After some days, Sri Sudhindra started on a pilgrimage, followed by his pupils. He visited various cities and villages and accepted the gifts and offerings given by the devotees and blessed them. In this manner, they reached Mathrai in the south. In that city was a Tamil sannyasi, who was well versed in grammer and was called a "Vaiyakarani". He was proud that no one could equal him in the knowledge of grammer. He wished to enter into a disputation on grammer with Sri Sudhindra . But the Swami said to him, "First you had better engage your self in a dispute with student, Venkatanatha . If you defeat him you can contest with me". The sanyasi agreed and commenced a disputation with Venkatanatha. On "Mahabhashya" venkatanatha was an adept in argumentation on all sastras. So he easily countered every one of the Sannyasi's arguments by his prowess and won over him finally. The Tamil sannyasi accepted defeat gracefully. Every one was struck with wonder on seeing the dexterity with which Venkatanatha had demolished. Everyone of the arguments proferred by the tamil sannyasi. Sri Sudhindra Swami was all admiration for his pupils excellence at argumentation. He at once blessed venkatanatha by conferring on him the title of "Mahabhashyacharya".
At that time , Raghunatha Rao was the ruler of Tanjore. He was highly proficient in music and literature. He could appreciate and enjoy the nuance of poetry. He sent an invitation to Sri Sudhindra to visit his city. The Swami accepted the invitation and paid a visit to Tanjore. The ruler showed the Swami great respect and requested him to spend a few days in Tanjore. The Swami agreed to do so. Raghunatharao had a minister ,by name GovindaDikshita.The latter had a son,named YegnanarayanaDikshita,who was well-versed in the Adivaita philosophy and who had acquired much fame .He expressed to Sri Sundhindra his desire to engage in a disputation with Sudhindra and his pupil ,Venkatanatha ,on the coparative merits of Dwaita and Advaita.Sri Sudhindra agreed gladly and asked him first to contest with Venkatanatha. | | | Venkatanatha and Yagnarayana Dikshita made arguments and counter - arguments to prove their respective view -points.Very many distinguished scholars watched them carefully.Both interpreted "Tatvamasi" and "Aham Brahmasmi"as propounded by the sastras. Both being great scholars ,advanced arguments ina distinguished manner so as to amaze the listeners .the disputation between the two stalwarts went on for 18 days .On the ninteenthday , Venkatanatha established beyond dought thatdwaitism was correct one . He vanquished his rival thoroughly and latter also conceded the victory. | Search Amazon.com for SREE RAGHAVENDRA | In appreciation of Venkatanatha's supremacy in argumentation,Sri Sudhindra conferred on him the title of " Bhattacharya".Ever since , he addressed Venkatanatha as "Venkatabhatta"out of boundless affection. He appointed Venkatanatha as the poet -laureate in the Mutt. After completing his studies and training in"Tarka" and "Vedanta" under the turelage of Sri Sudhindra ,Venkatanatha returned to his native village of Bhuvanagiri. He enjoyed the pleasure of family life in the pleasing company of his wife ,Saraswathi.
The pious couple had a son.As Venkanna had suffered from poverty ever since his
Boyhood .He named the child "Lakshminarayana"in the hope that he may not have to suffer from the same. It was universally known that Venkatanatha was a great scholar . Disciples from various parts of the land came to receive education at his hands.
In those days ,the prevailing custom was for the teacher to feed his pupils free of charge. Venkatanatha had to bear the burden of feeding his pupils in addition to maintaining his family. He was from birth , poor .How could he shoulder the burden
It was beyond his power to meet the expences day after day.
At this time , Venkatanatha came to know that a rich man in a neighbouring village was celebrating a happy event. His wife , Saraswathi said to him, "Please attend the | |  | | auspicious function in the rich man's house. He will honour you as great scholar and give you some money. Venkatanatha accepted the advice and started for the village. Hundreds pf Brahmins had come to rich man's house to partake of the feast. Venkatabhattu sat in a corner of the rich man's house and was reciting some verses of prayer. The family priest of the rich man was a greedy and thoughtless person. It was his duty to prepare the sandal paste and distribut it among the Brahimns. But , as he was busy ,he ordered Venkatabhattu, who was reciting the verses in a corner ,to grind the sandal paste and went away .Taking it as a divine ordainment, Venkatanatha prepared the sandal paste and gave it to the priest. The priest distributed it among the Brahmins who had come for the feast .They applied the paste to their bodies. No sooner had they done so than they began to feel a burning sensation all over their persons. The rich man enquired of the priest how had made the paste and why it was creating the burning sensation. The priest pleaded ignorance and showed Venkatanatha the person responsible for grinding the paste.
The rich man enquired of venkatanatha the reason for the curious occurrence. Venkatanatha calmly replied, "I was reciting 'Agnisukta' while grinding the paste perhaps that made the sandal paste give out a burning effect". He later recited "Karuna sukta" and ground a fresh paste, which was distributed to the Brahmins.
When the Bhrahmins used it over the bodies, they got over their burning sensation and felt the paste very cool and pleasing .The rich man realised the divine power and greatness of Venkatantha . He treated Venkatanatha to a rich feast and gave him a reward of a hundred rupees.
Venkatabhattu returned to his village and the amount of hundred was spent away in a few days.
It was miserable for Venkatabhattu to meet the demands of his family. To make matters worse, some thieves broke into his house, one night, and got away with few things he had.According to the saying "Yasyanugraha michchamitasya vittam haramyaham" perhaps God divested Venkatanatha of the remnants of his belongings to make him fit to earn his grace and acquire greatness in the life at future date.
Venkatantha became disconsolate with grief and unable to find a way out of his misery, started for his Guru's abode with the members of his family. He prostrated himself before Sri Sudhindra and poured out his tale of woe. He wept in grief and sought his Guru's protection. The swamy had great regard for Venkanatha's scholarly attainments and affection for his qualities of virtue. So he assured Venkatantha of help, desired him to live with his family in the Mutt itself and spoke to him words of comfort ever since Venkatanatha had lived in the Mutt along with his wife and children.
Venkatanatha earned the esteem and affection of all people by teaching pupils who came to him for learning and by taking part in scholarly conference. After few days, the health of Sri Sudhindra received a set-back. So, he said to Venkatantha ,"You are great scholar endowed with much ebility ;give up the lure of family pleasures ,take up sanyasa and serve the world at large". On hearing these words, Venkatabhattu said "O guru I bow to your decision, but I cannot leave the young wife and son to their fate .Iam not yet ready to take up sanyasa.Kindly forgive me".Sri Sudhindra considered his pupils word s as wise .As his health was declining ,he made another deciple accept sanyasam and gave him the name of "Yadavindra Tirtha". Somedays later, SriSudhindra regained normal health .He attended to his daily duties of offering worship to Sri Mula Ramachandra and teaching his pupils religious doctrines .he retained with him the images of Sri Mula Ramachandra and certain others and sent Yadavindra Tirtha to tour the country. Still later, once Sri Sudhindra once again felt ill .The worship of Sri Mula Ramachandra, the presiding deity of the Mutt,was hampered as he was pondering Over this, one night Lord Sri Ramachandra appeared to him in a vision and said "Venkatabhattu is fit to carry on the worship he is ready to take up sanyasa now. Send for him and make the necessary arrangements.Do not feel sad ".He instantly disappeared.Sri Sudheendra repeated these words many times and felt happy . He decided to send Venkatabhattu. | | Strangely enough, Venkatabhattu had a dream the same night when Sri Sudhindra had the vision of god.Sri Saradadevi(Goddess of learning) appeared before him and said "You are a great scholar of much competence. The world needs to be uplifted by you. The Madhwa philosophy has to be propagated still wider. Give up your family ties and take Sannyasa .Sri Mula Ramachandra is waiting to be worshipped by you. Wake up".So saying ,she disappeared. Venkatabhattu awoke from sleep and was happy and surprised to think of what had happended .He immediately proceeded to the place of Sri Sudhindra and fell prostrate before him .The swami was overjoyed to see him. They related to each other events relating to their respective dreams.Venkatabhattu told his guru that he wished to perform the upanayanam of his son,Lakshminarayana and proceeded home after receiving monetary assistance for the purpose reaching his village,Bhuvanagiri,and collecting his relations and friends ,returned to swamiji's place.he performed his sons "upanayanam" in the presence of Sri Sudhindra and with his blessings,later he returned to Bhuvanagiri. A few days later,he called his wife ,Saraswathi , and said to her ,"you are managing the family as an obedient wife and making me happy .You are an honest woman . But Worldly life is like a drop of water on a lotus leaf .It is not everlasting .Do not love me any more .I intend to take up sannyasa in obedience to my guru's command . Do not feel grieved carry on your life with calmness of mind .She was pained to hear her husbands words .But Venkatabhattu consoled and comforted her by his sweet words. Having determined to take up sannyasa ,Venkatabhattu went to Sri Sudheendhra .He accompanied his guru on his tour, from Kumbakonam to Tanjavur . The ruler Raghunatharao ,had arranged a grand reception for swami there. | Sri Sudhindra told Raghunatha Rao about his decision to intiate Venkatabhattu into sannyasa .The ruler made suitable arrangements for the occasion . In the year Rudhirodgari of salivahana era 1845.Sri Sudhindra gave sannyasa to Venkatabhattu The appellation of "Sri Raghavendra Theertha".Many scholars ,poets ,devotees ,and common people were present on the great occasion .The programme was gone through with great pomp and glory.Raghunatha Rao showed his esteem for both the swamis and received their blessings. The news of Sri Venkatanatha's initiation into sannyasa reached saraswathi 's ears through hearsay .She was filled with agony. What a pity that she could not look upon her husband's face any longer .she hated to live further without support of her husband. With these feelings gnawing at heart and abandoning wisdom, she ended her life by falling into a well. As a result of committing suicide, she became a ghost. | | |   | | In that form she went to Sri Raghavendhra Thirtha and wept bitterly .Taking pity on her ,he repeated some sacred mantra and showered on her some drops of water .She was relieved of her ghost form and gained redemption from her life. Ever since, it became a family custom for the descendants of Venkatabhattu to perform "Saraswathi puja " at the commencement of auspicious functions in their houses.
Sri Raghavendra Thirtha started on his religious tours.Where ever he went ,large number of devotees received his blessings in great joy. During his travels, he once visited a village , called "Kandenati" ,went to the house of a poor boy , named "Venkanna" and asked him to do "Bhiksha" for him (feed him) . The boy believed that swami had come to his house for "Bhiksha" in preference to the rich people's houses only to bless him. So, he went to the rich people, took their assistance and also invited them to worship the swami. He gave a grand reception to swami in this manner and earned his grace and blessings. While taking leave of the boy and starting for another village, the swami asked the boy to remember him in times of difficulties.
At that time, Siddi Masud Khan was Nawab of Adoni. Though illiterate, be became a ruler through good fortune. One day, when he rested under a tree after taking part in a vigorous hunt, a servant gave him a letter, saluted to him, and stood at a distance. The Nawab opened the letter, but being illiterate could not understand its contents. He looked about in the forest for anyone who could read it. Just then, he saw the poor boy Venkanna, gathering wood for fuel . Immediately he ordered the servant to bring the boy. In fact Venkanna also could not read it. He confessed to the Nawab " I am a poor Bhrahmin boy. I have not received any education and hence, I cannot read the letter ". The Nawab retorted,"Being a Bhrahmin, can't u read? I cannot believe your words. Will u read it or shall I server your head?" he threatened the boy in these words. Recalling Sri Raghavendra's advice, he said to himself ," O Sri Raghavendra ! protect from danger ". By Raghavendra's grace he was able to make out what was written in the letter. He said to the Nawab boldly, "O king, your army has won in the battle. This is the message of your victory ". There upon the Nawab took kindly to him, took him to the palace, Gave him money and said, "Get better education still, I shall give you job in my administration". The poor Venkanna agreed to do so.
In two or three years Venkanna received good education .He became a potty official in the Nawab's administration, discharged his duties well and soon won the good will and appreciation of the Nawab . In course of time, the Nawab recognising has intelligence and administrative ability, made him "Dewan " of his state. In this way, the poor boy, Venkanna , rose to a high position in life by the grace of Sri Raghvendra Swami.
Once, Sri Raghavendra Swami was touring in the Maharastra region. One of the servants of the Mutt came to him and said "O Swami I wish to get married, kindly give me a month's salary in advance. The Swami was then washing his hands and feet with earth. He said, " where is the money with me? I have only this loose earth in my hands. if u want take it ". The servant who knew the great powers of the Swami,said in great confidence, "O Swami !,even the dust that comes from your hands, will be ten thousand rupees for me . So, give me the dust alone ". The Swami gave him a handful of the earth, blessed him and sent him away.
As the servant went past some villages it fell dark. He went to one hamlet and laid himself down on a payal for the night's rest. The owner of the house was suffering from agony. Every time his wife gave birth to a child, a ghost would appear and destroy the child. The ghost had come then ready to kill the child to be born. But the earth in the servant's palm was shining with brilliance and did not allow the ghost to enter the house .The ghost awoke the servant and said to him, "Cast the shining stuff away, it does not allow me to enter the house. I shall give you whatever you wish for ". The servant was surprised at his words. He understood that the mysterious power of the earth in his hand did not allow the ghost to enter the house. At once, he said to the ghost "If u get me a vessel of full of rupees, I shall keep the earth at a distance and let you in". In a few seconds, the ghost brought to the servant a vessel full rupees. He took the vessel and out of pity for the ghost, thought of Guru and spilled a portion of the earth on the ghost. At once, the ghost was relieved of its ghost's form. The master of the house and the members of his family, who observed all this from inside, were filled with astonishment. They felt happy that the danger of the ghost, which afflicted them, was no more there. In mean while, the master 's wife was delivered of a male child and the child was safe and sound. Then the house -owner had a desire to give his brother's daughter in marriage to the guru's servant. He called the servant in, treated him with much respect and expressed his heart's desire to him. The servant gave his consent and the girl's marriage with him was celebrated immediately.
The guru's servant returned happily with his wife to the presence of the guru. He prostrated himself and told his master the entire story. He placed at his guru's feet the treasure he had secured and begged him to take it. But, the swami, without taking it, said to him, "why do I need this money? You yourself take it and be happy." He blessed the servant and sent him away.
Some time later on one occasion, the swami visited the Gadag region. A gentleman devoted to the guru, named Desai Raghunath, wished to play him the host and took him to his house to the accompaniment of the various forms of music. Being very rich, he had rich dishes of food prepared for swami. He collected a huge vessel full of mango juice.
he greatness of Sri Raghavendra Thirtha is indescribable. On one occasion, the ruler of Thanjavur sent the swami an offering of a diamond necklace. The swami was at that time busy performing "Vysvadevam" (a kind of Homa with cooked rice.) So, the swami gave it as 'Naivedya' to Yegneswara the people at the place were astonished at this. Learning of this through hearsay, the king was angry and grieved that a necklace, worth thousands of rupees, was consigned to the fire. Two or three days later, the ruler visited the swami and said " O swami! I sent to you a diamond necklace I think you would have used it as an ornament to god. I want it now for some purpose. I wish to make another necklace of the same fashion. Please give it to me. I shall return it again " The swami once prayed to Yagneswara, the Lord of Sacrifices the god of fire appeared before him and gave him the necklace. The swami received it and gave it to the king. The king, who was witness to the greatness of the swami, was filled with wonder thinking that he had sinned against the swami, the king prostrated himself before him and begged his pardon. The swami was manifestation of mercy. He readily pardoned the king and blessed him.
Sri Raghavendra Thirtha carried on his work at kumbakonam, according to the Mutt traditions, worshiping the diety, Sri Mula Ramachandra and instructing his pupils. At one time, Sri Vijayaraghava, son of Raghunatharao, came to the gaddi . During his reign, there was terrible famine. Vijayaraghava made many efforts to put an end to the famine conditions. But, he could not succeed. At last, he came to Sri Raghavendra Thirtha at kumbakonam, prostrated himself before him and said " A famine has come over my kingdom. The people are suffering much. Be kind enough and put an end to the famine. Be merciful " The swami remembered the great devotion and regard which his father, Raghunatha Rao, had shown towards him to. He took pity on Vijayaraghava and said, " Yes I shall come to Tanjavur. " | The swami visited Thanjavur. He converted the king's palace into a hall of worship and worshiped Sri Mula Ramachandra and prayed, " God, protect the kingdom from the evils of famine." Sri Mula Ramachandra had great grace for swami. It looked as if the deity had answered the swami's prayer. The same day, there was a heavy down pour of rain throughout the kingdom. All the tanks and wells were full to the brim with the water. The land became once again green with fresh crops. Vijayaraghva praised the greatness of the swami in many ways. He gave many rewards to swami and gave him a respectable send-off. That year, the produce was plentiful and the country became prosperous. The swami's greatness was unrivalled. Some days later, once, the swami was teaching his pupils. He suddenly rose up, looked up, asked some thing and sat down again. The disciples were perplexed. They said to the swami, " What is it? Kindly explain to us." The swami said to them, " The great sage Krishna Dwaipayana, was riding in a chariot and proceeding to vaikuntam. On the way, he appeared before my vision. I bowed to him and asked him, " How long yet am I to endure in this physical frame? By way of answer he showed two fingers and waved them thrice. I understood his purport and bowed and sat down. I shall live from now only for two years, two months, two days. Then I shall enter the Brindavan." The disciples had great devotion for and faith in heir guru. They were grieved to think that their guru would depart from them soon. They were pained beyond words. After some days, the swami came to Adoni on his tours. The Dewan, Venkanna, who was blessed by the swami, prostrated himself before the swami and took him to home to the accompaniment of auspicious music. He prepared himself to entertain the swami in a grand manner. He narrated to the Navab Siddi Masud Khan the mysterious powers of the swami. He appealed to the Navab to see the swami without fail. | |  | | Siddhi Masud Khan thought to himself, " I shall see what powers this Brahmin priest has." As the swami completed the worship of Sri Mula Ramachandra and was about to offer 'Naivedya', the Navab had a salver covered with cloth brought by a servant and placed it before the swami. He did so in order to test the supernatural powers of swami. Dewan Venkanna was not aware of the Nawab's intention. The swami scented the Nawab's wicked plan. Immediately, he spelt out a prayer to Sri Mula Ramachandra and split some drops of water from his kamandal (drinking vessel) on the salver covered with cloth. He asked the Nawab to order the cloth to be removed. When the Nawab had the cloth removed from the salver, it was full of fruits and rose flowers. The Nawab was amazed. He realised how great were the powers of the swami. He regretted his own conduct towards the swami. He wished to make recompense for the sin he had committed. He called Diwan Venkanna and said to him, " Venkanna! Your Guru is great man of rare powers. I wish to grant him some jagirs ( group of villages free for rent) . I am ready to carryout any bidding of his. Go to your Guru and inform him of my intention " Dewan Venkanna went to the swami and conveyed to him the Nawab's intention. To this, the swami replied, " why do we, who have renounced all worldly ties, need any jagirs? But as you say that the Nawab is insistent, let him give me only one village, named Manchala, on the banks of the Thungabhadra River ." The village Manchala , which the swami had asked for, had already been given to a Fakir as a gift. But the Nawab exchanged it for another village and gifted it to the swami. It was the place sanctified by the performance of a 'Yagna' by Bhakta Prahlada that was why the swami had asked for the village. The Nawab gave the swami many presents, bowed to him and took his leave. | | The time of Sri Raghavendra's entering the samadhi at the Brindavan, approached. The devotees became aware of it. Hundreds of people came to see the swami and were blessed by him. The swami sent for Dewan Venkanna and asked him to build a beautiful Brindavan. He laid out the beautiful Brindavan. The devotees were filled with grief because the swami's end was nearing. Venkanna informed the swami of the completion of the Brindavan. At once the swami said to him, " Venkanna! This Brindavan will be useful to another great saint. There is a big rock in the village of Madhavaram . Make a Brindavan with its help." Venkanna could not understand the reason for such an order. So he said to the swami, " O swami! You have asked me to make a Brindavan by using the rock in the village of Madhavaram . Kindly tell me if there is any special reason for it " The swami replied, " Venkanna ! Sri Ramachandra, while traversing the forest, sat on that stone for seven 'ghadias' the stone is sanctified by the contact of his holy feet and has to be worshipped for seven hundred years. That is why I asked you to use it for making the Brindavan." So saying, he cleared the doubts that had troubled Venkanna's mind. Venkanna made the Brindavan as ordered by the swami. Various scholars, poets and musicians came to see the sight of the swami entering the Brindavan alive. On Thursday, the second day of the bright fortnight, in the month of sravan, in the year of Virodhikritha, the great saint, Sri Raghavendra Thirtha, entered the samadhi in the Brindavan, alive. The event was marked by great festivity. As ordered by the swami, they kept 700 saligrams ( natural manifestations of god) in the Brindavanam and covered it with large stone and consecrated a place in front of the Brindavan. Even to this day, worship is offered, with vedic rites, to the Brindavan as well as to the image of Sri Anjaneya. | Among the disciples of Sri Raghavendra Swami, Appalacharya was the most notable. The swami had sent him to another village on some business. He was, therefore, not present at the event of the swami's entry into the Brindavan. On his return journey, he heard the news of Sri Raghavendra's entry into the Brindavan. Regrating that he could not have the last glimpse of his guru, he ran to the place, praising Sri Raghavendra swami. As he neared the Brindavan, the sloka in praise of the swami was incomplete with the words." Vibhutiratula" instantly, Sri Raghavendra Swami, who is well known for his affection for his disciples, completed the verse with the words ".sakshihayasyotrahi." Even this day, this panegry of Sri Raghavendra Swami, written by Appalacharya, is recited by scholars and lay men. This verse, beginning with the words "Sripurnabodha guruthirtha payobdhipara " if recited 108 times, will help a person to get his desire fulfilled. All baneful conditions will disappear. All sins will be recompensed. This need not be mentioned separately, these effects of worshipping at the Brindavan, are known to the devotees by their own experience. It is mentioned that Sri Raghavendra had himself announced to the devotees, from the Brindavan, that Lord Hayagriva will himself be witness to the efficiency of this sloka in his praise. Sri Appalacharya has written the Sri Raghavendra Mangalastakam in addition to the Sri Raghavendra Stothram" for which people are much indebted to him. | mong the successor to the Sri Raghavendra Guru peetham, Sri Vadindra Thirtha is one. He was great scholar and poet. He knew quite intimately the miraculous powers and spiritual excellence of Sri Raghavendra Thirtha. He composed the "Guru Guna Sthuti," delineating the greatness and versatility of Sri Raghavendra Swami. Sri Vadindra stood before the Sri Raghavendra Brindavan and recited melodiously the verses of "Guru Guna Sthuti." The Brindavan, it seems, shook to signify Sri Raghavendra Guru Sarvabhauma's appreciation of those verses. Oh! How fortunate Sri Vidhindra Thirtha was. |
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