature that allows him to
reside comfortably in Brindavana alongside the presence of Sri
Narasimha, Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, and Sri Vedavyasa. Sri Rayaru himself
elucidated that in accordance with the divine wish of Sri Lord Hari, he
would remain in Brindavana alive for a span of 700 years. He explained
that Brindavana was the perfect abode to assume multiple forms and
fulfill the desires of people. Rayaru believed that refraining from
entering the Brindavana would turn him into a kind of superhuman, which
wasn't his intention. He wished to maintain his humility and foresaw
the changing times. Therefore, he consciously chose to enter Brindavana
while still alive, embodying the essence of his spiritual wisdom and
devotion.
It has been 352 years since Rayaru entered Brindavana
alive, and Rayaru will continue to bless us from there for a total of
700 years. Naturally, one might wonder how someone can remain alive
with their physical body for 700 years. Let's delve deeper into this
intriguing topic.
According to our Vedic texts, the concept of a
"day" is defined by the number of breaths that a living being takes. In
the "HariKhatmruta Saara," Sri Jaganatha Dasaru has provided a clear
explanation of this breath count. In his widely acclaimed Kannada
composition, "Nambide Ninna Paada Guru Mukhya Praana," Sri Guru Vijaya
Vitthal, Dasaru, elaborates on this concept.
| Ippattu omdu saavira aidondunooru |
Apratima hamsa mantara |
ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತು ಒಂದು ಸಾವಿರ ಐದೊಂದು ನೂರು | ಅಪ್ರತಿಮ ಹಂಸ ಮಂತರ |
ತಪ್ಪದೆ ದಿನ ದಿನ ಒಪ್ಪುವಂದದಿ ಜಪಿಸಿ | ತಪ್ಪಿಸೋ ಭಾವವ ಸಮೀಪದ ಜೀವಕೆ |
This
implies that within every human being, there exists an internal clock
that tallies the count of their breaths. According to this inner clock,
one day of human life is considered as 21,600 breaths (as mentioned in
the song, which specifies 21,000 + 500 + 100). In all living beings, it
is believed that Lord Hanuman recites the Sri Rama Japa with each
breath we take, a sacred practice known as Hamsa Mantra Japa.In total,
the maximum number of breaths allocated to a human life is 100 years,
equivalent to a total breath count of 788,400,000. How each individual
manages this "breath bank balance" is a matter of personal choice and
responsibility. Within the renowned Chidambaram Nataraja Temple in
Tamil Nadu, there are 21,600 golden tiles, each inscribed with the Na
Ma Shi Va Ya mantra, symbolizing the daily count of breaths.
Additionally, the temple's Ponnambalam features 72,000 nails,
representing the number of nerves in the human body.
If a person
breathes at a rate of 15 times per minute, they will take in 15 * 60 *
24 = 21,600 breaths in a day, which equates to a lifespan of 100 years
according to this calculation. However, by learning to manage and
control their breathing, an individual may have the potential to extend
their lifespan accordingly.
You're absolutely correct.
Controlling one's breath is a skill that requires training and
practice, typically through yogic breathing techniques. Attempting to
forcefully control one's breath without proper guidance can indeed lead
to health-related issues.
It's well-known that yogis, especially
those in the Himalayas and other regions with a strong tradition of
yogic practice, have developed remarkable control over their breath and
have achieved extended lifespans through their dedicated practice of
meditation and yoga. These individuals serve as examples of what can be
achieved through disciplined and mindful approaches to breathing and
well-being.
Animals such as elephants, tortoises, snakes, and
others known for their exceptional longevity have a significantly lower
respiratory rate compared to humans. Consider the tortoise, which can
reach the impressive age of 300 years but breathes only four times per
minute. In contrast, dogs, which breathe 40 to 50 times per minute,
have a comparatively shorter lifespan of up to 25 years.
Given
this extensive facts and information, it can be concluded that Sri
Raghavendra Teertharu, with his expertise as a yogi and his unique Vayu
Amsha and Shesha Amsha attributes, resides contentedly in Brindavana,
bestowing blessings upon devotees worldwide.
Numerous accounts
exist of Rayaru being witnessed in his physical form. One such notable
instance involves the British officer, Thomas Munroe, who visited the
Math for investigation purposes. Upon entering the sacred Mantralaya
and respectfully removing his hat and shoes, Sri Rayaru miraculously
emerged from the Brindavana. He engaged in a conversation with Munroe,
discussing matters related to the resumption of endowments. Remarkably,
the saint was visible and audible solely to Munroe, who received
Manthraksha during this encounter. This significant event was
documented and officially published in the Madras Government Gazette,
specifically in Chapter XI on page 213, under the title "Manchali Adoni
Taluka." It's worth noting that this historic order remains preserved
to this day, both at Fort St. George and Mantralayam.
According
to Sri Appannacharya Guru Stotra, it is said, "Apekshita Pradaatannyo
Raghavendrannavidyate," which signifies that Sri Raghavendra Swamy has
the unique ability to fulfill all the desires of mankind. The Aradhana
celebration offers a special and invaluable opportunity to seek the
blessings of this extraordinary mystic saint.
The selection of
the name 'Raghavendra' by Moola Rama Devaru for Rayaru was a remarkably
fitting choice, rich in profound significance. It encompasses a
multitude of meanings: it directly alludes to Lord Rama, who reigns as
the King (Indra) of the Raghu Kula lineage; it signifies Hanumanta as
'Raghavendra' implies the one whose Lord is Raghava, another name for
Lord Rama, signifying Hanuman's devotion; and it conveys the idea of
'one who annihilates sins and bestows desired blessings.' In a lyrical
verse, Sri Gopala Dasaru beautifully elaborates on the name: "Ra"
symbolizes the eradication of mountains of sins, "gha" offers profound
devotion that takes root deeply in the heart, "Ven" provides swift
liberation from the endless cycle of life and death, and "dra" bestows
the divine vision of the Lord.
Sri Rayaru resides in Brindavana, fulfilling the aspirations of every ordinary individual.
The following incident exemplifies the boundless compassion of Sri Rayaru.
In
a humble village, there lived a devoted follower of Sri Rayaru who had
made a solemn vow. He pledged that if his wife, gravely ill, were to
recover, he would undertake the remarkable task of feeding one hundred
thousand Brahmins as an expression of gratitude.
Miraculously,
his wife's health did indeed improve. However, a daunting dilemma now
loomed before him – how could he possibly fulfill such a grand promise
when his own existence was marked by struggle and scarcity?
In
his moment of despair, Sri Rayaru, known for his boundless compassion,
took pity on this devotee. One night, in a dream, Rayaru appeared
before him and offered a solution. "Go to the village tank tomorrow
morning," Rayaru instructed. "You will find three Brahmins waiting for
you. Feed them, and your vow will be fulfilled."
The following
morning, the devotee, with a sense of faith and anticipation, made his
way to the village tank. To his astonishment, he found three Brahmins
eagerly awaiting him. Little did he know that these Brahmins were none
other than Sri Gopala Dasaru and his brothers.
The night before,
Sri Gopala Dasaru had shared a revelation with his siblings. "Do not
worry about tomorrow," he had assured them. "Rayaru has arranged a
grand feast for us!". Sri Gopala Dasaru was a profoundly elevated soul,
very near to Sri Rayaru and Sri Hari. Rayaru, in his divine wisdom,
recognized that Gopala Dasaru's spiritual essence equaled that of many
thousands of individuals well-versed in Bhrama Gynis (known as
Brahmins). This was precisely why Rayaru had guided Gopala Dasaru to
accept the meal from this humble yet devout individual, who possessed a
deep desire to feed others but was constrained by his financial
circumstances. It was a beautiful demonstration of the compassion and
divine orchestration that characterized this extraordinary encounter.
This
touching incident serves as a testament to the profound connection
between those blessed with direct spiritual knowledge and Sri Rayaru.
It underscores the depth of their bond, characterized by love, trust,
and unwavering faith, a connection that transcended the ordinary.
Through this incident, we witness the immense Karuna (compassion) that
Sri Rayaru bestowed upon his devoted followers, reflecting the
extraordinary nature of their spiritual journey together.
The
next time someone inquires and facts about Sri Raghavendra Teertharu
and his connection to Brindavana, you can share this profound knowledge
with unwavering faith: that he remains alive in his physical form,
engaged in the meditation of Sri Nara Hari.Absolutely, sharing the
profound knowledge about Sri Raghavendra Teertharu and his divine
presence in Brindavana, where he continues to meditate upon Sri Nara
Hari while being alive in his physical form, can inspire deep faith and
devotion in those seeking spiritual understanding.
The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the
ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach Sri
Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"! “Those who have
complete faith in this Guru will never be disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||