Appanacharya - The great devotee and Sishya of our Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Part 2

Appanacharya - The great devotee and Sishya of our Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Part 2

Appanacharya has become so close to Guru Rayaru that he used to grind dhal to our Guru and both will spend most of their day time discussing about the Sri Hari on the banks of Tungabadra. During this time, Guru Rayaru understood the concern of Appanacharya and his family and advised Appanacharya to get into 2nd marriage, as per Guru's wish Appanacharya got married for the 2nd time and they both were blessed with the boy baby as per Sri Hari and Guru's wish and the lineage of Sri Appanacharya still continues till date and one of the family member of Appanacharya still lives in Bichali and maintains the Appanacharya's house where Guru and Appanacharya had spent their time during those days and the house is maintained in the same way and it is still intact

When Guru Raghavendra decided to get into Brindavana, the first thing he did was to request Diwan Venkanna to bring in a rock from Madhavaram, when Diwan brought, Guru knew it was not the right rock that he intended and also knew why this happened and asked Diwan to construct Brindavana and keep it open as it will be required by another Guru and went along with Venkanna and Appanacharya to Madhavaram and identified the rock by himself and told Appanacharya and Diwan the details of rock as it was the same rock where Lord Rama sat for 48 mins or 2 nazhigai when Lord Rama came in search of Sita devi towards Lanka and his wish was to have this rock as his Brindavana. Second thing Guru did was to request Diwan to bring him 701 Saligrama which advised to keep that on top of his Brindavana once it is shielded. Other important part that Guru did was to request Sri Appanacharya to go and inform others about his Brindavana Prevesha so that everyone is aware of it.

This came as a suprise to Appanacharya, however he did not question back Guru and went to perform his duty per Guru's ask and he hoped that he will be back with Guru on time.

However Guru's wish was different...

Image Courtesy: appanacharya.org

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Significance of Saligramam / Shaligram in Mantralayam

Significance of Saligramam / Shaligram in Mantralayam 

Sri Guru Raghavendra swamy resides in Mantralayam in 6x6 width and 7 feet height Brindavana doing Japam on Sri Hari, Sri Krishna, Sri Rama and Narashima devaru for the benefits of world devotees irrespective of caste, creed and location, being in that place itself gives abundance punya to everyone.

As we all know, there are 702 Lakshmi Narayana Saligramam's of same nature has been placed on top of the brindavana.

History of Saligramam  / Shaligram

Legend has it that once Bramha was exasperated at the rate of increase of the sinners among his creation. Then drops of sweat rolled down his cheeks which inturn became a form of a female child called “Gandaki.” She did severe penance which became so overwhelming that the Devas started trembling before her. when she requested a boon to be mother all of them, Devas pleaded their inability, at which Gandaki became furious and cursed all the devas to be born as worms on the earth below.

The Devas in their turn placed a countercurse on her head that she should become inert matter. This made brahma unhappy and all the three turned to Vishnu, who said: “As already curse pronounced, it cannot be revoked. However Lord  said: ” I shall take up my abode in the Chakra Teertha near Salagramakshetra. You, Devas, shall migrate to this hallowed region as “Vajrakitas” eating into the pebbles. Gandaki shall in the form of a river fill the universe enveloping the shilas hallowed by me.” Salagrama stones are obtained only from the river Gandaki, which is a Himalayan stream.

The puranas also describe it as a sacred stream in which all the gods and devas abide . By merely looking at it, dipping in it and drining it, one would eliminate all his mental defilement’s, by touching it his bodily sins are burnt up and will be liberated from the cycle of birth and deaths, even if he be a sinner.

So is the power of one saligrama and now we all know why our beloved Guru had requested to have it placed on top of his brindavana. Just having 12 of same Saligrama will provide a benefit of visiting 7 punya shetras. With 702 Saligrama on top of brindavana, one who visits Mantralayam will have the benefit of visiting all punya shetras.

Our Beloved Guru is there to take care of all our sins and guide us to the right way of living to avoid cycles of birth

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்]

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Guru Parambarai / Guru Parampara

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Guru Parambarai / Guru Parampara

There is a big history and lineage on Sri Mutt in Mantralayam, was trying to get the details of Guru Parambarai and I was able to read books and gather few but not all. Luckily got through the below website where it had the entire list even  7 - 8 Guru before Madhavacharya, however not sure about the authenticity of that details, I started to list from Sri Guru Madhavacharya

Thanks to sriraghavendraswami.blogspot.in where I used the details as references. Tried to put this as a chart for easier understanding.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்]

Sri Baghawan Raghavendra Swamy - Guru Raghavendra swamy , Rayaru birth - life history - series 9

Sri Baghawan Raghavendra Swamy - Guru Raghavendra swamy , Rayaru birth - life history - series 9

Sri Guru Sudheendrar accepted Venkatanandan as part of Vidya madam and started to teach him and to enhance his skills in sastras and vedas and groomed him to be part of all sastra debates. venkatanandan started to learn and stayed there away from home to learn sastras.

Once during a teaching session, Sri Sudheendrar was stuck for an explanation in  Nyaya Sudha. He indicated that he will explain next day. On the same day, Guru Raghavendrar started to write the explaination for the same and slept along with the palm leaves. Sri Sudheendrar was not able to get sleep as he was struggling to find explaination, while walking he found Venkatanandan was not in his regular sleeping place, so he went searching for him outside and found him sleeping with palm leaves near him, Sri Sudheendrar read the explanation and found it exactly to his way of thinking, he took his shawl and placed it on Venkatanandan. This shows the knowledge that Venkatanandan has over his Sastras and skills.

Very next day, Sri Sudheendar shared the explaination and told to all other students that this was written by Venkatanandan.
Days passed where Venkatanandan learned more and more on Sastras. During this time, Venkatanandan's elder brother Gururaja came to kumbakonam and requested Sri Sudheendrar that he will take his brother back to his home as he wanted to get him married as per his father's wish.

Guru Sudhendrar was not happy on this request, however Guru Vijayendar signed to let him know and this will only make him to come back to take control of Sri Matha.

Gururajar took Venkatananthan with him and found him a right partner in the name of Smt Saraswathi and got them married together in 1614.
Venkatanandan started to lead the family life and during this time Smt Saraswathi gave birth to a male child and they named him as Sri Lakshminarayanacharya. However with all these things, still Venkatanandan's mind was focussing only on Sastras.

During this phase, Venkatanandan started to teach Veena and Sastras to all the students in that agraharam, however he did not get any payment for that, however the parents of the students would provide him with rice , dal and others which helped Venkatananthan and Smt Sarawathi to lead the life

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்]

Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Mrithika Sangrahanam ( Collection )

On every year during Ashada Shudha Poornima, Mrithika Sangrahanam will be performed in Mantralayam Sri Guru Raghavendra Mutt.

For this year, Mrithika Sangrahanam was performed today 7/12 by Shri H.H Swamiji in Mantralayam.

Holy Mrithika was collected from Tulasi Garden between Mantralayam temple and Tungabatra river. Swamiji collected the Mrithika and it was brought in Swarna Pallak to Shri Guru Raghavendra Swamy brindavanam and will be placed on top of our Guru's Brindavana.

For Details about Mrithika, kindly visit this post About Guru's Mrithika

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Guru Pujai - ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திர சுவாமி - குரு பூஜை

The full moon day during the month of Jul - Aug is known as Guru Purnima or Guru Poojai day. This is a sacred day where we need to Thank our Guru.

This was the day when the Guru Vyasa was born who authored four vedas and 18 puranas. It is also called as Vyasa Pooja.

Gu - meaning is darkness or ignorance , Ru - means clearing / removing. Hence Guru means a person who removes darkness in disciples life.

The easiest way to reach GOD is through GURU...

                                                                      Image Courtesy : Facebook Guru Raghavendra Swamy page

We have several Guru's in the last few centuries starting from Lord Buddha, Guru Vyasarajar, Guru Raghavendra Swamy, Shridi Sai,  Kanchi Maha Periyava, Sri Ramana Maharishi etc

Being a staunch devotee of Guru Raghavendra Swamy, I would urge all our devotees to spend few mins to pray and Thank our Guru's who are here to guide and direct us in right path.

As our Guru Raghavendra Swamy said, "Without right living, right thinking will never come"

Let's all pray to our Guru to guide us through right living and right thinking

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்] 

ஓம் ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திராய நமஹா- OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAYA NAMAHA - Moola Manthram

Being a devotee of Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy, we all might have encountered Baghavan Guru's blessing at somepoint in our life.

We all know Sri Poornapotha stothram is very powerful and blessed by Guru himself. There are few who may not be able to memorize the stothram fully. Even I recite the stothram along with an audio file, though this is in sanskrit, Guru would expect only true bakthi and not the actual pronouciation.

For those who struggle to memorize Sri Poornapotha stothram and who need the printout or audio files to recite this stothram, reciting Baghavan's moola manthram is the boon.

OM SRI RAGHAVENDRAYA NAMAHA - ஓம் ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திராய நமஹா is the moola manthram that all devotees would recite followed by Poojyaya and Sri Poornapotha stothram.

This moola manthram is so powerful that reciting it with true bakthi and devotion for once, we will get the blessings of our Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy.

Reciting it for 108 times daily will give us the blessings of Guru and will also help us to lead a right life with truth and honesty.

There are innumerous times that Baghavan has blessed devotees and even all us will receite this moola manthram when we see Baghavan's picture or photo in a temple.

What we need is not the number of times we recite this, but even it is 1 time, how true and devotion we have is what important.

Pls. recite this and get the blessing of Guru Baghavan Raghavendra Swamy. Gururajar will always be there to bless and take care of his devotees.

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம்
ஓம் ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திராய நமஹா]

Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy - Mrithika Brindavanam in Kanchipuram

Couple of days back, I had to visit the temple town Kanchipuram which is close to Chennai.
I visited lot of temples and will start posting those in my
http://goppuradarisanam.blogspot.com
in next few weeks.

Before my visit to Kanchipuram, I made sure to check if there is any Mrithika Brindavanam
to our beloved Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy. I found the address in the net and planned
to go there to visit our Mutt.

The Mutt is managed by Sri Uttaradi Mutt and it has Mrithika Brindavanam to our beloved
Guru Baghavan Raghavendra Swamy and Sri Satya poorna Swamy of Uttaradi Mutt.

The address of the Mutt is at
Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt
Veghavathi Street,
Vishnu Kanchee
Kanchipuram - 603 501

The Mutt is very close to Sri Varadaraja Swamy temple in Vishnu Kanchee. Once you come out
of Varadharaja Swamy temple go towards left side and take 2nd left. In few metres we can
find the Mrithika Brindavanam of Sri Guru Raghavendra Swamy.

In the temple, there is a old Archarya who was very plesent and explained about the temple.
As per Acharya, this Mutt is almost 250 years old.

The main sanctum has the Mrithika Brindavanam of our Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy and
Sri Sathya poorna Swamy.

See the below picture. It has Lord Rama on the top, Lord Anajeneya, Lord Prahalada and then
Mrithika brindavanam.

The Mutt is also well maintained and clean. The Mutt also has the large painting of
Panjamukhi Anjeneyar.

At the backside of the Mutt, we have Panchamukhi Anjeneyar Statue,
There is pillar close to Panchamukhi Anjeneyar status and on the three sides of the pillar
we Lord Narashimhar in sitting pose, Lord Krishna in standing pose and Lord Krishna in
dancing pose.

The Mutt also has a Tulasi Madam well maintained.

Whenever you plan to visit Kanchipuram and Vardharaja swamy temple, please plan to visit Mrithika Brindavanam of Guru Baghavan Raghavendra Swamy and get his abundance blessings for this entire janma

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

Day 5 - Uttara aradhana

Uttara aradhana is the day of various attarctions at Mantralaya. Lakhs of devotees gathered at Mantralayam on this day to participate in Maha Rathotsava of Sri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhoumaru.
We can see lakhs and lakhs of people gathered at Mantralayam. They are really blessed to be there and get the divine blessings from our Guru. Thanks a million to www.raghavendramutt.org admin for sharing these pictures with all of us

Day 4 - Madhya aradhana pictures from Mantralayam

Grand celebration of 2012 Madhayaaradhana for our beloved Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy was celebrated in Mantralayam on Aug 4th. Lakhs of devotees witnessed the abhisekam and Ratha seva. Attaching the pictures from Madhya aradhana from Mantralayam. Thanks to www.raghavendramutt.org for sharing the pictures for people like us where are physically far away from Mantralayam but our minds are revolving around Mantralayam.

Click here for more pictures

Day 4 - Madhya Aradhana to our beloved Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy

Today , Aug 4th is the Madhya Aradhana to our beloved Baghavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy.

Though the pooja is offered to Sri Rayara brindavana in all the four sides every day, only the front side will be decorated with flowers and will be kept open for Darshana. Madhya Aradhana is the only day on which one can have darshana from all the four sides. But many devotees will remain unable to get such an opportunity for various reasons.

Aradhana means devotees expressing their bakthi, devotion, love, belief, faith , workship and divine rememberance of our Guru Bagavan Raghavendra Swamy.For our Guru, Aradhana means workship of Sri Hari, Sri Vayudevaru, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Sri Vedavyasa, Sri Madhavarcharya , Sri Vijayendra, Sri Sudheendrateertharu.

on the day, Guru performed pooja to moola ramaru with devotion. Interacted with all devotees and then offered Mantrakshate. Next day, Guru got up early and got ready for his Brindava Prevesha. Before his prevesha, Guru stated that "Devotees, the day had come and per wish of Sri Hari, I will have to disappear from your sight physically. Do not worry about this, Sri Yogendrateertharu will continue the mutt tradition and take care of you. Though I am in Mantralaya Brindavana, you can call me any time anywhere. I will be there to protect you. Sri Jaiteertharu granthhas and my writtings are here to guide and protect you. Follow them with faith and beleif. Have faith in Sri Hari Vayu and Guru. You will be blessed in life."

Rightway after Brindavan Prevesha, Guru did a miracle by completing the Guru Stotra sung by dearest devotee Appanacharya by saying the stotra from Brindavana.He completed the stotra with "SAAKSHEEHAYASTOTRAHEE" which was heared by all devotees gathered there.

At this time, during Madhya Aradhana time, I would like to post Guru's final speech before Brindavan prevesha. read the same by Clicking here

Guru Stotra is very auspicious because of three reasons,

- This stotra was authored by Guru's dearest devotee Appanacharya who came running to see Guru during Brindavanam Prevesham
- Sung exactly during the Brindavanam Prevesham of our Guru
- Guru, himself completed the stotram stating "SAAKSHEEHAYASTOTRAHEE".

Pls recite Guru Stotram today by Clicking here

Guru Rayaru will bless us all. Be with true devotion and faith and he will be there to protect us all.

Below are some songs on Guru. All these are in Kanada. Will try to post something in tamil in future

Pahi Pahi -

Jaya Jaya Veeve

Indu Enge

Raya Baro Thande Thayi Baro

My all time favorite Azaikiran Madhavan

Live Telecast - 341st Aradhana

Live Telecast of Aradhana to our Guru is being telecasted by Etv Kanada. Also Sankara TV is planning to telecast the live show from Mantralayam during certain critical hours. Pls visit these live streamming channels to see the live telecast and get the blessing of our Guru on these 3 auspicous days.May Guru bless one and all

Day 3 - Poorva Aradhana to our Guru

Attached are the pictures of Day 3 aradhana celebrations in Mantralayam. Today is Poorva Aradhana celebration. Pictures can be found in the below link. We also celebrated the Aradhana festival here today.
May Guru bless all of us and protect us through out our life.Thanks to http://www.raghavendramutt.org for sharing these pictures



More Pictures of Abhisekam
More Pictures

Day 2 - 341st Aradhana for Guru

The 341st Aradhana is getting geared up. Today there was an event scheduled focussing on Samoohika Upakarma (Annual ceremony of changing the holy thread) for Yajurveda and Rig-Veda followers was organized in the Mutt in the early hours. Attached are few pictures. This cermony is done once in a year based on Rig and Yajurveda steps.Thanks to www.raghavendramutt.org for sharing the pictures



More Pictures

Aug 1st - Day 1 - Guru's Aradhana

The 341st Aradhana Mahotsava Celebrations have begun at Mantralaya today. This year Aradhana is a celebration of seven days at Mantralayam. The present pontiff of the Mutt His Holiness Sri Swamiji performed all religious deeds which have been the tradition. This is so auspicious to all the devotees of Guru Raghavendra Swamy. On the same day 341 years ago, on Shraavana Bahula Dwiteeya Guru Baghavan Raghavendra Swamy went into deep meditation on Sri Hari and Sri Vayu and from that day to till today, Guru has been answering all the prayers of devotees. Thanks to www.raghavendramutt.org for sharing the pictures






More Pictures

Rennovated Brindavana for 341st Aradhana

Attached are some of the pictures that shows how our rennovated Mantralayam Brindavana looks. Lot of devotees like me who are far away were happy to see the pictures. Thanks to www.raghavendramutt.org for sharing the pictures.

Dedicated Page for our Guru's 341st Aradhana

Aradhana to our beloved Guru RaghavendraTeertha Gurusarvabhoumaru has started in Mantralaya on Aug 1st. In Manatralaya, we are celebrating this as a 7 day festival. It was on the same day 340 years back our beloved Bhagavan Guru Raghavendra Swamy went into deep meditation on Sri Hari & Sri Vayu. From that day, our Guru has been sitting there to bless all his devotees. On this auspicious occassion, I sincerely surrender to our Bagavan Guru Raghavendra swamy to keep his blessing hand on me and all the devotees in the world. Irrespective of caste, location etc if we sincerely pray to Guru, he will be there rightaway to protect us. Each and every devotee will agree on this as everyone has seen his miracles and blessing in one way or the other.I have not been to our Guru's Aradhana celebration in Mantralaya before and definitely there are thousands and thousands of devotees like me who are far far away from Mantralaya physically but they are all there in Mantralayam mentally by thinking of our Guru Raghavendra theertha Gurusarvabhoumaru.

Guru will always be there to protect us each and every minute of this life and bless us the things that we need rather than what we wish. There is a difference in what we wish and what we need. Guru knows exactly what is required for each of us and provides them accordingly at right time. There may be instances where things may not happen as we wish, but Guru knows when and what to give at what time. There are few things that we need to face based on our deeds from previous birth and no one can stop that happening, but our Guru can minimize the impact of the deeds and protect us from the happenings. Guru will come to our rescue whereever we are and bless us , be with us in the day, afternoon, evening , night, while we sleep etc.

I have created a dedicated page "341st Aradhana of Guru ". I wanted to post all the key events , news , happenings , pictures etc that are focussed on our Guru's aradhana.

Bhagavan Guru Raghavendra swamy last speech - post viewed by 1000+ devotees

I am happy to share the post on Guru's quotes / last speech before attaining brindavanam has been viewed by more than 1000 devotees.

This is all because of our Guru Raghavendra Swamy krupa and Karuna.

Sri Guru Raghavendra Mahimai - Book of 8 volumes

I was thinking of this post for some time, but somehow was not able to do it. As I have been posted in the previous blogs, I became a devotee of Guru Raghavendra Swamy in 2009. Lot of my troubles during that time had gone in few weeks after I became a devotee of Guru. From then on, I was trying to know more about our Guru. I came across this printers "Arumighuamman pathipagam". This is being owned by 'Amman Sathyanathan'. He is the owner and author of most of the books. They are publishing variety of spiritual books. Sathyanathan himself has experienced several miracles of our Guru and he started to pen books on our Guru Raghavendra Swamy. he has published 8 volumes of Guru Raghavendra Mahimai book. I have so far read 3 volumes and I have learnt a lot about Guru and our Mantralayam mutt.
By reading this book, we can know how much of effort and research the author had done on these books.
These books are so valuable and has all the details of Guru and the miracles performed by Guru which has been validated by author himself.

If any of you are really interested, I would definitely recommend to read this book. This comes in 8 volumes and in both Tamil and english. We can also buy and donate / gift this book to people who are interested to know more about Guru's life history, his Guru and Paramaguru, his miracles, his divine stotras and a lot. I really liked this book and wanted to share my experience to all devotees of our Guru.

Each volume has rare information of various Mrithika matha, stotras , etc. You can get more information in the below website Click here

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]

A chance to perform service at Mantralaya

His Holiness Sri Suyateendra Teertha Swamiji has initiated a new Volunteer
Programme called Dasoham at Mantralayam. This programme provides an
opportunity of being a volunteer at Mantralaya for seven days. Food and
accommodation will be provided by Srimatha. 

Interested devotees may apply immediately at
http://www.dharmaprachara.org/dasoham-2

[ஸ்ரீ கிருஷ்ணார்ப்பணம் ]