Mantralaya-227

Background

Meaning

The elders in the family decided that Sri Venkatanatha now should step in to the Grahasthamshrama. A highly cultured, beautiful girl from the Bharadwaja Gotra of Shashtheeka  family by name Saraswati the daughter of Sri Vasudevacharya  was married to Venkatanatha. Both the family were the followers of Sri Vidya Mutt - Sri Rayara Mutt Vijayeendrateertha and Sri Sudheendrateertha's disciples. What a rare combination. The couple lived in Bhuvanagiri, they had some lands of paddy. Sri Mutt of Kumbhakonam came forward to support the family. Owing to the abundant knowledge, large number of Shishyas came for learning. Sri Venkatanatha taught well and Saraswatamma took care of all the shishyas like  a mother. The name of Beegamudre Shashtheeka vamsha Gautama Gotra's name and fame spread in all the directions and to all the places. Sri Venkatanathacharya became a prominent  figure and personality among the scholars in those days.

The sacred routine of Venkatabhattaru, kind heart, always affectionate to all, drew the attention of the public. Always engaged in pondering the divine way of Bhakti to attain the Anugrha, Mahima of Sri Hari not for himself but to the masses of the world. The noble couple's  joy and especially the joy of Gopikamba - Gopamma knew no bonds when Sri Venkatanatha and Saraswatamma got a male child. The kind concern, the care, the love, the seva of Saraswatamma to the family of Venkatabhattaru cannot be described in words. A happy life, pious life, peaceful life.  Sri Hari thought that Venkatanatha is not an ordinary man just like all. He is Avatara Purusha. He should be brought to the greater world, above from the married life. As per the will of Sri Hari   one day early in the morning   Goddess of poverty (Daaridrya Laxmi) appeared in the dream of Sri Venkatanatha and asked shelter. So far she had never entered  in the previous janmas, and even in future also it is impossible to enter  near your nobilitry. So now please give me shelter. The most magnanimous satvika Haribhakta Bhaagavata gave shelter to her and asked till how long she will stay? And when she will leave him? Goddess replied when Saraswatamma agrees and inspires you to go to Sri Mutt i.e.Kumbhakonam and join His Holiness Sri Sudheendrateertharu. At that moment only she will leave his house. Slowly as per the arrival of the Goddess of poverty one by one difficulties came in chains. It reached to such an extent that Sri Venkatanatha observed 5 to 6 Ekadashis in a fortnight and there was nothing to feed young Laxminarayana the son of Sri Venkatanatha. Even at that time Venkatanatha never asked Sri Hari to give anything. On  the contrary performed the worship of Sri Hari with great enthusiasm and devotion. The co-operation of  Saraswatamma during that period  was highly appreciable. She never grumbled  nor unhappy towards Sri Venkatanatha. Days went on in the cycle of time.

After suffering a lot Saraswatamma asked her husband why should we not go to Kumbhakonam and live in the divine shelter of kind hearted Sri Sudheendrateertharu. Venkatanatha agreed. Immediately there was a metamorphosis change in the things regarding finance. Goddess quickly left our Venkatabhattaru. Sri Sudheendrateertharu felt happy by the arrival of Sri Venkatanathacharyaru. As a scholar, pandit honoured a lot in the Sri Mutt. As per the inspiration of Sri MoolaRamadevaru Sri Sudheendraru    asked Venkatanathacharya to become his successor. But the answer was negative. Swamiji felt that still the time is not ripe! Performed the Upanayana of Laxminarayana  in the Sri Mutt as per the desire of Swamiji. All the relatives of Venkatanathacharya attended. After this the incidents one after the other changed the mind of Venkatanatharu and persuaded to accept the Sanyasa by Sri Ramadevaru, Vidya Laxmi.

One fine morning after a deep and long thinking Sri Venkatabhatta gave his consent to Sri Sudheendrateertharu. The joy and satisfaction of the Swamiji cannot be described in words. Though all the relatives agreed for this they only thought of Saraswatamma and worried a lot! Saraswatamma was highly concerned and the attachment towards  her Venkatanatha was too much. But this has to be revealed to her, and her consent was most valuable. She was upset to hear this from her husband. But Venkatanatharu made her to agree.

Knowing all the pros and cons of this Sri Sudheendrateertharu decided to have the function of Ashrama Sanyasa Ashrama  in  Tanjore in the Aasthana of the king and not in Kumbhakonam. So the Pattabhisheka of Sri Venkatanatharu took place on Phalguna Dwiteeya and named as Sri Raghavendrateertharu by Sri Sudheendrateertharu. Thus Shashtheeka Vamsha's Gautama Gotra Sri Krishnabhatta's great grandson of the Vijayanagara Empire, grandson of Sri Kanakachalacharya and the son of Sri Veena Timmannabhattaru became the Swamiji of Rayara Mutt Vidya Mutt Sri Raghavendrateertha  Swamiji - a great and a holy pontiff of Sri Madacharya Parampara.  Rayaru is the 17th.pontiff from our Sri Madhwacharyaru. Amidst the joy of abundant satvikas Sri Raghavendraswami took the Hamsanamaka Sacred peetha.

Here in Kumbhkonam Saraswatamma heard the news that Sri Venkatanatha has become a Sanyasi. She felt as though the sky had fallen on her. Felt extremely unhappy that she cannot see the face of her dear. So immediately she fell in the well and put an end to her life. As the desire of seeing her husband was severe and strong, with the Praeta Roopa Saraswatamma appeared before Sri Raghavendrateertharu. Felt sorry for her plight. Remembered her co-operation in life at each and every step. Sri Raghavendrateertharu Prayed to Sri Moola Ramadevaru to impart Mukti from the Praeta janma. Did prokshana and gave her mukti. As a mark of her respect Rayaru made a rule and tradition to follow that all the Gautama Gotra and Shashtheeka Vamshajas have to perform Saraswati Pooja during the auspicious functions.

It is remarkable to note that Rayaru performed the first miracle by the blessings of Sri Hari in imparting mukti to Saraswatamma. This is not a favour. She was entitled to receive  much more by her selfless seva in life. We are highly grateful to this great noble saint.Bichali Sri Appanacharya Priya Mantralaya Sri Raghavendrateertha Yativarya Dhanya!Manya!
 

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