Mantralaya-1087
(The mercy and compassion of Sri Raghavendra Swamy towards his devotee)
Date : April 25, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
The mercy and compassion of Sri Raghavendra Swamy towards his devotees is described in Mantralaya(1087).
Meaning
In
the holy land of Mantralaya, the soil holds the blessings of Sri Ram,
Sri Krishna, and Shiva, along with great souls like Vijaya Dasaru.
Flowing serenely through this blessed land is the Tunga Bhadra river,
its crystalline waters a hymn of devotion, chanting the name of
Narayana with each gentle ripple. As the river meanders gracefully, it
seems to echo the eternal gratitude for Sri Rayaru, whose selfless acts
have bestowed boundless blessings upon humanity.In this special place,
every breeze and every tree carries a touch of divinity. Mantralaya is
a sanctuary where people find peace, surrounded by a divine atmosphere.
It's a place where the spiritual and earthly worlds come together,
offering solace and inspiration to all who visit.
In the sacred
realm of Mantralaya, Sri Rayaru's essence thrives, embracing genuine
devotion in all its forms. Under the compassionate guidance of the
present pontiff, Sri Subhudendra Teertharu, equality reigns supreme.
Here, every individual is welcomed and respected, transcending barriers
of caste, creed, and gender.
Let's delve into a heartwarming incident from the sacred grounds of Mantralaya.
Once,
a devout soul, pure of heart but unfamiliar with Sanskrit, embarked on
a pilgrimage to this hallowed land. Despite the linguistic barrier, he
grasped the essence of true devotion. Each day in Mantralaya, he
commenced his spiritual journey by rising at dawn, immersing himself in
the purifying waters of the Tungabhadra river.His first pilgrimage was
to Manchalema and Sri Hanumanta Devaru, seeking their divine blessings.
Then, he reverently sought the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Teertharu and
Sri Vadeendra Teertharu. After experiencing the divine presence, he
embarked on a Pradakshina/circumambulation to Sri Rayaru, chanting the
Sri Raghavendra Guru Stotra. Despite being unable to read and
understand Sanskrit fluently, he had diligently learned the stotra
through both reading and listening to the teachings of others.
On
a serene day, as he undertook his Pradakshina/circumambulation,
enveloped in the rhythmic recitation of the Sri Raghavendra Guru
Stotra, a powerful verse resonated within his soul:
|| Raajachoramahaavyaaghrasarpanakraadipeedanam
na jaayate.asya strotrasya prabhaavaannaatra samshayaha ||
The
devotee was reciting the verse, thinking that "Raja Chora Maha Vyaaghr"
referred to characters of Sri Rayaru, saying each one separately.
Suddenly, a learned Sudha Pandit saw this and stopped him, saying,
"You're doing it all wrong! If you don't know Sanskrit, you shouldn't
chant. You're disrespecting Sri Rayaru. Leave!" The devotee felt
terrible, realizing he had been insulting Sri Rayaru without knowing.
He cried in front of Sri Rayaru, admitting his mistake and asking for
forgiveness, saying, "You're my Guru and God. I didn't mean to insult
you. Please forgive me for this terrible sin."
That night, in
Sudha Pandit's dream, Sri Raghavendra Teertharu appeared and inquired
about the situation. Rayaru questioned Sudha Pandit, "Why are you
intervening when my devotee is reciting the stotra? Whether correct or
not, I joyfully listen. Who are you to come between us?" Sri
Raghavendra Teertharu reminded Sudha Pandit of his role as a teacher,
emphasizing that his duty is to educate with love and kindness. Sri
Raghavendra Teertharu emphasized that arrogance has no place for a
Sudha Pandit. Rayaru told Sudha Pandit to find the devotee the next day
and teach him gently, without asking him to stop chanting
The
next day, Sudha Pandit waited patiently at the temple, but the devotee
didn't show up for a long while. Growing concerned, Sudha Pandit set
out in search of him, checking around the Manchelama temple and its
surroundings. Finally, he found the devotee by the banks of the
Tungabhadra River, tears streaming down his face."Sudha Pandit asked
the devotee, where have you been? I've been waiting for you at the
temple,Why didn't you come to the temple? I've been waiting for you."
The devotee replied sorrowfully, "As you said, I insulted Rayaru, so I
felt I had no right to enter the temple." Sudha Pandit reassured him,
saying, "In my dream, Sri Rayaru came and said he appreciates your
devotion. He wants you to come to the temple."With relief and
gratitude, the devotee wiped away his tears and agreed to accompany
Sudha Pandit back to the temple.
Sudha Pandit brought the
devotee back to the temple and kindly taught him the meaning of what he
had been chanting. He explained that the verse,
|| Raajachoramahaavyaaghrasarpanakraadipeedanam
na jaayate.asya strotrasya prabhaavaannaatra samshayaha ||
signifies
that the devotees are protected from various dangers like the cruelty
of kings, thieves, tigers, serpents, and crocodiles by reciting this
stotra. Sudha Pandit emphasized that this is the miraculous power of
the holy Sri Raghavendra Gurustotra.
Sudha Pandit patiently
taught the devotee the Guru Stotra, explaining its meaning thoroughly.
With understanding dawning upon him, the devotee's heart swelled with
joy. From that day forward, he joyfully embarked on his daily
circumambulation around the Brindavana, chanting the Guru Stotra with
newfound reverence and comprehension
This incident beautifully
illustrates why Sri Yogindra Teertharu referred to Sri Raghavendraru as
"Namo atyanta dayaluve," signifying the most merciful Yati and God.
Despite the devotee's unintentional error in chanting, Sri Rayaru
perceived the purity of his devotion, overlooking the mistake.
Moreover, Sri Rayaru graciously guided him to learn the stotra
correctly, ensuring spiritual growth.
In this divine encounter,
Sri Rayaru's boundless compassion shines brightly. Rayaru not only
nurtured the devotee's faith but also enlightened Sudha Pandit about
the true essence of his role. Through his kindness, Sri Rayaru bestowed
understanding and compassion upon Sudha Pandit, revealing the deeper
significance of his spiritual path.
Indeed, Sri Rayaru's
response reflects his divine compassion. Like a nurturing mother who
tenderly overlooks the playful kicks of her infant, Sri Rayaru didn't
harbor any anger towards either Sudha Pandit or the devotee. Instead,
he embraced them with understanding and kindness, guiding them gently
towards spiritual growth.
In his benevolent presence, Sri Rayaru
embodies the essence of unconditional love and forgiveness. Rayaru
mission is not only to bestow blessings but also to distribute Punya,
or spiritual merit, to all who seek his grace. Through his divine
presence, Sri Rayaru illuminates the path of devotion, leading souls
towards spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.
The mercy and
compassion of Sri Raghavendra Swamy towards his devotees are often
described as boundless and profound. Sri Rayaru listens to the prayers
of his devotees with immense patience and understanding, regardless of
their shortcomings or mistakes. Sri Raghavendra Swamy is an embodiment
of love and compassion, always ready to offer guidance, protection, and
blessings to those who seek his divine grace.
Many devotees
share personal experiences of miraculous interventions and blessings
received through the intercession of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Sri
Raghavendrau responds to the sincere prayers and heartfelt devotion of
his devotees by alleviating their troubles, granting them inner peace,
and guiding them along the path of righteousness.
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy's mercy is often described in terms of his tireless
dedication to uplifting the lives of his devotees, both spiritually and
materially. Rayaru divine presence brings solace and comfort to those
in distress and to bestow blessings upon all who approach him with
faith and devotion.
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||