Mantralaya-1060
(Reason behind material Poverty and Inner Richness of Sri Venkatanatharu before becoming Sri RaghavendraTeertharu)
Date Oct 17, 2023
Background
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA
Reason
behind material Poverty and Inner Richness of Sri Venkatanatharu before
becoming Sri RaghavendraTeertharu is described in Mantralaya(1060).
Meaning
We are all aware of the profound poverty that Sri Venkatanatharu endured before transforming into Sri Raghavendra Teertharu.
Let's delve deeper to comprehend the underlying reasons for this.
Daaridrya
Devi, the Goddess of Poverty, had an ardent desire to seek refuge with
Prahaladru. However, since Prahaladru was a King Prahalad Rajaru.
Daaridrya Devi understood the importance of roles and responsibilities
of a King. She patiently postponed her quest, waiting for his next
rebirth. This pattern repeated when Prahalad was reborn as King
Bhaleeka Rajru, and once again when he emerged as Sri Vysa Rajaru
during the Kali Yuga – a sage king revered among sages and scholars.
As
time rolled on, Daaridrya Devi continued to bide her time, anticipating
the next life of Sri Vysa Rajaru. Sri Vysa Rajaru was born as
Venkatanatharu. Daaridrya Devi foresaw that Venkatanatharu would be the
forthcoming incarnation, destined to become the esteemed Sri
RaghavendraTheertharu. Yet, she was also aware that, once he attained
this elevated status, she could no longer find refuge with him. With
this knowledge, Daaridrya Devi made the decision to seek shelter in
Venkatanatharu, thus embarking on her journey to transcend her state of
poverty.
Goddess Daaridrya Devi approached Sri Venkatanatharu
and spoke with gentle longing, "I've patiently awaited your presence
since your Prahalad avatara. Now, please grant me refuge." Sri
Venkatanatharu, with a warm and gracious smile, welcomed Daaridrya
Devi, responding, "If Sri Hari wills me to provide you shelter, who am
I to say otherwise? Please make yourself at home in our abode."
Daaridrya Devi couldn't contain her joy, as she looked forward to
finding sanctuary in Venkatanatharu's home, where she could bask in the
nectar of his profound wisdom.
When Daaridrya Devi crossed the
threshold into the house, wealth seemed to evaporate, ushering in a
state of materialistic poverty. The moment Venkatanatharu extended his
gracious welcome to her, the pangs of poverty hit them hard. Yet, for
Venkatanatharu, his spiritual connection with Lord Hari grew stronger
with each passing day, and he paid little heed to the challenges of
poverty.
The financial constraints were so severe that
Venkatanatharu and his wife could no longer afford the simple items
like serving food on plates; they resorted to eating on the bare floor.
While most of us observe Ekadashi fasting once every 15 days, for
Venkatanatharu, it felt like an extended Ekadashi, day after day.
Venkatanatharu,
who had a handsome son, watched as poverty equally affected his family.
In their household, the guiding principle was to adhere to the Dharma
of accepting only the necessary goods and raw food items for a single
day. They believed that taking more and storing it would deprive others
of their share. Venkatanatharu never sought monetary assistance or an
excess of food items from his students; if they offered, he would
graciously accept only what was sufficient for a single day's
sustenance.
One night, some bold thieves broke into
Venkatanatharu's house and took whatever they could find. After the
robbery, Venkatanatharu sat quietly, lost in thought. His wife noticed
and tried to comfort him, saying, "Don't be upset about the
robbery."Venkatanatharu responded with a smile, "There's no need to be
sad. Our home had very little of value, just some old and broken
things. I actually feel sorry for the thieves. They must have been in a
difficult situation to steal such meager things."Venkatanatharu wasn't
angry or resentful; instead, he felt compassion for the thieves. He
believed they must have been struggling with poverty to resort to
stealing. In his kindness, he prayed silently that they would find the
financial help they needed.
Venkatanatharu's response to the robbery
showed his deep understanding and kindness. His words and actions
revealed his extraordinary character, leaving a lasting impression on
those who had the privilege of knowing him.
The greatness of the
godly figure Sri Venkatanatharu shines through in his unwavering
commitment to his meditation on Sri Hari, even in the face of
materialistic poverty. His determination and faith remained steadfast,
unaffected by the hardships he endured.In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord
Krishna teaches that those whom He holds close to His heart, He may
strip away material pleasures from, as a test of their devotion. This
truth is beautifully exemplified in the life of Venkatanatharu.
Venkatanatharu
enduring commitment to spiritual pursuits, even in the midst of
material challenges, stands as a testament to his profound faith and
inner strength. Venkatanatharu's life story continues to inspire many,
demonstrating that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in
the richness of one's connection with the divine.
Goddess
Daaridrya Devi felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Venkatanatharu
for offering her shelter and the privilege of listening to
Madhavacharyaru's teachings daily through him. This connection brought
her a sense of solace and spiritual nourishment.
However, as
Venkatanatharu transformed into Sri Raghavendra Teertharu, Daaridrya
Devi recognized that her time in his presence had come to an end. With
a heart full of appreciation and understanding, she gracefully departed
from Venkatanatharu's abode, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual
wisdom and resilience.
Sri RaghavendraTeertharu, in eternal
meditation within his Brindavana, watches over us to ensure that we are
spared from the clutches of materialistic poverty. Rayaru understands
our individual capabilities and strives to prevent us from enduring
undue hardship. Through his divine blessings, he wishes for all of us
to enjoy good wealth and health, as he knows that a secure and content
life leads us closer to Sri Hari, fostering spiritual growth.
The
Sri Raghavendra Teertharu Mutt, present across various parts of India,
is a beacon of compassion and equality. Within its walls, free,
high-quality meals are served, transcending barriers of caste, creed,
gender, and nationality. Every day, millions of people partake in this
nourishing free food, emphasizing the principles of unity and charity.
For
those who seek Sri Raghavendra Teertharu's guidance and pray with
devotion, he extends his benevolence in ways they may not even believe
they deserve. His divine grace touches the lives of countless
individuals, instilling faith, resilience, and spiritual enlightenment
in all who turn to him.
The devotion towards Sri Raghavendrateertharu is the
ultimate truth and is the most simple and effective way to reach Sri
Hari - "NAMBI KETTAVARILLAVO EE GURUGALA"! “Those who have
complete faith in this Guru will never be disappointed.”
|| BICHALI JAPADAKATTI SRI APPANACHARYA PRIYA MANTRALAYA
SRI RAGHAVENDRATEERTHA GURUBHYO NAMAHA||