Dear Sri Raghavendra devotees,
The Four Incarnations:
The spiritual energy in the land of Bharat is palpable, as saints reside throughout the length and width of the county. The spiritual power acquired by their austerities is utilized for the benefit of mankind.
Shankukarna of Brahma Lok, was born as Prahlad in Krita Yuga. Prahlad was devotion personified. Towards the end of Dwapara Yuga, Prahald was born as Bhalhika Raja, a king. In Kali yuga, he was reborn as saint Vyasarajja. About four centuries ago, he incarnated himself as Sri Raghavendra - the Saint of Mantralaya, and entered into the Brindavan alive there. Thus, the Brindavan at Mantralaya is the Moola Brindavan of Sri Raghavendra. Mantralaya is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra in Andhra Pradesh.
Shankhukarna
Brahma was assisted in his daily worship of Sri Maha Vishnu by Shankhukarna. Once Shankhukarna was late in getting flowers for worship. An enraged Brahma Cursed him to take birth in bhulok amidst demons.
Shankhukarna prayed to Vayu Deva, who appeared before him, consoled and blessed him. Vayu Deva said that by divine will, Shankhukarna would take various incarnations in different yugas, to establish morality and righteousness. Shankhhukarna was reassured.
Prahlad
Hiranayakashipu was a powerful demon king in krita yuga. He wanted complete control over the universe. He would not accept the supremacy of Maha Vishnu. He did intense tapasya to Brahma in order to gain powers and immortality. The devas were perplexed and requested Brahma to hasten his intervention. Brahma appeared before Hirannyakashipu and asked him to seek a boon. When Hiranyakashipu asked for immortality it was declared impossible by Brahma. Then Hiranyakashipu desired that he be killed neither by man nor by animal, neither weapon nor missile, neither inside nor outside, neither during daytime nor at night, neither by a terrestrial creature nor aquatic creature, neither by devata nnor by gandharva, neither on land nor in the air. The boon was granted. Upon securing this peculiar boon form Brahma, Hiranyakashipu began committing atrocities, and created havoc in the universe.
The devatas appealed to Lord Vishnu for protection form Hiranyakashipu. The Lord desired that Shankhukarna e born as the son of Hiranyakashipu. Thus the great devotee Prahlad was born to Kayadu and Hiranyakashipu.
Answering the prayers of Prahlad, Lord Vishnu appeared as Sri Narasimha to protect devotees from evil forces. Lord Narsmha - half man half lion - leapt out of a pillar straight at Hiranyakashipu and killed him, thus ending the evil deeds by the latter. If we surrender to the Lord with total faith and devotion, no force can harm us. This is the lesson learnt from the life and Prahlad.
Bhalhika Raja
Prahlad, in Dwapara Yuga, was reborn as Bhalhika Raja, in the Kuru Dyansty, and the elder bother of Shantnau - the father of Bhishma. Bhalhika had acquired extraordinary strength by the grace of Vayu Deva, and his personality was unique. Due to the cumulative merits acquired in his previous incarnation as Prahlad, Bhalhika lived a luxurious life.
Although Bhalhika was devout and pious, he was compelled to fight on the side of the Kauravas in the Mahabharata war, due to his birth as Shantanu's elder brother.
Bhalhika was aware that victory was reserved for the Pandavas, as Dharma and Sri Krishna were on their side. The purpose of his present incarnation was neither to acquire power, nor to fight for it, He was content to take darshhan of Sri Krishna. Bhalhika yearned to reach the Lotus Feet of the Lord in heaven. He was desirous of ending his life at the hands of Bhimsen, an amsha oof Vayu, in the Mahabharata War. His wish was fulfilled.
Sri Vyasaraja
Prahalad was born in Kali Yuga as Vyasa Theertha, to uphold the Vaishnava Dharma, which he reached to its zenith.
Vyasaraja was the raja guru of King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Empire. He prevented the onslaught of enemies over the empire. With his spiritual power, the saint warded off the danger of the evil Kuhu Yoga which afflicted the king, and prevented disaster.
The saint worshipped Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupathi with devotion for 12 years and attained His grace.
Vyasaraja established the Vidya Peeth at Vijayanagar, and was its head for 71 years. Contemporary saints Sri Vadiraja and Sri Vijayeendra and enlightened men Purandara Dasa and Kanaka Dasa sought Sri Vyasaraja's blessings. They benefited form his knowledge of many rare subjects. He encouraged Dasa Sahitya in Karnataka, himself a great poet.
Sri Vyasaraja has authored three important treatises in Dwaita Philosophy entitled "Tharka Thandava", "Nyayamrita", and "Chandrika", besides several others. He installed the idols of Anjaneya at 732 places during his lifetime.
At the age of seven Sri Vyasaraja became a Sanyasi and remained so for 85 years. He attained Mukthi at the age of 92 at Navabrindavan near Hampi, on the 8th March, 1529.
Sri Raghavendra Swami
Prahlad incarnated as the son of Thimanna Bhatta and Gopikamba and was born at Bhuvangiri in Chidambaram Disteict, Tammilnadu. The child was born by the grace of Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati and thus was named Venkatanatha.
Thimanna Bhhatta suddenly died, leaving Little Venkatanastha in the care of his elder son Gururaj. Venkatnatha's initial education was under the tutelage of his brother-in-law Sri Lakshminarasimhachar, at Mudhurai. The young lad was a student par excellence. He was blessed by the Pontiffs Sri Vijayeendra Theertha and Sri Sudhindra Theertha at Kumbhakonam. The boy later became the student of Sri Sudheendra Thirtha.
Venkatanatha was later married to Saraswathi. They suffered due to poverty but Venkatanatha accepted life as God's will. In due course, the couple moved to Sri Sudindra Theertha's Math at Kumbhakonam, where Venkatanatha persued higher studies under his Guru's tutelage.
Due to old age, Sri Sudheendra Thirtha was weary of shouldering the responsibilities connected with the Peetha. Venkatanatha was brilliant and capable, therefore the appropriate person to take charge of the Peetha, the seer felt. Sri Sudheendra Theertha decided to initiate Venkatanatha into Sanyasa at Tanjore and approached the king Raghunatha Bhupal, who offered his palace for the function.
The "Ratnabhiskeka" of Venkatanatha was performed in the royal mantap amidst the chanting of Veda Mantras. Sri Sudheendra Theertha handed the saffron robes to Venkatanathha and consecrated him a monk. After the "Mantropadesha", Venakatanatha was given the monastic name "Sri Raghavendra Theertha". The ancient idols of Moola Rama, Digvijaya Rama and Jayarama with the Vyasamushti, were handed over, coupled with the administration of the Math to Sri Raghavendra Theertha.
Venkatanatha and Saraswathi lived a happy married life. Unable to bear the separation form her husband, Saraswathi committed suicide by jumping into a well. She was liberated form the cycle of births and deaths by Sri Raghavendra Theertha.
Sri Raghavendra Swami was constantly on the move form one place to another, propagating Bhakthi (devotion) and Harisarvothamatwa (Supremacy of the Lord) He stayed in Udupi for more than a year in the Math established by Sri Vijayendra Theertha. While at Udupi, Sri Swami wrote the treatises "Chandrika prakashika", "Tantra Deepika", "Nyayamukthavali" and "Sudha Parimala" which He dedicated to Udupi Sri Krishna.
Sri Swami during one of his travels came across an illiterate Brahmin boy - Venkanna, grazing cattle. The lad was an orphan suffering at the hands of his maternal uncle. Upon seeing Sri Swami, Venkanna ran to him and unburdened his woes to the saint. The compassionate Swami told the lad to think of him while in trouble.
Once Venkanna was forced to read to a message from the Sultan of Bijapur by the officer Siddi Masood Khan. The illiterate Venkanna prayed to Sri Raghavendra Swami. A miracle! The boy began to read! The letter was the promotion order for Siddi Masood Khan as Nawab. Elated the Nawab instantly appointed Venkanna as theh Diwan of Adoni Samsthan.
Nawab Siddi Masood Khan in due course, met Sri Raghavendra Swami at the instance of Diwan Venkanna. The Nawab offered to gift Sri Swami a few villages. Swamiji accepted only Manchala, a village on the banks of Rivers Tungabhadra. Accordingly, the Nawab officially gifted the village to Sri Raghavendra Swami.
Sri Raghavendra Swami occupied Manchala on an auspicious day. The saint instructed Diwan Venkanna to arrange for a particular spot to be dug. Upon digging, a Bali Peetha was found. Raghavendra Swami asserted that as Prahlad in Krita Yuga, he had performed Yaga at this spot. The characteristic of that particular spot was such that success was certain. Desires would be fulfilled and peace would prevail. The Swami was desirous of having his Brindavan constructed on that holy spot.
Raghavendra Swami propitiated Manchalamma the presiding diety of the village, and invoked her blessings for contructing his Brindavan. According to her wish, the saint got a replica of goat's head erected before his Brinndavan. Sri Swami instructed divan Venkanna to get his Brindavan constructed out of stone. According to instructions, Venkanna procured the stone block from Madhawaram village. Raghavendra identified this stone block as the one on which Sri Ram had sat for a while and relaxed. Employing expert sculptors, Venkanna got the Brindavan constructed.
At dawn, after worshipping Sri Moola Rama and after blessing all the devotees gathered, Sri Raghavendra entered the Brindavan on Sali Vahana Shaka (1593) 1671 A.D. Virodhi Krita in Shravana Masa during Drishna Paksha on Dwitiya, a Thursday. Swamiji declared that he would be alive for 700 years in the Brindavan, blessing one and all. 336 years have elapsed Sri Raghavendra entered the Brindavan alive.
The saint would visit Ganadalam, a place approximately 5 miles in the north of Manchala, on the other side of River Tungabhadra. The place is scattered with rocks and has a natural cave formation. Swamiji would meditate in this cave for days together. His visits to this place before entering the Brindavan became frequent. A natural formation of Panchamukhi Anjaneya has occurred in this cave, on a rock adjacent to Sri Swami's place of meditation. Panchamukhi Anjaneya appeared before Raghavendra Swami and blessed him.
Manchala once a village, is today Mantralaya - a self contained town - forever bustling with activity.
Sri Varadaraja Swami Temple Pauparapatti
Pauparapatti came under the Hoysalas during their regime in the old Mysore State about 800 years ago. Pauparapatti is now situated in Tamil Nadu, Dharmapuri district about ten kilometers west of Dharmapuri, Sixty km from Hossur and one hundred and twenty km from Bangalore.
One of the kings of the Hoysala dynasty who was spiritually inclined was advised by the RajaGuru to contruct a Vishnu temple at Pauparapatti as he recognized the greatness of the place. Accordingly the temple was contructed at its present location and Sri Abhishta Varadaraja Swami with his consorts Sri Bhudevi and Sri Neeladevi were installed. These idols are both beautiful and powerful. Abhishta Varadaraja fulfills even the unexpressed desires of devotees. Regular worship was done for several years but subsequently the worship and administration at the temple got neglected. Diwan Poornaiah was instrumental for the installation of the idol of Lakshmi-Narayana in front of the idol of Lord Varadaraja Swami, and worship was started on a regular basis. The temple further got neglected till the installaction of Sri Raghavendra Swami Brindavan in 1935. Since about 100 years the temple is being managed by a hereditary trust registered in 1945. Since Sri Raghavendra Swami has willed to have his Mrittika Brindavan adjacent to Sri Varadaraja Swami temple the sanctity iof Pauparapatti is unquestionable. Another aspect of this temple is, the Nava Grahas are installed in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The strangeness of the Nava Graha idols is, they appear feminine.
The present pontiff of Mantralaya Math Sri Sushamendra Thirtha Swami who visited Pauparapatti on 21-02-1996 was overwhelmed with devotion and declared this place as ‘DAKSHINA MANTRALAYA'.
The mritikka Brinadavan of Sri Raghavendra Swami at Pauparapatti has been installed within the Varadaraja Swamy temple complex, opposite the holy tank, in line with the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Madhwa, Sri Anajaneya and Sri Venugopal Swami. The tank adjoining the temple has a mantap in which have been installed the idols of Sri siddhi Vinayaka, Sri Banneswara Swami with his consort Sri Vedavalli besides Sri Vishnu Durga.
A Spacious Dhyana Mandir has been constructed opposite the temple complex. An idol of Sri Vigheswara has been installed at the entrance of the Mandir. At the Dhyana Mandir, necessary facilities are provided to devotees for their lodging during their stay for worship at Pauparapatti.
Background Incidents before The Installation Of The Brindavan At Pauparapatti
‘I Shall Come There Myself'
There lived a family of farmers headed by Sri P.R.Achutha Aiyar the eldest son of Sri P.A. Ramakrishna Aiyar in the Agrahara (main street) of Pauparapatti around 1920. They were a family of seven brothers and two sisters. Achutha Aiyar led a comfortable life and oversaw the administration of the Varadaraja Swami temple. His two brothers Sri P.R. Krishnamurthy and Sri P.R.Srinivasa Rao were in charge of the daily activities of the temple. Strangely children born to Srinivasa Rao did not survive. A child was born at last. Unfortunately the child suffered from liver enlargement. The child was taken for treatment to the famous physician Dr. Jimmi Venkataramana Aiyar at Madras. The doctor was diffident of curing the disease, as it was at an advanced stage. He advised them to go to Mantralaya and surrender to Sri Raghavendra Swami who alone could cure the child.
With heavy hearts, Srinivasa Rao, his wife Namagiriamma and Krishnamurthy Rao's wife Kalayani with the child proceeded to Mantralaya and started ‘Seva' (pradakshina and namaskar). After intense seva of two months there was no sign of improvement in the child's health. Srinivasa Rao by a telegram asked Krishnamurthy Rao to attend hastodaka (naivedya) on a fixed date. Krishnamurthy Rao did not come. Another date was fixed but Krishnamurthy Rao was unable to reach Mantralaya. The third time Srinivasa Rao fixed a date for hastodaka and went ahead with it in order to return home. Meanwhile Krishnamurthy Rao wished to reach Mantralya but was unable to do so. The three along with the child decided to return home and conveyed their decision by a telegram. But the telegram did not reach its destination. Meanwhile Krishnamurthy Rao planned to leave for Mantralaya the next day and retired for the night.
Early in the moring Krishnamurthy Rao had a dram in which an elderly saint appeared and said "Do not go to Mantralaya. I shall myself come to your village" and disappeared. When Krishnamurthy Rao consulted pundits he was advised to cancel his journey to Mantralaya and instead install Sri Raghavendra Swami's Mrithika Brindavan at Pauparapatti.
Krishnamurthy Rao and brothers selected a site near Sri Varadaraja Swami temple for the Brindavan. Another piece of land was endowed, the income from which could be utilized for the maintenance of the Brindavan, daily pooja and hastodaka etc.
At Mantralaya a miracle occurred. The mother of the child Namagiriamma who was doing seva had a dream in which an elderly saint appeared and gave her a dustpan and broom. When the archaka of the Brindavan Sri Vedavyasachar was told about the dream he opined that Sri Raghavendra Swami had blessed the child, whose cure was now certain. The next day, the child purged frequently. A dust pan and broom were used to clean the place. The frequent purging suddenly stopped and the child turned the corner. His health improved steadily. The mother now realised the dream.
The parents continued their seva till the pre-decided date. They would leave the child on an elevate4d platform in front of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Anjaneya and perform their seva. On the last day of their seva the child suddenly came running to his parents, stating that he had seen Sri Raghavendra Swami. When the parents enquired, the child replied that an old saint came out from the Brindavan towards him, blessed him and returned to the Brindavan and disappeared. The child could now move about. The parents were elated and they completed the ‘seva' and returned to Pauparapatti. Learning about his miracle at Mantralaya, the people of Pauparapatti were full of gratitude for Sri Raghavendra Swami's blessings.
The Brindavan Earmarked
The brothers of Sri Achuta Aiyar were now determined to install a Brindavan for Sri Raghavendra Swami. They were in search of a good sculptor for this purpose. It so happened that a sculptor at Bangalore had prepared a Brindavan out of stone for a Math at Bellary. An aged saint appeared to him in a dream and instructed him to hand over the Brindavan to two brothers who would visit himt he following day, as the installation at the Bellary Math would be delayed.
The Sculptor was elated when Krishnamurthy Rao and his brother visited him. The Brindavan was impressive but, the bothers placed an order for a similar one of a bigger size. The sculptor insisted that they take the Brindavan, as Sri Raghavendra Swami himself in a dream, had instructed him to hand over the Brindavan to the Pauparapatti brothers. The Brothers did not heed the sculptor's plea. They placed an order for a bigger Brindavan and returned to their hometown.
The sculptor's household suddenly was thrown off gear. The members of his family frequently fell sick without cause. Nothing worked according to plan. The daily routine was badly affected. The sculptor was now convinced about the cause of this situation. He had not implemented the instruction of the saint in his dream. Without further delay the sculptor carried the Brindavan by rail to Palcode, and with utmost care, reached it to Pauparapatti by a bullock cart. Sri Raghavendra Swami himself had reserved his own Brindavan for Pauparapatti. A Divine Plan Indeed.
Installation of Brindavan
The Mrithika is a mixture of sand and clay that gains sanctity when brought in the prescribed manner and spread on the Moola Brindavan. The earth of Mantralya itself is sacred since it is the place where Prahlad had lived and performed yaga, its holiness having been further enhanced by the power of Sri Raghavendra's austerities.
From the garden of tulsi plaints behind the Moola Brindavan, Mrithika is brought with sanctity every year amidst playing of musical instruments and spread on the Moola Brindavan. On the Mrithika saligrams are also placed. This is called Mrithika Sangrahan. This is done annually on Ashad Purnima.
The foremost procedure for installation of a Brindavan is, the Moola Mrithika from Sri Swami's Moola Brindavan at Mantralaya is brought with sanctity in order to sanctify the Brindavan to be installed. The pontiff of the Sri Math, while handing over the Mrithika to those connected with the installation of the Brindavan, blesses them and wishes them success. The Mrithika of Sri Raghavendra Swami carries His power and presence in it.
After the arrival of the stone Brindavan at Pauparapatti, a small group under the leadership of Achuta Aiyar, left for Mantralaya for this purpose. They met Sri Sri Suyamendra Thirtha Swami the head of the Sri Math and explained the order of events that had taken place and the purpose of their visit to Mantralaya. The Swamiji received them with fervour. At dawn the following day amidst the chanting of Veda mantras, when the Peethadipathi Swami took out Mrithika form the Moola Brindavan, he goy a Saligram too with the Mrithika.
This was unexpected, the Swami said, as such an event had never occurred before. The Saligram from the Moola Brindavan, futher enhances the power and sanctity of the Mrithika. The Swami stated that Sri Raghavendra Swami himself had willed His Presence in the Pauparapatti Brindavan in order to shower his grace on devotees, as at Mantralaya.
Achuta Aiyer and company brought the Moola Mrithika to Pauparapatti with devotion observing utmost sanctity, chanting veda mantras throughout the journey on foot. At Pauparapatti some ladies were afflicted by evil spirites. The moment Sri Raghavendra Swami's Moola Mrithika with the saligram entered Pauparapatti, these ladies were released from the ill effects of the evil spirits.
Sri Sri Dayanidhi Thirtha Swami, the Peethadhipathi of Sri Sripadaraja Swami Math of Mulubagal installed the Brindavan of Sri Raghavendra Swami at Pauparapatti by placing the Moola Mrithika and the Saligram brought from Mantralaya amidst chanting of veda mantras on the auspicious day 12-5-1935, a Thursday. Since then Sri Guru Sarvabhouma is present three showering grace and blessings on devotees.
Pauparapatti Declared ‘Dakshina Mantralaya'
The present Peethadhipathi of Sri Raghavendra Swami Math, Mantralaya was to visit Dharmapuri on 21st February 1993 for installation of a Brindavan there. The office bearers of the Astika Samaj approached the Swamiji and requested him to visit Pauparapatti and bless the devotees there. Due to pressure of engagements there was no time, yet Swamiji consented to visit Pauparapatti on his return journey and offer mangalaratti to the Brindavan on condition that the would not be compelled for a longer stay. The Lord's ways are unfathomable. Swamiji was to arrive at Pauparapatti on 22nd Feb - 1996 a Thursday but after arriving at Dharmapuri he conveyed that he would come to Pauparapatti on 21st Feb - 1996 Wednesday, and accordingly arrived.
The Swamiji was given a warm welcome. He worshiped at Sri Varadaraja Swami temple and the Brindavan and camped for two days at Pauparapatti. He also performed pooja of Sri Moola Rama the presiding deity of the Sri Math on a grand scale.
The Swamiji observed that Mantralaya was like Pauparapatti forty years ago. In his parting message the Swamiji declared that by the grace of Sri Raghavendra Swami Pauparapatti would become "Dakshina Mantralaya".
Instance of Grace
Sri Rahavendra Swami is working miracles and blessing devotees since the installation of His Mrithika Brindavan at Pauparapatti. Several are the incidents of devotees who have confirmed that Sri Swami is as active a Pauparapatti as at Mantralaya. The following are a few experiences of devotees:
1. Once on a dwadashi day a kitchen helper was sleeping in the hall opposite the Brindavan. Early in the morning he heard a voice saying "Doora Hogu" (go far away). While the person moved away he felt that someone had bathed in the pond and moved into the Brindavan. He could not see anyone but he observed wet foot prints from the pond till the Brindavan. The presence of Sri Raghavendra Swami in the Brindavan at Pauparapatti is thus certain. After this incidence no one sleeps either in front of the Brindavan or inside the temple complex.
2. Sri P.R. Krishnamurthy Rao who was issueless for several years was blessed with a child after the installation of the Brindavan at Pauaparapatti. The child was named Gururaja. The Family of Gururaja is blessed with children, peace of mind and prosperity.
3. Once a person afflicted by polio and unable to walk came to Pauparapatti with his brother's help. He prayed sincerely for a few days and abhisheka thirtha was sprinkled on him. He was cured and could walk.
4. Smt Usha Ramachandra of Chennai learnt about the greatness of the Pauparapatti Brindavan. Her son Hariharan was suffering due to severe backache. By postal contact with the Asthika Samaj, they received a picture of the Brindavan. Hariharan did ‘seva' with devotion at home and was cured.
5. Smt Usha's brother in law incurred severe losses in his business. He offered prayers and seva to the same picture. In due course his business improved, he got over the losses and flourshied.
6. Sri Hari Kumar learnt about the greatness of the Brindavan at Pauparapatti through news paper reports. He brought his family to Pauparapatti. After worship and Prasad, the family was relaxing in the temple complex when an office bearer of the Asthika Samj showed Sri HariKumar the incomplete Dhyana Mandir Structure. The latter was proficient in vastu shastra, therefore he offered to rectify the flaws and provide financial assistance. As there was no follow up from HariKumar, the office bearers of the Asthika Samaj approached him after a gap of two years. He was given a picture of the Brindavan and Prasad. Harikumar said that within a week of their visit to Pauparapatti his father developed severe chest pain and even best medical efforts did not help. The father was desirous of offering prayers at Pauparapatti but he expired suddenly. Harikumar was sad as his father's last wish remained unfulfilled. He received the prasad on the fifteenth day after his father's demise. He considered this a blessing from sri Raghavendra Swami and felt consoled. When the members of the Asthika Samj expressed the purpose of their visiting him, Harikumar agreed to inspect the civil works and offer financial assistance at Pauparapatti. Three months later when Harikumar visited Pauparapatti the construction of the Dhyan Mandir had been completed. Harikumar donated for the construction of the kitchen block which was named after his father.
7.Upon the completion of the renovation of the sanctum sanctorum, Kumbabhishekam was performed at Pauparapatti on 24th June 2005. The principal invitees for this occasion were the Mathadipatis of Sri Padaraja Math and Sri Vyasaraja Math. As part of the function, the famous saxophonist Sri Kadri Gopalnath was approached at Chennai by the office bearers of the Astika samaj for a concert. Due to his busy engagements Sri Gopalnath did not confirm his acceptance of the programme. So the office bearers of the Astika samaj returned disappointed.
The next morning while praying in his pooja room a strongthought came to his mind that he should accept the invitation and participate in the programme inspite of his busy schedule. He telephonically conveyed to the Trust members his consent to perform at the function. The very next day he received a message from Mantralaya that he was selected as the "Asthan Vidwan" of the Sri Math. Sri Gopalnath was very happy at the honour conferred on him by the Sri Math and was grateful to Sri Raghavendra Swamy for the grace showered on him.
8. In the year 2000, an elderly person approached Sri P.N. Mani proprietor of Raghavendra Jewellers, Salem and gave him a bundle and told him to deliver it at the Math at Pauparapatti. Inspite of enquiries, the person neither revealed his identity nor address. Since it was meant for the Math, Sri Mani accepted the bundle and kept it in his safe and forgot the incident. However after six months when he opened his safe for some other reason, he noticed the bundle and remembered the incident. He left for Pauparapatti the next day. It was Sri Ram Navami and Ramayan Katha Was in progress. He was told to place the bundle before the Brindavan, perform arati and then open the same. When it was opened, there were Forty one thousand rupees in the form of currency notes. Sri Mani declared this to the audience assembled for the Katha. The money was handed over to the office bearers of the Asthika Samaj.
9.Sri Raghavendra Swami saved the lives of a mother and her twin babies.
Dr. N. Premavathi MD, DGO gynaecologist of Arun Hospital, Metture Dam, Salem District is an ardent devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swami. Her patient, about 20years old, was admitted to hospital on the midnight of 25th January 2007 for her first deliver. She was expecting twins. Her condition was serious due to high blood pressure, swollen legs and abdomen and a puffy face. Ten hours of labour yielded no result therefore, a caesarean surgery was conducted. The operation was successful and the babies were safely delivered. Routine precautionary measures for the mother and babies were administered.
The patient was about to be shifted to the ward when bleeding was detected. Medicines were injected to stop the bleeding which was by then profuse. Blood flowed continuously and the patient's condition became critical. An alarm was raised and all the doctors in the hospital were summoned to monitor the patient. Every possible method was tried but in vain. Therefore a search for the patient's blood group was simultaneously begun.
The relative of the patient prayed to the Almighty. Dr Premavathi prayed intensely to Sri Raghavendra Swami to save the patient. While at prayer it flashed to the doctor that an injection "Botropase", not normally used, could be administered. The nuse who was asked to bring the injection could not identify the injection ampule in her anxiety and due to urgency brought the entire tray containing all types of injections to the O.T. Sri Raghavendra Swami appeared in the form of a laminated pocket size photograph, which was in the tray. Upon seeing the photograph, Dr. Premavathi ws convinced that she had received guidance and her prayers were answered. With confidence Dr. Premavathi injected Botropase to the bleeding patient. Within moments, the bleeding miraculously stopped. Sri Raghavendra Swami had appeared in the operation theatre and saved the patient. When the mother was fit enough, she visited Pauparapatti with her babies and expressed her gratitude to Sri Raghavendra Swami by conducting thulabharam on 30th July 2007.
Hogenkal Kaveri
Hogenkal is a small town situated on the banks of river Kaveri. It is believed that Brahma performed Yaga here. There is a beautiful waterfall here. When seen from a distance the water cascading over the rocks looks like smoke surrounded in the area. That is why this place is called Hogenkal. According to ancient records this place came in the territory of the Vijayanagar Empire during King Krishnadevaraya's reign. The Rajaguru Sri Vyasaraja Swami at Hogenkal worshipped the idols of Sri Moola Gopala Krishna with Rukmani and Satyabhama under the aswatha tree on Kartik Poornima. While at worship, the Swami saw in a vision Sri Krishna dancing with Rukmini and Satyabhama on the banks of river Kaveri, similar to the Rasleela with the Gopis on the banks of River Yamuna.. Since then the people of Pauparapatti celebrate Karthik Poornima by performing Dhatri Havana and Sri Satya Narayana Pooja at Hogenkal. The Asthika Samaj has constructed a temple for Anjaneya at this place known as ‘Vyasasrama'.
Vana Bhojana is performed under the gooseberry tree on Kartika Shukla Chaturdasi Poornima or Panchami in Krishna Paksha on Monday / Wednesday / Thursday and Saturday. After cleaning the place a platform is erected under the nelli (gooseberry ) tree and saligramas are worshipped. A homakunda is erected and Agni, the Fire Deity is invoked after which the homa is commenced. Mother Lakshmi is worshipped in the forms of Dhatri, Shanti and Kanti. Cooked rice is offered as Purnahuti - main offering in the sacred fire to the Ashtadik palakas and the Vanadevata. After this, Maha puja is offered to Sri Lakshmi Narayan. The Dhatri Purana is read and then Prasad (food) is Served. Upon performing the Dhatri Havan and Vana Bhojan the Chaturmas Vrata is concluded.
Mother Ganga who removes the sins of humanity once thought she was second to none and therefore became proud. Sri Narayana told Narad Rishi to remove this pride of Ganga. Narad Rishi approached Ganga and asked her how she purified herself of the sins she had collected from devotees. After much thought and no solution, Ganga requested Narad for help. Narad advised her to bathe at dawn in the river Kaveri on Kartik Poorinma to rid herself of the sins from the devotees. So Ganga and Yamuna come to Kaveri at dawn on this day and thus there is Triveni Sangam. By bathing on this day in Kaveri we are purified. Since approximately 400 years Dhatri Havan and allied festivities are performed at Hogenkal Kaveri for 3 days every year. The Asthika Samaj celebrates this annual function on a grand scale.
Asthika Samjam
The Asthika Samajam Trust, registered in the year 2001, has been actively engaged in promoting the spiritual activities at Pauparapatti. It has undertaken restoration of the dilapidated temple of Sri VaradarajaSwami. With the support of philanthropists, repairs to the tune of RS10 lakhs have been done. The work at Shrimad Ananda Thirtha Sri Raghavendra Dhyana Mandir was begun in 1986 and the building was inaugurated in 1998. About 500 people can be accommodated in the main hall. Facilities are provided for out station devotees to stay and perform seva at Pauparapatti. During the 300th Aradhana celebrations of Sri Raghavendra Swami in 1971, one chariot, shed for the same and a kitchen block were constructed. To commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of Sri Raghavendra Swami Mrithika Brindavan at Pauparapatti, repairs of the temple and prayer hall, Kumbhabhishekam and construction of a temple for Sri Anjaneya at Hogenkal Kaveri were undertaken. Mass marriages and upanayanams were also celebrated at the intiative of the Samaj. It is also the mission of the Samaj to organize discourses on Srimad Bhagavatam, Bhagavad Gita Mahabharat, Ramayan etc.
Sri Satya Narayana Puja, organised by the Asthika Samja, is performed on the full moon day of every month in front of Sri Varadaraja Swami temple at Pauparapatti. Devotees from Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem, Vellore, Dharmapuri and Bangalore participate in the Puja. 50 Poorna Phala (full coconuts) are offered in the Puja and given to people with various problems - delayed marriage, lack of progeny, ailments, family problems, property disputes etc. When the demand for coconuts exceeds, chits are put before the Brindavan and whosoever is destined gets the Poorna Phala. Devotees are benefited by taking home the Poorna Phala and worshipping this with devotion. Thulabhar is also organized for children and the provision offered are utilized for Narayana Seva.
A Note
I conclude this work by offering my pranams at the lotus lotus feet of abhishta Sri Varadaraja Swami and Sri Raghavendra Swami for making me instrumental in highlighting the greatness of Pauparapatti for the benefit of seekers of Grace. One gets convinced only after personal experience and therefore it would be worthwhile visiting Pauparapatti for worship and prayer. Many devotees who have visited Pauparapatti have felt the urge to visit the place again. Away from the madding urban life and its tensions, the place is ideal for a spiritual retreat. The main intension of this book is to kindle the spiritual fervour of the readers and draw them towards "Dakshina Mantralaya". I pray for pardon at the feet of the Lord and Swamiji for any mistakes committed in this work. This book is a humble attempt to share with fellow devotees whatever I learned about Pauparapatti. My purpose is served if devotion is enhanced in the hearts of people by the grace of Sri Raghavendra Swami.
