Mantralaya-1082
(429th Birthday celebrated as Varahanti Utsava in Mantralaya)
Date : March 20, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Background
429th Birthday celebrated as Varahanti Utsava in Mantralaya is described in Mantralaya(1082) .
Meaning
On March 16, 2024 we celebrated our 429th Birthday which is celebrated as Varahanti Utsava in Mantralaya.
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy comes from a special family called Gautam Gotra,
known for being very pure and holy. Many people from this family have
gone to heaven, and many have found Moksha, or liberation.
In
this family, there was a man named Sri Krishna Bhat, who was very
clever and talented. He was also really good at playing the Veena, a
musical instrument. People called him Veena Krishna Bhat. Because he
was so talented, the king of Vijayanagar Empire, named Krishnadevaraya,
invited him to his palace and gave him lots of support.
Following
in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Sri Kanakachala Bhat, and
his son, Sri Thimanna Bhatt, continued the legacy of musical
excellence. However, as the wheels of fate turned, the Vijayanagar
Empire met its decline. In the face of adversity, Thimmanna Bhatt,
accompanied by his wife Gopikamma, sought refuge in the tranquil town
of Kumbakonam, under the benevolent guidance of SudheendraTheerthru, a
revered saint.
Thimmanna Bhattaru and his beloved wife,
Gopikamma, found solace and joy in the simple pleasures of life. Their
days were adorned with acts of kindness and righteousness, as they
immersed themselves in the noble pursuit of doing good deeds. Their
hearts overflowed with love and gratitude for the two precious gifts
bestowed upon them by the divine: a daughter named Venkatamba and a son
named Gururaja. However, the couple yearned for another child to
complete their family.
With unwavering faith and devotion, Thimmanna
Bhattaru and Gopikamma embarked on a sacred journey of meditation and
prayer to God Sri Hari, seeking his divine blessings. Every day,
without fail, they immersed themselves in meditation, their souls
entwined in a blissful communion with the divine.
Determined to
express their devotion in a tangible form, the couple embarked on a
pilgrimage to Tirupati, where they offered their humble service to God
Sri Srinivasa. Their hearts brimming with love and devotion, they
poured their prayers and hopes into each sacred offering.
Pleased by
the sincerity and steadfast devotion of Thimmanna Bhattaru and
Gopikamma, God Sri Srinivasa appeared to them in a divine dream. God
Srinivas Devaru’s radiant form exuded boundless grace and compassion as
he spoke words of profound blessing and revelation. "You are truly
blessed," God said. "My devotee, Sri Prahalad, who has incarnated as
Sri Vyasa Rajaru, will be born unto you. He shall be a beacon of
guidance and protection for those who follow the path of devotion to
me. Take care of him, for he is destined for greatness."
Overwhelmed
with joy and gratitude, Thimmanna Bhattaru and Gopikamma embraced the
divine decree with reverence and love. They awaited the arrival of
their blessed child, knowing that their family was destined for a
divine purpose, guided by the grace of God Sri Hari.
As the days
passed and Gopikamba's pregnancy progressed, her cravings took on a
unique and sacred nature, reflecting the extraordinary essence of the
child growing within her. While most expectant mothers yearned for
sweet indulgences and tangy fruits, Gopikamba's desires were guided by
a divine force, leading her towards the color saffron—a hue symbolizing
purity and spirituality.In a display of utmost devotion, Gopikamba
found herself drawn to the sacred practice of Bhiksha, a tradition
followed by sages and ascetics. This revered ritual involved partaking
only of food received as alms from households known for their adherence
to righteous conduct and virtuous living. Gopikamba's heart longed to
prepare meals from these blessed offerings, imbued with the sanctity of
Sadachar—the path of righteousness.But her cravings did not end there.
In a display of profound spirituality, Gopikamba found herself yearning
for something even more sacred. She desired to consume soil and
murtika—a humble yet deeply symbolic gesture that spoke to her profound
connection with the earth and the divine. Each morsel she ate became a
sacrament, nourishing not just her body, but also her soul, as she
awaited the arrival of her blessed child.
Little did she know,
this preference hinted at the future attire of her unborn child—a
saintly figure cloaked in the sacred hue of saffron robes.
But
it wasn't just her cravings that set Gopikamba apart. Her heart yearned
for something more profound—her ears longing to listen in the soothing
melodies of Holy Scriptures. Each recitation filled her soul with a
sense of peace and reverence, foretelling the greatness that awaited
her newborn.
As Gopikamba's pregnancy progressed, the villagers
couldn't help but notice the divine aura that surrounded her, a
testament to the miraculous journey unfolding within her womb. And
amidst the whispers of anticipation, the stage was set for the arrival
of a child destined for greatness—a child who would grow to become none
other than the revered saint, Sri Raghavendra Swamy.a joyous occasion
unfolded as Thimmanna Bhatt and his beloved wife, Gopikamba, welcomed
their blessed child into the world. This divine gift, born unto them,
was none other than Rayaru himself, destined to be a beacon of light
and wisdom for generations to come.
In honor of the divine
blessings bestowed upon them, the newborn was lovingly named
Venkatanatha, a testament to his sacred origins as the boon of Lord
Venkateshwara himself. As the infant Venkatanatha graced the world with
his presence, an ethereal radiance and brightness enveloped his tiny
form, captivating all who beheld him.
On March 16th, 2024, the
atmosphere in Mantralaya brimmed with joy and divine grace as Sri
SubhudendraTeertharu guided the celebration of the 429th Birthday, also
known as Varahanti, with profound reverence and devotion.
Following
tradition, a pristine cloth, known as Vastra, arrived from Tirumala,
symbolizing the blessings of God Srinivasa. TTD officials, filled with
devotion, carried this sacred Vastra on their heads, transporting it to
Mantralaya. Sri SubhudendraTeertharu, amidst the chanting of Vedic
hymns, the melodies of classical instruments, the soul-stirring tunes
of Hari Dasa songs, and the mesmerizing movements of devotional dance,
welcomed the procession with deep reverence.With utmost devotion, Sri
SubhudendraTeertharu adorned the Vastra with a garland before placing
it upon his head, his inner soul resonating with the divine names of
Sri Hari and Raghavendra Swamy. With great care, he carried the blessed
Vastra to the sanctum of Sri Rayara Brindavana, offering it to Sri
Rayaru with Mangaluaruti, a ritual of auspicious invocation. Witnessing
this sacred scene, tears of devotion flowed freely, both among those
present at Mantralaya and those witnessing the event online. The
profound significance of this divine offering left hearts deeply
touched and souls uplifted, as the celebration of Sri Rayaru's
Varahanti filled the atmosphere with divine bliss and sanctity.
Following
the musical offerings, a multitude of musicians known as Nadahara
filled the air with the melodious strains of various devotional songs,
captivating the hearts of the large gathering assembled.
As the
divine atmosphere enveloped the surroundings, the solemn ritual of Pada
Pooja for Sri Prahalad Rayaru commenced, accompanied by an air of
reverence and devotion. The presence of Goddess Manchalema added to the
divine splendor of the occasion, as she smiled with happiness, adorned
in resplendent sarees and ornate jewelry.
With utmost devotion,
Sri SubhudendraTeertharu offered heartfelt prayers to Sri Prahalad
Rayaru, seeking his divine blessings and guidance. Following this, the
grand event of Maha Samsthana Pooja for Moola Ramadevaru unfolded,
marking the culmination of the sacred celebrations.
The sacred
idol, meticulously crafted and worshipped by Lord Brahma himself, stood
as a testament to the divine lineage passed down through the
generations—from God Rama and Krishna to Madhwacharayaru,
Jayatheertharu, Sri Raghavendra Swamy, and all the revered Swamijis of
the Rayara Mutt. Each successive guardian of this sacred legacy had
nurtured and preserved the divine tradition, ensuring its sanctity and
significance for all eternity.
As the day drew to a close, the
festivities continued with evening cultural programs, filling the
atmosphere with joy and celebration. Artists showcased their talents
through music, dance, and various cultural performances, delighting the
gathered devotees with their vibrant displays.
As night fell,
the event came to a close with the Maha Mangalarti, a special ritual
praying Sri Raghavendra Swamy. With lamps shining bright and hearts
full of devotion, people gathered to pray and thank the holy saint.
The
chants of hymns and the sweet melodies of devotional songs filled the
air, creating an atmosphere of divine bliss and sanctity. As the Maha
Mangalarti reached its crescendo, devotees bowed their heads in
reverence, their souls uplifted by the divine presence of Sri
Raghavendra Swamy.
In that special moment, with the flickering
lights and the echoes of prayers surrounding them, devotees felt calm
and content, their hearts touched by the blessings of Sri Raghavendra
Swamy. As they offered their last prayers, they carried with them the
divine grace and blessings, treasuring the memories of the meaningful
celebration for a long time.
Sri Hari is immensely grateful for
granting us His precious diamond, Sri Rayaru, to bless us for many
years to come.We are all sheltered by the divine protection of Sri
Raghavendra Swamy, shielding us from negativity, sorrow, and bad karma,
while guiding us to walk the path of righteousness.
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||