Mantralaya-2028
(Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mruttika and Venkanna)
Date : Feb 6, 2025
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s divine grace manifested through his sacred Mruttika is described in Mantralaya (2028).
Meaning
Today,
we are about to witness the divine miracle of Sri
RaghavendraTeertharu’s Mruttika (sacred holy mud). Mruttika holds
immense spiritual significance, as it carries the grace and blessings
of Sri Rayaru, protecting and uplifting devotees in miraculous ways.
One
day, the parents of a young kid named Venkanna approached Sri
Raghavendra Swamy with tearful eyes. They humbly said, “Swamiji, our
son is unable to grasp any education. We are poor and cannot provide
for his future. Please give him shelter and some work so that he may
have a purpose.”
Sri Rayaru looked at the young kid with deep
compassion. Sri Rayaru thought for a moment what task could he assign
to such a small child? But Sri Rayaru, known for his boundless
kindness, welcomed Venkanna with open arms. With a gentle smile, Sri
Rayaru said, “Venkanna, from now on whenever I return from outside,
your duty will be to pour water on my feet.”Hearing this, the kid’s
face lit up with joy. Though it was a simple task, he was eager to
serve Sri Rayaru. And thus, the kid Venkanna began his journey under
the divine grace of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
Every time Sri Rayaru
returned from outside, the kid Venkanna would rush forward with
devotion, pouring water on Rayaru’s feet while chanting, "Om Sri
Raghavendraya Namaha." This simple act of service became his daily
worship, filling his heart with love and reverence for his Guru.
Days
turned into years, and the little kid grew into a handsome young man.
One day, a message arrived from his parents: "Come home, we have
arranged your marriage."With folded hands, Venkanna approached Sri
Rayaru and humbly said, “Swamiji, my parents have arranged my marriage,
and I seek your permission for two days of leave.”Sri Rayaru, with his
ever-compassionate smile, gently said, “Venkanna, why only two days?
Take two months off. Since the day you arrived, you have never taken a
break.”
Hearing these kind words, Venkanna felt overwhelmed with
gratitude. He prostrated before Sri Rayaru in a deep Sashtanga
Namaskara, seeking his blessings. Then, with a small bag slung over his
shoulder, he turned to leave, unaware that his destiny was about to
take an extraordinary turn. With a heart full of devotion, Venkanna
took a few steps toward the door when suddenly, Sri Rayaru called out
to him."O Venkanna! Why are you leaving empty-handed? Take some money
with you. You have never asked for a salary from me. You must accept
something before you go."Venkanna turned back and fell at Rayaru’s
feet, his eyes filled with love and gratitude. "Guru Raya, I don’t need
anything other than your blessings. That alone is my greatest
wealth."Rayaru smiled and gently insisted, "My blessings will always be
with you but you must take something from me. Accept it as my
wish."Venkanna folded his hands and humbly said, "Oh Gururaya! Devotees
wait for months and years to get the opportunity to perform Pada Pooja
(washing the Guru’s feet). After completing the sacred ritual, they
offer money as Dakshina to express their gratitude. But I have been so
fortunate! Every single day, I have had the divine privilege of washing
your holy feet. How can I take money for something that is the greatest
blessing of my life?"
Sri Rayaru looked at Venkanna with deep
affection. "Then ask me for something else, child." Venkanna’s voice
trembled with devotion as he spoke, "Guru Raya, every day when I wash
your feet, I tell myself that this piece of earth is truly sacred, for
it holds the water that flows from your divine feet. It is more
precious than gold or jewels! If you truly wish to give me something,
allow me to take a handful of this sacred mud where I perform Pada
Pooja daily."Sri Rayaru, moved by Venkanna’s pure devotion, nodded with
a smile. "Yes, my child, take it with you."
With immense joy,
Venkanna carefully collected the sacred mud, formed it into a small
ball and placed it inside his humble copper box. Holding it close to
his heart, he felt as though he had received the greatest treasure in
the world.Rayaru then blessed him with his divine grace, saying, "Sri
Hari will always protect you, Venkanna. Go with my blessings and have a
happy married life."
With tears of gratitude in his eyes and the
sacred mud held tightly in his hands, Venkanna prostrated once more
before his Guru. As he walked away, he did not know that this act of
devotion would one day transform his entire destiny.
Venkanna
walked tirelessly, his heart still filled with the warmth of Sri
Rayaru’s blessings. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over
the land, he realized he had covered half of his journey. Looking
around, he spotted the front yard of a house and decided to rest for
the night. That was the house of Desai. Placing his bag as a pillow, he
lay down and soon drifted into sleep.
At midnight, a terrifying
roar pierced the silence."Get out of my way!" a deep, menacing voice
thundered.Venkanna jolted awake, his heart racing. As his eyes adjusted
to the darkness, a horrifying sight sent shivers down his spine as a
monstrous grotesque figure loomed before him. It was a Brahma Pishachi,
a cursed demonic spirit, its ghastly form glowing with an eerie light,
its eyes burning with unquenchable rage."I have come to kill Desai’s
son!" the demon bellowed. "That man deceived me in my previous life,
and as punishment, I was cursed to become this wretched being. Tonight,
I shall have my revenge!"
Fear gripped Venkanna but in that
moment of terror his unwavering faith in Guru Rayaru gave him strength.
Without thinking, he grabbed his bag, the very bag that carried the
sacred Mrutika (holy soil) from Rayaru’s Pada Pooja and threw it at the
demon.As soon as the bag touched the Brahma Pishachi, an incredible
sight unfolded. Flames erupted from the demon’s body, and it let out an
ear-piercing scream."Ahhh! I am burning! I am free! Sri Rayaru’s grace
has released me from this wretched form!"
The demon’s terrifying form disintegrated into ashes, and an ethereal light shone before vanishing into the night.
Hearing
the commotion, Desai, the head of the household, rushed outside with
his family and servants. Desai was shocked to see the fading embers and
the astonished look on Venkanna’s face."What happened here? Who are
you?" Desai asked. Venkanna, still in awe of what had just transpired,
took a deep breath and replied humbly, "This demon was about to kill
your son but by Guru Rayaru’s grace, my bag touched it and it was
burned to ashes."
Desai’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Your
bag burned a demon? What did you have inside some hidden explosive?".
Turning to his servants, Desai ordered, "Check his bag!"
The
servants opened the humble bundle expecting to find something unusual.
But to their astonishment, they found only two pieces of cloth and a
small copper box filled with soil. Desai frowned in confusion. "Who are
you? And what is this soil?". Venkanna folded his hands with reverence
and said, "I am a humble devotee and disciple of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
This sacred soil, this Mrutika is the blessed earth that has touched
the holy feet of my Guru Sri Rayaru." Desai’s expression changed
instantly. A deep realization dawned upon him. "If just a mere touch of
your bag, which carried the Mrutika, could burn away such a powerful
demon, then what divine energy must this sacred soil hold?"
Tears
welled in his eyes as Desai prostrated before Venkanna. "You have saved
my son’s life. It is Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s grace that has protected
my family!". Overwhelmed with gratitude, Desai welcomed Venkanna into
his home and honored him with utmost respect. Desai arranged a grand
feast, gifted Venkanna vast amounts of wealth, and vowed to become a
lifelong devotee of Sri Rayaru. That night, the power of Guru’s grace
shone brighter than ever. Venkanna had left Rayaru’s Mutt with nothing
but faith in his Guru and now, through the divine Mrutika, he had
witnessed a miracle that changed his destiny forever.
Venkanna
humbly accepted the wealth, knowing deep within his heart that it was
not his doing, it was the boundless grace of his Guru Sri Raghavendra
Swamy. With tears of gratitude he clasped his hands together and
whispered "This is all because of my Guru Sri Rayaru’s blessings."
Closing his eyes, he bowed in reverence offering his heartfelt
namaskara to Sri Rayaru, who was miles away in deep meditation.At that
very moment, far away, Sri Rayaru, seated in serene meditation, gently
smiled. Rayaru had received Venkanna’s devotion, his silent namaskara
resonating across the distance as if spoken aloud. With that divine
smile Rayaru silently blessed Venkanna once more ensuring his life
would always be filled with wisdom, prosperity and unwavering faith.
Venkanna
returned home with the wealth and blessings he had received. He married
a noble and kind-hearted girl. Soon after, he went back to the Mutt,
dedicating his life to the devoted service of Sri Raghavendra Swamy,
finding true happiness in his Guru’s seva.
Those who worship Sri
Rayaru with pure and innocent devotion are always under his divine
care, just as a mother nurtures her child or a cow lovingly tends to
its calf. Sri Rayaru’s compassion knows no bounds, and his grace
extends to every devotee who surrenders to him with faith.
In
Mantralaya, I am witnessing countless devotees expressing their
devotion through sacred sevas (offerings of service). One of the most
intense and heartfelt offerings is Urulu Seva, where men roll on the
ground around Rayaru’s Brindavana, surrendering themselves completely
in devotion. Women, on the other hand, perform Hejja Namaskara, where
for every step they take, they bow down in deep reverence, offering a
namaskara. Though these sevas are physically demanding, the unwavering
devotion and divine blessings of Sri Rayaru give devotees the strength
to perform them with joy.
Every day, devotees come to Mantralaya
carrying the weight of their sorrows, worries, and challenges. They
pour out their hearts before Sri Rayaru, seeking his guidance and
grace. And yet, not a single devotee leaves empty-handed.Each one walks
away with renewed hope, solutions to their problems and an unshakable
sense of peace.
Even today, Sri Raghavendra Swamy’s Mrutika
(sacred soil) continues to serve as a miraculous source of healing,
offering protection, relief and divine blessings to those who seek his
refuge. Rayaru’s presence remains ever alive, guiding and uplifting
humanity just as he has for centuries.
|| Sri Raghavendra Gurupaada Jalam Kashaayam Maatrottamaam
Guru Shirogata Mruttikancha Seva Sadaa Sakala Roga Nivrutti Hetum
Sampraapya Sadgunanidhim Guru Raghavendram ||
The
above shloka translation is - Sri Raghavendra Gurupaada Jalam is not
just water, it is a divine elixir, a sacred kashaya (medicinal mixture)
infused with the miraculous power of Sri Rayaru’s Mruttika (holy soil).
This Gurupaada Jalam is known for its healing properties, capable of
curing numerous ailments and bestowing protection upon those who
partake in it with faith. The Mruttika itself is supremely sacred, as
it rests atop Sri Rayaru in his Brindavana, sanctifying his divine
presence, Guru Shirogata Mruttika. It carries the essence of Rayaru’s
blessings, his yogic power, and his eternal grace. By applying or
consuming this Mruttika, one can be freed from all forms of illness and
affliction—Seve Sadaa Sakala Roga Nivrutti Hetum. Moreover, beyond
physical healing, the Mruttika bestows divine grace, purifying the soul
and aligning devotees with Sri Rayaru’s boundless compassion. Those who
seek his blessings with devotion receive his infinite Anugraha,
acquiring virtues, wisdom, and spiritual upliftment—Sampraapya
Sadgunanidhim Guru Raghavendram.
Thus, the sacred Mruttika of
Sri Rayaru is not just soil; it is a divine gift, a source of miracles,
and a pathway to spiritual and physical well-being.
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||