Sree Rama navami at Mantralayam and last speech of Guru raghvendhra

Guru Raghvendhra workshipping Mula Ramachandra














Pancha mukhi Anjaneya temple
























Foot steps Of Hanuman

Manchalamma

Raghavendra padukas

Guru Raghavendra

It is popular belief, based on testimonials from aparoxa gyanis, that Rayaru is the incarnation of a celestial called Sankukarna. The incarnations of this celestial are as follows - Sri Prahlada, Sri Bahlika, Sri Vyasa teertha and Sri Raghavendra Teertha.

Sri Raghavendhra was an ardent devotee of Sri Moola Rama and Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya.
He performed penance here for 12 years and got the dharshan of Hanuman in the form of Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya, an incarnation of Lord Hanuman, amalgamating within him the avatars of Varaha, Garuda, Anjaneya, Narasimha and Hayagreeva. The anjaneya is a swayambu inscription on the rocky cave.Here one can find the foot steps of Hanuman.

Sri Moola Rama:

Chaturmukha (four-faced) Brahma delights in constantly worshipping the Lord in various forms and manners. He once got the divine sculptor Vishvakarma to prepare an authentic icon of Lord Rama in accordance with scriptures. He worshipped this for a long time and then handed it over to another celestial for worshipping. This continued for a long time and eventually, in the course of time, the icon landed in the Sun dynasty (Surya Vamsha). Dasharatha, one of the emperors in this dynasty, performed Putra Kameshti Yaga (a sacrifice performed to obtain offspring) and had 4 sons. The eldest amongst these was the Lord Himself. Dashratha named his first son as Ramachandra, in honor of the icon that his family had traditionally worshipped. From then on, the word ‘Rama’ was used to identify Dasharatha’s son , and the icon got a new name ‘Moola Rama’.

The Moola Rama icon was reverently worshipped by Sita, Sri Hanumanta, and others. During the Dwapara Yuga the icon ended up in the Moon Dynasty (Chandra Vamsha) and was worshipped by Bhimasena. With the course of time, it kept changing hands until it reached the Orissa kingdom. From there, it finally reached the hands of Sri Madhvacharya. He worshipped it with great reverence and devotion. Thus all the three incarnations of Vayu, and Brahma, have worshipped this icon. After Sri Madhvacharya, the icon was in turn worshipped by Sri Padmanabha teertha, Sri Narahari teertha, Sri Madhava teertha and Sri Akshobhya teertha, and by Sri Jaya teertha (Teeka Rayaru) and other saints who adorned this glorious lineage. This is the history of the Moola Rama icon that is today resplendent in the Rayara Matha, acting as the cynosure of all eyes

Sri Ramanavami & Aradhana of Sri Kaveendra Teertharu:

Start: 02/04/2009 - 23:30
End: 03/04/2009 - 16:30
Timezone: Asia/Calcutta
1.Maha Abhisheka to Lord Sri Moola Ramadevaru at and Aradhana
of Sri Kaveendra Teertharu will be performed at Nava Vrindavana.
2.Vasanta Pooja will start from this day for one month.
3.Chariot Festival of Sri Hanuman at Panchamukhi



These were the last saying of the Great saint Guru Raghvendhra Thirtha Great Devotee Of Moola Ramchandra Before attaining samdhi at Brindavan:


* "Without right living, right thinking will never come. Right living is performing one's ordained duties according to one's station in life without hankering after the fruits of the actions and on the other hand offering all one's activities to the Lord. This is real sadachara (right living). This is real karma yoga."


* "Social work done for the good of worthy people should also be considered as the Lord's worship. In short, our life itself is a worship. Every action is a puja. This life is precious. Every second of our life is precious. Not even a second that has gone will come back. Listening to the right shastras and always remembering Him is the highest duty."

* "Always keep away from people who merely perform miracles without following the shastras and yet call themselves God or guru. I have performed miracles, and so have great persons like Srimadacharya. These are based on yoga siddhi and the shastras. There is no fraud or trickery at all. These miracles were performed only to show the greatness of God and the wonderful powers that one can attain with His grace. Right knowledge (jnana) is greater than any miracle. Without this no real miracle can take place. Any miracle performed without this right knowledge is only sorcery. No good will come to those who perform such miracles and also those who believe in them."


* "Have devotion to the Lord. This devotion should never be blind faith. Accepting the Lord's supremacy wholeheartedly is true devotion. Blind faith is not devotion. It is only stupidity. We should have devotion, not only for the Lord, but also for all other deities and preceptors in keeping with their status."

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Miracles

There was a Brahmin in sholapur . He passed the M.A., L. L.B Examination and, in his exultation, arranged a luncheon party for his friends. He partook of the luncheon along with his friends, but hard to explain, he vomited all that he ate. He could not his usual meal. His parents had him treated by eminent doctors. It was to no purpose. He used to vomit what ever he ate. One day, a Brahmin came to Sri Kamalakara joshi's house. The Brahmin was well aware of all the miraculous powers of swami. He said to Sri Kamalakara Joshi and his parents, " You had better go to Manthralaya and serve the swami for some days, the ailment will be cured. Food, which is eaten, will be properly digested. Health will be resorted."



Kamalakara joshi was an atheist. He had no faith in gods or Gurus. So, he did not pay heed to the Brahmins words. But. The parents compelled him to come to the shrine of Manthralaya. He bathed in the river Thungabhadra, visited the Mutt and observed the worship and panchamrita abhisheka performed to Sri Raghavendra swami, with his own eyes. He took mangala harathi and the sacred water and sat in the corner. All the devotees went to the dining hall to take their food. Afraid of vomiting, Kamalakara Joshi did not go to take food. The Mutt people invited him to come and have his meal. Ashamed to tell them the truth of his ailment, he replied that he did not feel hungry. But, as the Mutt people forced him, he went to eat. He began to eat and as the food was tasty, he ate well. He was afraid of nausea. But, all the food he ate that day was digested fully. There was no sign of vomiting. Joshi was surprised. He came to believe that his food was digested by the grace of Sri Raghavendra and there was no fear of vomiting. He began to worship Sri Raghavendra swami daily with great devotion and fervour. His food was well digested and he was happy. With gratitude to Sri Raghavendra Swami for his grace, Joshi worshipped at the shrine for 40 days. His parents were extremely happy to hear about their son's restoration to health. They came to Manthralaya and conducted puja to Sri Raghavendra Swami.
Sri Kamalakara Joshi became a theist as a result of Sri Raghavendra Swami's grace. He regained faith in gods, Guru and Brahmins. His parents were overjoyed to see their son not only healthy but also full of devotion to god and reverence to Gurus.
credit bto:www.mantralayam.org

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Astottara Shatanamavali

Guru Raghavendhra astottara shatanamavali

Om Svava-gde-vata sari-dbhkta vemali-karthre namah

Om Shree raghavndhraya namah Om Sakala-pradhartre namah

Om Bhaktha-gha-sambedhana-drushti-vajraya namah

Om Kshama-surendraya namah

Om Hari-pada-kamjane-shevana-llabda-samsta namah

Om Deva-swabha-vaya namah

Om Deeveja-drumaya namah

Om Esta-pradhartre namah

Om Bhavya-swaroo-paya namah

Om Bhava-dhukha-tula-samghani-charyaya namah

Om Suka-dhairya-shyaline namah

Om Samsta-dusta-grahane-grahe-shaya namah

Om Dhuratya-yopaplava sindhu-setave namah

Om Neerasta-doshaya namah

Om Neera-vadhya dehaya namah

Om Pratyardi-mookatva-vidhana-bhashaya namah

Om Vidhvatpa-rigneya-maha-visheshaya namah

Om Vagvai-khareeni-rjita-bhavya-sheshaya namah

Om Santana-sampatpari-shudha-bhakti vigynyana vagde hasupata-vadi-datre namah

Om Sharirotdha-samsta-dosha-hamtre namah

Om Sree gururaghavendraya namah

Om Triraskruta-suranadhee jala-padodaka mahe-mavate namah

Om Dusta-tapatraya-nashanaya namah

Om Maha-vandhya-suputra-dayakaya namah


Om Vyamga-swamgha-samrudhe-daya namah

Om Graha-maha-pa-papahaya namah

Om Baktha-duritha-kana-nadhava-bhoota-swardharshanaya namah

Om Sarva-tamtra-swatamtraya namah

Om Shree madhva matavardhanaya namah

Om Shree vijayendra-karabjotha-sudheendra-vara-putrakaya namah

Om Yati-rajaya namah

Om Gurave namah

Om Bhaya-pahaya namah

Om Ghyana-bhakti-suputra-yuryashah sree-punya vardha-naya namah

Om Prati-vadi-jaya-swanta-beda chihna-daraya namah

Om Sarva-vidhya-parveenaya namah

Om Aparokshi-krutha-shreshaya namah

Om Samupekshita-bhavajaya namah

Om Apakshita-pradatre namah

Om Daya-dhakshinya-vairagya-vakpatava mukhamkitaya namah

Om Shapanu-graha-shaktaya namah

Om Agynana-vismruti-branti samshaya pasmruti-kshaya-dosha

Om nashakaya namah

Om Astaksharaja-pakartrunam eistardha-datre namah

Om Aatmat-miya samud-bhava kaya-jadosha hantre namah

Om Sarwa-punyardha-pradatre namah

Om Kalatraya-prardhana-kartrehika mushmika sarveshta-pradatre namah

Om Agamya-mahimne namah

Om Mahayashase namah

Om Madhvamata-dugdhabdhi-chandraya namah

Om Anaghaya namah

Om Yadha-shakti-pradakshina-kruta-sarva-yatra-phala-datru Svabrun-davana-gata-jalaya namah

Om Namajjana-sarva-bhista-datre namah

Om Samkeer-tana veda-dyardha-gynana datre namah

Om Samsara-magna janodha-rakartre namah

Om Kushadi-roga-nivarta-kaya namah

Om Amdha-divya drushti-datre namah

Om Ydamuka-vakpatitya-pradatre namah

Om Purnayuh-pradatre namah

Om Purna-sampatpra-datre namah

Om Kukshi-gatha-sarva dosha-ghnaya namah

Om Pangu-khanja-same chanaya-vadatre namah

Om Bhuta-preta-pishachadi peedaghne namah

Om Deepasom-yojana gynana-putre namah

Om Bhavya gynna-bhaktyadi-vardhanaya namah

Om Sarva-bhishta-pradaya namah

Om Raja-chora-maha-vyaghra-sarpa-doshadi peeda-naghne namah

Om Svastotra-pataneshtardha-samrudhi-daya namah

Om Utyatpradyo-tanadyo-taddharma kurma-sana sdhitaya namah

Om Khadya-khadyo-tanadyoti-prata-paya namah

Om Sree-rama-manasaya namah Om Druta-kashaya-vasanaya namah

Om Tula-seehara-vakshase namah

Om Dordanda vilasaddhandaka-mandalu virajitaya namah

Om Abhayagyna mudraksha-malaa-lola karambu-jaaya namah

Om Yogeendra-vandya-padambu-jaaya namah

Om Papadri-pata-nava-jraya namah

Om Kshama-suragana-deeshaya namah

Om Hariseva-labdha-sarva-sampade namah

Om Tattva-pradar-shakaya namah

Om Eishta-pradana-kalpa-drumaya namah

Om Shrutyardha-bodhakaya namah Om Bhavya-krute namah

Om Bahuvadi-vijaiene namah

Om Punya-vadhana-padabja-bisheka jala-samchayaya namah

Om Dyuna-deetulya-sadgunaya namah

Om Bhaktagha-vidhvamsa-kara-nija-murthi pradarshakaya namah

Om Jaga-dgurave namah Om Krupa-nidhaye namah

Om Sarva shastra-visharadaya namah

Om Nikhilendriya-doshaghne namah

Om Ashtakshara-manuditaya namah

Om Sarva soukhya-krute namah

Om Mruta-pota-prana-datre namah

Om Vedisdha-purusho-jeevane namah

Om Vahnisdha-malikodhartre namah

Om Bhatta-sangraha-krute namah

Om Sudha-pari-malodhartre namah

Om Apasma-raparartre namah

Om Upa-nishat-khandar-dhakrute namah

Om Rugvya-khyana-kruda-charyaya namah

Om Mantra-laya-nivasine namah

Om Nyaya-mukta-vali-kartre namah

Om Cahndri-kavya-khaya-kartre namah

Om Sutamtra-deepikakartre namah

Om Geetardha-samgrahakrute namah


Eti Shree Raghavendhraya Ashtotara Shatanamavali Samaptam

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Life history

Timmanna Bhatta a Vedic scholar and a student of the pontifical head- Surendra Theertha, the learned man and a great Guru. Lord Sri Venkatesh at Tirupathi happened to be their family deity. In 1595 AD Gopikamba gave birth to a divine son, who was to become the future Guru Raghavendra. Baby's father thimmannacharya's joy was of no bounds. He offered thanks to God. He named the boy "Venkathanatha (Venkanna)" in gratitude to Lord Venketeshwara by whose blessings; this brilliant child had been born to him.

Thimmana Bhatta was lucky man. He had a devoted wife, daughter, cultured son-in-law and two sons one is the incarnation of the great Prahalad. Thimmana Bhatta, got his son (Gururaj) married and he along with his wife and Venkathanatha accepted the invitation of Sri Sudhendra Theertha to stay in the matt. Sri Sudhendra Theertha was pleased with the sincere devotion and cleverness of Venkanna. He said to himself that he is going to be great person in life and congratulated Thimmana for having gifted with such a son.

Days rolled on, Venkathanatha grew up and went to live with Guru Sudheendra theertha at Kumbakonam. Venkanna had finished the study of Amara Kosha. Venkathanatha daily gave himself to constant meditation of god. His behavior had also changed. He also wished to perform the worship of god with all the paraphernalia as the swami did in the matt and he was devoted to Mula Rama (The Moola Rama and Sita idols where believed to be of the incarnation of Lakshmi and Vishnu due to meditation of Bramha. These idols where latter worshipped many sages and also worshiped by Hanuman, Bhimasena and also Madhava). He came to know the story of Madhava and believed in the uncommon efficacy of the idol.

Venkathanatha was married to Saraswathi Bai. For some time, Venkanna was happy living in the village with his wife, but found himself in a financial stringency at a latter stage in life. Venkanna after his marriage had two-fold anxiety. He has to pull on and also take care of his beloved wife. He had an ambition to become an extraordinary learned man quite well versed in Vedas and was very eager to popularize the teachings of Madhava. He keenly meditated himself on god but was mercilessly nipped by the killing cares and worries of life of poverty. Days and months rolled on. He thought of going to his brother-in-law's house, but found his wife to be a heavy burden and therefore left the idea.

Saraswathi Bai was a beloved wife of Venkanna Bhatta and was totally devoted to him and knew his likes and dislikes. She thanked god of giving her such a wonderful husband and she had all eyes to see the needs of her husband and cater to them. Both of them were highly sensitive. Venkathanatha was suffering from the painful poverty and Saraswathi soon conceived and gave birth to a child and the child was called Lakshminarayana. Poverty life continued and baby boy starved too.

Saraswathi got an idea, she told him to meet his Guru and take his refuge. They went to Kumbakonam. Venkathanatha and his family were welcomed in the mutt at Kumbakonam. Venkathanatha mastered all lessons at the Mutt. Swamiji took him to the debates against Adwaita school of philosophy at various King's courts (Chola, Pandian etc.). Venkathanatha began to write commentary in all three Vedas following Acharya's Rig Bhasaya, which was his ambition. But the circumstances did not favor his fulfillment. Venkathanatha was the apple of Shri Sudheendra Swami's eye. He was thought quite well worthy to succeed the Swamiji, who was waiting for an opportunity to tell his disciple of his intentions. Just by the time a disciple named Yadavendra sought the blessings of Swamiji, as he was disgusted in worldly life. Swamiji named him "Yadavendra Theerta " and he started on the religious tour.
Shri Sudheendra Swami was a genius of extraordinary and a soul of high spiritual efficacy. One day, he dreamt that Shri Mula Rama ordered that Venkathanatha alone could fit to rule the Mutt. One day he called Venkathanatha and after preliminary discussion of worldly interest, Swamiji began to reveal his intentions. Swamiji started with telling Venkathanatha that god was pleased with him and he deserves a post as the head of the Mutt. Venkathanatha could not understand the intentions of Swamiji and requested Swamiji to be clear of his intentions. Swamiji began to explain that there are many boats to ferry us across the ocean. But to all these our blessings are the sails which move the boats with great force and speed. Now why tarry on the shore? What fear is there to cross the Ocean? Venkathanatha could not understand. Shree Sudheendra Theertha knew that Venkathanatha loved his wife. When he explained clearly of his intentions, Venkathanatha expressed his inability and for renunciation, detachment was essential. So Venkathanatha explained about his wife, son and his shoulders were still young to take up the administration and responsibility of the mutt. So he was not inclined to take holy orders and take up Sanyasa. But was ready to submit himself to the mutt and Swamiji.
Time came now for Venkathanatha to succeed his Guru as the next Swamiji of the Mutt. Venkathanatha had a blessing of Sharada Devi, the goddess of Learning and that led him to realization of self and he narrated his experience of Sharada Devi to Swamiji and decided to do Upanayana to his son and accept sanyasa. He took sanyasa and Guru named him guru Raghavendra theertha. Saraswathi was shocked to hear the news and she fell into the well. She came as a ghost in front of Guru guru Raghavendra. He sprinkled holy water on the ghost and it attained Moksha by purification.

Guru guru Raghavendra was great in every respect. He was siddha Purusha (God realized person). He started performing miracles, Blind got their eyesight, Deaf could hear. As the time approached for Swamij and he was 78 years old. It was Thursday, the full moon, He announced to all his disciples that he went by the orders of Shri Hari and he decided to leave this world.
Devotees from all over the world came to see him as the news spread. On the second morning of Shravana, finished his morning religious rites and called all his devotees and said. This is our last day. Don’t’ be grieved. It is the order of Shri Hari that we should stay in this world to safeguard the interests of our faith. But we cannot stay bodily outside beyond a limit a certain limit as that would be against the rules of the present age. There fore we are going to enter Brindavana bodily. To the last be faithful and be loyal to your God and religion. May God Bless you with all the things good. Thus he advised them.

It was now mid-day. He distributed the theerta and blessed everyone. He called Venkanna Diwan and a prime devotee and gave him a parting message."Venkanna-I am going to enter the Brindavana in an yogic posture and continue to do Japa (prayer) with a Tulasi Mala (Japa Mala/Chain of Holy beads) in the hand. When I stop the prayer place the 1200 Lakshminarayana Saligramas (Holy Stones) in a bronze container and Mrutike (Holy Sand) on my head and close it with a lid and then place some sand/mud. Venkanna was also entrusted by the Guru to build his Brindavan at Manchala (now Mantralaya). Swamiji asked Venkanna to put a stone on which Lord Rama had sat during thretha yuga as the base. Nawab Sidhi Masudh Khan of Adoni granted Manchala village to Swamiji.
In the afternoon, when the time was auspicious, Swamiji sat in a Yogic posture and started prayers. The Brahmins were reciting Vedas and Shastras. Venkanna and others were supervising the activities. All eyes shed tears of joy and grief simultaneously. As per the Swamiji instructions the stones were placed above his head as he sat in yogic posture. Thus Swamiji entered the Brindhavan bodily. As per Swamiji’s advice that very day was observed as Maha Samardhana Day. He was to live in atma form in the Brindavan for next 700 years to come. In the Year 1671 AD, Guru Raghavendra named Yogeendra as his successor and entered the Brindavan. After Swamiji entered, his disciple Appanacharya sang the praise of his Guru and seeing the Guru's Brindavan, He could not speak, the last verse of the song was completed by Guru in the Brindavan. Still Guru Raghavendra continues to bless people who think of him in their troubles and happiness.

credit:www.pujyaya.org

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