My recent visit to Mantralayam - Bichchali - Yantroddharaka - A spiritual experience
Om! Sri Raaghavendraya
Namaha!
Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe!
Sri Rama Doothaaya Namaha!
Om!
Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaaya!
I am
not a frequent visitor to Mantralayam the abode of Guru Sri Raghavendra Theertharu
though I am a follower and a devotee of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. My last visit
was in Feb 2007 much before Mantralayam was hit by the devastating floods of
Tungabhadra River. Though I had visited
Mantralayam on several earlier occasions I never visited Bichchali
(Bhikshaalaya) the place where Sri Guru Raayaru lived for 13 years in the house
of his ardent devotee and disciple Sri Appanachaarya and also the place sanctified
by the visit of Sri Sreepaada Raayaru and Sri Vyaasa Raayaru. It was in my
dreams to visit this place at least once during my life time.
About
ten days back I had an occasion to visit Bellary to attend a family function
but, visit to Mantralayam was never in my agenda. In fact I had also booked my
train ticket to Bellary. Last minute I
suddenly changed my mind, cancelled Bellary ticket and went straight to
Mantralayam. After reaching Mantralayam I went straight to Bichchali, right on
the banks of holy river Tungabhadra and spent couple hours at this holy and
sacred place where Sri Guru Raayaru had moved around.
The
sight of Ekasila Brundavana on the Japadakatti the only Brundavana of Guru
Raayaru in the open sky without any roof, presence of Lord Hanuman installed by
Sri Vyaasaraajaru with the marks of Shanku – Chakra clearly visible, idol of
Lord Hanuman installed by Sri Raghavendra Theertharu, idol of Lord Sri Ugra Narasimha
installed by Sri Sreepaadaraayaru, Naaga Shilas all within the same vicinity right
on the banks of Tungabhadra river gives an electrifying and thrilling
experience which is difficult to explain. A rarity of Lord Hanuman idol
installed by Sri Vyaasaraajaru is presence of Raajamudrika (symbol) of
Vijayanagara Empire carved on the back of the idol. It suggests that the
Hanuman idol was sculpted during the days of Vijayanagara Empire for which Sri Vyaasaraajaru
was Raaja Guru who had even ascended the throne of Vijayanagara Empire for a
brief period during Sri Krishna Devaraaya time.
More
than 400 year old Sri Appannachaarya’s house where Sri Guru Raayaru used to
stay has now collapsed during the 2009 Tungabhadra floods. Only a part of the wall inside the house with
the idols of Lord Hanuman installed by Sri Appanachaarya and the idol of Naaga
Devatha manifested from the Snake Bill during Sri Raayaru’s time have remained in
tact, standing as testimonial to the glory of sacred house. Markings have been made inside the house for identification
by the pilgrims. I had an opportunity to meet Sri Badadha Ramacharya Bichali,
Vamshastharu of Sri Appanachaarya. It
was only due to the prerana and blessings of Sri Guru Raayaru that made me to
visit Bichchali; it was really a dream come true and a breath taking experience.
What can I offer to Guru Raayaru for having blessed me with this
opportunity in life except a simple pradakshina namaskara around the Ekasila Brundavana
reciting Sri Raghavendra Stothra and propagate the glory of His powerful ashtaakshara manthra Om! Sri Raaghavendraaya Namah!
Generally
whenever I go to Mantralayam it is Sri Raayara anugraha that I get sameepa darshana
of Moola Brundavana. This time when I returned back to Mantralayam it was late
in the evening around 8.00 pm, Rathotsavam festival was going on, there was
heavy rush inside the temple due to week end as well as holiday season. I could
get darshan of Moola Brundavana standing on the platform in front of Lord
Hanuman temple right opposite to Moola Brundavana. I thought that this is my
bhaagya. Next day morning after
finishing my nitya karma I went to the temple and being Sunday and holiday
season there was heavy rush by that time itself. I was making circumambulations
(pradakshina) around the Brundavana. Suddenly a Good Samaritan helped me go
nearer to the Moola Brundavana and I could also perform aarathi to the Moola
Brundavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.
I
thought having come let me also have darshan of Sri Suyatheendra Theertharu the
present pontiff of Mantralaya Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt and seek his blessings
whom I had not met earlier. When I enquired I was told that he is on tour. Since
I had to attend a family function I went to Bellary from Mantralayam only to
come to know that Sri Suyatheendra Theertharu is on a visit to Bellary. That
day evening I went to Sri Raghavendra Swamy mutt at Bellary to have darshan of
Swamiji. I had my own apprehension because
I had not met him earlier nor do I know anyone who can help me to seek his
darshan. Believe it or not, while
walking up to the Mutt I was simply reciting Sri Raghavendra Ashtaakshari. When
I reached the mutt, I came across a Good Samaritan who helped in taking me to
H.H. Sri Suyatheendra Theertharu who blessed me with a shawl and gave me phala
mantrakshathe.
During
my stay at Bellary, I had an opportunity to go to Chakratheertha at Hampi and
had darshan of Lord Yantroddhaaraka Hanuman. I was also blessed with an
opportunity to recite Sri Hari Vaayu Stuthi in front of Yantroddhaaraka Hanuman
(which I never did earlier) while Madhu Abhisheka was performed by the priest. Unfolding
of events was all coincidence and I was immensely delighted with Sri Guru Raayara
apaara karuna, benevolence and anugraha and it was a soul recharging experience.
Incidentally this was my first visit to Mantralayam after I started the blog.
Sri
Krushnaarpanamasthu
Raghavendra Raghavendra Raghavendra Paahimaam
Raghavendra Raghavendra Raghavendra Rakshamaam
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha
Comments
Post a Comment