Mantralaya-2011
(Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s visit to Tirupati)
Date : Oct 9, 2024
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
An incident from Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s visit to Tirupati described in detail in Mantralaya (2011).
Meaning
This
month holds immense spiritual significance as many homes are
celebrating either Lord Venkateshwara Navaratri or Goddess Durga
Navaratri, two sacred festivals dedicated to devotion and divine
energy. As part of this auspicious period, let us reflect on a
remarkable pilgrimage—Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s blessed visit to
Tirumala, the sacred abode of Lord Venkateshwara.
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy received the complete blessings of Lord Sri Hari. In
his previous birth as Prahlada, Lord Sri Hari appeared in the form of
Sri Narasimha Devaru to protect and bless him. In his next incarnation
as Bhaleeka Raja, Lord Sri Krishna himself blessed him. Later, in his
incarnation as Sri Vyasarajaru, Lord Sri Hari granted him numerous
divine darshanas (visions).
Sri Vyasarajaru, a towering figure
in the Dvaita tradition, spent several decades in Tirumala Tirupati,
where he took charge of the daily poojas and spiritual responsibilities
of Lord Venkateshwara. As the Raja Guru of Sri Krishnadevaraya, the
emperor who ruled most of India, Sri Krishnadevaraya and Vyasarajaru
played a key role in developing the Tirupati Tirumala temple complex.
To this day, Sri Krishnadevaraya’s contributions are honored, and his
statue can be seen at the entrance of the Sri Venkateshwara Swamy
temple in Tirumala, a testament to his profound devotion and lasting
impact.
During his sacred journey, Sri Raghavendra Swamy was
drawn to seek the divine darshan of Sri Vaikunta on Earth—Tirupati
Tirumala, the sacred abode of Lord Venkateshwara. With deep devotion,
Sri Rayaru embarked on the pilgrimage to climb the seven hills that
lead to the holy temple. Each of these seven hills carries immense
spiritual significance, embodying various aspects of divine lore.These
hills hold profound significance across all yugas (ages), it is know as
Vrushabhadri: Named after the demon Vrushabhasura, who was
slain by Lord Vishnu. This hill is also associated with the sacred bull
(vrushabha), symbolizing power and devotion.
Anjanadri: Revered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, this hill is named after Anjana Devi, Hanuman's divine mother.
Neeladri:
Named after Neela Devi, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, who was
blessed by the Lord to have her name eternally associated with him. It
is said that the Tirumala deity wears the diamond-studded crown known
as the Neelotpala in her honor.
Garudadri: This hill is named after Garuda, the mighty vehicle and eternal servant of Lord Vishnu.
Sheshadri: Named after Adisesha, the cosmic serpent on which Lord Vishnu rests.
Narayanadri: A hill bearing the name of Lord Narayana, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu himself.
Venkatadri:
The most sacred of all, this hill is home to the temple of Lord
Venkateshwara, where devotees from around the world come to seek his
blessings.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s climb of these sacred hills
was not only a physical pilgrimage but a spiritual ascent, each step
bringing him closer to the grace and glory of Lord Venkateshwara.
This
sacred hill is home to many deities, who reside in the forms of trees
and animals, embodying the divine essence of nature. Goddess Mahalaxmi,
along with Brahma and Mahesh, are believed to dwell here in invisible
forms, blessing the land with their presence. It is said that merely
imagining this hill in your mind is equivalent to performing a thousand
Ganga Snanas (ritual baths in the holy Ganges), highlighting its
profound purity and spiritual significance. This reinforces the hill's
status as one of the holiest places, a sanctuary where the divine and
the natural world harmoniously coexist.
As Sri Raghavendra
Swamiji ascended the hill, he felt the presence of all the gods and
goddesses bestowing their blessings upon him. With each step, he
perceived the divine essence of Sri Hari illuminating his path, as if
he could see the Lord’s grace in every direction his eyes wandered.
This profound experience deepened his devotion, enveloping him in an
aura of spiritual enlightenment and connection to the divine.
As
Sri Raghavendra Swamy made his ascent to the sacred heights of
Tirumala, he was met with a grand procession, a tribute to his revered
status. The archakas (priests) and the temple management extended a
warm welcome, their hearts overflowing with devotion and respect for
the saint who had journeyed far to seek the blessings of Lord
Venkateshwara.
Upon arriving at the temple, Sri Rayaru first
paid his respects at the feet of Lord Varaha Swami, embodying strength
and protection. The atmosphere was charged with divine energy, and
every devotee present felt the sanctity of the moment. Among them was a
venerable priest of Sri Venkateshwara, who, with a deep understanding
of Sri Raghavendra Swamy's greatness, awaited his arrival with bated
breath.
As Sri Rayaru approached the majestic idol of Lord
Venkateshwara, the aged priest performed a sacred ritual, closing the
curtain to create a private space for Sri Rayaru to commune with the
Lord in solitude. Behind that veil, a sacred stillness enveloped the
scene, allowing Sri Rayaru to engage in an intimate darshan with the
divine.
With reverence, Sri Rayaru placed the Moola Rama Devaru
(the idol of Lord Rama) box before the Lord, symbolizing the unity of
the divine energies he revered. Rayaru then settled into Padmasana, the
lotus position, and turned his gaze inward, meditating on Sri
Srinivasa, the embodiment of compassion and grace, with deep devotion
in his heart.
In that profound stillness, Sri Hari manifested
within his heart, shining with a radiant brilliance akin to the
glittering sun. It was a moment of transcendence, a divine communion
that transcended the earthly realm. When Sri Raghavendra Swamy finally
opened his eyes, he beheld Lord Srinivasa standing before him, smiling
with benevolence, illuminating the space with divine light.
Overwhelmed
with gratitude and joy, Sri Rayaru touched the feet of Lord Srinivasa,
feeling the warmth of the Lord’s blessings envelop him. In that sacred
moment, Sri Venkateshwara spoke to Sri Raghavendra Swamy, imparting
profound wisdom. The Lord instructed Rayaru to write about the Vedas in
simple manner, accessible to all, emphasizing that the essence of the
Vedas resided in Him.
“This work,” Sri Hari said, “will
illuminate the path for generations to come, guiding them toward truth
and spiritual understanding.”
With these words, Sri Raghavendra
Swamy felt a renewed sense of purpose ignite within him. He understood
that the teachings of the Vedas, when simplified, would bridge the gap
between the divine wisdom and the hearts of the people, ensuring that
the light of knowledge would shine brightly for all seekers on their
spiritual journeys.
The aged priest, standing behind the
curtain, was enveloped in a divine atmosphere, listening sacred
conversation between Sri Raghavendra Swamy and Lord Venkateshwara. He
was not able to understand what they were talking about. It felt as if
two distant souls were engaged in a dialogue, their voices carrying the
weight of cosmic significance, reverberating through the sanctified
space. He stood in awe, feeling the vibrational energy that filled the
air around him, as if the very essence of the universe was converging
in that moment.
After the divine darshan had concluded, the old
priest stepped forward, his heart brimming with reverence and humility.
He touched the feet of Sri Rayaru, expressing his profound gratitude.
"In all my years of service as a priest," he said with a tremor in his
voice, "I have never witnessed anything like this. Your connection with
Sri Hari is unparalleled. It is as if you and the Lord are one,
transcending time and space."The priest's words resonated with truth,
for it was evident that Sri Raghavendra Swamy held a unique and
intimate relationship with the divine. "In all your incarnations, Sri
Rayaru," he continued, "Sri Hari has graced you with His original form,
manifesting His love and presence in your life like no other."As the
priest reflected on the divine lineage of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, he
recalled a remarkable event from the past. Long before Sri Rayaru’s
birth, his parents had visited Tirupati, where they were blessed with a
prophetic dream. In that sacred vision, Lord Venkateshwara appeared to
them, assuring them, "My dear devotees, your child will be my faithful
disciple, Bhakta, who will take birth as Sri Raghavendra in your womb."
This
revelation brought tears to the old priest’s eyes, as he understood
that Sri Rayaru was not merely an incarnation, but a divine promise
fulfilled. The connection between Sri Raghavendra Swamy and Lord
Venkateshwara was deeply rooted in a sacred lineage, a bond that
transcended the mundane and entered the realm of the divine.
Later
in his divine journey, Sri Raghavendra Swamy authored the Vedathraya
Vivruthi, a profound commentary encompassing the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda,
and Sama Veda. These masterpieces serve as invaluable guides for
understanding the intricacies of the Vedas, illuminating their timeless
wisdom and spiritual significance for generations to come. Through his
writings, Sri Rayaru has made the depths of Vedic knowledge accessible
to all, fostering a greater appreciation for these sacred texts.
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy is celebrated as one of the greatest devotees of Sri
Hari. During his first visit to Mantralaya, he installed the idol of
Sri Venkateshwara Swami, creating a profound spiritual connection that
would bless the land forever. In a poignant act of devotion, Sri Rayaru
later revisited the same Venkateshwara temple as he prepared to enter
Brindavana, symbolizing the depth of his unwavering faith.
Let
us come together in prayer to Sri Raghavendra Swamy, seeking his
blessings that we may also receive the divine grace of Sri Hari. May
his wisdom and compassion guide us on our spiritual journeys, enriching
our lives with devotion and peace.
|| Venkatadri Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana
Venkatesha Samo Devo Na Bhuto Na Bhavishyati ||
"Venkatadri
Samasthanam Brahmande Nasti Kinchana" translates to "In the entire
universe, there is nothing that can compare to Venkatadri." This line
expresses the unparalleled sanctity and significance of the Venkatadri
hills, emphasizing that this sacred site holds a unique and exalted
status among all places in the cosmos.
"Venkatesha Samo Devo Na
Bhuto Na Bhavishyati" means "There has never been, nor will there ever
be, a deity like Venkatesha." This line highlights the singular
greatness of Lord Venkateshwara, affirming his position as the supreme
deity, unmatched in glory and grace, both in the past and the future.
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||