Mantralaya-2064
(The divine miracle of Sri Raghavendra Swamy during his journey to Pandharpur)
Date : Oct 16, 2025
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
The divine miracle of Sri Raghavendra Swamy during his journey to Pandharpur is described in Mantralaya (2064).
Meaning
In
our previous Mantralaya narration, we witnessed the boundless
compassion of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, who brought the Nawab’s son back
from the clutches of death. In this article, we shall continue to
follow the divine journey of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, exploring yet
another glimpse of his miraculous grace and the blessings he bestowed
upon all who sought his refuge.
It was a radiant morning. The
revered Jagadguru Sri Raghavendra Swamy, embodiment of compassion and
divinity, set out on a sacred journey toward Pandharpur, the divine
abode of Lord Panduranga Vittala.
The air was filled with
devotion. Joyful chants of “Hari Sarvottama! Vayu Jeevottama!” echoed
through the atmosphere. Hundreds of devotees, disciples and their
families followed the Guru Rayaru’s palanquin, singing the Lord’s name
and glorifying their beloved master.
Everywhere the holy
palanquin of Guru Rayaru passed, the very dust beneath his feet turned
sacred. The birds sang in delight, the trees swayed as if bowing in
reverence and the hearts of devotees overflowed with joy. For those who
walked alongside him, it was not just a physical journey but a divine
pilgrimage of the soul, blessed by the living presence of their beloved
Guru Rayaru.
As the entourage advanced, they entered a vast
stretch of barren wilderness. The sun blazed fiercely overhead, as if
testing the endurance of the devotees. Not a tree stood to offer shade,
not a drop of water could be seen anywhere. The earth burned underfoot.
Even the wind seemed to have lost its mercy. Still, the devotees
pressed on, drawing strength from the serene face of their beloved Guru
Rayaru, who sat gracefully in his palanquin, chanting the Lord’s name.
Among
the travelers was the humble gatekeeper of the Matha, who served with
unwavering devotion. Accompanying him was his pregnant wife, whose
condition had grown delicate under the unbearable heat. As fate would
have it, in the midst of that desolate forest, her time of delivery had
arrived.
Suddenly, cries of distress arose among the women who
attended her. The poor woman was in great pain, her body trembling, her
breath quickening. Panic spread, there was no shelter, no water and no
shade. The cruel heat made the situation unbearable.
Unable to
bear the sight of his suffering wife, the gatekeeper ran desperately
toward the palanquin of the great Guru Rayaru. With tears streaming
down his face, he fell flat at Sri Rayaru’s feet and cried out in agony:
“O
Guru Raya, ocean of mercy! My wife is in unbearable pain and may
deliver at any moment. I fear for her life in this harsh forest where
there is no water, no shade, and no one to help. O protector of the
helpless, please shower your compassion upon us. You alone are our
refuge and savior.”
The devotees nearby fell silent. All eyes turned toward Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
Hearing
the devotee’s plea, Sri Guru Rayaru’s heart overflowed with compassion,
that same divine compassion which once moved Lord Sri Rama toward
Shabari and Lord Sri Krishna toward Draupadi. A gentle smile adorned
his radiant face. Rayaru softly said, “Do not fear, my child. Sri Hari
and Vayu Devaru will protect your wife and the child to be born. All
will be well.”
With that, Sri Rayaru gracefully stepped down
from his palanquin, his every movement exuding divine majesty. The dust
that touched his feet seemed to sparkle with light. Rayaru walked
toward the cart where the woman lay in pain. Looking upon her with eyes
full of divine tenderness, Rayaru spoke gently, “Dear daughter, fear
not. The ever compassionate Moola Rama will bless you with a safe and
easy childbirth.”
Then Sri Guru Rayaru took his kamandalu, the
sacred vessel filled with holy water, into his right hand. Closing his
eyes, Rayaru began to chant powerful Vedic mantras invoking the grace
of Lord Hari. The air itself seemed to vibrate with divine energy.
Moments
passed in deep, sacred silence, and then a miraculous sight unfolded
before the eyes of all present. From Guru Rayaru’s kamandalu, a stream
of crystal-clear water poured forth, cascading like a fountain from the
heavens. The barren forest was instantly transformed, the water flowing
with both strength and sweetness, forming a pure, sparkling stream that
shimmered in the sunlight. It was as if Goddess Ganga Devi herself had
descended, delighted by Guru Rayaru’s meditation, to serve him and
bless all his devotees.
The people gasped in awe and cried aloud, “Victory to Sri Raghavendra Swamy! Victory to the ocean of compassion!”
Attendants
of the Matha rushed forward, placing large pots and vessels beneath the
kamandalu, which continued to overflow endlessly. In moments, they were
all filled to the brim. The devotees drank that sacred water, the
GuruTeertha and found not only their thirst quenched, but their hearts
uplifted and spirits renewed.
Then Sri Guru Rayaru revealed yet
another marvel. He removed the shawl draped across his shoulders and
gently tossed it into the air. To the astonishment of all, the shawl
did not fall. Instead, it expanded gracefully and remained suspended in
the sky, forming a vast, protective canopy that cast a cool, comforting
shade over the cart where the pregnant woman lay.
The devotees
stood speechless, their eyes wide with wonder. Some folded their hands,
some wept and some prostrated themselves upon the ground. Under that
divine shade and with the cool water nearby, the women of the entourage
assisted the mother to be as per Sri Guru Rayaru’s command. Within
moments, the air was filled with the cry of a newborn child.
A son was born, healthy, radiant and peaceful, as if blessed directly by Sri Guru Rayaru’s own grace.
When
the joyful news reached him, Sri Raghavendra Swamy closed his eyes
briefly, offering his gratitude to Sri Hari. Then he said with serene
joy, “May Sri Hari shower his grace upon the mother and the child. May
they be blessed with devotion, health, and long life.”
Hearing
this, the devotees rejoiced and began to chant in unison, “Victory to
the protector of the helpless! Victory to the compassionate Guru Rayaru
of the universe! Victory to Sri Raghavendra Swamy!”
The shawl
slowly descended, resting once again upon Guru Rayaru’s shoulders. The
stream of water continued to flow gently for some time, nourishing the
earth, before it gradually subsided, leaving behind a sacred memory
that time itself could never erase.
Thus, through the boundless
grace of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, the barren forest turned into a place
of divine abundance and joy. The devotees resumed their journey with
renewed energy, hearts overflowing with love and reverence.
Every
step the Guru Rayaru took was a miracle, every glance a blessing, every
word a mantra. For those who walked in his shadow, no fear or sorrow
could ever touch them.
And so, singing the glory of their
master, the devotees continued toward Pandharpur, where the Panduranga
Vittala, awaited the arrival of his dearest devotee, Sri Raghavendra
Swamy, the living embodiment of devotion, compassion, and divine grace.
Sri
Raghavendra Swamy is revered as the very embodiment of compassion and
divine grace. His heart overflows with mercy for all beings, seeing no
distinction between rich and poor, learned and unlearned, or high and
low. To those who surrender at his lotus feet, he becomes both
Kalpavruksha, the celestial wish-fulfilling tree, and Kamadhenu, the
divine cow that grants every pure desire.
Rayaru’s compassion
knows no bounds. Rayaru removes the suffering of the distressed,
uplifts the fallen and fulfills the sincere prayers of his devotees.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy makes no distinction of gender, caste, or nation;
to him, all souls are children of Sri Hari, deserving of love and grace.
Yet,
in his profound humility, Rayaru attributes every miracle and blessing
to Sri Hari, recognizing the Supreme Lord as the true source of all
power and compassion. Even today, from his Brindavana at Mantralaya,
Sri Raghavendra Swamy continues to shower blessings like gentle rain on
all who seek refuge in him, guiding them toward peace, devotion, and
liberation.
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||