Mantralaya-226

(Raghavendrateertharu - Vardhanti)

Date : March 13 2008

Dear Devotees: Namaskara. Our due respect and regards to the noble saint Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertharu on the day of Jayanti ­ Vardhanti - Phalguna suddha saptami
 

Background

Owing to the most auspicious day of Phalguna Shukla Saptami, the Vardhanti (BirthDay) of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra  Gurusarvabhoumaru, the background, the legacy, the heritage of the sacred family and the socio, economic conditions of that time are described in Mantralaya(226).

Meaning

The most sacred day phalguna shukla saptami the birth day of our Adhi Daiva Sri Raghavendraswamy of Mantralaya reminds and recollects the most learned noble family and how they lived with all grandeur by their knowledge, wisdom and bhakti. The family vamsha lived in the famous Vijayanagara empire on the holy bank of Tungabhadra. The wealth, pomp and show of Vijayanagara Empire is a record in the history and in the history of mankind and was praised by foreign visitors by Paes and Nuniz. Sri Kanakachalacharya ­ Kanakachalabhatta, the poorvaashrama grandfather of our Mantralaya Rayaru was the Aasthaana Pandita of Aliya Ramaraja of Vijayanagara Empire .A great scholar, a great musician ­ Veena Vidwamsa felicitated by the emperor in the year 1542 AD. A golden era, Shashtheeka vamsha Gautama gotra’s  Kanakachalbhatta was married to Laxmidevi of a noble family. A happy life, completely looked after by the emperor on the bank of Tungabhadra. Both Goddess Laxmi and Goddess Saraswati  were pleased to this family. Culture, Sanskrit and all the kalas mother land was Vijayanagara. Sri Virupaksha Rudradevaru of  Vijayanagara, Hampi and Vijayavithaladevaru Blessed all the satisfactory samruddhi to Sri Kanakachacharya and Laxmidevi. Life blossomed and attained the glory. We are proud to know that this noble couple  Sri Kanakachalacharya and Laxmidevi  were the grandfather and the grandmother of Sri Raghavendrateertha’s poorvashrama. Upto twenty three years the Gautama Gotra’s  Shaashtheeka Vamsha Beegamudrae family enjoyed like anything.

Things changed in the year 1565 AD, the emperor Aliya Ramaraja died in the war of Rakaasagi Tangadagi This was the bad luck for the Kannada people - Kannadigas.  Sceptre and crown must dumble down, all are reduced to dust by death the leveller.

Empire was perished. All those who were in the Aasthan were scattered here and there in search of shelter. A sober satvika gnyani pandit Varaputra of Sharadadevi  Kanakachalacharya left the Vijayanagara Kingdom along with his wife Laxmidevi and son Timmanna. They came to Kumbhakonam situated on the sacred bank of Kaveri. Arrived to the punya sannidhana of His Holiness Sri Vijayeendrateertharu and detailed the whole happenings of Vijayanagara. The most  kind hearted Sri Vijayeendrateertharu   affectionately welcomed the Shashtheeka family and asked them to live in the Vidya Mutt peacefully. Sri Vijayeendrateertharu impressed a lot to the pleasing disposition of Kanakachalacharya. Though a great scholar, he was quite polite. Swamiji asked  our  Kanakachalacharya to play veena and asked are you teaching this great vidya to Timmanna who was quite young. With shy   he replied daily Timmanna is learning veena while I play. Then start the veena, I will sit for the pooja of Sri Moola Ramadevaru  said Sri Vijayeendrateertharu. Swamiji was overwhelmed to hear the musical fete of veena of both the father and the son. When young lad Timmanna alone played some ragas on veena the joy of  Sri Vijayeendrateertharu knew no bonds. Simply heard and gave the heart to the veena although Sri Vijayeendrateertharu was well versed and efficient in all the sixty four kalas.Swamiji really amazed to know the knowledge of  Young boy Timmanna and  Kanakachalacharya.

Sri Vijayeendrateertharu asked Kanakachalacharya to go to the city of Kaveri where Swamiji was establishing a vidya peetha as per the request of the residents and become the head of that  Vidya peetha and train the students in chaturveda and sachchastra.You both husband and wife stay in Kaveri. Let boy Timmanna stay here only in the Vidya Mutt, I myself will teach him.

So in this way Sri Vijayeendrateertharu offered the noble shelter to the poorvaashrama of  Sri Raghavendrateertha’s  grandfather, grandmother and the father. Now the most respectable highly educated, devoted and cultured satvika family nourished and cherished on the sacred bank of Tungabhadra moved  to the bank of the sacred Kaveri Kumbhakonam. Tamil Nadu the temple city warmly welcomed the Haribhaktas. Tamil Nadu is full of temples. Eveywhere we will find temples and temples and mutts. The grandeur of sculpture cannot be described in words. That has to be experienced and felt. Our Rayaru’s poorvaashrama  family came and settled in Bhuvanagiri, Kumbhakonam and Tanjore.It is the sankalpa of Sri Hari and the fortune of our Mantralaya Rayaru’s poorvashrama family to settle in Tamil Nadu.

Time and tide wait for none. In the kalachakra ­ the cycle of time we all have to pass on. We have to welcome oldage and the impact of oldage and we have bow to the rule of time and accept the end of avatara, as per the order and the will and wish of Sri Hari. Kanakachalacharya wh was in the city of Kaveri along with his wife Laxmidevi, lost Laxmidevi with a short illness. Kanachalabhatta did not tolerate the separation, he also passed away within a couple of days. Young Timmanna became orphan and merged in great sorrow.

Sri Vijayeendrateertharu and Sri Surendrateertharu consoled Timmanna and asked him to live in the Mutt itself. As days went on Timmanna came to the normal life. Timmanna a great scholar, veena vidwamsa just like his father. Attained perfection in the chaturveda. Sri Vijayeendrateertharu  thought of the marriage of Timmanna. Swamiji himself searched   the best bride of Shashtheeka Vamsha Bharadwaja Gotra, the daughter of Sri Anandateerthacharya by name Gopikamba also called as  Gopamma, and married on an auspicious day with all grandeur. A couple made for each other. They lived with coordination, Annyonnya Dampatya. The life Timmanna was filled with joy and merry. Veena Timmannabhattaru and Gopamma got a female child and named her the name of Kulaswami Sri Venkateshadevaru as Venkamma Venkatamba, after two years they got a son named as Gururajacharya.

The noble couple desired for one more son. They went to Tirupati by Paadayatra. Stayed in the abode of Tirumale and did the Seva of Sri Srinivasadevaru for a long time with great devotion. Finally Tirumale Swami appeared in the dream of the noble couple and said he has blessed, they will get a son, a great Sri Haribhakta he will do the Loka uddhaara and shine the glory of the Shaashtheeka Vamsha. As per the wordings of the Lord Srinivasadevaru Gopamma gave birth to a male child on the most auspicious day of phalgunashuddha saptami. That male child is our Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertha Gurusarvabhoumaru. Born as per the seva of Sri Venkateshadevaru the child was named as Venkatanatha Venkatabhattacharya.

Today we are living with peace and happiness under the shelter of this great punyamurty Mantralaya Rayaru.We are bent with gratitude and perform the saashtanga to Sri Gururayaru where ever we are! We are fortunate to gain the blessings of Rayaru. Mantralaya Rayaru has inherited the legacy and heritage from his forefathers and vamsha. The sacred, sober, satvika,panditya,kala and knowledge of Shashtheeka vamsha Gautama gotra has presented  Rayaru as a great boon to the world.

When the phalguna shuddha saptami the Vardhanti ­ Jayanti ­ birth day of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertha Gurusarvabhouma  comes all these noble things fill our hearts and we are simply thrilled with joy and devotion and remember Hampi,Tungabhadra, Kaveri,Kumbhakonam,Bhuvangiri and Tanjore.

Our Bichali Sri Appanacharya has rightly said:

SriRaghavendroHariPadaKanjaNishevanaLabdhaSamastaSampat
DevaSwabhavoDivijaDrumoyamIshtaPradomaeSatatamSaBhooyat

Whatever the punya is attained by the lotus feet of Sri Hari is liberally distributed always to the devotees by Mantralaya Rayaru, DevaswabhaavoDivijaDrumyam- divine nature like kalpavruksha. Just by mere rememberance of Jayanti the heart throbs towards the socio ­ economic and divine atmosphere of those days.

We are grateful.

Poojyaaya Raghavendraaya SatyaDharma Rataayacha
BhajataamKalpavrukshaayaNamataamKamDhenuvae
 

Poem

PhagunaShuklaSaptamiya Shubha Dinavae
Namma Mantralaya Yativarya
Sri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhoumara
Vardhanti Jayanti Huttida Dinavu!
Idu Atyanta Shubha Dinavu
Koodale Nenapaguvadu Kanakachalacharya
Vijayanagaradali Bali Badukida Vaibhavavu
Krista Shaka 1542 rali Andina Chakravarti
Aliya Ramaraja Vijayanagara Samrajyada
Aasthana Panditaru Veena Vidwamsa
Padaviyanittu Aadarisida Mangala Kaala
Parvakaala Punyakaala!
Vidya Visharadaru Shastheeka Vamsha
Gautama Gotrada Kanakachalabhattarige
Satkulaprasootae Laxmidevi Dharmapatni
Sogasada Jeevanavu Annyonya Dampatya!
Tungabhadreya Madilu Lakumi Sharadeyaru
Validiharu Vijayanagarada Vaibhoga Samskruti
Sanmskruta Sakala Kalegala Tavaragi
Mereda Hampeya Virupaksha Rudradevara Siddhi
Vijayavithala Beedu Tampagi
Sompagi Sukha Samruddhiya 
Neleyaetu! Kanakachalacharyara Mattu
Laxmideviyammanavara Baalu  Aralitu
Ivarae Namma Mantralaya Sri Rayara
Poorvashramada Ajja Ajjiyaru!
Pumya Murtygalu
 

Krista Shaka 1565 rali Rakkasagi Tangadagi
Ghora Yuddhadali Aliya Ramaraja Vidhivasha!
Kannadigara Durdaiva Vijayanagara Samrajya
Alidu Avasaanavayetu Vijayanagara Haalu Hampeyu
Aage Aasareyanu Padeda Pandita
Kovidara Rajashraya Tappitu
Cheduri Hodaru Yella Aasareya Bayasi
Ee Samayadali Ippattamooru Varshgala
Nischinta Vaibhava Adhyayana Adhyaapana
Nirata Pandita Sharadeya Varaputra
Kanachalacharya Madadi Laxmidevi
Maga Timmannabhattarodagoodi
Vijayanagaradi Horatu Kumbhakoneya
Talupi Sri Vijayeendrateerthara Divya
Punya Sannidhi Seri Vishayavanaruhi
Aasareya Padedaru Iratodagidaralli
Dayalugala Vidya Mathadalli
Sakala Vidya Paarangatara Vinaya
Veenavaadanake Taledoogi Mechchidaru
Baalaka Timmannabhattaroo Tandege Samanaagi
Migilaagi Veeneya Nudise
Vijayeendrara Santaske Mereye Illa!
Aaga Vijayeendrateertharu Kanakchalacharyarige
Timmanna Vyasangakke Illae Sri Vidya Mathadallirali
Neevu Kaveri Pattanadalli Naavu
Sthaapisaliruva Vidyapeethadali Mukhyastharaagi
Nemmadiyaagiri Yendu Heli Salahidaru
Punya Vamshada Taata Tandeyaranu
 

Ee Veena Timmannabhattare Namma
Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateerthara  
Poorvashramada Tande!
Atyanta Samskara Samskruti
Oudaarya Vaibhava Daiva Bhakti
Tungabhadreya Tadiya Parisarada
Saara Sampannavanella Anubhavisi
Sri Harisarvottama Vayujeevottamatvavanu
Yetti Hidida Satvika Manetana
Karnataka Samrajyadi Chittaisitu
Tamilu Nadige Degulagala Nadige
Yelli Nodidaralli Devalaya 
Gudi Gundara Sri Mathagale Toruvavu
Vastu Shipa Vaibhava Samruddhiya Beedu
Tanjavooru Kumbhakone Bhuvanagiri
Illiye Vasisalu Sri Hariya Sankalpa Namma
Manmtralaya Rayara Poorvashrama
Manetanada Bhagya!
 

Kaalachakrada Sulige Sikka Navella
Muppu Roga Rujinavanella Jeevanadi
Anubhavisale Beku Sri Hariya Niyamakke
Tale Baagi Avatara Samaptiyanau Madalebeku
Kaveri Pattanadalli Modalu Namma
Kathanayakara Ajji Laxmidevamma
Aa Mele Ajja Kanakachalacharya
Vidhivasharagalu Timmannabhattaru
Dukhkhavihwalaragi Balalidaru Dikku Tochade
Sri Surendrateertharu Sri Vijayeendrateertharu
Santaisi
Dukhkha Shamanagolisi Punaha Jeevanada
Dinacharige Jeevavanu Tumbidaru! 
Sri Vijayeendrateertharu Taave Swataha
Nintu  Shastheeka Vamshada
Bharadwaja Gotrada Sajjana
Sri Anandateerthacharyara Magalannu
Gopikamba Gopammalanu Gautama Gotrada
Timmannabhattarige Tandu Vaibhavadi
Hase Nilisi Maduveyanu Madidaru
 

Annyonya Dampatya! Satvikara Baduku
Timmannaacharya Gopikambeyara Jeevanav
Modalu Huttida Magu Venkatamba Venkamma
Yeradaneya Magu Gururaja Janisidaru
Matte Kandana Bayasi Kulaswamiya Seveyanu
Tirumaleyali Akhanda Bhaktiyali Salisidaru
Swamiyadu Validu Harasi Kanasalli Helida
Lokoddhaara Magana Padedu Dhanyadali Bali
Ee Reeti Anugrahisi Varavitta Maguve
Venkatanathacharya Venkatabhattaru
Namma Mantralaya Rayaru Phalguna Shuddha 
Saptamiya Shubha Dinadi Janisi Bandaru
Namma Uddharakaru Punya Mooruty Mantralaya
Sri Raghavendrateertharu Ishtella Vamshada Satva 
Satvika Punya Gnyana Bhakti Vairagya
Pushthi Tushtiyanu Vamshada Baluvaliyaagi
Padeda Rayaru Dhanyaru
Adakaagi Bichali Appanacharyaru Heliharu
 

SriRaghavendroHariPadaKanjaNishevanaLabdhaSamastaSampat
DevaSwabhavoDivijaDrumoyamishtoPradomeSatatamSaBhooyat
 

Rayara Punyada Aasreyali
Bayasida Sukha Padedu Ishtartha
Pooraisi Paamararu Naavu Hadi Harasuvevu!
PhalgunaShuddhaSaptami Rayara Vardhanti
Jayanti Yene Ishtella Chitra Meravanige
Roopadali Chita Bhittiyali Toruvavu
Hrudayavadu Tumbuvadu Maiyalli
Minchi Bhaktiya Hole Tungabhadreya Harivu
Bhorgarevudu Tulukaduvadu
Ee Punya Dauiva Shaktige:
 

Popojyaya Raghavendraya Satya Dharma Ratayacha.
BhajatamKalpaVrukshayaNamatamKamaDhenuvae