Mantralaya-2032
(The grand festival celebrations of Sri Raghavendra Guru Vaibhavotsava and the Sudha Parimala Pariksha )
Date : March 6, 2025
Dear Devotees : Namaskara.
| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||
Background
The
grand festival celebrations of Sri Raghavendra Guru Vaibhavotsava and
the Sudha Parimala Pariksha at Mantralaya are described in Mantralaya
(2032).
Meaning
The
grand celebration of Sri Raghavendra Guru Vaibhavotsava is taking place
over six glorious days, from March 1 to March 6. This sacred festival
marks the Pattabhisheka (ascension) of Sri Raghavendra Swamy as well as
his divine birthday. Under the esteemed leadership of Sri Subudhendra
Teertharu, the head of the mutt, the event is being observed with great
devotion and grandeur.
March 1st was the 404th Pattabhisheka of
Sri Raghavendra Swamy. In the year 1621 AD, on the sacred day of
Phalguna Shukla Dvitiya of the Durmati Samvatsara, a divine
transformation unfolded at Tanjore. The revered scholar Venkata Natha,
an unparalleled master of Dvaita philosophy, an extraordinary Vedic
scholar, and a devoted householder, was about to embrace his
preordained spiritual destiny.
Let's quickly go back to 1621 AD.
The more Sri SudhindraTeertharu observed Venkatanatha, the deeper his
admiration grew for his brilliance, devotion, and mastery of
scriptures. One night, Sri Moola Rama Devaru appeared in
SudhindraTeertharu's dream, revealing that Venkatanatha was the
divinely chosen successor and instructing him to initiate him into
Sanyasa. Overjoyed by this revelation, SudhindraTeertharu eagerly
approached Venkatanatharu at an opportune moment and expressed his
desire to see him ascend as the next Pontiff. However, this request
placed Venkatanatharu in a profound dilemma, torn between two
compelling forces: his unwavering reverence for his Guru’s words and
his deep-rooted duties as a householder.
After much
contemplation, Venkatanatharu humbly conveyed his reluctance, citing
his young wife and son, whose Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) was
yet to be performed. Though SudhindraTeertharu felt a tinge of
disappointment, he respected Venkatanatha’s predicament. Yet, his faith
remained unshaken for he knew that the Divine Will would eventually
guide Venkatanatha to accept his true calling.
That night,
Venkatanatha had a divine vision. Goddess Vidya Lakshmi appeared before
him, radiant and resplendent, her voice echoing with urgency. “After
being nourished by the wisdom of Sri Madhvacharyaru, JayaTeertharu,
VyasaTeertharu, and Vadirajaru, I now find myself starving once more.
The sacred light of Tattvavada, kindled by your beloved Acharya
Madhwaru, is at risk of being overshadowed by false doctrines. Noble
souls like you must break free from worldly ties and dedicate
themselves to the service of Hari and Vayu. This is your duty, your
destiny. You are born to uplift countless seekers and guide them toward
salvation. Accept Sudhindra Teertharu’s call and embrace Sanyasa—for
this is what Sri Hari expects from you.” Awestruck, Venkatanatharu
awoke.
As Venkatanatharu meditated, divine visions of Lord
Narasimha, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, and Sri Veda Vyasa unfolded before
him. In that instant, all doubts dissolved, his purpose was clear. At
dawn, Venkatanatharu rushed to SudhindraTeertharu, who rejoiced at the
revelation. Without delay, he instructed Venkatanatha to perform his
son’s Upanayana, removing a final worldly obligation before renouncing
material life. To prevent any obstacles, SudhindraTeertharu arranged
for the ascetic initiation to take place in Tanjore, under the
patronage of King Raghunatha.
On Phalguna Shukla Dvitiya of
Durmati Samvatsara (1621 AD), history was made. In a grand and sacred
ceremony, SudhindraTeertharu initiated Venkatanatharu into the ascetic
order, bestowing upon him the divine name, Sri RaghavendraTeertharu
ordained by Moola Rama Devaru Himself. The court of Tanjore witnessed
this spiritual transformation with awe, realizing they were in the
presence of a saint destined to shape the future of Dvaita Vedanta.
Soon after, Sri YadavendraTeertharu, the senior disciple, visited and
joyfully acknowledged the greatness of his successor before embarking
on a spiritual journey of his own.
The celebrations of Sri
Raghavendra Guru Vaibhavotsava at Mantralaya are unfolding in a truly
magnificent and divine manner, immersing the entire region in a
spiritual fervor that is beyond words. The air itself feels charged
with devotion, and everywhere you turn, you hear the glorious name of
Sri Raghavendra Swamy being chanted with utmost reverence and joy.
From
the Brindavana Sannidhi to every street and corner, devotees, scholars,
and disciples have gathered in large numbers to partake in the grand
festivities. The temple premises resonate with soul-stirring bhajans,
Vedic chants, and the powerful recitations of Sri Raghavendra Stotra,
creating an atmosphere of divine bliss. The sacred rituals, special
Abhisheka, Alankara, and Aradhana are being performed with great
devotion, filling the hearts of devotees with peace and spiritual
energy. Everywhere, you witness processions, musical performances, and
spiritual discourses, all dedicated to the unparalleled glory of Sri
Raghavendra Swamy. The entire town of Mantralaya has transformed into a
sacred abode of devotion, where every soul is rejoicing in the
blessings of Rayaru, the compassionate Guru who continues to protect
and guide his devotees across generations.
Sri Raghavendra Swamy,
revered as Sudha Parimalacharya, is an ocean of divine wisdom, a
lineage passed down from Sri Hari through Sri Veda Vyasaru, Sri
Madhvacharyaru, and Sri Jayatirtharu. Sri Rayaru's profound scholarship
is reflected in Sudha Parimala, a masterful work on Dvaita philosophy,
which is an insightful adaptation of the renowned commentary on
Jayatirtha’s Nyaya Sudha, itself an exposition on Madhvacharya’s Anu
Vyakhyana. His deep devotion to Vedic learning has left a lasting
legacy—one that continues to flourish in Mantralaya.
Since the
time of Sri Rayaru, Mantralaya Vidya Peetha has been a sanctuary of
Vedic education, where students are nurtured into profound scholars
free of cost. Every aspect of their education, from tuition to food and
lodging, is lovingly provided by the Mantralaya Mutt, ensuring that
ordinary children are transformed into Vedic luminaries—like iron
turning into gold.
The highest academic honor is the title of
Sudha Pandit, conferred upon those who master Sudha. Before achieving
Sudha Mangala, students must pass the rigorous Sudha Pariksha, a test
where they are examined by erudite Sudha Pandits without the aid of
books. Sri SubudhendraTeertha Swamiji has elevated Mantralaya Vidya
Peetha to even greater heights, offering state-of-the-art facilities
and ensuring employment opportunities for graduates. In this Guru
Vaibhavotsava, Sri SubudhendraTeertha Swamiji has organized the Sudha
Pariksha, a testament to his commitment to preserving and advancing
this ancient wisdom. Witnessing this sacred examination firsthand is
awe-inspiring, where scholars engage in profound debates, leaving
common folks like me unable to grasp even the questions, let alone the
answers!
It is truly a remarkable experience to witness and
listen to these profound debates, where young Sudha students engage in
intellectual duels, confidently answering intricate questions posed by
renowned Sudha scholars. The credit for this exceptional tradition goes
to Sri Subhudendra Teertharu, whose unwavering dedication has nurtured
this Vidya Mutt, ensuring that our ancient wisdom is preserved and
passed down through generations.
The Mantralaya Mutt spares no
effort or expense in providing this high-caliber education, employing
expert Sudha scholars as teachers to impart the finest knowledge. The
students emerging from this sacred institution are not just
scholars—they are the beacons of wisdom, destined to illuminate the
path of dharma and guide future generations with their profound
understanding of Sudha and Dvaita philosophy.
Tomorrow, March
6th, marks the 430th Birthday of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, a day of
immense spiritual significance. In the year 1595, Lord Sri Hari, in His
infinite mercy, gifted the world with the most compassionate Guru, a
divine presence who continues to uplift humanity from the grave
mistakes and illusions of this Kaliyuga. Sri Hari Himself bestowed upon
us the name Sri Raghavendra Swamy, a name that shines brighter than the
sun, illuminating the path of dharma and devotion in this age of
darkness.
The very name ‘Raghavendra’ carries profound meaning,
symbolizing Sri Rama, Hanuman, and the ultimate destroyer of sins. Sri
Gopala Dasaru extolled its transformative power—"Ra" annihilates
mountains of sins, "Gha" instills unwavering devotion, "Ven" grants
liberation from the cycle of birth and death, and "Dra" bestows the
supreme vision of the Divine. Sri Appannacharya, in his immortal Sri
Raghavendra Stotra, glorified Rayaru’s immeasurable grace, recognizing
him as an eternal guardian of dharma, a beacon of hope for all seekers.
On that divine day in history, Sri Raghavendra Swamy transcended the
realm of mere scholarship—he became a divine force, a guiding light,
and a never-failing refuge for all who surrender to him. Even today,
his presence is felt by millions, his blessings continue to flow, and
his divine mission of uplifting souls remains ever strong.
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||