Mantralaya-2002

(353rd Aradhana Mahotsav of Sri Raghavendra Swami - Part 1: The Miracle of Sri Rayaru)

Date : Aug 8, 2024

Background

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
SATYAMEVA JAYATI NA ANRUTA

Background

353rd Aradhana Mahotsav of Sri Raghavendra Swami - Part 1: The Miracle of Sri Rayaru is described in Mantralaya (2002).

Meaning

We are just two weeks away from the 353rd Aradhana Mahotsav of Sri Raghavendra Swami. In the upcoming series, let us immerse ourselves in prayer and devotion to our most compassionate Guru, Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

As we all know, Sri Raghavendra Swamy remains in Yoga Nidra in Brindavana, alive with his physical body. Numerous fortunate individuals have witnessed the physical presence of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, with many accounts well-documented. For instance, Sir Thomas Munro famously saw Rayaru emerge from Brindavana and speak with him.

By residing within Brindavana, Sri Raghavendra Swamy continues to perform miracles for those who come with hope and faith to pray. Though endowed with the divine essences of Vayu and Shesha and being near to Sri Hari, Rayaru attributes all miracles to Sri Hari, acknowledging that it is He who inspires and empowers him.

Let's delve into one of these miracles, which took place before India's independence, around the timeframe of 1942 to 1945.

Once upon a time, in the pre-independence era around 1942 to 1945, there lived a wealthy businessman named Ramanatha Chatiyar. Blessed with prosperity, Ramanatha had everything one could desire, but his life took a grim turn when he was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, characterized by dangerous lumps.

In his quest for a cure, Ramanatha consulted the finest doctors across India. Despite their best efforts, their prognosis remained consistent: surgery was possible, but the chances of survival were uncertain. Desperate and hopeful, he traveled to advanced countries, seeking medical expertise, but each consultation echoed the same disheartening message. The words of the doctors lingered in his mind, leaving him anxious and uncertain about his future.

One evening, burdened by worry and the weight of his impending fate, Ramanatha sat in his lavish home, pondering his next steps. The constant stream of medical advice had led him to a crossroads, where modern science seemed to offer little hope

One fateful day, Krishna Charyaru, a devout follower of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, visited Ramanatha Chatiyar. Sensing the despair in Ramanatha’s eyes, Krishna Charyaru inquired about the cause of his worry. After learning about Ramanatha's heart condition and the bleak outlook provided by doctors, Krishna Charyaru gently suggested, "Why not pray to Sri Raghavendra Swamy? He will take care of you." Ramanatha, skeptical and frustrated, replied, "Krishna Charyaru, I've consulted the best doctors in the world. What can Guru Sri Rayaru do that they cannot? He can't help me." With a serene smile, Krishna Charyaru responded, "Ramanatha Chatiyar, believe in my advice and pray to Rayaru. It won't cost you anything, and you have nothing to lose."
The next day, Krishna Charyaru brought a photograph of Sri Raghavendra Swamy along with Mantrakshate (blessed rice) and Mrutika (sacred soil). He instructed Ramanatha, "Light a ghee lamp in front of this picture, perform pradakshina (circumambulation), and then mix the Mrutika in water and drink it."

Reluctantly at first, but gradually with growing faith, Ramanatha Chatiyar began following Krishna Charyaru's advice. Each day, he lit the ghee lamp, performed pradakshina around Sri Rayaru's picture, and drank the sacred water. Over time, his devotion grew, and he found solace in his daily prayers.

One night, as Ramanatha Chatiyar slept, he had a vivid dream in which Sri Raghavendra Swamy appeared before him. In a soothing voice, Sri Rayaru said, "Ramanatha, go to the doctor without any fear and undergo the surgery. I will be with you, protecting you. Remember, you will have to go through multiple surgeries, but do not worry—every surgery will be successful."

Ramanatha awoke from this dream filled with hope and happiness. The weight of his worry lifted, he immediately sought out Krishna Charyaru to share the dream. Krishna Charyaru listened with a knowing smile and said, "I knew it. Those who pray to Rayaru will always be taken care of."

Buoyed by his newfound faith and the assurance from Sri Rayaru, Ramanatha Chatiyar went to the doctor and scheduled the surgery. As predicted in the dream, he underwent the initial operation. The procedure was successful, and Ramanatha faced it with remarkable calmness, knowing that Sri Rayaru was by his side.

In the following months, Ramanatha had to endure several more surgeries. Each time, he remembered the divine words from his dream and faced the operations with unwavering confidence. True to Sri Rayaru's promise, every surgery was successful.

Finally, after the last procedure, the doctors informed Ramanatha that his heart condition was fully cured and that he could return home. Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, Ramanatha knew that his recovery was nothing short of a miracle, orchestrated by the compassionate Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

Ramanatha Chatiyar returned home, not just with a healed heart but with a heart full of devotion and thankfulness. He spread the story of his miraculous healing far and wide, inspiring others to place their faith in Sri Rayaru. His life became a living testament to the boundless grace and protective power of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, who continues to perform miracles for those who come to him with hope and faith.

Krishna Charyaru suggested to Ramanatha Chatiyar that he visit Mantralaya. Filled with great devotion and hope, Ramanatha Chatiyar traveled to Mantralaya and sought an audience with the swamiji of that time, Sri Sri Suyameendra Teertharu. He narrated the entire incident, from his initial disbelief to the miraculous dream and successful surgeries, to the revered swamiji.
Moved by the story and eager to express his gratitude, Ramanatha Chatiyar asked Sri Suyameendra Teertharu how he could offer his seva (service) and what donation would be appropriate. Sri Suyameendra Teertharu informed him that they were in the process of building a Silver Chariot for Sri Raghavendra Swamy and suggested that he could contribute to this noble cause.

With a heart full of devotion, Ramanatha Chatiyar requested Sri Suyameendra Teertharu to allow him the honor of constructing the entire Silver Chariot himself. He earnestly pleaded with the swamiji to bestow this sacred service solely upon him. Recognizing the sincerity and depth of Ramanatha's devotion, Sri Suyameendra Teertharu graciously agreed to his request.

After returning to Madras, Ramanatha Chatiyar became engrossed in his business, completely forgetting his commitment to build the Silver Chariot for Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Two years passed by, and one night, Sri Rayaru appeared in his dream, asking, "Where is the Silver Chariot?"

The next day, Ramanatha Chatiyar woke up with a start and confessed to the picture of Sri Raghavendra Swamy that he was unable to fulfill his promise because his funds were stuck outside the country. Due to the Second World War, the money had not returned to India. That night, Rayaru appeared again in his dream, assuring him, "Do not worry, the money that was held up will come back."

To Ramanatha Chatiyar's amazement, the money that had been stuck in Japan was finally released. Overwhelmed by the compassion and miraculous intervention of Sri Rayaru, he immediately set about constructing the Silver Chariot. Once the chariot was completed, he rushed to Mantralaya and handed it over to Sri Suyameendra Teertharu.

This Silver Chariot, the first of its kind in Mantralaya, stands as a testament to the unwavering faith and devotion of Ramanatha Chatiyar and the boundless grace of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. It symbolizes the power of divine intervention and the fulfillment of promises made with a pure heart.

Ramanatha Chatiyar prayed fervently to Sri Rayaru, describing his immense gratitude for Rayaru's compassion. Despite having forgotten about his commitment to build the Silver Chariot, Rayaru had not only reminded him but also facilitated the release of the money that had been stuck abroad. Additionally, Rayaru had cured his severe health issues. Ramanatha Chatiyar marveled at the divine intervention and unwavering support of Sri Rayaru, whose grace had turned his life around in unimaginable ways.

Sri Rayaru’s compassion surpasses our wildest imaginings. His care for us mirrors the nurturing and selfless love of a mother for her child. As described in the Raghavendra Vijaya, Sri Rayaru's heart is softer than ghee, a symbol of his profound kindness and gentleness. He generously distributes the immense merit he has accumulated, using it to uplift and benefit society in noble ways.

Sri Rayaru has the extraordinary ability to rewrite our destined paths, known in Kannada as Hanne Bara. Through the grace of Sri Hari, Rayaru has the divine power to alter and shape our fates according to his compassionate will.

Sri Rayaru's kindness is evident in his constant support and guidance to his devotees. Despite their flaws or lapses, he provides them with direction, reassurance, and divine intervention. For example, in the story of Ramanatha Chatiyar, Sri Rayaru reminded him of his commitment and ensured the release of his funds, demonstrating a deep concern for his devotee's well-being and promises

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||