Mantralaya-231

Background

Meaning

Sri Vijayeendra  - Sri Sudheendra - Sri Raghavendra , the three Yatirats have got their own  importance - all three are the Avatarapurushas just to perform the pooja of Sri Moola Rama.

Sri Raghavendrateertharu mixing and mingling with the devotees, listening to their problems patiently, finding solutions, advising the gist of Sri Harisarvottama and Vayujeevottama, bowing the seeds of bhakti in the hearts of the devotees and blessing was a noble scene to Sri Sudheendrateertharu to witness. Rayaru during pravachana  used to forget himself. Sri Sudheendrateertharu thought that Rayaru is the amrutaphala and a ray of hope to the devotees of the world. That thought had become true today. Thus the Vidya Mutt, Kumbhakonam's Yati Sri Sudheendrateertharu felt gratitude to Sri Hari, that he has done a noble job in selecting his successor  Sri Raghavendrateertharu.

Our Bichali Sri Appanacharyaru has said in the famous stotra Sri Raghavendra Gurustotra:

SarvaTantraSwatantrosouSriMadhwaMataVardhanaha
VijayeendraKarabjothaSudheendraVaraPutrakaha

Though Rayaru was a Swamiji, always upheld the philosophy of our Sri Madhwacharya, personally taking care of his guru with his own hands. Though several shishyas were appointed for the seva of  the senior pontiff Sri Sudheendrateertharu, Sri Raghavendrateertha's involvement in the seva made the guru dumb. Uttered the following sentence:

Gaganam Gaganaakaaram  Saagarassaagaropamaha

It means sky and ocean can be compared with sky and ocean only. A  noble shishya to a noble guru. The scholarly, kind and affectionate coordination and combination of the two Yatirats Sri Sudheendraru and Sri Raghavendraru was really rare to find in this world. After three months of continuous tour sanchara - digvijaya they reached Hampi as already said, first they took the darshana of Rudradeva paramavaishnava Sri Virupakshadevaru, then they had been to the temple of Sri Vijayavithaladevaru, Sri Purandaradasara Mantapa,  simply surrendered seeing Yantroddharaka Hanumanthadevaru of Sri Vyasaraja poojita pranidhaanita. They both went further, took the divya darshana of Sri Narahariteertha's brindavana the third pontiff from Sri  Acharya Madhwaru and paid their homage, which is almost situated on the rock of the Tungabhadra river. Both the swamiji's were thrilled to visit the sanctity of Hampi both historical and mythological. The abundant nature's gift, beauty is simply attracting the devotees and the pilgrims even to this day.

Sri Sudheendrateertharu asked Sri Raghavendrateertharu to go to the famous Anegundi, the centre of sanctity of our Madhwa Yatis. In Anegundi the sanctum is like an island, where we find the Brindavana of Sri Padmanabhateertharu directly took the ashrama by our Sri Madhwacharya. He is the second pontiff from Sri  Acharya  Madhwaru. Also we find the brindavana of Sri Vaageeshateertharu, Sri Kaveendrateertharu, Sri Raghnandanateertharu and the brindavana of Sri Vyasarajateertharu. Arriving at this sanctum the heart of Sri Sudheendrateertharu occupied vairaagya completely. Handed over the complete charge of Sri Moola Ramadevara pooja,  Paathapravachana, Mantramudraadhaarana and Dharmopadesha. Asked to bless the devotees. Ten days passed like this.

Sri Sudheendrateertharu fully engaged in Aahneeka,Japa,Tapa at the sanctum island(today we call it as Navavrundavana) After ten days Swamiji became ill. But even the holy bath and the Aahneeka continued. Took only the fruits and milk after  three days left that also, completely observed Uposhana, took only the Sacred Teertha and nothing else. Engaged in the meditation of Sri Hari SriHariDhyanasakta.

Sri Rayaru much worried about the health condition of his guru.On the day of Shaalivahana Shaka 1445 Rudhirogdari samvatsara phalguna bahula Dwiteeya  Sri Sudheendrateertharu,after snaana ahneeka sat with yogaasana, called Sri Raghavendrateertharu and detailed all the traditions of Sri Madacharya Peetha, took his Amruta Hasta placed on the head of Sri Raghavendraru, I have handed over the famous noble peetha,mutt, responsibility and everything. Let the Vidya Mutt shine like anything in your period. Upheld, propagate the Dwyaita Siddhanta always. Contribute more writings. What my   great guru  Sri Vijayeendrateertharu has entrusted the task goes to you now from today onwards. You are born mainly for this noble cause. Telling all this chanting Narayana Narayana pranava mantra swamiji breathed his last at the Sanctum on the bank of Tungabhadra at Anegundi island, today Navavrundavana. Then by the side of Sri Padmanabhateertha  Rayaru arranged the Brindavana of Sri Sudheendrateertharu with grief, completed the formalities. Placed the sacred idols of Sri Mutt, SriMoiolaRama,DigvijayaRama and Jayarama, performed kanakabhisheka, Hastodaka, Aradhana, Mangalarati and Mantrapushpa as per the traditions of Sri Mutt. Offered the charamashloka:

KushagraMatayaeBhanuDwitayaeVaadiBheetayae
AradhitaSriPatayaeSudheendraYatayaeNamaha.

After the completion of all at Anegundi, on the bank of the sacred Tungabhadra river Nava Vrundavana Gaddi Raghavendrateertharu returned to Kumbhakonam with a heavy heart. Always thinking, while going to sanchara we were two but while returning I am alone. The grief of Rayaru cannot be described, Affection,Bhakti was immense. At the sametime Sri Sudheendrateertharu also liked much.
 

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