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Hare Krsna–Because of the so called “covid problems” we decided to hold our Janmastami/vyas puja festival on the day before the actual date which for us here was on a Sunday.

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Sri Krsna Janma Ashtami special — Krsna book dictation tapes
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=12cKFeu0T6lTPb3j7WelOmcQ_cfL_-6tN

Srila Rupa Goswami tirobhava tithi [disappearance day] -Sri Gauri dasa Pandita Tirobhava Tithi [disappearance day]Thursday, August 19, 2021 [Mayapura, West Bengal,  Bharata bhumi time]

Srila Prabhupada reveals the glories of Srila Rupa Goswamicompiled by Yasoda nandana fasa

Srila Prabhupada explains the rasa dance of Lord Balarama

Lord Balarāma Visits Vṛndāvana

By Yasoda nandan dasa

2021 Vyasa Puja offering

By Yasoda nandan dasa

Srila Prabhupada’s warning regarding the tendency to become a sahajiya‏July 10, 2016
https://harekrsna.org/srila-prabhupadas-waning-regarding-the-tendency-to-become-a-sahajiya%e2%80%8f/
The tendency to become a Sahajiya- July 8, 2016Which means one who takes things cheaply or changes or concocts items of devotional service and thereby does not obey the instructions laid down by the authorized acaryas in disciplic sucession.Hare Krsna–Below, for those interested, we have compiled several quotes of warnings by Srila Prabhupada, for those who still consider him their spiritual mater. And as he has stated, if we do not accept verbatim whatever he says, then we should not have accepted him as our guru and thereby become a hypocrite by disobedience. These warnings are not complicated, but they still are warnings that need to be followed, now and into the future as the tendency for taking things cheaply seems to be a common trait of this kali yuga.(see quotes at the end also)Damagosa dasaAdi 7.48 : PURPORT :In the paramparā system, the instructions taken from the bona fide spiritual master must also be based on revealed Vedic scriptures. One who is in the line of disciplic succession cannot manufacture his own way of behavior. There are many so-called followers of the Vaiṣṇava cult in the line of Caitanya Mahāprabhu who do not scrupulously follow the conclusions of the śāstras, and therefore they are considered to be apa-sampradāya, which means “outside of the sampradāya.” Some of these groups are known as āula, bāula, kartābhajā, neḍā, daraveśa, sāṅi sahajiyā, sakhībhekī, smārta, jata-gosāñi, ativāḍī, cūḍādhārī and gaurāṅga-nāgarī. In order to follow strictly the disciplic succession of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one should not associate with these apasampradāya communities. Madhya 1.271 : PURPORT :Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu warned all His followers not to become independent or impudent. Unfortunately, after the disappearance of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, many apa-sampradāyas (so-called followers) invented many ways not approved by the ācāryas. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has described them as the āula, bāula, kartābhajā, neḍā, daraveśa, sāni sahajiyā, sakhībhekī, smārta, jāta-gosāñi, ativāḍī, cūḍādhārī and gaurāṅga-nāgarī. Madhya 8.83 : PURPORT : sruti-smrti-puranadi- pancaratra-vidhim vina aikantiki harer bhaktir utpatayaiva kalpate :He clearly mentions in this verse that one must refer to the Vedic literature and other, supplementary literatures and follow the conclusion of the Vedas. An invented devotional attitude simply creates disturbances in the transcendental realm. If a person overly addicted to family life takes to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Kṛṣṇa consciousness to earn a livelihood, his activity is certainly offensive. One should not become a caste guru and sell mantras for the benefit of mundane customers, nor should one make disciples for a livelihood. All these activities are offensive. One should not make a livelihood by forming a professional band to carry out congregational chanting, nor should one perform devotional service when one is attached to mundane society, friendship and love. Nor should one be dependent on so-called social etiquette. All of this is mental speculation. None of these things can be compared to unalloyed devotional service. No one can compare unalloyed devotional service, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to mundane activities. There are many unauthorized parties pretending to belong to the Śrī Caitanya cult, and some are known as āula, bāula, kartābhajā, neḍā, daraveśa, sāṅi, sakhībhekī, smārta, jāta-gosāñi, ativāḍi, cūḍādhārī and gaurāṅga-nāgari.Adi-lila 1.3 — Mayapur, March 27, 1975 : 750327CC.MAY :Utpātā, simply disturbance. Yata mat tata patha: “I can manufacture my own way.” This rascaldom has been condemned by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. He says that harer bhaktiḥ… You will find many so-called bhaktas crying, falling down on the ground. But immediately after, he is smoking bidi. So why this is going on? Because they do not follow the injunction of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī. Chanting, dancing very loudly, and after the performance is finished—I have seen it—”Can you give me a bidi?” You see? “My throat is now dried up.” So this is utpātā. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī has described this kind of so-called devotional attitude is simply disturbance. They imitate. Imitate. Therefore Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has condemned. There are so many apa-sampradāya going on in the name of Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s devotee. Who are they? Āula, bāula, kartābhajā, neḍā, daraveśa, sāṅi, sahajiyā, sakhībhekī, smārta, jata-gosāñi. Then ativāḍī, cūḍādhārī, gaurāṅga-nāgarī, tota kahe ei tāra saṅga nāhi kori: Tota Bābājī, he says, “I do not associate with these classes of men.” So after disappearance of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, so many apa-sampradāya sprang up. So we should be very much careful that… Sampradāya means who are carefully following the Vedic principle. Therefore Kavirāja Gosvāmī, although asserting the truth, he is prepared to give Vedic evidences. Now he has begun. (More…) Los Angeles, February 7, 1969 : 690207BA.LA :In this way there was, Caitanya’s Mahāprabhu’s time, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was going nicely, very. And after Him, there was six Gosvāmīs. They also managed. Then, as it is the rule of this material world that you start something very good but in due course of time the things deteriorate, so this Vaiṣṇava, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, also deteriorated in due course of time. Say, after the disappearance of the Gosvāmīns, about 250 years after, the things became most ridiculous. The so-called devotees… Their representatives still are continuing. They are called prākṛta-sahajiyā. Prākṛta-sahajiyā means taking things very easily. They thought that Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa is just like a boy and girl’s lusty affairs. And in this way they took it that sex life as religion. Even Vivekananda, he also criticized, “Vaiṣṇavism is sex religion.” So the things deteriorated in such a way that… And similarly, as Advaita Prabhu was afflicted, similarly, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura… He was at that time a householder, government officer and magistrate. He felt very much: “Oh, Lord Caitanya’s movement is so… People… As soon as one will see that he belongs to the Caitanya sampradāya, he’ll deride, ‘Oh, these are all rascals, simply taking sex pleasures. That’s all.’ ” There were thirteen pseudo Vaiṣṇavas, thirteen sects: Āula, Bāula, Karttābhajā, Neḍā, Daraveṣa, Sāṅi, Sahajiyā, Sakhībhekī. Sāṅi community… You have heard that in London there is a Sāṅi community. Sāṅi Hindu center you have heard from Mukunda? The Sāṅi is there still. So there are thirteen pseudo pretenders belonging to the Caitanya-sampradāya. They are called first Āula, Bāula, Karttābhajā, Neḍā, Daraveṣa, Sāṅi, Sakhībhekī, Gaurāṅga-nagarī, Cūḍādhārī, Ativāḍī, and Smārta, Jāta-gosāñi. Like that, thirteen. (More…) January 24, 1977, Bhuvanesvara : 770124r2.bhu :Prabhupāda: Sakhībekhī. There are so many apasampradāyas, thirteen at least in the counting by Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura: āula, bāula kartābhajā, neḍā, daraveśa, sāṅi sahajiyā, sakhībekhī. This sakhībekhī. Smārta, jāta-gosāñi, ativāḍī, cūḍādhārī, gaurāṅga-nāgarī. These thirteen, fourteen apasampradāyas. They are passing as Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s sampradāya. But they’re the worst, rejected. The sakhībekhī, dressing like…. To cheat Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is after the gopīs, so they have dressed like gopī, and Kṛṣṇa does not know that he’s a rascal man. (laughter) Just see. This is their intelligence, to…. “I have become a sakhī. Kṛṣṇa will embrace me and kiss me.” So Kṛṣṇa is so fool. (laughs) These rascals are doing that. Sakhībhekhī. There was a Lalitā-sakhi in Navadvīpa. All women surrounding him. Somebody is dressing him with red, what is called?Gorakhpur Feb 16 1971So as soon as you approach the Deity or the name, you should know fully well that Krsna is present. Krsna is… Therefore we should worship the Deity with great attention, as much as Krsna is present. And similarly, we should worship the holy name with great attention. We should not be inattentive.Suppose Krsna personally comes, personally He is here. Suppose personally, as you think of personally, personally comes. If you do not become respectful, is that all right? No. You should be very much respectful. Even a respectable person, ordinary person, a big man or a rich man or a king comes, we become so much respectful. And what about Krsna when He’s present as arcā-mūrti or as the holy name? These are the realization point of view: Krsna, His name, His form, His quality, His pastimes. When you hear about Kṛṣṇa, that is also Kṛṣṇa. Actually, when you are reading Krsna book, Krsna is fighting with demons, that is also His pastime. So Kṛṣṇa is present. So you should be very attentive and worship this hearing. Unless we come to this point, there is lack of realization what is Krsna.  Vrndavana, India August 1967 Letter to: Devotee & Hamsaduta“One who understands and appreciates the disciplic succession is certainly advanced, and we should always be very careful to give full respect to those who have so carefully handled this Divine Fruit of transcendental knowledge before us. Even a slight change will spoil it. That is why I have always been so careful to give you only those things which I have heard from my Guru Maharaja.Jan 24 1977 BhuvanesvaraPrabhupāda: My Guru Mahārāja used to say, “When our men will be sahajiyā, he will be more dangerous.”Satsvarūpa: Our own men.Prabhupāda: Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he said that “When our men will be sahajiyā,oh, they’ll be more dangerous.” So our men are becoming, some of them, sahajiyās. This very word he said, that “When our men will be sahajiyās he’ll be more dangerous.”Jan 4 1973 BombayThe greatest danger to our movement will come when we manufacture and create our own process for worshiping the deities. So don’t ask any more new questions, whatever is going on, follow it just to the exact standard as I have given you, that’s all.Some concluding notes- Most of us today have seen many deviations since the physical departure of Srila Prabhupada. Some of these deviations are quite severe and are causing havoc in the spiritual lives of thousands, maybe even millions of bhaktas. Like Deity worship for example-where somemis leaders have taken it upon themselves, without the permission of their guru Srila Prabhupada, but in complete disobedience of him, to turn around the entire process of how to worship the Supreme Lord. And when you point this out to some, they become angry with you ! That is why Srila Prabhupada also warns us….Feb 25 1977 MayapurRāmeśvara: Just like this Alice Coltrane. She has done her small part. She made this record album with Govinda Jaya Jaya and Hare Kṛṣṇa.Prabhupāda: That is… That will be a good thing. But when he (she) does it properly it will be more effective, because there is… If one does not chant in the process, then gradually it degrades. The offense will increase. There is chance.

The Life of Sri Raghavendra Tirtha

(1595-1671)

Srila Prabhupada mentions Sri Raghavendra Tirtha in his Sri Caitanya-caritamrta purport:  : After the sixteenth ācārya (Vidyādhirāja Tīrtha), there was another disciplic succession, including Rājendra Tīrtha, 1254; Vijayadhvaja; Puruṣottama; Subrahmaṇya; and Vyāsa Rāya, 1470-1520. The nineteenth ācārya, Rāmacandra Tīrtha, had another disciplic succession, including Vibudhendra, 1218; Jitāmitra, 1348; Raghunandana; Surendra; Vijendra; Sudhīndra; and Rāghavendra Tīrtha, 1545 . Sri Caitanya-caritamrta – 1975 Edition : Cc. Madhya-lila : Madhya 9: Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s Travels to the Holy Places : Madhya 9.245

Sri Raghavendra Swami was one of the great proponents of the Madhva philosophy. For nearly 50 years, he was the head of one of the great pItha-s. His predecessors include such scholars like VijayIndhra Tirtha & SudhIndhra Tirtha. He excelled in many fields such as logic, mImAmsA, music, yoga, dharmashAstra, & all 64 arts. As an avatara of Prahlada, he chose as his Brindavan Manchaale (Mantralaya) on the bank of the Tungabadhra, where Prahlada had performed his yajna in kRita yuga. It is said that the stone used for the Brindavan was sanctified by the touch of Sri Rama and Sita in the treta yuga. His nephew, Narayanacharya, wrote Raghavendra Vijaya, which gives a full account of the life of this great saint.

Purvashram

Sri Raghavendra Swami was born in 1595 in Kaveripattana, Tamil Nadu to Thimmanna Bhatta and Gopikamba. His ancestors were of the Gautama Gotra. He was named Venkatanatha as he was born by the grace of Lord Venkateshwara. When his father was performing akSharAbhyAsa, Venkatanatha asked how a small letter like Om can explain the great God. The father was overjoyed that his son understood that the God cannot be fully explained by one small letter. Venkatanatha’s Upanayanam was performed in chaitra mAsa, when he was 8 years old. Although his father passed away by then, Venkatanatha did not consider himself an orphan, as he considered Sri Narayana as his father and Gayathri, who reveals Him, as every twice-born’s real mother.

Education of Venkata natha

Venkatanatha studied yajur veda, maNimanjari, and anumadhvavijaya at Madurai.His powers of meditation were shown when his water from doing sandyAvandan happened to fall on a dry seed, which sprouted. He also developed an expertise in playing the Veena, so he became known as Veena Venkata Bhatta. This is not surprising, since Venkatanatha came from a family skilled in music. His great-grandfather, Krishnabhatta, tutored the King of the Vijayanagar kingdom, Krishnadevaraya, in vina, and his father was skilled in music as well.

Marriage of Venkata natha   

Upon returning from Madurai, he was married to Saraswati, who was from a noble family. His marriage, just like his Upanayanam and schooling, was arranged by his brother Gururajacharya.

The Shastras say that for one who has control of his senses, wedded life does not hamper learning. For Venkatanatha, most of his learning occurred after marrying Saraswati, through the blessings of Goddess Saraswati.

Studies under his guru, Sudindra Tirtha

So Venkatanatha went to Kumbhakonam, the seat of learning at the time. There, he studied under Sri Sudindrateerta.He used to stay awake past midnight to write his own comments and notes on the lessons that had been done. Once, he engaged in a debate and defeated a mAyAvAdi at Rajamannar temple. Though his victory was not unexpected Sri Sudhindra tirtha was surprised at his scholarship in grammar, profound knowledge and rare debating skill, and called him “Mahabhashya Venkatanathacharya” Similarly he explained the significance of taptamudra dhAraNa quoting several smRiti-s that the opponents had to accept his arguments were irrefutable. He had a son, Lakshminarayana. Although he and his family were in stark poverty, he was unaffected by it, being immersed in the sweet nectar of the Madhva philosophy. Not even once did he give up his teachings and learning; he was steadfast in his determination to live by whatever came to him unsought and unasked.

Venkata natha takes sannyasa in 1621

Still, when his master asked him to take sannyAsA, he found himself in a grave dilemma. For one thing, he knew that if he took sanyAsA, he would eventually have to take control of the maTha. While trying to find a solution to this problem, Vidya Lakshmi herself appeared before him. She told him that if such great people like himself did not spread the right philosophy, that of Sri Madhvacharya, the maThas would fall into ruin. The light of Tattvavada would be extinguished by the darkness of Mayavada. Understanding where his true duty lay, Venkatanatha obeyed Vidya Lakshmi and took sanyAsA. Sri Sudhindra initiated Venkatanatha on the second day of the bright half of PhAlguNa mAsa in the year durmati corresponding to the year 1621. He was given the holy name “Raghavandra Tirtha.

Pilgrimages

Sri Raghavendra Tiirta started his services by teaching all the works of Srimadacharya to his disciples. He propagated right knowledge and vanquished several opponents. Apart from imparting knowledge and guiding his disciples,he composed works for the benefit of future generations

Sri Raghavendra Tirtha writes commentaries on Madhvacarya’s works

Soon after becoming the pIThAdipati, he began a series of piligrimages that took him to several places. After visiting Dyupuri and Paripurnadevanagara( Paripurnadevanagara in Sanskrit means “place where God, who is complete in every way, resides”). At Manishrunga, he taught works such as pramaaNa paddhati and realized that it would benefit the public, if sub-commentaries were written on these major works, to make it easier to understand them. So it was here, that Raghavendra Swami wrote glosses on pramANa paddhati, vaadaavaLi, pramaaNa lakshaNa and many other works, many of which are known as bhAva dIpas.

Debate with Nilakanta Diksita

He visited Rameshvaram and Madurai. Madurai was the seat of learning in those days, and one of the experts there was Neelakanta Dikshit. After seeing the lucid yet powerful style with which Raghavendra Swami debated, he was convinced that Raghavendra Swami’s master was really pUrNaprajna. When Neelakanta tried testing Raghavendra Swami on various sutras, Raghavendra Swami showed him the work he had just finished-Bhatta Sangraha. Neelakanta was so thrilled by the depth of this work and how well it propounded Sri Madhvacharya’s philosophy, that he had it placed on an elephant and taken on a ceremonial procession.

At Srirangam, he gave extensive discourses on upanishads especially the Ishaavaasya upanishad. His disciples requested him to write a book, explaining the meanings of all the mantras, as well as their commentaries and glosses, of all the Upanishads. He wrote glosses on the Ishaavaasya, thalavakaara, kaataka, ShaTpraShNa, mundaka, maanDukya, taittarIya, bR^ihadAruNyaka, and chanDogya Upanishads. He was about to write one for the aitareya, as well, but he wanted to give the honor to his disciple, Smrtimuktavali Krishnacharya, who had already completed the work. Raghavendra Swami wanted to keep his oath of writing a gloss on all the Upanishads, so he wrote a gloss on only the mantra part of the Upanishad-aitareya mantraartha sangraha

Sri Raghavendra Tirtha visits Visnu-mangala, Subrahmnaya and Udupi

He visited Vishnumangala, where Trivikrama Panditacharya had debated Madhvacharya for fifteen days, and finally had become an ardent worshipper and follower of Madhvacharya. Sri Raghavendra, then visited Subramanya and then Udupi,where he started giving discourse on Sarvamula Granta. He wrote a gloss for the Vyasaraya Tattparya Chandrika, called Chandrika Prakasha. Seeing his students struggle to understand this tough text, he wrote the meanings of the Sutras, called Tantradipika and the meanings of adhikAranas, known as Nyayamukthavali. At Udupi, he sang his famous “Indu Enage Govinda” song upon seeing Udupi Sri Krishna.

At Bidarahalli he met Srinivasacharya who was a unique householder. The glosses that he had written were already well known. Sri Raghavendra examined his works and was filled with admiration for Srinivasacharya, who, though being a householder,dedicated himself completely to the spreading of knowledge and learning. Raghavendra Swami bestowed upon him the name Srinivasa Tirtha, as a mark of his high learning.

After leaving Bidarahalli, he went to Pandarapur, Kohlapur, & Bijapur defeating Mayavadins, spreading Tattvavada philosophy, and giving Taptamudhradaran, thus initiating them into Vaishnavism. While residing on the banks of river Krishna, he wrote a tippani for Tattva Prakashika called Bhavadipa. He wrote a direct commentary on Anubhashya, called Tattva Manjari

Sri Raghavendra Swami visits the samadhi [Brindabana] of Jayatirtha at Malkhed

At Malkhed he celebrated the Suddha Mangala of his teachings and discourses. Malkhed is situated on the Kagini River and is the place of Sri Jayatirtha’s Brindavan. Raghavendra Swami explained that, just the way Kagini River joins Bhima river, then Krishna River, and finally the ocean, Sri Jayathirtha’s work explains Bhashya of Sri Madhvacharya, who in turn tells us of Lord Krishna, who is an ocean of auspicious qualities.

Sri Raghavendra Swami writes a commentary on Rig-veda

Raghavendra Swami undertook extensive tours, under so many odds, visiting Tirupati, Srisailam, Kumbakonam, and Kanchi. He neither stopped teaching his devotees nor did he stop writing books. He took a vow to write Tippanis for all the Tikas of Sri Jayathirtha. When he had completed tippanis for 17 of the 18 Tikas of Sri Jayatirtha, Lakshminarayanacharya, his son, shows him his work on Rig Bhashya, written along Raghavendra Swami’s line of teaching. This great saint felt that his disciple’s teaching should be shown to the rest of the world, so instead of writing a Tippani, he wrote a Rigartha Manjari, a vivritti, which gives the meaning of the first 40 suktas. He wrote Mantroddhara, which gives details of all mantras according to Tantrasara.. By understanding the mantras according to Tantrasara, it is possible to perform many impossible tasks, through the grace of Sri Hari, by leading an austere life.

During his pilgrimages, Raghavendra Swami not only covered a vast area geographically in the days when road conditions were poor and travel was arduous, but also wrote several works covering a vast area of the Tattvavada philosophy. He convincingly defeated many Advaitin pandits, through the grace of bhArati ramaNa mukhyaprANAntargata srIlaxmInArAyaNa.

Miracles

Although Raghavendra Swami performed various miracles, the most significant miracle lies in the vast literature he left behind & his contribution to the philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya. He wrote extensive commentaries on the upanishads, bhagavad gIta, vedAs, as well as several granthas that Madhvacharya wrote.

Sri Raghavendra Tirtha retrieves the necklace from the fire

The Tanjavore district was under a great drought at that time. Raghavendra Swami made the ruler perform appropriate rituals and ceremonies. Soon afterwards, rain once again fell upon the lands. The king, to show his gratitude offered Raghavendra Swami a priceless necklace, which Raghavendra Swami in turn put into the Yajna as an offering to Lord Vishnu, who had really brought the region out of the drought. The king grew angry at what he thought was an insult. Raghavendra Swami immediately brought back the necklace from the fire. The king, realizing that for one who renounced the world a necklace meant nothing, asked for Raghavendra Swami’s forgiveness.

Raghavendra Swami visited Bijapur, where the scorching heat was unbearable. One brahmin was overcome by the heat and fell down, unable to get up. Raghavendra Swami recited a mantra, and water sprung up from the scorching sands, which saved the Brahmin’s life. In another instance, a child was traveling with an entourage, through a desert. The heat was so unbearable that the child started to cry. Raghavendra Swami threw his upper cloth towards the child. Flying through the air, it gave shade to the child for the rest of the journey.

Sri Raghavendra Swami shows the power of Vedic mantras

At that time there was a Desai who had no faith in God or the Vedas. He would challenge scholars to make a twig sprout, using Vedic mantras. No one was able to do this. So then the people called Raghavendra Swami to prove to the Desai the power of the Vedas. He sprinkled some water on the twig while reciting a Vedic mantra. Right before the Desai’s eyes, the twig began to sprout. This incident instilled deep faith in the hearts of many scholars who were present. They had heard that Raghavendra Swami, in his earlier days, had made the cool sandalwood paste burn, by reciting the Agni Sukta, then made it cool again by reciting Varuna Sukta. After witnessing the twig sprout with their own eyes, they believed that such miracles were possible through the grace of the Lord. The Desai, himself, who used to scoff the Vedas, became a true believer in God and upheld the Vedas, with Raghavendra Swami as his guiding light.

Raghavendra Swami, while performing miracles clearly stated that what he did was not magic or sorcery or witchcraft. It was not Patanjali’s yoga, but the yoga of the Bhagavad Gita. The aim of his miracles was to remove the suffering of those who seek refuge in him and thus draw them towards God and religion

Sri Raghavendra Swami Moola Brindavan [Samadhi]

The time of Sri Raghavendra’s entering the samadhi at the Brindavan, approached. The devotees became aware of it. Hundreds of people came to see the swami and were blessed by him. The swami sent for Dewan Venkanna and asked him to build a beautiful Brindavan. He laid out the beautiful Brindavan. The devotees were filled with grief because the swami’s end was nearing. Venkanna informed the swami of the completion of the Brindavan. At once the swami said to him, ” Venkanna! This Brindavan will be useful to another great saint. There is a big rock in the village of Madhavaram . Make a Brindavan with its help.” Venkanna could not understand the reason for such an order. So he said to the swami, ” O swami! You have asked me to make a Brindavan by using the rock in the village of Madhavaram . Kindly tell me if there is any special reason for it ” The swami replied, ” Venkanna ! Sri Ramachandra, while traversing the forest, sat on that stone for seven ‘ghadias’ the stone is sanctified by the contact of his holy feet and has to be worshipped for seven hundred years. That is why I asked you to use it for making the Brindavan.” So saying, he cleared the doubts that had troubled Venkanna’s mind. Venkanna made the Brindavan as ordered by the swami. Various scholars, poets and musicians came to see the sight of the swami entering the Brindavan alive. On Thursday, the second day of the bright fortnight, in the month of sravan, in the year of Virodhikritha, the great saint, Sri Raghavendra Thirtha, entered the samadhi in the Brindavan, alive. The event was marked by great festivity. As ordered by the swami, they kept 700 saligrams ( natural manifestations of god) in the Brindavanam and covered it with large stone and consecrated a place in front of the Brindavan. Even to this day, worship is offered, with vedic rites, to the Brindavan as well as to the image of Sri Anjaneya.

Among the disciples of Sri Raghavendra Swami, Appalacharya was the most notable. The swami had sent him to another village on some business. He was, therefore, not present at the event of the swami’s entry into the Brindavan. On his return journey, he heard the news of Sri Raghavendra’s entry into the Brindavan. Regrating that he could not have the last glimpse of his guru, he ran to the place, praising Sri Raghavendra swami. As he neared the Brindavan, the sloka in praise of the swami was incomplete with the words.” Vibhutiratula” instantly, Sri Raghavendra Swami, who is well known for his affection for his disciples, completed the verse with the words “.sakshihayasyotrahi.” Even this day, this panegry of Sri Raghavendra Swami, written by Appalacharya, is recited by scholars and lay men. This verse, beginning with the words “Sripurnabodha guruthirtha payobdhipara ” if recited 108 times, will help a person to get his desire fulfilled. All baneful conditions will disappear. All sins will be recompensed. This need not be mentioned separately, these effects of worshipping at the Brindavan, are known to the devotees by their own experience. It is mentioned that Sri Raghavendra had himself announced to the devotees, from the Brindavan, that Lord Hayagriva will himself be witness to the efficiency of this sloka in his praise. Sri Appalacharya has written the Sri Raghavendra Mangalastakam in addition to the Sri Raghavendra Stothram” for which people are much indebted to him.

The original Raghavendra Swami Brindavan is located in Mantralaya, which is in Western Andhra Pradesh, in the district of Kurnool. Routes from Hyderabad, Bangalore, Raichur, and Bellary, are shown on the map. It is possible to get there by rental van, bus, or train. The colloquial name for the place, Maanchale, has been sanskritized into Mantralaya. Under the grace of Sri Raghavendra, Mantralaya has become a pilgrimage center, where devotees flock to view a glimpse of the Brindavan of this great saint.

An incident concerning Raghavendra Swami and Sir Thomas Munro has been recorded in the Madras Districts Gazetteer.^[3][4] In 1801, while serving as the Collector of Bellary, Sir Thomas Munro, who later served as the Governor of Madras is believed to have come across an apparition of Raghavendra Swami who had died almost two centuries back. Sir Thomas Munro is recorded as having spoke with Raghavendra Swami in English over an endowment proposal which he ultimately quashed as per the Swami’s advice.

Incident in Mantralaya (Andhra Pradesh).

Mantralaya village in Andhra Pradesh is a place where `Samadhi‘ of famous `Dvaita‘ saint `Raghavendra Swami‘ is located.

When Sir Thomas Munroe was the Collector of Bellary in 1800, the Madras Government ordered him to procure the entire income from the Math and Manthralaya village. When the Revenue officials were unable to comply with this order, Sir Thomas Munroe visited the Math for investigation. It appeared as if he spoke with someone near the Samadhi and later Munroe cancelled the order and Mantralaya remained exempt from any collections.

This notification was published in the Madras Government Gazette in Chapter XI and page 213, with the caption “Manchali Adoni Taluka. This order is still preserved in Fort St. George and Manthralayam

The following information was believed correct at the time of writing, but is not guaranteed to be accurate.   Verify, and use at your own risk.   We regret that we do not have more information, and cannot provide any assistance in planning your trip.

Buses
Many South Indian cities are connected to Mantralaya by bus–Bangalore, Tirupati, Mangalore, Madras, Hyderabad, Bellary and Mysore. The most convenient bus from Bangalore leaves at 9:15 pm & reaches Mantralaya at 6 am, the next day. The conducted tours from Hyderabad are typically 7 hours long (one way), leaving every Saturday at 9.30 am and returning on Sunday at 9.00pm. They usually cover the Brindavan as well as the Raghavendra Swamy Temple.

Train
The nearest Railway station is MANTRALAYAM ROAD, which is about 12KM from Mantralaya. Most of the trains stop here except for the super fast trains. From Bombay convenient trains are Dadar Madras Mail, which leaves Dadar at about 2PM & reaching Mantralaya Road at about 4AM next day, and Bombay Mail. After reaching Mantralayam Road, a bus or rental van can be taken to Mantralaya (about a 1 hr ride).

Address of the Mantralaya Temple

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha
Mantralayam 518 345
Kurnool Dist
Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Administrative Officer to contact is Mr. Rama Rao.
Telephone number: 59429 and 59459.       STD code: 8512

If calling from the US, dial 011-91-8512-59429 or 59459

dasha prakaraNa-s (6): Commentaries on six of the ten PrakaraNa-granthas of Madhva

Suutra-Prasthaana — works on the brahma-sUtra

NyaAyamuktAvaLii (Brief exposition of the adhikaraNashariiras of the Brahma-Sutra)
Tantradiipikaa (A vrtti on the Sutras)
Bhaavadiipa (Exposition upon the commentary of Sri Jayatiirtha upon the viShNu-tattva-vinirNaya)
PrakaaSha (Commentary on the taatparya chandrikaa of Vyaasa Tiirtha)
Tattvamanjari (Exposition of the aNubhaashya) (*)
Nyaayasudhaa-parimaLa (Commentary on nyaayasudhaa of Jayatiirtha) (*)

(*) — These may have been written before he was given sanyaasa-diiksha.

Rg and upanishad prasthaana-s

Mantraarthamanjari (Commentary on the first three adhyaayas of the Rg Veda (the same portion as touched upon by Madhva)
Khandaartha-s (lucid expositions) on nine out of the ten upanishad-s commented upon by Madhva — all except aitareya Up.)

GItA prasthaana

Commentary on the prameyadiipikA (itself a commentary on Madhva’s gItA-bhAshhya) Commentary on the nyaayadiipikA (itself a commentary on Madhva’s gItA-taatparya nirNaya) gItaarthasangraha or gItA-VivR^itti (Original work on the Gita)
GItaarthamanjari (Not widely extant, but attrib.)

Other works

Commentary on pramaaNa paddhati of Jayatiirtha
Bhaavadiipa (Commentary on vaadaavaLii of Jayatiirtha)
Nyaayadiipa (Commentary on tarkataanDava of Vyasa Tiirtha)
BhaaTTasangraha (Commentary on the entire miimAmsa suutra-s of Jaimini) shrI RAmacaritramaNjari shrI kR^iShNacaritramaNjari
PrAtah sankalpa gadya
SarvasamarpaNagadyam
NandiitAratamyastotra
TarkatAnDava tippaNI
DhyAnapadhdhhati gUDdhaBhAvaprakAshikA (vyaKhyana to ‘aNumaDhvavijaya’)

Miscellaneous works

Detailed commentary on the Rg Veda (not widely extant, but attrib.)
Commentary on the yajur veda
Commentary on the saama Veda
Short gloss on the purusha-suukta
Short gloss on the ambhraNii-Suukta
Short gloss on gharma
Short gloss on the baLitthA -suukta
Short gloss on hiraNyagarbha-suukta

Poojyaaya Raaghavendraaya Satya Dharma Rathaayacha

Bhajataam Kalpa Vrukshaaya Namathaam Kaamadhenave

References:

   History of the Dvaita School of Vedanta and its Literature, Dr. B. N. K. Sharma, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 2000.

   Raghavendra Vijaya, Narayanacharya, Nirnayasagar Press, Bombay, 1898; Ed. S. Subbarao; Raja S. Gururajacharya, Nanjangud, 1958.

   Raghavendra Darshanaa: Glimpse of Sri Raghavendra Tirtha : Saint of Mantralaya, Prof. Vyasanakere Prabhanjanacharya, S.M.S.O. Sabha, Tiruchanoor