There
have been reams of print and now television and video footage on the life,
times and miracles of Raghavendra Swamy, the Bard of Mantralaya and the
Kalpavriksha Kamadhenu of Kailyuga.
Much is
known about the “Mahime” of Rayaru as he is affectionately called. His works are
classics, his miracles all encompassing and his Brindavana a source of
inspiration and devotion to one and all.
When I
began reading books on Raghavendra Swamy and the contemporary accounts of this
great seer, I slowly realised that apart from being a gentle and humane person,
he was a true task master and he set himself high standards which he, however,
easily breached.
Whether
in private life or in public, Raghavendra always radiated calm and peace,
scholastic demeanor and even temperament. I went through the sayings of his
cook who accompanied him on his many travels and also books such as Raghavendra
Vijaya and family accounts and found out that he practiced what he
preached.
Once he
took up Sanyasa, the life of Raghavendra underwent a sea change. He devoted more
and more time to training and teaching disciples, writing books and debating
with scholars.
He kept
up a punishing schedule which he followed even when he went on tour. Whether it
was Kumbakonam where he spent his formative years as a Sanyasi under the
guidance of Sudhindra Theertha or Bikshalaya or Bicchale where he spent 13
years, his schedule was almost the same.
I take
this opportunity to write a few words on the daily life of our beloved Rararu in
Kumbakonam. Please remember that there is perhaps no eyewitness account and the
events have to be pierced together from different sources. The most authentic
source continues to remain Raghavendra Vijaya. Another book is by Korti
Sreenivasa Rao.
One
indisputable aspect that we can reconstruct from the daily life is that
Raghavendra Swamy was always at hand to help those in distress, teach his
Shishyas, bless his devotes, write books and commentaries in his clear and lucid
style and spread the message of Dwaitha Siddhanta (philosophy).
Raghavendra Swamy enjoyed a busy schedule and this part
deals with his daily life in Kumbakonam. He had just been anointed the successor
of the Sri Matha by Sudhindra Theertha and he had taken charge of the Matha and
its affairs.
Sudhindra
Theertha had entered Brindavana at Nava Brindavana in Hampi and Raghavendra had
come back after personally overseeing the arrangements at Nava Brindavana.
Sudhindra Thertha himself had asked Raghavendra to take charge of the
arrangements for his final journey and Rayaru had done it.
At
Kumbakonam Matha (now it is called the Vijendra Theertha Matha. It has several
areas associated with Raghavendra Swamy and the priests and matha officials will
be happy to tell you), Rayaru would get up much before dawn.
Hr would
then commence his daily routine with a prayer to his Moola Rama and Hanuman. He
would read the sacred texts and then come out of the room to see the devotees
and matha officials who had already queued up for a darshan of
Rayaru.
He would
meet the devotees and accept their offerings and bless them. While the devotees
went back satisfied, Rayaru would head to the Tulasi Thota (Garden of Tulasi) in the matha. Here he would pray
to Goddess Lakshmi and Prana Devaru.
Rayaru
then got into the palanquin and set out to Cauvery river which is a short way
from the Sri Matha. (Even today, some people of Kumbakonam can guide you to the
route that Rayaru to the Cauvery) All along the way, Rayaru would be reciting
Gajendra Moksha Shloka.
(
Gajendra Moksha is one of Shkolas in the Bhagavath
Geetha. It is believed that if anyone recites this early morning, it can give us
the same power as the Vishnu Sahasranama. This sloka deals with the episode of
the crocodile and the elephent).
The
palanquin with Rayaru and some of his followers would reach the banks of
Cauvery. (This spot can still be seen in Kumbakonam).The palanquin would be
gently lowered and the palanquin bearers would step back with respect. Rayaru
would emerge with the sacred beads in his hands and a prayer on his
lips.
He would
then walk towards the Cauvery for his daily ritualistic bath. He would put mud
on his hands and feet and wash it away in the Cauvery.
Then
would begin the sacred bath. He would chant the name of Narayana thrice and
sprinkle water over his head.He would also offer Argya to his beloved gods. He
would chant Shadakshara and Dwadasha mantras. Rayaru would then step out of the
Cauvery and wear a fresh set of clothes. These clothes would be washed a day
earlier and hung out to dry.
Rayaru
would sit down and anoint himself with the Gopichandana. Raghavendra Vijaya
gives a beautiful account of the bathing scene, the Cauvery and Rayaru appearing
from the water. It also speaks of how Rayaru looked after putting on the
Gopichandana.
Now would
come the Gayatri Mantra Japa and Pranava Mantra.He would then walk upto a small
platform near the rover side where an idol of Narayan was placed. He would
worship the idol with water and honey in the prescribed manner.
The next
ritual was the pooje and Namaskara to the Brindavana of Vijendra Theertha. This
saint was the teacher of Sudhindra Theertha. After spending some time at this
Brindavana, Rayaru would walk to the Sri Matha,
On the
way was the temple
of Kumbeshwara, which is
the presiding deity of Kumbakonam, Rayaru would pray here and then move to the
Sri Matha. His walk to the Sri Matha was heralded by the blowing of conch shell,
beating of drums and playing of Nadaswara.
People
lined up on both sides of the street to watch Rayaru walk with his wooden
Padukes.The brisk walk of Rayaru elicited the admiration of one and all.
He would
walk into the matha even as hundreds of people were waiting to see him. After
meeting them, Rayaru would start the daily academic calendar with Bramasutra
Bhashya. An expert on this subject, the audience listened spellbound to his
commentary and interpretation of the Bhashya. (Pleas remember that in his
earlier avatar as Vyasa Theertha, he was considered to be an expert on the
Bhashya). He would also give a discourse on the Upanishads,
These
discourses would go on till afternoon. Rayaru also took on scholars for a debate
during this time. He would ask his disciples to reflect on what they had learnt
from his discourse.
Next
would be the afternoon rituals. Rayaru would now proceed to the tank adjoining
the Sri Matha for the afternoon bath. He would then start performing the pooja
to his favourite Moola Rama Devaru. This was an elaborate ritual and it included
performing Abhisheka to the Saligramas and to Lord Rama and other deities of
the Matha.
Rayaru
would then take Theertha and do Mangalarthi to the deities. Naivaidya would be
offered to the god and Rayaru would head to a small room in the matha for his
frugal food.
Afternoons after lunch would be devoted to discourses
and teaching his disciples grammar and logic.
The
evening pooje commenced after a bath at the tank. Rayaru would perform Abhisheka
to the Saligramas He then offered milk and fruits to Moola Rama and other
deities. He also lit the camphor for the deities himself.
It was
now time for his Shishyas to lead Rayaru onto a small but decorated stage in the
matha. There was a white umbrella placed to cover the elevated seat on which
Rayaru sat. People would gather in large numbers to hear and listen to the words
of Rayaru.
Once this
was over, the people would disperse and Rayaru would retire to his room and
continue with his reading. It was also around this time that he wrote his
works.
Let me
interpolate one aspect here After every bath, Raghavendra Swamy performed
Sandhavandhana. Only after Sandhavandhana did he perform other
poojes.
During
his prayers to Rama, Raghavendra often lost himself in a trance and sang Indu
Yenage Govinda. He was an accomplished veena player as was his father and
grandfather.
This
routine of Raghavendra did not change when he was on tour or when he went on
Sanchara. The only change was that when on tours, he would honour scholars who
had impressed him in debates with cash prizes.
Though he
toured extensively, Rayaru rarely ,if ever, deviated from his set schedule. This
routine too remained unchanged when he settled down for 13 years at Bhikshalaya
or Bichale near Mantralaya. The onloy difference was that Appanacharya
personally cooked food for Rararu and prepared Naivaidya for Moola Rama Devaru
and other gods.
If you
happen to visit Kumbakonam, pleas edo not miss the Vijendra Theertha Matha, It
is here that Ragjhavendra Swamy spent his early years as a Sanyas.
There are
idols of Krishna and Hanuman which he
worshipped. There is also a place near the Brindavana of Vijendra Theertha from
where he gave discourses on Brahmasutra Bhashya. The idol of Lakshmi Marayana
was installed in the matha by Sripadaraja, another great saint of the Madhwa
order.
Rayaru
worshipped all these idols daily.
Credit-Blog Samyuktha
Harshitha
