Mantralaya-2038
(The majestic town of Sri Rangapatna and Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s visit )
Date : April 17, 2025
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
The majestic town of Sri Rangapatna and Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s visit to it are beautifully described in Mantralaya (2038).
Meaning
In
our previous sacred journey, we beheld the divine splendor of
Nanjanagudu, the holy abode of Sri Kanteshwara, where the presence of
Lord Shiva and the blessings of Sri Raghavendra Swamy envelop the very
air in sanctity.
Now, with hearts still immersed in devotion,
let us journey onward.Just 44 kilometers away, a serene one hour
pilgrimage from Nanjanagudu, lies the spiritually charged town of
SriRangapatna, nestled along the sacred banks of the divine Kaveri
River. In this episode, let us turn back the pages of time.Let us walk
alongside Sri Raghavendra Swamy, during one of the most luminous
moments of his spiritual travels. Let us witness Sri Rayaru’s arrival
at SriRangapatna, not just as a saint, but as a divine presence that
awakened the hearts of kings, scholars and simple souls alike.Come, let
us journey not just through distance but through time, into the holy
embrace of Sri Ranganatha and the grace of Sri Guru Raghavendra.
In
the sacred flow of time, when dharma flickered and knowledge was held
tightly in the scrolls of a few, a radiant beacon traveled through the
lands of Bharata. This was none other than Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the
divine saint, the ocean of compassion and the embodiment of Lord Vayu's
grace. One of his most unforgettable journeys led him to the sacred
town of Srirangapatna, nestled along the gentle embrace of the river
Kaveri.
Srirangapatna is one of the most ancient and holy towns
of South India. At its heart lies the majestic temple of Sri Ranganatha
Swamy, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu resting upon the cosmic serpent
Adisesha. This deity has been revered for centuries. The idol was
originally installed by Lord Brahma in the celestial realm and later
brought to earth by King Ikshvaku, an ancestor of Lord Rama. The rock
of the idol is Saligrama Shila, a sacred stone. The idol eventually
found its way to the sacred banks of the Kaveri River and was
reinstalled here by the great sage Gautama. Over time, the temple
became a luminous center of devotion. Through its spiritual radiance
attracting saints, kings and scholars alike.
The river Kaveri
flowing gently beside this holy town, is not just a river, it is
Goddess Kaveri. The divine mother who sanctifies and nourishes the
land. Kaveri was born from the blessings of the sage Kavera and later
granted boons by Lord Vishnu himself. Her waters are as sacred as the
Ganga, capable of washing away sins and igniting spiritual awakening.
The very presence of the river around Srirangapatna turns the land into
a punya kshetra, a holy ground where every step taken is an act of
merit.
Many saints and seekers have meditated along mother Kaveri’s
banks, receiving divine visions and blessings. Her gentle flow
symbolizes both strength and serenity, embodying the grace that guides
a seeker towards moksha. It was in her waters that Sri Raghavendra
bathed before entering the temple, a symbolic purification and a silent
dialogue with the divine mother.
The architecture of the Sri
Ranganatha Swamy temple is a stunning example of Dravidian style.
Towering gopurams adorned with intricate carvings, expansive courtyards
and richly decorated mandapas make the temple a marvel of sacred art.
The inner sanctum houses the magnificent image of Lord Ranganatha in a
reclining pose, symbolizing rest upon the cosmic ocean of existence.
The temple complex is surrounded by thick stone walls and features a
series of pillared halls echoing the chants of bhaktas over centuries.
Several
dynasties have contributed to the growth and preservation of this
divine abode. The Ganga dynasty laid the early foundation and later,
the Hoysalas, Vijayanagara kings and Wodeyars of Mysore enhanced its
grandeur with generous patronage. The Vijayanagara emperors, especially
during the reign of Krishnadevaraya, are known to have gifted jewels,
land, and wealth to maintain the temple’s spiritual and cultural
vibrancy. Even during turbulent times, the temple stood resilient,
protected and revered by rulers who saw it as the very heart of their
dharma.
As Sri Raghavendra's lotus feet approached the gates of
this holy town Sri Rangapatna, it was as though the very earth trembled
with joy. The news of Sri Rayaru’s arrival spread like a sacred breeze,
passing through the hearts of saints, scholars and common folk alike.
The town, famous for its glorious temple of Sri Ranganatha Swamy, was
about to witness a divine meeting of the Lord reclining on Adisesha and
the saint who never rested in his service.
The skies seemed
clearer that day, the wind gentler and the trees swayed as if singing
praises. Sri Ranganatha, the deity of the temple, is said to have
spiritually sensed the arrival of his dearest devotee. In poetic glory
of Sri Raghavendra Vijaya, Sri Narayanacharya writes that the Lord
Himself, delighted with love, approached Sri Raghavendra Swamy in
grace, as if to welcome a beloved friend.
And then, in a moment
drenched in timeless divinity, something wondrous occurred.As per
sacred tradition, Sri Raghavendra bathed in the holy waters of the
Kaveri and approached the sanctum of Sri Ranganatha Swamy. With mantras
flowing from his lips like a Ganga of wisdom, Sri Rayaru performed deep
and heartfelt worship. Sri Rayaru’s mind merged in meditation with the
Lord. Those nearby felt the presence of divinity ripple through the
stone temple, making even the stone pillars seem alive with spiritual
energy.
As Sri Raghavendra stood in the sanctum, offering his
inner self at the feet of the Lord, the air became still, and an
ethereal fragrance filled the space. The lamps flickered though there
was no breeze. Those standing near felt their skin tingle, their eyes
fill with tears, their hearts swell with an unknown bliss.In the
shimmering glow of the sanctum, the idol of Lord Ranganatha seemed to
glisten with divine effulgence. Then, to the astonishment of all, the
Lord manifested forth, not just in stone, but in divine presence.
Lord
Ranganatha appeared before Sri Raghavendra Swamy, radiant beyond
description, reclining on Adisesha, yet simultaneously rising in
majestic glory. His smile held the peace of the cosmos. His eyes
sparkled with love. In a voice that only the inner soul could hear, He
said:
"Raghavendra, my beloved, you are the breath of my being
amidst all creation. You carry my will, wrapped in the robe of
compassion. The wisdom you share is the eternal flame I kindled in ages
long past. Where your sacred voice rises in chant, there I reside.
Whomever receives your grace, receives mine as well."
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy was immersed in a radiant trance of divine devotion.
With folded hands and eyes brimming with tears, he bowed in utter
surrender, offering a full prostration at the feet of the unseen Lord.
In that sacred moment, only Sri Rayaru beheld Sri Hari in His
resplendent form—conversing with him, not in words, but in the silent
language of boundless grace.Those around him, though unable to witness
the Lord, felt the air thicken with the weight of divinity. A sublime
stillness enveloped the space. Some dropped to their knees in
reverence; others wept uncontrollably, swept away by the power of the
moment. It was as if the veil between worlds had lifted. This was no
ordinary vision it was the exalted union of bhakta and Bhagavan, the
sacred convergence of humble service and divine sovereignty, the
intimate embrace of the finite with the Infinite. A moment when heaven
touched earth—and the earth, in turn, stood still to receive it.
The
people of the town, overwhelmed by devotion, rushed to behold the
saint. Some wept. Some bowed. Some offered garlands and sandalwood
paste. Children were lifted high by parents so they too could glimpse
the radiant face of the sage. In their eyes, he was not merely a man –
he was Guru Raya, the kalpavriksha who fulfilled the spiritual longing
of countless hearts.
Then came the time for spiritual dialogue.
Word of his profound knowledge had reached the ears of local scholars.
With respectful eagerness, they came forward to ask questions, to
engage in shastric debate, and to challenge the depths of his
intellect. These were no ordinary scholars. They were masters of Nyaya,
Mimamsa, and Vedanta. Their words were sharp, their arguments
well-honed and yet when they stood before Sri Raghavendra Swamy, their
sharp edges found no resistance but only the gentle dissolving waters
of deeper truth. With grace, humility, and brilliant clarity, Sri
Raghavendra answered every question. Sri Rayaru revealed the light of
Dvaita Vedanta as taught by Sri Madhvacharya, not as a dogma, but as
living truth.
The pride of Scholars melted. Their doubts fell
away. Their hearts opened. One by one, they bowed. No longer as
opponents, but as students. No longer as critics, but as children
yearning for their father's embrace. With loving compassion, Sri
Raghavendra accepted them. Sri Rayaru didn’t defeat them but he
transformed them.This was his real miracle.Sri Rayaru gave them not
only answers but the experience of spiritual peace. He lifted their
minds to realms beyond logic – to the sacred silence of surrender.
The
whole town rejoiced. The temple priests said that Sri Ranganatha
appeared more radiant that day. Some said they saw light glowing around
the saint. Some said they felt a presence walk with them even after he
left.But what remained for all was tears. Tears of love. Tears of
devotion. Tears of having seen, even for a short while, a living
embodiment of the Lord's compassion.
Thus ended Sri Raghavendra
Swamy's divine visit to Srirangapatna. But in truth, it never ended.
The footsteps Sri Rayaru left behind still echo in the temple corridors.
Along
with your visit to the sacred town of Nanjanagudu, do not miss the
opportunity to travel to the holy kshetra of Srirangapatna.As you stand
before the sanctum and behold the mesmerizing darshana of the Lord,
allow your heart to be immersed in the ocean of devotion. This is no
ordinary place, it is sanctified further by the presence of Sri
Raghavendra Swamy, who once stood here in deep meditation and prayer.
At this very spot, the Supreme Lord Narayana manifested before Sri
Rayaru, blessing him with divine vision and grace.
Let your
visit be one of reverence and reflection. Feel the presence of the
great acharyas who walked these very paths and offer your prayers with
the awareness that you are standing on hallowed ground, where the
divine once revealed Himself to His dearest devotee Sri 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||