Mantralaya-2046

(The life story of the revered saint Sri Sripadarajaru)

Date : Jun 12, 2025

Dear Devotees : Namaskara.

| Sri MannMoolaRamastu Mannmathe Moolamahasamsthhaana Mantralaya Sri Rayaramathe||
|| OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAAYA NAMAHA||

Background

The life story of the revered saint Sri Sripadarajaru is described in Mantralaya (2046).

Meaning

In this episode, we delve into the inspiring life and legacy of the great saint, Sri Sripadarajaru.

Let’s go back to the story of Dhruva. At the age of five, Prince Dhruva was denied the privilege of sitting on his father King Uttanapada's lap by his stepmother Suruchi, who told him he could earn that right only by being born as her son. Hurt, Dhruva’s mother Sunithi advised him to pray to Lord Narayana to fulfill his desire. Dhruva went into the forest, where Narada Maharishi blessed him with the Dwadasakshari mantra.

Dhruva undertook intense penance, gradually giving up food and water, and finally even breathing, in his deep devotion. His penance caused cosmic disruption, and the Devas, suffering from suffocation, appealed to Lord Narayana. Moved by Dhruva's devotion, the Supreme Lord appeared before him. When Dhruva opened his eyes, the Lord matched exactly what he had seen in his inner vision. Initially speechless with joy, he was blessed by Mahalakshmi, enabling him to praise the Lord. The Lord rewarded Dhruva with a 36,000 year reign and later made him Emperor of Dhruvaloka, a celestial realm from which he governs the Navagrahas (nine planets) and Kalachakra (cosmic time) for a Brahma Kalpa (100 Brahma years).

However, as Dhruvaloka is a post of duty, Dhruva felt it wouldn't lead to Moksha (liberation). To complete his spiritual journey, he descended to Earth in a partial form (Amsha) and took Sanyasa, assuming the name Sri Sripadarajaru to pursue Sadana (spiritual discipline) in Bharata (India).

In the serene village of Abbur, located in the Channapatna taluk of present day Bangalore district, nestled amidst dense forests and blessed by the flowing waters of the Kanva River, lived a devout couple named Seshagiri Acharya and Giriamma. They were pious and virtuous, leading a simple, spiritually rich life in harmony with nature. To them was born a bright and reflective son named Lakshminarayana. From a young age, Lakshminarayana displayed sharp intellect, humility, and a disciplined nature. His early education was under his father, and his daily routine included grazing cattle in the lush forests and returning home before sunset. His brilliance and wisdom gained the admiration of the entire village.

One twilight evening, while returning home with his cattle, Lakshminarayana noticed a palanquin approaching. Inside was Sri SwarnavarnaTeertharu, a saint from the lineage of Sri PadmanabhaTeertharu, a direct disciple of Madhvacharyaru. The Swamiji, traveling from Srirangapatna, stopped and asked the boy about the distance to the village. Lakshminarayana gave an intelligent and poetic reply: “See me, see my herds, and gaze at the sky to know the distance.” Impressed by the boy’s wit and presence of mind, the saint asked his name and invited him to ride in the palanquin and show the way. The boy respectfully declined, saying that if he did, he might become a sanyasi like his cousin who had already been taken by a yathi. When asked which yathi, he replied it was Sri PurushothamaTeertharu of Huligudda, whose words were revered like sacred scripture in their village.

SwarnavarnaTeertharu, the seventh in the spiritual lineage of PadmanabhaTeertharu, was journeying to meet Sri PurushothamaTeertharu in Abbur. SwarnavarnaTeertharu described the remarkable conversation he had with Lakshminarayana, expressing a strong desire to have such a boy as a disciple. PurushothamaTeertharu, deeply pleased, sent word to Seshagiri Acharya and Giriamma, asking them to bring their son to him.

This significant event took place during a time of great upheaval in South India. Much of the region was under the control of Muslim invaders, referred to as Yavanas. Temples and dharmic practices had suffered, and the spiritual foundation of the land had been shaken. It was in this context that the sage Vidyaranya, in 1336 AD, helped establish the Vijayanagara Empire, which restored dharma and protected the traditions of the land. The emperor Bukkaraya, supported by Vidyaranya, drove out the invaders from places like Madurai and Srirangam, and temple worship was revived. Idols hidden in Tirupati for safekeeping were returned, and Gangadevi, Bukkaraya’s daughter-in-law, chronicled these events in her work Maduravijaya.Sri Swarnavarnateertharu shared all this with PurushothamaTeertharu, who was overjoyed to hear about the restoration of peace and dharma. He was equally delighted to learn about Lakshminarayana and saw in him a divine spark. Thus, the young boy’s journey toward becoming the revered saint Sri Sripadarajaru began.

When the pious couple Sheshagiri Acharya and Giriamma visited the mutt with their son Lakshminarayana, they were received warmly by the saints Sri Swarnavarnatheertharu and Sri Purushothamatheertharu. The saints praised the boy’s intellect and suggested initiating his upanayana and brahmopadesha. Sri Swarnavarnatheertharu offered to take responsibility for his spiritual education, seeing in him the qualities of a future great leader and spiritual heir. Though Giriamma was saddened, the couple eventually agreed, entrusting their son to the saint.

Lakshminarayanaru, considered a divine soul of Druvamsha, accompanied the saint to Srirangam. Under the powerful guidance and presence of Sri Swarnavarnatheertharu, a devoted tapasvi, the boy’s intelligence blossomed. After his upanayana and diksha, he was sent to study under Sri VibhudendraTheertharu, a renowned scholar from the Kaveendratheertharu lineage of the Madhwa tradition. Lakshminarayana muni mastered Vedanta under his guidance, showing immense promise and brilliance.

Upon completing his education, Lakshminarayana returned to Sri Swarnavarnatheertharu, who was overjoyed with his disciple’s progress. Confident in his abilities, Swarnavarnatheertharu handed over the leadership of the mutt to him before entering the brindavana at Srirangam.

Now known as Sripadarajaru, he became the head of the mutt and the custodian of the sacred idol of Lord Gopinatha. Sripadarajaru's mutt traced its roots to Sri PadmanabhaTheertharu, the first and foremost disciple of Sri Madhwacharyaru, who was known for pioneering commentaries on Madhwa's works and upholding the Dvaita philosophy. Originally known as PadmanabhaTheertharu Mutt, it gained prominence and became widely recognized as Sripadarajaru Mutt after the saint’s dynamic leadership and spiritual influence.

Sri Vyasarajaru, one of the greatest saints of all time, was the esteemed disciple (shishya) of Sri Sripadarajaru. Much of Sri Sripadarajaru’s life and spiritual influence is known through the devotional compositions of Sri Vyasarajaru and the Sanskrit work Pancharatnamala Stuti.. Additional details are found in Vyasa Yogi Charitam by Somanatha Kavi. After taking Sanyasa, Sripadaraja (formerly Lakshminarayana Yogi) continued his spiritual studies under Sri Vibhudendra Tirtha.Sripadarajaru held significant influence over King Saluva Narasimha of Chandragiri, especially after the king’s return from his Kalinga campaign in 1476. Sripadarajaru was honored by the king, and it was on his request that Sri Vyasarajaru later visited the royal court.

Although Sripadarajaru led a saintly life, he had "Sukha Prarabdha" , a destiny that granted him royal comforts despite his ascetic disposition. When critics once forced him to give up his usual practices, a series of misfortunes followed, prompting them to plead for his return to form. His deep devotion to Lord Gopala Krishna was central to his life and actions.

Sripadarajaru recognized the immense spiritual power of his disciple, Sri Vyasarajaru. In a remarkable incident, Sripadarajaru once asked Vyasarajaru to perform his daily puja. During the ritual, Vyasarajaru opened a previously unopened sampuṣṭa (sacred box) and discovered a divine idol of Lord Gopala Krishna, which miraculously came to life and began to dance. Upon Sripadarajaru’s return, the idol instantly froze mid-dance. Understanding this as the Lord’s will, Sripadarajaru declared that only Vyasarajaru was destined to receive the idol and gifted it to him. This extraordinary idol, still in its dancing pose, is worshipped to this day at the Vyasaraja Matha.

Sripadarajaru played a crucial role in absolving the Vijayanagara king of Brahmahatya Dosha—a grave karmic sin incurred following the accidental death of priests at the Tirupati temple. Acknowledging the king’s noble intentions and the circumstances, Sripadarajaru performed a series of powerful rituals and yagnas to help him atone for the sin. Deeply moved and grateful, the king honored the saint with a Kanakabhisheka (a ceremonial showering of gold), despite Sripadarajaru’s initial reluctance. The king then earnestly requested him to serve as his royal guru. However, due to his advancing age, Sripadarajaru declined and instead sent his distinguished disciple, Sri Vyasarajaru, who later became the esteemed Raja Guru of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Sripadarajaru was a dedicated teacher who taught the Sarvamoola Granthas along with their commentaries forty times at the Dvaita Vidyapeetha in Mulubagilu. He paid close personal attention to his students, ensuring a deep understanding of Madhwa's philosophy. A famous story highlights how even a humble paricharak, through consistent attendance, mastered forty interpretations of a complex verse , impressing scholars and earning Sripadaraja’s praise.

Sripadarajaru guided his disciple Sri Vyasaraja to study Tatparya Nirnaya thoroughly. Sri ruVyasaraja’s deep insights were greatly appreciated by Sripadaraja, who emphasized the unique sweetness and power of Madhwa’s works, especially the Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya.

As an author, Sripadaraja created the monumental work Vagvajra, a brilliant blend of prose and poetry reflecting deep Vedantic insights. With clarity, originality, and powerful reasoning, Vagvajra presents key doctrines from Nyayasudha in a fresh and compelling way, laying a strong foundation for future scholars of Dvaita Vedanta.

In his later years, Sripadaraja wished to bathe in the holy Ganga, but due to age and physical limitations, he was unable to make the journey north. In response to his devotion, Goddess Ganga is said to have appeared before him and assured him that she would manifest herself at Narasimha Theertha and remain there permanently. From that time on, a dip in the waters of Narasimha Theertha is considered as meritorious as bathing in the Ganga itself.

In honor of Sripadaraja, his illustrious disciple Sri Vyasaraja composed the following stotra:

"Tham vande Narasimha Theertha nilayam
Sri Vyasaraja poojitham
Dhyantham manasa Narasimha charanam
Sripadarajaram gurum.
Pada Vakya Pramatabhyam
Vikreedana Visharadam
Lakshminarayana Muneem
Vande Vidya Gurunmama."

I bow to that Guru Sripadaraja, who resides at Narasimha Theertha, worshipped by Sri Vyasaraja, constantly meditating upon the feet of Lord Narasimha. I revere Lakshminarayana Muni, master of word and scriptural knowledge, playful in his wisdom — the foremost among my teachers.

Sripadaraja attained Brindavana at Narasimha Theertha, a serene spot about a mile from Mulabagilu on the Bangalore Madras national highway.

We are truly fortunate to reflect on the greatness of these revered saints. Sri Vibhudendra Teertharu was the Guru of Sri Sripadarajaru, who in turn became the Guru of Sri Vyasarajaru. In the lineage that followed, Sri Vyasarajaru’s tradition continued and eventually led to the emergence of Sri Raghavendra Teertharu. In one way or another, all these spiritual roots trace back to the great Acharya, Sri Madhwachararu, forming an unbroken and divine lineage from him to Sri Raghavendra Teertharu and Sri Raghavendra Mutt..

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||