Mantralaya-1089
(Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, Part 2.Venkanna's transformation into Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru)
Date : May 9, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
In
Part 2 of Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru's journey, we delve into the
blessings bestowed upon him by Sri Swami Srinivas and witness
Venkanna's transformation into Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, all
detailed in the latest episode of Mantralaya (1089).
Meaning
In
the preceding episode of Mantralaya (1088), we delved into the essence
of the Hari Dasa Bhakti movement and commenced our exploration of
Prasanna Venkata Dasaru's life. Let's recap what we've learned thus far.
The
Haridasa Bhakti movement within Hinduism is characterized by saintly
devotees known as Haridasarus, renowned for their deep devotion to
divine worship and service, expressed through hymn composition and
spiritual teachings in Kannada. These individuals possess the unique
ability to spontaneously compose songs that encapsulate the essence of
Hindu scriptures and address societal issues while serving as
messengers of spiritual truth. Originating from the profound
relationship between devotees and the divine, exemplified by figures
like Sri Madhwacharya, the movement flourished under luminaries such as
Sri Sripadaraja, Sri Purandara Dasaru, and Sri Raghavendra Teertharu,
experiencing a resurgence in the 17th-18th century led by various
luminaries including Sri Prasanna Venkata Dasaru and others.
Sri
Prasanna Venkata Dasaru, born in 1680 in Bagalkot, Karnataka, grew up
in a devout Brahmin family immersed in Vedic traditions near the
Ghataprabha River. His father, Sri Narasappayya, was a scholar of
Dvaita philosophy, while his mother, Laxmibai, instilled in him a deep
faith in Lord Venkateshwara. Despite concerns about his future,
Venkanna's upbringing was steeped in devotion and service. Tragedy
struck when both his parents passed away, yet their teachings became
his guiding light.
Now, let's delve deeper into what unfolds next.
Following
the loss of both their parents, Raghavendra and Venkanna found
themselves orphaned. Their compassionate neighbors supported them with
daily necessities for a short period. Recognizing the need for a
motherly figure in the household, the neighbors advised Raghavendra to
marry, suggesting that his wife could provide care and support to
Venkanna. Agreeing to their counsel, Raghavendra was wedded to
Kaveramma, the daughter of a humble Dvaita Brahmin from a nearby
village.
After Raghavendra's marriage, he took on the
responsibility of providing for his family. His occupation as a
Pourohitya. Pourohitya refers to the profession or occupation of a
priest who performs religious rituals and ceremonies. This required
Raghavendra to travel to neighboring villages on most days. This
allowed him to earn enough money and food grains to sustain his
household. However, he became so preoccupied with his work that he
neglected his brother's needs, failing even to enroll him in a gurukula
for Sanskrit and Vedic studies.
Meanwhile, Raghavendra's wife,
Kaveramma, displayed a cruel and selfish nature. She assigned Venkanna
to perform all household chores, including sweeping, cleaning utensils,
washing clothes in the river, and herding cows, instead of allowing him
to pursue education at a gurukula. Despite his peers attending school,
Venkanna was denied this opportunity by his brother. Moreover,
Kaveramma neglected to provide proper meals for Venkanna, often feeding
him stale jowar roti with chili powder chutney, while she and
Raghavendra enjoyed fresh and flavorful food.
Blissfully unaware
of Kaveramma's inhumane treatment of Venkanna, Raghavendra remained
consumed by his professional work, leaving him with no time to tend to
his brother's well-being. In front of her husband, Kaveramma would
feign care and concern for Venkanna, disguising her true nature. Her
haughty and stubborn demeanor was so intimidating that even Raghavendra
himself was afraid of her.
Despite Kaveramma's harsh treatment,
Venkanna remained calm and composed, guided by the good values
instilled in him by his parents. Despite facing humiliation from other
boys at the Gurukula, who mocked him for his chores instead of studying
Vedic scriptures, Venkanna paid no heed to their taunts. His closest
companions were the cows Gange and Gowri, along with the birds. He
found solace in the fond memories and inspiring teachings of his
mother, which stayed with him always.
As a devout follower of
Lord Sri Hari, Venkanna believed strongly in the notion that everything
in life unfolded according to Sri Hari's will. He accepted whatever
came his way as the divine plan. Though obligated to tend to the cows
and household chores during the day as per his sister-in-law's orders,
Venkanna found solace in attending Vedic and religious discourses at
the nearby Hanuman temple at night.
Despite Venkanna's usual
composure and diligence, there came a breaking point to his endurance.
On a scorching summer day in Bagalkot, feeling intensely thirsty,
hungry, and exhausted, Venkanna mustered the courage to ask Kaveramma
for a glass of buttermilk. However, instead of providing relief,
Kaveramma responded with harsh words and mistreatment. At that moment,
Venkanna felt deeply dejected and questioned the trajectory of his
life. Unable to bear the mistreatment any longer, he expressed his
decision to leave the house to Kaveramma, stating that he could no
longer endure such treatment. Without informing his brother, Venkanna
left the house behind, seeking a path to freedom from the harsh
realities of his current existence.
Venkanna was only about 10
to 12 years old when he made the decision to leave home. Despite
lacking formal training in Vedic scriptures and shastras, he carried
within him the divine qualities and good teachings bestowed upon him by
his mother during childhood. Her parting words echoed in his mind:
"Venkanna, in this visible world, we are your parents only for a short
while. Your true mother and father is Lord Sri Venkateshwara. He is the
eternal caretaker for the entire world, known as 'Anatho Deva
Rakshakah.' You are not an orphan; he is always with you. Trust him,
pray to him, and surrender to him with pure devotion, for he will
always watch over you."
As Venkanna departs from his home, he
encounters a bustling procession in the neighboring street, bearing the
palanquin of Sri Venkateshwara. The air resonates with divine bhajans,
accompanied by the rhythmic beat of tambourines as devotees joyously
dance along the route. Inspired by the spiritual fervor, Venkanna joins
the crowd, wholeheartedly engaging in the chanting of bhajans.
An
elderly gentleman in the midst of the gathering takes notice of
Venkanna's sincere devotion and approaches him, inquiring about his
identity. Venkanna introduces himself and confesses his orphaned
status. Curious about their destination, Venkanna learns that the
procession is bound for Tirupati, carrying Lord Venkateshwara in the
palanquin.
Moved by Venkanna's plight, the elder offers words of
solace, affirming that Venkanna is not truly orphaned, as Lord
Venkateshwara watches over all beings. These comforting words evoke
memories of Venkanna's mother's final teachings, reinforcing his faith
in the eternal care of the divine.
Venkanna harbored a deep
longing to join the bhajana mandali, so he approached the elderly
gentleman with a request to join them. The elder responded humbly,
acknowledging that all actions are guided by the will of God, and thus,
he welcomed Venkanna to join the group without hesitation. With
gratitude, Venkanna became an active participant in the chanting and
dancing of Sri Hari’s songs alongside the group.
As they
journeyed towards Tirupati, their pilgrimage took them to numerous
sacred sites. Throughout the journey, Venkanna immersed himself in
meditation on the Lord's name, singing of His divine deeds, and eagerly
absorbing the wisdom shared by learned pandits on the Bhagavat Purana.
The constant companionship of devout individuals, known as satsang,
brought about a profound transformation within Venkanna, shaping him
into a true devotee of Srihari.
After several months of walking
(pada yatra), the bhajana mandali finally arrives at Tirupati. They
begin their pilgrimage by taking a sacred dip in Kapil Thirtha, located
at the foothills of Tirumala. Following this purifying ritual, they
proceed to seek the divine blessings of Lord Kapileshwara and Lord
Narasimha.
Before embarking on the climb up the hill to reach
the Tirupati temple, they reverently touch the earthen dust of the
foothill, offering their salutations as they consider it to be the
sacred dust of Sri Hari's feet. During this time, the elder of the
group shares an inspiring tale with Venkanna. He recounts the incident
involving Sri Vadirajaru, a revered Madhva saint and renowned
enlightened saint/tapasvi, who, upon arriving at Tirupati, witnessed
Lord Venkateshwara manifesting as Saligrama (a holy stone) spread
across the entirety of the Tirumala hill.
Moved by Sri
Vadirajaru's unparalleled devotion, Venkanna becomes overwhelmed with
joy and enters into a state of intense bhakti, or trance meditation.
This story reinforces the profound truth that God is omnipresent,
permeating every aspect of existence.
Venkanna ascends the hill
alongside his fellow devotees, chanting the sacred names of the Lord as
they make their way towards the temple. As they reach the Galigopuram,
an ancient temple tower along the route, the air reverberates with
their fervent chants of "Hare Srininvas, Hare Venkatesha,
Govind..Govind Hare..Mukunda!!" Their hearts brimming with devotion,
they continue their ascent.
Upon catching sight of the majestic
Maha gopuram of the main temple, the entire group is swept up in a wave
of ecstatic devotion. They burst into joyous dance, their voices lifted
in unison as they chant "Hare Srininvasa... Hare Srinivas!"
Venkanna,
accompanied by his fellow devotees, arrived at the Swami Pushkarani
Theertha, the holy pond, where they offered prayers to the Lord and
performed Sankalpa Snana, the divine bath. After completing his
Sandhyavandane, the morning prayers, Venkanna sought the darshan of
Varaha Swamy on the bank of Swami Pushkarani.
Venkanna then
proceeded towards the Lord Venkateshwara temple, finding it crowded
with devotees eager for the Lord's darshan. Opting to wait at the
entrance until the rush subsided, Venkanna eventually entered the inner
sanctum. Standing before the deity Srinivasa, he was overwhelmed with
joy, raising his hands in salutation and crying out loud, "Hare
Srinivasa!" Lost in his devotion, he was oblivious to his surroundings
until he was gently pushed out by the temple servant.
Regaining
awareness, Venkanna circumambulated the outer prakara of the shrine and
joined some Haridasas singing the glories of God. Moments later, the
priest brought forth food, offering it to God as naivedya before
distributing it as prasadam to the devotees.
The divine darshan
of Lord Venkateshwara, the joyous sankirtana gatherings, and the sacred
prasadam distributed daily filled Venkanna with ecstasy, prompting him
to prolong his stay in Tirumala. After his initial glimpse of Lord
Srinivasa, he often sat on the temple steps, reminiscing about the
divine image— the radiant smile and the aura of divine grace
surrounding the Lord. Venkanna harbored a deep longing to behold the
Lord in His true blissful form, known as the Chaitanya Murthy.
Venkanna
fervently prayed, tears streaming down his cheeks, "O Lord, I vow to
remain steadfast at your divine feet. Please grace me with a glimpse of
your true form." Overwhelmed by the first glimpse of the deity, he lost
all sense of self. Whether atop Narayana hill or by the banks of the
Papanasini river, he sought solace in meditation. Nights found him
resting in a humble stone gazebo, feeling the divine presence
everywhere. Despite months passing, Venkanna's longing for the true
form of Lord Srinivasa persisted. One day, as was his routine, he
approached the temple, his soul yearning for a vision of the Lord's
real essence. Prostrating before the deity, he implored with deep
devotion, willing to sacrifice his life if denied the divine vision. "O
Lord, why have you placed me on this earth, orphaned and innocent?
Shower your grace upon me, and dispel my ignorance."
Firmly
resolved, Venkanna declared, "If not, I shall surrender my life at your
feet." With these words, he entered a trance and collapsed unconscious
at the feet of Lord Srinivasa.
Impressed by Venkanna's profound
devotion, Lord Venkateshwara manifested before him, extending his hand
to touch Venkanna's tongue. With divine grace, he inscribed the sacred
words "Prasanna Venkata" onto Venkanna's tongue. Then, bestowing his
blessings, Lord Srinivasa declared, "Venkanna, henceforth you shall be
known as Haridasa with the name Prasanna Venkata. Your ignorance is
dispelled, and you are now enlightened with divine knowledge." For a
fleeting moment, Lord Srinivasa revealed his majestic divine form to
Venkanna, who rose with tears of joy streaming down his cheeks,
overwhelmed by boundless ecstasy.
With immense gratitude,
Venkanna exclaimed, "Oh Lord, you have forgiven all my faults and
bestowed your blessings upon me! Oh compassionate one, I am but a
servant of your servant." He then began singing his spontaneous
compositions in Kannada:
"Tappau Nodade Bandyeya! Yennaya Tande
Appa Tiruvenkateshane Nirdoshane…
This
hymn flowed effortlessly from his lips as he danced with fervent
devotion, oblivious to the world around him. His fellow pilgrims
marveled at how such a seemingly uneducated boy could compose such
divine and profound verses. They exclaimed, "Ah! What a marvel! At such
a young age, this boy has attained enlightenment without undergoing
intense austerity. He has become enlightened! Surely, he must have
accumulated great merit to receive the divine vision of the lord and
the inscription of Prasannavenkata on his tongue!" The people continued
to extol him in this manner. However, the young boy was in a state of
profound realization, completely absorbed in Samadhi; he was unaware of
the world around him. After some time, he emerged from this state and
looked around. A large crowd had gathered, praising him and offering
their respects. Slowly, he circumambulated the temple, seemingly
detached from his former self. With tears of joy, he continued to
compose and sing song after song, dancing to the melodies with his
hands as cymbals.
In the upcoming episodes of the Mantralaya
series, we will witness the continuation of blessings bestowed by Swami
Venkatesha and Sri Guru Rayaru..
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||