Mantralaya-1042

(Devotion and Mantra Siddhi of Sri SujnanedraTeertharu - 2)

Date : June 22, 2023

Background

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA   JAYATI NA ANRUTA

Continuing the last series - Devotion and Mantra Siddhi of Sri SujnanedraTeertharu and devotional ecstasy behind NanjanaGudu Raghavendra Swamy temple are described in Mantralaya(1042).

Meaning

As we saw in the last Mantralaya article our kind Guru Sri RaghavendraTeertharu blessed Sri SujnanedraTeertharu by giving him special power of Mantra Siddhi. Through Sri SujnanedraTeertharu, Sri Rayaru bestowed good Loka to a devotee which was in the form of Sparrow. The British Officer witnessed the miracle of Sri SujnanedraTeertharu. We also saw that Sri SujnanedraTeertharu wanted to attain Brindavana at Mantralaya. Rayaru instructed Sri SujnanedraTeertharu wait at NanjanaGudu.

As per the orders of Sri RaghavedraTeertharu, Sri SujnanedraTeertharu came back to Nanjana Gudu. At NanjanaGudu Sri SujnanedraTeertharu performed daily pooja to SreeKanteshwara also called Nanjundeshwara. SreeKanteshwara temple is called South/Dakshina Kasi, where Lord Shiva  appeared at the plea of his devotees, the Devas and sage Narada to kill demon Keshi.This temple was consecrated by the Western Ganga dynasty during the 9th -10th century A.D. The kings of the Chola dynasty later made contributions to the temple’s architecture in the 11th century. Later, several additions were made to the temple structure by the Hoysala kings and then the Wodeyar family. This beautiful temple is located on the right bank of river Kapila, a tributary of the Kaveri.

Sri SujnanedraTeertharu was involved with great devotion towards the pooja and mediation of Lord Shiva at SreeKanteshwara temple. Many Vishnava Pandits from different Mutts started to talk cheaply about Sri SujnanedraTeertharu saying that this Swamiji is busy in worshiping Shiva which is against Madhwa Philosophy. Sri SujnanedraTeertharu once after the pooja of Shiva addressed these Pandits and explained the importance of Shiva. Lord Shiva is the greatest devotee of Sri Narayana. MadhwaCharyaru and Haridasaru have clearly called out that purification of mind, concentration towards good Karma , towards Sri Hari is possible only when you have the blessings from Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is designed to purify the mind, Shiva is also known as Mano Niyamaka (the one who controls mind). This was the reason why Sri PurnadaraDasaru did sing with Joy that Lord Shiva, please purify my mind in order to pray to Sri Hari. ತೈಲಧಾರೆಯಂತೆ ಮನಸು ಕೊಡೊ ಹರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶಂಭೋ , ಕೈಲಾಸ ವಾಸ ಗೌರೀಶ ಈಶ. The ignorant Pandits after listening to Sri SujnanedraTeertharu realized the importance of Shiva and cleared out the misconceptions around Madhwa Philosophy. Swamiji did quote that every Madhwa need to chant Narayana Panditacharya composition of Shiva Stuti which goes like ಸ್ಫುಟಂ ಸ್ಫಟಿಕಸಪ್ರಭಂ ಸ್ಫುಟಿತಹಾರಕಶ್ರೀಜಟಂ ಶಶಾಙ್ಕದಲಶೇಖರಂ ಕಪಿಲಫುಲ್ಲನೇತ್ರತ್ರಯಮ್ | ತರಕ್ಷುವರಕೃತ್ತಿಮದ್ಭುಜಗಭೂಷಣಂ ಭೂತಿಮತ್ಕದಾ ನು ಶಿತಿಕಣ್ಠ ತೇ ವಪುರವೇಕ್ಷತೇ ವೀಕ್ಷಣಮ್

Days have passed, Sri SujnanedraTeertharu was waiting for a signal from Sri RaghavendraTeertharu. Sri RaghavendraTeertharu appeared in the dream of Sri SujnanedraTeertharu saying “ I am going to fulfill my promise. I am coming to NanjanaGudu after three days. Start making arrangements to receive me. After that you can attain Brindavana near to me”. Sri SujnanedraTeertharu woke up and with joy started to chant Sri Raghavendra Gurustuti and cried hard in front of Rayaru for his kind concern.

At the same time Sri RaghavendraTeertharu appeared in the dreams of three different people. Rayaru first appeared in the dream Sri Ranga Pattana Mutt Brahmins, said “Tomorrow go to Kaveri River and you will find me in the form of Rock Idol. Take me to Najana Gudu from there”. Second, Rayaru appeared in the dream of Dhobhi (Agasa)/washerman, with a smiling face and said “Stop beating me every day from cloth, I am tired. Tomorrow handover the rock to Brahamins. Yes, the same rock where you beat and wash the cloth”. Finally Rayaru appeared in the dream of Sri Krishna Raja Wodeyar and said “King prepare the procession tomorrow to welcome me , wait for Bhramins who carry me from Kaveri river. Send me to Nanjana Gudu after taking Darshana, you will be blessed”

As per the daily routine, washerman/Dhobi(Agasa) came to the river. He took a cloth and wanted to beat against the rock. He immediately remembered the dream. To his surprise Dhobi heard Om sound coming out of the rock. He came near the rock and turned it on the side. He saw a clear picture of Sri RaghavendraTeertharu forming in the rock. As he was gazing at the formation of the picture at the rock, he was shocked to see Brahmins coming near to him. He was amazed to realize that everything is happening as per last night's dream. Dhobi felt positive energy flowing all over him, he cried with devotion chanting “Om Sri Raghavendraya Namaha ''. Brahmins were amazed to see Dhobi and the rock as per their dream. Brahmins wanted to chant GuruStorta but they were unable to do so as their throat was tight with joyful tears filled in their eyes. With complete devotion Brahmins along with Dhobi lifted the rock which was transformed into Sri RaghavendraTeertha Idol (Vigraha), started journey towards Mysore route, atmosphere was filled with devotional vibration and everywhere one could hear “Om Sri Raghavendraya Namaha''.

Here as per the dream, Wodeyar was waiting for Bhramins. The grand procession was ready with nicely decorated elephants, horses, cows, several musicians, singers and traditional dancers and vedic pandits. Brahmins on the way saw the king with so many arrangements they were shocked why king Wodeyar was waiting as they were unaware of the dream that Wodeyar had. Wodeyar after seeing the Bhramins along with Sri Guru Raya idol, was unable to control himself. King bowed completely (Shastanga Namaskar) to the Rayara idol. Wodeyaru performed the Arati to Sri Rayaru. Next day the king made all the arrangements to travel to Nanjanadugu with a grand procession.

Here Sri SujnanedraTeertharu in NanjanGudu was waiting for the arrival of Rayaru as three days have passed as per dream that Swamij had.  Grand procession was nearing the NanjanaGudu and the entire NanjanaGudu was filled with Mantra “Om Sri Raghavendraya Namaha '' and Vedic chants. As the procession was passing by SreeKanteshwara temple, the temple bells rang on their own and flowers fell from Sri Nanjundeshwara as a sign of Shiva welcoming Sri Rayaru. Sri SujnanedraTeertharu saw the procession coming near and ran towards the Rayara idol and performed a Shastranga Namaskar to Sri Rayaru. Swamiji stood silent and didn’t move for a few minutes. Swamiji's eyes were completely busy in seeing the beautiful idol of Sri Rayaru and tears were rolling making his vision blur. Sri SujnanedraTeertharu by following all religious rituals as per Madhwa Shastra installed the Sri RaghavendraTeertharu’s idol. This is the only idol of Sri Rayaru you can find in this world. Rest all the places you will see Rayar Brindavana. Sri SujnanedraTeertharu performed Sri Moola Rama Devaru pooja and offered Hastodaka to Sri RaghavendraTeertharu. Then Swamiji performed the Maha Mangalaruti to Sri Raghavendraru. Washerman(Dhobi), Brahmins and Wodeyar considered themself as blessed as Rayaru chose them to be part of this dive historical arrival of Sri Rayaru. They were all very immersed in their immense devotion while Swamiji was performing Maha Mangalaruti. After Maha Mangalaruti Swamiji looked at Sri Rayaru idol and he saw Rayau blessing him.

On the day after Uttara Aradhana of our Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy, Sri Sujanendra Teertharu attained the Lotus feed of Sri Hari. His poorva aradhana coincides with uttara aradhana of our Guru Rayaru. Sri RaghavendraTeertharu fulfilled the desire and wish of Sri SujanendraTeertharu of attaing Brindavan near Sri Rayaru.

Next time when you visit NanjanaGudu take Darshana of SreeKanteshwara and bow your head to Sri RaghavendraTeertharu remembering Sri SujnanedraTeertharu, Sri Krishan Raja Wodeyaru, those Brahmins and washerman. NanjanaGudu is a very sacred place and Rayaru is sitting there with a smiling face blessing world devotees.

As Darasu said ನೋಡೆಲೆ ಮನವೆ ಕೊಂಡಾಡು ಗುರುಗಳ ಪಾದ-ಈಡು ಇಲ್ಲವೊ ಪುಣ್ಯಕೆ    , ನಾಡೊಳಗೆ ಗುರುರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ರಾಯರ ಸೇವೆ-ಮಾಡಿದವ ಪರಮ ಧನ್ಯ – ಮಾನ್ಯ , Dasru is telling our inner soul and mind to remember divine glory of Sri Rayaru. While remembering that Dasaru is saying perform pooja/Seva to the lotus feet of Rayaru and you will be  most blessed and respected by the Lord.

The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach to Sri Hari  - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"!

   || BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
   SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||