Mantralaya-2017
(The divine incident between Sri VadirajaTeertharu and Tirumala Srinivasa)
Date : Nov 20, 2024
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
The divine incident between Sri VadirajaTeertharu and Tirumala Srinivasa is is described in Mantralaya (2017).
Meaning
In
one of the Mantralaya articles, we saw that Sri
VyasarajaTeertharu, the celebrated saint and an incarnation of Sri
Prahlad Rajaru, spent 12 years at Tirumala in service to Lord Sri
Venkateshwara. During his stay, Sri Vyasaraja Teertharu devoted himself
to performing extraordinary seva (service) to the Lord, significantly
enhancing the spiritual vibrancy of the sacred temple setting.
One
of Sri VyasarajaTeertharu’s most remarkable and enduring contributions
was the donation of the Shesha Vahana, an exquisitely crafted
ceremonial chariot embodying Adishesha, the divine serpent. This
magnificent Vahana (vehicle) remains a cherished centerpiece of the
annual Brahmotsava festival, where it graces the grand processions of
Lord Venkateshwara. Adorned with divine splendor, the Shesha Vahana
draws thousands of devotees who gather to witness and partake in the
profound spiritual experience it evokes.Before leaving the holy
precincts of Tirumala, Sri Vyasaraja Teertharu ensured his spiritual
contributions would last for generations. He installed the idol of
Vimana Venkateswara at the summit of the Tirumala Gopuram (temple
tower), an act of profound sanctity. This idol, placed atop the
towering temple, remains a spiritual beacon for devotees, visible even
today as a testament to his holiness’s divine vision and enduring
legacy.Sri Vyasaraja Teertharu's tenure at Tirumala and his monumental
contributions, such as the Shesha Vahana and the Vimana Venkateswara,
highlight his devotion and service, which continue to inspire countless
devotees to this day.
In this episode, we delve into the
profound relationship between Sri Vyasaraja Teertharu and his
illustrious disciple, Sri Vadiraja Teertharu, particularly focusing on
the latter's divine experiences in Tirumala. While we will explore Sri
Vadiraja Teertharu’s extraordinary life and contributions in greater
detail in the next article, here is a brief introduction to this
saintly figure.
Sri Vadiraja Teertharu was born in 1480 CE in
Hoovinakere, near Kumbasi. Renouncing worldly life at the tender age of
8, he took sanyasa in 1488 CE, embracing the path of spiritual wisdom
and devotion. His Vidya Guru was none other than the venerable Sri
Vyasaraja Teertharu, whose teachings and blessings profoundly shaped
Sri Vadiraja Teertharu’s journey of service to Lord Vishnu and the
propagation of Dvaita philosophy.Sri Vadiraja Teertharu is revered as
one of the most celebrated saints in the illustrious lineage of Sri
Madhvacharya, the pioneer of Dvaita Vedanta philosophy. Renowned for
his unparalleled scholarship, profound devotion, poetic genius, and
extraordinary spiritual authority, Sri Vadirajaru stands as a guiding
light in the Madhva tradition.He made monumental contributions to Vyasa
Sahitya (philosophical and scriptural literature) and Dasa Sahitya
(devotional literature), enriching both fields with his erudition and
poetic brilliance. Fluent in Kannada, Tulu, and Sanskrit, his works
resonate across spiritual, literary, and cultural dimensions, leaving
an indelible mark on Indian spirituality and literature.Sri Vadiraja
Teertharu’s life is a testament to the harmony of wisdom and devotion,
making him a towering figure whose legacy continues to inspire
countless devotees and scholars.
It was a serene morning when
the revered saint, Sri Vadirajaru, embarked on a sacred pilgrimage to
the holy hill of Tirumala. Known for his unwavering devotion to Lord
Vishnu, his every step resonated with a spiritual intensity that seemed
to ripple through the very air around him. To Sri Vadirajaru, this
journey was not merely a climb to visit a deity; it was a communion
with divinity itself.
As Sri Vadirajaru approached the base of
the hill, a divine vision unfolded before his eyes. The entire hill,
adorned with lush greenery and sacred streams, appeared to him as a
massive saligrama, the sacred stone that symbolizes Lord Vishnu's
presence. Overwhelmed with awe and reverence, he fell to his knees, his
heart brimming with gratitude. The realization was profound: Tirumala
was not just a place of worship—it was the living embodiment of Lord
Vishnu, cradling devotees in its divine embrace.
Determined to
honor this divine revelation, Sri Vadirajaru resolved to ascend the
sacred hills of Tirumala not on foot, but on his knees—a profound act
of devotion and humility. To grasp the magnitude of this feat, one must
consider that during his time, the path up the seven hills was rugged
and unpaved, unlike the well-laid trails of today. Moreover, Sri Hari,
wishing to showcase the power of Bhakti, tested Sri Vadirajaru’s
resolve by manifesting the entire hill as a Saligrama, further
elevating the sanctity of his journey.
With every painstaking
movement, Sri Vadirajaru chanted the holy names of the Lord, his
fervent prayers merging with the gentle whispers of the wind and the
soothing rustle of the trees. Witnessing this extraordinary display of
devotion, pilgrims and onlookers were struck with awe, their hearts
deeply moved by the saint’s unwavering determination and love for the
Lord.
What seemed an insurmountable challenge to many was
transformed into a sacred pilgrimage for Sri Vadirajaru. Each step,
though excruciating, became a divine offering, a testament to his
unshakable faith. The journey was not merely a physical ascent but a
spiritual elevation, inspiring all who witnessed it to revere the
boundless grace of Lord Srinivasa and the transformative power of true
devotion.
Finally, Sri Vadirajaru reached the Tirumala.
Exhausted but elated, Sri Vadirajaru approached the sanctum of Lord
Venkateshwara with trembling anticipation. As he entered, a miraculous
sight unfolded before his eyes. Standing at the entrance was none other
than Lord Srinivasa himself, radiating a divine light that illuminated
the entire space. The Lord’s face bore a gentle, welcoming smile—a
smile that spoke of infinite love and compassion.This vision was
granted solely to Sri Vadirajaru. To the others present, the temple
remained as it always had, serene and grand. But for Sri Vadirajaru, it
was as though the heavens had descended to greet him. Overcome by the
divine vision, tears streamed down his face, each drop a silent prayer
of gratitude and surrender. The moment felt eternal, as if time itself
had paused to witness the sacred encounter between the devotee and the
Lord.
Gathering himself, Sri Vadirajaru knelt before the Lord
and offered the garland of saligrama stones. The act was more than a
ritual; it was an expression of his soul’s deepest devotion. Each stone
represented the essence of his faith, polished by the countless prayers
he had uttered over a lifetime. As he placed the saligrama garland upon
the Lord’s divine form, it seemed to glow with an otherworldly light,
as though the offering had been accepted by the cosmos itself.For a
moment, Sri Vadirajaru simply knelt in silent reverence, his heart
overflowing with joy and gratitude. The Lord’s radiant smile lingered,
a divine acknowledgment of the saint’s unyielding faith and devotion.
And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the vision faded, leaving Sri
Vadirajaru humbled and awestruck.
This sacred encounter became a
defining moment in Sri Vadirajaru’s life, a memory he carried with him
as a testament to the boundless grace of Lord Venkateshwara. To this
day, the story of his pilgrimage serves as an inspiration to countless
devotees, a reminder that true devotion is rewarded with the ultimate
gift—a glimpse of the divine.
For those who climb the sacred
hill of Tirumala, the tale of Sri Vadirajaru whispers through the winds
and resonates in the temple’s walls: when approached with humility,
faith, and love, the Lord Himself will descend to meet His devotee,
smiling with a grace that transcends all understanding.
Sri
VadirajaTeertharu holds the rare and exalted distinction of being one
of only two Madhva yathis to have entered Brindavana Sashareera—with
the Atman still residing in the body—the other being Sri Raghavendra
Swamiji of Mantralaya. Leading an extraordinary life spanning an
impressive 120 years, Sri Vadiraja Teertharu achieved numerous
spiritual milestones.He holds the unparalleled honor of being the first
yathi to perform the Paryaya at Udupi on five separate occasions, a
testament to his enduring service and leadership in the Madhva
tradition. Revered as Bhavi Sameeraru, he is prophesied to assume the
divine role of Sri Vayudevaru in the next Kalpa, further cementing his
place as a towering spiritual figure in the lineage of Sri Madhvacharya.
Sri
VadirajaTeertharu’s experiences at Tirumala stand as a testament to his
intimate relationship with the Lord, inspiring countless devotees to
seek the divine blessings of Lord Srinivasa with unwavering devotion.
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||