When was raghavendra swamy born

Saraswathi Bai in the same year and had a son Sri Lakshminarayanacharya. After his marriage, Sri Venkatanatha and his family went to Kumbakonam where he studied the Dwaita vedantha, grammar and literary works under his guru, Sri Sudheendra Theertha.

Sri Venkatanatha was already very well versed in bhashyas and consistently prevailed over renowned and reputed scholars, irrespective of the complexity of the debates. He spent a large part of his Poorvashrama life teaching Sanskrit and the ancient Vedic texts to children. He never demanded any money for his services and endured a life of poverty along with his wife and son.

They went without food several times a week. On occasion, his wife did not have change of clothes. This forced her daily change of wear to be dependent on when the clothes dried.

But he was so devoted in his quest for a higher spiritual plane that these obstacles never deterred his faith in the Lord Poorvashrama Miracles Once while he was touring Kumbakonam along with his wife, Sri Venkatanatha and his family were invited to attend a function. Unfortunately, the hosts did not treat him well and wanted him to earn his food by running a chore. So they asked him to make some sandalwood paste for all the invitees.

Sri Venkatanatha per his habit was chanting stotras and mantras while preparing sandalwood for Tilaka. When the guests applied this paste, it induced a burning sensation all over their bodies. Surprised by this, the hosts sought a clarification from Venkatanatha.

He replied that the burning sensation was due to the Agni Suktam hymn for the worship as defined in the Esoteric Vedas that he was chanting while preparing sandalwood and thus eternal power of Vedic Mantras revealed itself.

This happens only when chanted with absolute dedication and devotion. The power is enhanced since it was chanted by someone as virtuous and devoted to Bhagwaan Hari as himself. Upon realizing his devotion and power, the host apologized profusely to Sri Venkatanatha and sought his forgiveness.

Sri Venkatanatha then prepared the paste again but chanted the Vedic Mantra to Varuna Vedic rain gods this time. It has been recorded that when the guests applied this paste, they were awash with a sense of being drenched in rainwater, reaffirming Sri Venkatanatha's power of devotion.

Ordination into Sanyasa as Guru Raghavendra Thus while his life was spent in the worship of God and service of humanity, his spiritual guru, Sri Sudheendra Theertharu, was looking for a successor to his math. He had a dream where the Lord indicated that Sri Venkatanatha would be the right person to succeed him as the pontiff. Sri Venkatanatha initially refused due to his responsibility towards his young wife and son but was soon blessed by the Goddess of Learning, where she in a dream indicated that he was to seek salvation as a Sanyasi.

Sri Venkatanatha treated this as an omen and changed his mind. The sanyasa ordination took place in on the Phalguni Sukla Dwitiya at Tanjore. Moksha of Smt. Saraswathi was seized by a sudden desire to see her husband's face for the last time.

She ran towards the Matha throwing caution to the winds and was turned back. Since she couldn't see her husband any longer, she committed suicide by drowning in an old and unused well on the way. Per the tenets of Hinduism, she became a ghost trapped mid-way between Heaven and Earth due to her untimely death.

Since her last wish of seeing her husband was not fulfilled, her ghost went to the matha to witness the ordaining function. However, by the time she arrived, her husband had become a Sannyasi Sri Raghavendra Theertha. However, Sri Guru Raghavendra could immediately sense his wife's presence with his spiritual powers. He sprinkled some holy water from His Kamandalu on her as a means of granting her last wish. This action granted her moksha or liberation from the cycle of births and deaths and was considered her reward for a lifetime of dedicated and selfless service to Sri Raghavendra Swami.

Sri Sudheendra Tirtha Swami's Brindavana is the ninth Brindavana at that location, earning the region the popular moniker of "Nava Brindavana". It is an extremely holy pilgrimage centre for Madhvas. However, Sri Yadavendra Tirtha, on seeing the devotion and spiritual prowess with which Sri Raghavendra Swami was pontificating the Mutt, declined the offer and continued on his pilgrimage. Kumbakonam drought During Sri Raghavendra Swami's time at Kumbakonam, the Tanjore district as a whole was reeling under the effects of a severe 12 year long drought.

The Thanjavur Nayak ruler Sevvappa Nayak approached Swamiji for spiritual solace and was advised to perform some Yagnas. No sooner were these rites performed, was the region flush with rain and prosperity. As a mark of gratitude, the Maharaja gifted the Matha with a necklace embellished with precious stones. Swamiji offered the necklace as a contribution to a yagna that he was performing then.

The Maharaja took affront at this action. When Swamiji realized this, he immediately put his hand into the homa kunda and retrieved the necklace in a condition identical to which it was given to him by the King.

Neither the necklace nor Swamiji's hand showed any indication of having been in a raging fire. This incident only served to reaffirm the greatness of Swamiji and converted the Maharaja of Tanjore into an ardent Bhakta. At Rameshwaram, he clarified the origins of the Siva Linga as the one that was installed by Lord Rama himself before his journey to Lanka to fight Ravana.

In this context, he also clarified that Ravana was a Rakshasa since he was born to a Rakshasi mother and Brahmin father. He rebuffed the claim made by some scholars that Lord Rama, as the Supreme One, is not bound by Brahma Hatya Dosha or any other doshas for eliminating Ravana. He also traveled to Kanyakumari, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai where he met his Poorvashrama brother-in-law with whom he had spent a large part of his childhood. As part of his Yatras, he traveled to Vishnu Mangala, Kukke Subramanya and Udupi in Karnataka, amongst other such spiritual centers and impressed one and all with his mastery of Dvaita philosophy, won many admirers, gained many devotees and published stellar works of literature and philosophy some of which were carried around in processions of elephants as a mark of respect for its brilliance.

Most of us also know that Guru was born on and Phaalguna Suddha Saptami falls on different day every year as per english calendar which we all follow unanimously. I have been trying to find out the exact date of birth of our Guru Raghavendra Swamy as per english calendar. Atlast I was able to find it. We also know that Guru went into Brindavan in Mantralayam during the year The exact date is August 11th This day falls on Thursday which is Shraavana Bahula.

I was able to get these details from recent mantralayam series. Related Posts : Shri Ragavendra Swamy. Related Posts with thumbnails for blogger blogger widgets. Labels: Shri Ragavendra Swamy. Unknown November 8, at AM. Raaj May 7, at AM. Unknown August 31, at PM. Unknown September 10, at AM. He immediately rushed back to Rayaru and begged his forgiveness. The kind hearted Rayaru forgave him and invited him to lunch. This time the scholar took the food without any protest! Rayaru completed the Chaturmasya and continued on his way.

There in kandati, a small village under the sovereignty of the Nawab of Adoni, an orphan brahmin boy named Venkanna came and prostrated before him. Venkanna was an orphan who was not tutored or taught any useful skills.

He made a living by tending to cows. He had heard of the greatness of Rayaru and was eager to meet him and seek his blessings. His prayers were answered when the retinue of Rayaru passed close by. He immediately ran to the palanquin that Rayaru was travelling in and prostrated before it. Rayaru looked at him and inquired about his antecedents. Venkanna explained his plight and stood with utmost devotion and humility. The palanquin moved on. Venkanna tied the precious rice into a bundle and always carried it with him.

One day, Venkanna was forced into a major life and death predicament. He was handed a scroll by the Nawab of Adoni, Siddi masood Khan and asked to read it. Poor Venkanna was in a dilemma since he was also illiterate. He could not refuse a direct order of the Nawab since that would mean immediate death, nor could he tell the truth that he was illiterate because the Nawab would not believe him and would think that Venkanna was trying to fool him.

Caught in this deadly trap, he suddenly remembered the kind guru who had promised to help him in his hour of need. He took the consecrated rice and put it on his head. Lo behold, the characters on the scroll began to make sense and he could read! It was actually a piece of good news, informing the Nawab that his army had scored a victory in battle.

The Nawab was overjoyed to hear the good news and wanted to reward Venkanna. The Nawab was pleased with this answer and accordingly gave him a good job. After blessing Venkanna, Rayaru continued on his way home. As was his custom, he offered prayers to the deities in the temples.

He finally reached KumbhakoNa. There he was welcomed with all pomp and glory. The residents of KumbhakoNa celebrated his return like the way the residents of Ayodhya celebrated the return of Lord Rama. After staying a few years more years there, Rayaru decided to move out of Kumbhakona. This was because he had completed everything that he needed to do there and needed to focus on the other items he needed to complete, which could not be done there. He accordingly informed the residents of Kumbhakona of his decision and consoled them somehow.

He handed over the charge of the Kumbheshwara to Kamakoti mutt, and the Chakrapani and sarangapAni temples to ahobala mutt.

This time he went straight to Adoni. He invited Rayaru to come and stay with him for a while. His request was accepted. The Nawab had heard of Rayaru from Venkanna and had also heard about the honor and acclaim he had received in Bijapur. However, he was still skeptical about Rayaru and did not accept any authority other than Allah and his devotees. He wanted to test Rayaru and see if he was really as good as he was claimed to be. He secretly had meat prepared and placed on silver plates, but had them totally covered with silken clothes.

He took this with him when accompanying Venkanna to the pooja. He offered his covered plates as naivedya for Moola Rama. Rayaru saw through his guile and sprinkled water from his kamandala on the plates. Later, he ordered the clothes to be removed. The Nawab was waiting for this moment with bated breath. When the clothes were removed, they revealed plates full of fresh fruits and flowers! The Nawab was astounded and instantly realized the greatness of Rayaru, and the great sin he had committed by testing this divine personality.

He immediately prostrated before Rayaru and with tears in his eyes begged his forgiveness. The kind and ever merciful Rayaru forgave him gladly.

The Nawab went back to his palace but was not satisfied with merely expressing regret. He wanted to make amends for his sin. So he sent Venkanna to Rayaru to offer some villages.

Rayaru initially refused saying that he was a sanyasi who had no desire for worldly things, but after Venkanna kept forcing him, he finally asked for the village of manchAle on the banks of the tungabhadra. Venkanna was surprised since that was barren land, yielding no crops or revenue.

He tried to talk Rayaru into accepting more fertile land, but Rayaru would not accept anything other than Manchale. Finally, Venkanna went back to the Nawab and made immediate arrangements for ManchAle to be gifted to Rayaru. On an auspicious day and time, Rayaru entered the village of Manchale. He went to the temple of Manchalamma and sought her blessings. He also had an icon of Lord Venkateshwara consecrated in Manchale.

Rayaru summoned his closest disciples and divan Venkanna and told them of his intention to enter a Brindavana live in Manchale. The devotees were devastated but they could not change his decision since it was Divine will. They wanted to know what was special about Manchale. Rayaru explained the spiritual significance of Manchale as follows:. Prahlada had performed a large yagna in that spot, sanctifying it forever. Mantralayambika or Manchalamma was his kula devata.

In Dvapara yuga, when Arjuna was guarding the horse used in the Ashvamedha yaga being conducted by Dharmaraja he had to fight with a king called Anusalva in Manchale. Perplexed by this, Arjuna prayed to Krishna for guidance.

Krishna told him to move his chariot back a little. AnusAlva thought Arjuna was losing and so advanced to chase him. By doing so, he moved his chariot away from the auspicious spot and lost the battle immediately. Such was the power of the spot on which prahlada had performed his yaga.

He also had a Brindavana built for Rayaru. But Rayaru did not want to use that and asked him to reserve it for a future personality. He then took Venkanna to a remote spot and showed a black rock. He wanted his Brindavana to be built using the rock. He rested on this rock for a while. At a suitable time and Muhurta, Rayaru chose a worthy person from his disciples and gave him Sanyasa with the Ashramanama of Yogeendra Teertha.

He instructed Venkanna, the Matha administrators, his disciples and the people of Manchale to accord Sri Yogeendra Teertha the same respect that they had accorded him so far. On the chosen day chosen Virodhikruth Samvatsara Shravana krishna paksha dwitiya — A. Only person Sri Vadiraja Teertha had done this before. As usual, Rayaru got up before dawn, meditating on Sri Hari and finished his bath during the early hours itself. For the thousands that had gathered there the realization that they would not see such a treasure house of knowledge hereafter filled them with pain and agony.

The discourse came to an end. After bathing once again he started the pooja of Shree Moolarama and other icons of the samsthana. After going through all the rituals connected with the puja he blessed the entire gathering with teertha, prasada and phalamantrakshata. Later he went to the spot that was already chosen and sat in padmasana.

He had his japa mala in his right hand and in front of him were all the moola granthas, sarva moola, tikas and tippanis on the vyasa peetha. For a while he was lost in contemplation; then he gave them his final parting soul-stirring speech.

He revealed to them the essence of dvaita philosophy, a philosophy that he believed in passionately and had preached and lived by all his life. As they listened to his speech they realized once again that he was a true gyani, a yogi, a scholar and a radiant monk possessing a soft and compassionate heart. Fear of displeasing him was the only reason why they held back their tears. After this Rayaru began reciting the pranava mantra.

In a very short time he was lost in meditation. He reached the highest point in mediation. His face was serene. He was shining with a rare brilliance. Venkanna and other disciples who understood this sign started arranging the slabs around him. They arranged the slabs up to his head and then as per his earlier instructions they placed a copper box containing one thousand two hundred LakshmInarayana shaligramas that had been specially brought from Gandaki river.

Then they placed the covering slab over it and filled it with earth. They poured twelve thousand varahas abhisheka over the brindavan that they had built. A grand feast was hosted to commemorate this glorious event. Most of the sanskrit hymns that we chant today in honor of Rayaru — Raghavendra stotra, mangalashtaka, dandaka etc — are his compositions. On the day Rayaru was entering the vrindavana, he was on the other side of the Tungabhadra river. Since the river was in full spate he could not come back in time.

When he reached the river it was in full spate but he did not care and rushed headlong. The power of his devotion was so great that the river parted for him and he reached manchale quickly. But even this was too late. Just as he came in front of the Vrindavana, the last slab had been laid and his beloved guru had vanished from his sight forever. Tears started to gush from his eyes and his voice choked.

Even today, anybody reciting this stotra with full faith and devotion gets all the grace of Rayaru. Somewhere in the middle of the eighteenth century Sri Vadeendra teertha became the pontiff of Rayara Matha. He was the fifth pontiff after Rayaru. He was a very great scholar and devotee of Rayaru. He composed a work of 36 verses in honor of Rayaru.

He has included descriptions of all the works done by Rayaru, in the correct chronological order along with the circumstances behind their creation. When he recited this in front of the Moola Vrindavana as part of his submission to Rayaru, the entire Vrindavana shook as if to indicate Rayaru was nodding in approval of what had been written. This was the Vrindavana that Diwan Venkanna had originally organized for Rayaru. Unlike his previous incarnation as Sri Vyasa Teertha, Rayaru did not compose many devaranamas or train Haridasas.

But his presence in Mantralaya acted as a catalyst for bhakti and haridasa movement to flourish in the surrounding areas. All the major Haridasas who came after him were mainly from those areas. It is amazing to see such a high incidence of Haridasas coming from one area. This is against the laws of probability and can be explained only by the presence of Rayaru in Mantralaya.

It became a tradition for every haridasa who came after Rayaru to visit Mantralaya and render seve to Rayaru. We see compositions of great Haridasas lavishing their respect and affection for Rayaru. Let us examine some key aspects about the major Haridasas. Sri Vijaya Dasaru is respected and adored as one of the greatest Haridasas this land has seen. He is credited with the revival of the Haridasa movement in the eighteenth century. He not only composed thousands of devaranamas himself, but also personally sought and trained several disciples to ensure that the movement endured for a long time.

He was a junior contemporary of Sri Vadeendra Teertha and visited Mantralaya several times. He is supposed to have seen and conversed with Rayaru personally several times. Some of the devaranamas composed by him reveal insights that ordinary people would never get. He was the disciple of Sri Vijaya dAsaru.

He too was blessed by RAyaru in several ways. As a sample, one incident is being listed here to give an idea of the fondness that RAyaru had for haridAsas. A poor devotee of RAyaru had taken a vow that if his wife was cured of a deadly illness, he would feed one hundred thousand brahmins. His wife was cured, but he was faced with another problem — how could he feed so many people, when he himself was struggling for existence? You will find 3 brahmins waiting for you. The devotee did accordingly and found those people waiting for him.

They were none other than Sri gOpAladAsaru and his brothers! RAyaru has arranged a great feast for us! He was the disciple of Sri GopAla dAsaru. He is the great soul who gave the gem called HarikathAmrutasAra to humanity. Amongst the major haridAsas, he has composed the maximum number of songs on RAyaru. When he was suffering from a stomach ailment for slighting Sri Vijaya dAsaru, it was RAyaru who guided him on what he needed to do and thus saved his life.

RAyaru is supposed to have come out from the brindAvana to bless him.