Mantralaya-329

Background

Sri Raghavendrateertharu great Pravachana of Bhaagavata in Pandharapura the real meaning and the  importance of the sixth shloka of Sri RaghavendraStotra composed by  Bichali Sri Appanacharyaru are described in Mantralaya(329).

Nirasta Dosho Niravadya Veshaha Pratyarthhi MookatvanidaanaBhaashaha
VidwatparignyeyaMahaVishesho Vaagvykhari Nirjita Bhavya Sheshahaha
 
 

Meaning

Geeta Sugeeta Kartavyakimanyaihi Shastra Vistarahi
Maa Swayam Padmanabhasya Mukha Padmadwinihi Srutaa

This has actually come out from the mouth (Mukhaaravinda) of Sri Vedavyasa Maharshi. Rayaru a great Divine Chetana is a practical follower and fully aware of all this. In Pandharapura  as per the request of all the Satvikas, Bhaktas and the Vaishnavas Rayaru agreed to deliver the Pravachana of Bhaagavata. Daily more than 2-3 thousand audienced listened with pin drop silence. Devotees actually floating through the sacred waves of Bhaagavata and their joy knew no bonds ! I always feel that the people lived during the days of our great Yatiraat Sri Raghavendrateertharu had made abundant Punya and were highly fortunate. Our Raghavendrateertharu   himself a great Bhaagavata Avatara of Sri Prahladarajaru and the way in which Rayaru attained Taadatmya(oneness) cannot be described in words.

While taking the Sanyasa Goddess Sri Saraswati has given assurance to Rayaru that I will always Bless you and actually dance on your holy tongue. As the Pravachana was in progress the audience involved completely in Pravachana, learnt many things by Rayaru. At that moment a Miracle happened. Rayaru was fully concentrating  and emphasizing the Tatva of  Sri Harisarvottama and Sri Vayujeevottama. A great Scholar, great Pandit Adwaiti Shesha Maharaja came with his more than hundred students and supporters and Said Sri Raghavendra Swain I am Shesha,  his student introduced that he is Sri Shesha Maharaja a great Adwaiti. Immediately Shesha uttered:

Eko Rudro Na Dwiteeyovasthhe
Shiva Eva Kevalaha

Went on telling and emphasizing Adwaitism with Shrutu and Purana and said only Sri Rudradevaru is Superior and not Sri Narayana and disagreed to the statement of the Tatva of  Sri Harisarvottama and Sri Vayujeevottama. Rayaru smiled at Shesha and said oh! You are Shesha Maharaja I have heard about you, come on let us have a debate of this that too during the pravachana of Bhaagavata amidst the audience where  more than three thousand  audience is gathered on the sacred yard of Sri Panduranga Vithala. The debate continued for three days.  All witnessed with anxiety and eagerness. Rayaru quoted from Shruti Shastra and Purana With  all this Sri Hari is Nikhila Nigama Vedya. Described and put forth the debate with several examples. Shesha a great pandit and orator easily did not accept the defeat. At last Rayaru a great patron of Sri Vijayeendrateertharu Paramaguru. During the  Poorvashrama Rayarus Son Laxminarayana was daily doing the pathana of this shloka learnt by his mother Saraswatamma:
 

Bhaktanaam MaansambhojaBhanave Kamadhenave
Namataam Kalpa Tarave Jayeendra Gurave

This is more than Gayatri to Rayaru. As per Aditya Purana:

Guru Anugraham Mukhyam
Guroopadesho Balavaan

So Rayaru prayed to paramaguru Sri Vijayeendrateertharu. Started quoting the lines of  VAAGVYAKHARI Granthha put forth the debate of Sri Harisarvottama and also several puranas.Shesha Maharaja accepted his defeat alt last. No option, no chance to prove

Eko Rudro Na DwiteeyoAvasthhe  Shiva Yeva Sarvottamaha

Performed Saashtaanga Namaskara to Sri Raghavendrateertharu and said you have won the debate of Sri Harisarvottama. Hats off to your great Personality Accepted the defeat amidst the thick gathering of the Sabha - Pravachana. Shesha felt happy , amazed to the style of GuruRayaru and the abundant  deep knowledge of all the Shastras.

Rayaru with a smile called Shesha and embraced him with affection. Appreciated his knowledge and style of debate. Honoured Shesha and presented handful of gift and Shawls etc. and Blessed and praised his knowledge. Such is the noble tradition of our Jagadguru SriMannMadhwacharya Mahasmasthhana Rayara Mutt - Vidya Mutt.

Dear World Devotee, we are fortunate to know all this from Sri Raghavendra Vijaya by Pandita Sri Narayanacharya, Rayaru’s  poorvashrama elder sister Venkatamba and  Madhurai Sri Laxminarasimhacharya’s son. Also Bichali Sri Appanacharyas Gurustotra Sri Raghavendra Stotra it is very clear and a great record of Rayarus scholarly debate:
 

Nirasta Dosho Niravadya Veshaha Pratyarthhi MookatvanidaanaBhaashaha

VidwatparignyeyaMahaVishesho Vaagvykhari Nirjita Bhavya Sheshaha

After the exit of Shesha Maharaja Rayaru continued the Bhaagavata Pravachana for 3 days and concluded. Blessed all the devotees of Pandharapura, Again after the Divya Darshana of Sri Pandurangavithalaswami Rayaru next proceeded to Kolhapur, where our Sri Laxmi is worshipped with divine grandeur and Bhakti.
 

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