Divine Seer - Shri Sushameendra Teertha - Continued

By Sri Chiraan 2009/04/14

The Raghavendra swamy mutt at Delhi Moti bagh, is constructed on a land actually allocated to German Embassy In India. German ambassador in India used to everyday have a strange dream of a saint clad in saffron early in the morning, and instructing him to relieve the land. This was an incident the diplomat could not relate to anything in his surroundings. But his experience was there everyday. Once he happened to visit PM’s house in New Delhi, Prime minister then was known to be a ardent devotee of Shri Raghavendra swamiji. He had a large photograph at his PM residence at the entrance. The diplomat immediately recognised the saint as the one who appears in his dreams, and instructs him to relieve the land. PM also surprised by the fact summoned the endowments officials to enquire about any mishaps or lacuna that has occurred with regards to mutt. After many file search's it was found that the land allocated to German embassy was many years ago reserved for the construction of mutt to the Mantralayam trust. Immediately steps were taken to replace the land papers and permission to grant the construction of mutt was accorded. Sushameendra teertha performed holy yaga at this mutt, and to this day it is a very bright pleasant, vibrant place to visit. 

Years later I and my Vidya gurji had a small argument [vada  between two learned people to enhance knowledge is encouraged in our philosophy]. The debate was when encountered with abhichara, [ deadly incantation ], a Bramhin can resort to "maran" this was my view. I had manusmriti verses backing me.

My vidyaguruji was of the opinion, I being Simha lagna, was making this statement else, Bramhin [especially madhva] should not resort to "maran". [Prior to using mantra, I was making statements like we must shoot people to death, when faced with opposition, after initiation into mantra, my opponents dwindled automatically, I had no necessity to use harsh words either] citing my own experience, my vidyaguruji opined, maran should never be employed, Ahimsa is a must.

My nature was not accepting this, I was finding hard to digest the fact that we should be forced to meek submission before abhichara. [Even as a child, my uncles and father and relatives used to play chess without employing exchanges, idea was to conquer the enemy with all his forces intact, but I preferred a violent game,  a fact that later enabled me to win intra university chess]. Again my teacher dismissed it as the compulsions of LEO ascendant and aspect of Mars on lagna in navamsa.

I was looking for injunction and not opinion. So my vidya guruji suggested lets take direction from Sushameendra teertha. Swamiji as we approached him, he without speaking a word pointed to the MoolVrundavana. I did not understand. Then I learnt a new thing in my life, my teacher explained, everybody just visits Brundavana from a distant, even the most influential also just gazes the brundavana by a two or three feet distant even inside garbha griha. But stepping onto the brundavan is a divine experience, one cannot think even for a second anything wrong or mithya or fictitious, [the logic is Rayaru - Shri Raghavendra swamiji being in asampragyat samadhi for more than 300 years now, as we ascend his Brundavana, his TAPAS vibration creates a definiteness of thought].

So my vidya guruji said, I make a sankalpa of our question as "whether one should resort to maran" then he rectified, "I will never, but can I allow my disciple [myself]  to resort to maran". Then I will ascend the moolbrundavan and chant 10000 times the moolmantra , then whatever i get the answer, i shall relate it to you".

Meanwhile I sat by the Vadeendra brundavana gazing amazingly at this new phenomenon, rather new methodology of getting answers .

After 10000 japa, my guruji came out, Sushameendra teertha had a peculiar smile on his face, my vidyaguruji was very serious, he took me to Tungabhadra, at sunset, BY then Bheeman Katte Swamiji had also come for chaturmasa. Swamiji and my vidyaguruji were classmates at Sudha lessons, at the behest of my teacher Bheeman Katte Swamiji initiated me into maran mantra saying, "I could resort to in extreme danger".

Later my vidya guruji confided that his guru late archaka of panchamukhi temple was and expert in maran vidya.

Krishnarpana

Divine Seer - Shri Sushameendra Teertha

By Sri Chiraan 2009/04/14

A first look at the swamiji, he comes across as less knowledged, childish and less expressive person. Guruji is not known to have given highly charged sermon. He always speaks what has been ordained for him through his surroundings. Many people mistake him to be a proxy. But all these notion will change once you have a intimate moment with him. The conversation that he leaves [consisting of only few words sometimes a one liner], and expression in his eyes would leave even most savvy people stunned and amazed at the spiritual power of this great saint. 

{I am a balanced personality never given to histrionics and unreasoned adulations, I take credit unto myself many times [egoistically] analysing most complex human issues with ease since my mercury is exalted as second and eleventh lord with yoga karaka aspected by benefic. I could read human mind just by looking at the eyes of the person even as a child of eight years. Most of the time [as I was growing and simmering with intellectual ego {squashed badly during seven and half saturn}], I refused to listen to people, as I knew what next words would be, as I thought listening would be a waste of time, angering many people. Later I learnt the fact from my father that one must listen  for the solace of others though you know what he is going to say}.

But with swamiji a look into his eyes would result into non worldly experiences. Swamiji never seemed to be in this world. What a pamar mind of mine [pamar is one who is engrossed in mundane affairs of life] would decipher the extra wordly affairs of a advanced soul! Am I being unreasonable and exaggerated? No because there were moments where swamiji knowing my abilities gave many hints, advices through his eyes! Once when I was swayed by emotions and was adamant on taking an action unapproved by everyone surrounding me, but I was very reluctant to let go the thought, because I was under the impression I could never go wrong, but as everyone disapproved [I had stopped interacting], I thought why not ask the seer Sushameendra teertha. As these thoughts were crisscrossing my mind, I got a urgent call to attend a conference in Hyderabad, I hurriedly left Mumbai. As a usual practise  Before attending I made it a point to visit Barkatpura mutt, Sushameendra teertha had also come that day to Hyderabad.  As MoolRama Pooja was going on, my mind was wavering, I was only concentrating on Gurujis’ eyes and my mind was far from devotional. Swamiji stopped the pooja in middle, turned towards me, I was seated in a corner very far, gave a stern look, I could read he did not approve my action. The pooja being stopped had surprised everyone, well I asked mentally a question, AM I facing failure by giving up this thought, he smiled and his eyes were moist and showed concern and assurance, I could read it. I promised I will give up the thought. The poise regained pooja continued. Swamiji called me after the pooja, I had a tapta mudra dharana, believe my thoughts weeded away, I felt was it me who was thinking so. [ A minute ago my mind was agitating, after tapta mudra I was ashamed, I realised everybody is prone to making mistakes].

Its very difficult to conquer an agitating mind, but with likes of Sushameendra Guru around, everything’s a cakewalk. But why do people like swamiji behave like this?

The answer is in Bhagavat, Purana say when a person attains a extraordinary knowledge about Lord and self, he must act like a fool, child or null, carelessly singing, dancing and behaving as child or insane, he must escape the worldly pursuit and live a secluded life given up towards Krishna. Aparoksha Gyani as Shri Sushameendra teertha was, not for a second did he make other realise that he was very knowledged or scholar or divine.

But his divine nature oozed out for the people to see, when every word uttered by him started materialising. Couple who never had children for 14 years, just when he blessed have a child, bore child within nine months ,

Once when keys were forgotten to open the sanctum sanctorium, he opened it miraculously. He could ask people to find solution to problems around him, just by childish adamancy. Is touch was a great heal, I remember when I was badly stuck in one of my endeavours, [ however hard I tried, I felt some force obstructing me and me helplessly meek before it, I needed a booster adrenaline]. Just then swamy came by, he gave a small pat on my back, I felt a surge of energy, and very next moment then onwards my forward journey started overcoming all the obstacles like a twig. I know for myself it was not my efforts, but some divine strength that drove me through fierce opposition.

Friends Sushameendra Teertha was no ordinary seer, he was a divine Aparoksha gyani living amidst us. I feel fortunate to have had such close intimate relationship with him. I bow to this soul again and again in reverence.

Krishnarpana

Sri 108 Sushameendra Teertha

By Sri Chiraan 2009/04/12

My beloved guruji, the PEETHADHIPATI of SRI RAGHAVENDRA MOOLASAMSTHANA MANTRALAYAM passed away yesterday. I present the following couplet in my Guru’s charanarvindam and relate my close encounters with him and influence on my life. 

Havyavahan samah tejam Hrudabji Prakashit narasimham !

Raghavendraamsha sambhuutam Sri Sushmeendra Gurum Bhaje!!

Beloved Guruji had always been a guiding force in my life. Whenever I was in a state of despair, in whichever city I would be, Swamiji surprisingly would be in the same city to offer me guidance, good wishes and new enthusiasm to continue. For as a many as three times I faced sabotage in my life, surrounded by enemies as I was, my only hope would be Raghavendra swamy mutt, where would spend hours to seek solution, freedom from the web of enemies. Every time Swamiji would somehow appear in that city as a part of his spiritual trip and my encounter and his darshan and Divya MOOLRAMA POOJA would immediately put my mind into calmness under the most impossible situation, and I would always always escape enemy designs .

1. Some of the incidents that I could recall are: I had completed my engineering from one of premier institutes of India in Computer Technology. I had no wish to get a job for myself, I wanted to do something different, My father had given a clear dictate not to enter foreign land. Local industry was not aware of computer design and analysis, and only thing Indians were attempting were a coding job, but I had three research papers to my credit. What should be my first steps in life? I told my mother, that I am taking a break and going to Mantralayam to seek answers for my future! My Father great astrologer as he was, has made note of tapasvi yoga in my horoscope and my mother always gets jitters when I mention I am going to Mantralayam. Somehow I convinced her my aunt took the responsibility of bringing me back in case I don’t return. This time I wanted  to experiment and put to test my spiritual endurance, hence I left Hyderabad with only dhoti and shalya, and only one way bus fares towards Mantralayam and nothing else. [My contention was only Lord will orchestrate my return, and I will only concentrate on my next immediate steps, orders to be taken directly from the Seer]. I spent next ten day on the altars of Mantralayam sleeping on the temple doorsteps on the ground, fasting without taking even water was a usual practice in the house. But as Friday was usual fast day, next Saturday was Ekadashi [Brahmins fast complete 36 hours from Dashami night till Dwadashi morning], but again Sunday was an extra Ekadashi  and Monday was Vaman Dwadashi a fast again . Thus four days went without water, I had totally dehydrated barely able to move [ think my three hours regular gym practise during college days had come handy in countering the stress]. The fifth day meals seemed like the only endeavour in life, but somehow it was served at 10 am. The previous fasts had rendered me blank and I had forgotten the very purpose of my visit. There was a congregation of all major scholars, and my dressing was mistaken for one of the participants, and as I was seated on a altar without hiring a room, people gathered around me to know few things general about philosophy and slowly about astrology too. Next few days my airs of being Engineer too vanished, I was observing myself being reduced to a rustic fakir. But my aim was to know my future. On the eighh day I met MY VIDYAGURU ASTHAN JYOTHISHI OF MATRALAYAM, he initiated  me into a mantra shastra, the next few days I spent my all day half dipped in Tungabhadra practising what guruji had given the upadesha. My guruji had completed 10 crores of the japa, thus I could easily see the difference the mantra was making on me because of his capacity. Ninth day I had a dream of fabulous research [which gave way for fantastic products later]. I wrote them down on a paper the next morning, presented it to my vidyaguru. Though he did not understand it [computer science was not their subject, they had all the schooling in the matha pathshala in sanskrit]. Guruji suggested, Shri SUSHAMEENDRA TEERTHA is guru for all of us, so lets take his blessings.

Chandra Navamsa Rasi

By Sri Chiraan 2009/04/05

Once there lived a great saint by the name Vijayeendra teertha in the kingdom of tanjore in Kumbhakonam as the mathadipathi of Sriman MoolRamchandra samsthana. Shri Vijayeendra is guru of Shri Sudheendra teertha ,who in turn is the guru of Shri Raghavenedra Swamy of Mantralayam. So much is the influence of personality of shri Vijayeendra on the devotees that even in Shri Raghavendra stotra [religiously recited by Madhvas], the poet describes Shri Raghavendra as "Vijayendra karabjothra Sudheendra varaputraka", this mention emphasizes the magnanimous personality of Vijayeendra teertha.

It is necessary to remind that the period was one of peaks of Vijaynagar empire, and people were stupendously prosperous and only pursuit that was rendered great was that of culture and learning. 

Note: When every citizen is full and prosperous, where there is no poverty and everyone is rich then what would be the pursuit of human being? Men are known to excel each other, today when wealth is paramount because it is ill distributed, its owners defy all the logic to reinforce their superiority. But when wealth becomes a common factor among citizens, all desired are easily accessible, then the humans pursue arts. Those who are well versed in different arts are given prominence and wealth takes a backseat.

Arts comes by learning and sadhana .There are 64 types of arts, the prosperity is reflected in how many arts a particular person knows. Everyone in that era had one or two arts well practised and the best were those who exhibited their arts and learnings in an extraordinary way.

Shri Vijayeendra had openly declared himself as the master of 64 arts and dared people to challenge him and win over him if they can. Thus the era marked various people challenging him in various fields, Vijayeendra won over singers like Tansen and his disciples with rendering of deepak raga and meghmalhar simultaneously causing fire and rain. He defeated gymnasts by walking between two temples on a rope made of single strand of beetle bark, tied between the top of a kalash of city temples, with a kamandalu and umbrella. This is laghima sidhdhi.

One day a famous astrologer came to the city to challenge the Swamiji. The swamiji asked the astrologer to write down the incidents that is going to happen the next day in a closed envelop. Both of them wrote down.

The next day there was a great gathering in the town and King of Tanjore had also come down to witness the great challenge. The king initially paid obeisance to the Swamiji and gave him a felicitation and did abhisheka with all sorts of precious stones [ratna abhisheka], and also gave royal welcome to the astrologer. The envelops were opened by the Royal ministers. Astrologer wrote, Shri VIjayeendra teertha swamiji will be felicitated by a king through ratna abhisheka. Then another envelope was opened written by Swamiji. Shri Vijayeendra teerth wrote, as "the Astrologer will be given royal welcome and this envelop be opened, astrologer will get a good news of birth of son through a messenger".

Just then a messenger forced through the mob, and gave the astrologer the message of birth of a son to him. The astrologer was very very happy and prostrated before Swamiji and conceded that swamiji was greater astrologer.

Chandra navamsa rashi plays a very important role in a ones life. If it is associated with good planets good future is indicated. If it is afflicted bad future can be predicted.

• Jupiter in chandra navamsa rashi gives birth of son.
• Jupiter in debilitation will give quarrels with Bramhins.
• Venus in chandra navamsa rasi gives fresh clothes and happiness from women.
• Mercury gives success in litigation.
• Full moon denotes beautiful things.
• Sun causes anger of rulers and gods.
• Mars causes unnecessary struggles and litigation due to lands.
• Saturn destroys produce and diseases to cattle and difficulties to servants.
• Rahu gives trouble from poison, serpents.
• Ketu gives trouble from ghosts.
• Gulika gives troubles from spells and casts.
• Weak Moon gives mental worry.
• Afflicted Mercury gives failure in court cases.
• Results will come in as many months as the number of navamsa
• From moon
• Or from lagna traversed or gained.

krishnarpanamastu

Arishta Bhanga - [Avoidance of Unfortunate Yoga]

By Sri Chiraan 2009/02/27

There are many arishta yogas in Astrology. These bring misfortunes, or even death to the native and his prospects. But a single strong benefic in the kendra destroys all the evils. If malefic causing arishta yoga is hemmed between the benefics then the maleficence will cease and only benefic results will flow. 

Once Shri Raghavendra Swamy was on a pilgrimage towards south India. On his way he stopped along with his entourage at a village. A village is headed by the Desai. Desai accorded a welcome to the entire Swami’s disciple at his house, and requested for the MoolRama's pooja to be held in his house that day. The whole village and nearby people had gathered in his house.

[All the Swamiji’s carry some Idol of divine presence with them given their respective gurus. They must perform daily pooja in a detailed manner as prescribed to Sanyasi’s to this idol, and saligrama etc. The lapse in this routine causes the Sanyasi to lose his post and authority. Shri Raghavendra Swamy had Shri MoolRama idol with him. This Idol was handed down from Bramha to Sanatkumar to Durvasa, and others on to the earth. Even Lord Shri Rama prayed this Idol himself . Thus Shri MOOLRAMA idol and its pooja is held in high esteem even to this date].

Desai arranged for the prasad [grand lunch] to all the participants in his house. The whole atmosphere got festive as Shri Raghavendra swamiji performed pooja to Lord Rama. The atmosphere resembled that of Bramha’s abode resplendent with all the devatas as the pooja commenced [primarily because Devatas themselves come everyday to witness this grand pooja].

Delicious sweets were being prepared in the large kitchen. A vessel full of KHEER was also prepared. Desai had a son of eight years age. He merrily went into kitchen at the smell of sweets . Everyone was busy in the prayer hall attending to guests and witnessing pooja. Boy accidentally slipped into the vessel and died. The parents having noticed this went into untold grief. But laying aside the grief and their son in another room, they hid their emotions and also the news of their son’s death, lest it would put an end to the celebration in the house, and guests would return without partaking food.

Thus with a heavy heart they ordered the neighbour to carry on with the serving of food to the guests and completion of the ritual. Shri Raghavendra swamiji enquired about the hosts Desai, and his family, and their well being. But the relatives refused to divulge the details. Swamiji ordered to bring the family before him. The couple appeared with heavy heart. Swamiji also ordered their son to be brought out in the open.

The whole atmosphere was grief ridden as the body of the infant was brought before the Swamiji.  Shri Raghavendra swamiji sprinkled the holy teertha of shri Moolrama on the body of the boy and chanted the mantra . The boy’s life was restored. The boy got up as usual and went to his mother playfully unaware of the details. The entire family was moved to tears with gratitude towards the great saint. Everyone had a hearty meal all the while wondering the greatness of the MoolRama teertha and Swamiji’s mantra shakti and his merciful act.

Aapadi mouli paryatam gurunam akrutim smaret! ten vignaha pranashyanti sidhyanti cha manorathaha!!

krishnarpanamastu

Mantropadesha - Guruanugraha

By Sri Chiraan 2009/02/26

When there are benefics in 3rd and 9th house and Ninth lord is in gopuramsa, one will have upadesha of secret mantra and blessings of a Guru. 

In 17th century there was a Bramhin boy by name Venkanna. He had no parents and was living in his uncle’s house. Though being a Bramhin he did not have opportunity to study the shastras. Also his guardians were not interested in spending on boy’s education. They had set upon him the task of grazing cattle. The boy was very sad but had resigned to his fate.

One day a Great seer by name Shri Raghavendra Swamy [peethadhipati of Madhvacharya’s Mool samsthan, and author’s ishta guru, beacon light of Madhva school of Vedanta, Kalpavruksha to many devotees in the country] came to the village. Everyone rushed to take the blessings of the seer. Shri Raghavendra was known to grant all the wishes of his devotee. He was known for his magnanimity, merciful and quick to grant boons.

Venkanna too went to the Acharya and after a sashtanga namaskaar, and expressing his desire to study, gazed at the guru for some heartening words. But his holiness called the boy and uttered a upadesha in his ears, and guided the boy to “remember him in the time of distress and chant the mantra”.

Venkanna keeping faith in the Guru went about grazing cattle as usual. Many days passed by, the boy had grown adult but yet was uneducated. One day Nawab of Adoni was passing by on a war trail. His troops were tired and reluctant. A terrible battle was anticipated. Just then a messenger came by with a written message in Sanskrit. Unfortunately none in the camp were educated. All the troops were unable to decode the message. Nawab happened to see the Bramhin boy grazing cattle in the ground nearby .

Now it was foregone conclusion that Bramhins were adept at Sanskrit. Thus he ordered the boy to be brought before him. As the soldiers presented the Venkanna before the Nawab. Nawab requested him to read out the message for him. Venkanna as illiterate he was, pleaded he did not know to read and write. This angered Nawab, he excalimed "Bamman ka bachcha aur padhna nahi ata, Bewakoof banata hai". He threatened to kill him if he does not read out the message.

Venkanna closed his eyes remembered Guru Shri Raghavendra and chanted the mantra to save himself. Alas !!!!

He instantly became the scholar of seven languages, he decoded the message that there was no need to go for war, as friendly neighbourhood had intercepted the army, and enemies had retreated looking at the friendly armies encircling from all sides. In fact the attack was planned thinking that Nawab was deprived of friends, but as he amassed strength from neighbourhood they dropped their plan. At the same time Nawab was also blessed with a son. [All this was translated into pharsi for the nawab by Venkanna].

Nawab was overwhelmed, seeing the good omen in the Bramhin, he made him his Diwaan. Venkanna’s life changed in a moment, not only was his desire of studying fulfilled, but also he achieved the notable post to serve his people and the GURU.

Venkanna having witnessed Guruanugraha in his life, continued with faith and worship in MoolRama of Shri Raghavendra swami.

Many years later Swamiji came to Adoni, Venkanna was overwhelmed and decided to give royal welcome to the Guru. He took permission from Nawab, and as a routine expressed the mystique that is Guru Raghavendra. He obliged, but at the same time decided to test the Swamiji .

Diwaan was anxious and nervous at the prospect of possible insult that would come Guru’s way. But there was no solution to his dilemma. He remembered Guru and chanted the mantra. Something in him assured that everything would be alight.

Next day Swamiji was accorded Royal welcome. Nawab himself came to pay his respect, but Nawab had a plate full of non-veg covered, and presented it to the Swamiji to accept it to be offered to Lord Ram that he prays. Swamy Raghavendra took water from his kamandalu and sprinkled it on the plate to purify it as ritual before offering to the Lord Rama.

Lo!!!! when plate was uncovered it was full of fruits and flowers !!!!!!!!

Nawab was taken aback, he was quiet ashamed and at the same time was afraid that if Swamiji is outraged, then he may very well turn his kingdom into null. Petrified he offered to donate land and riches to the Saint. He offered many well nurtured lands with plantation and agricultures and mines. But Shri Raghavendra swami refused to take them, but as a token gift he requested him to donate the barren lands of Manchala village. Nawab donated it along with lots of riches and arrangements to establish the mutt there at Manchala.

This is the modern Mantralaya on the banks of Tungabhadra river in Adoni taluk, Kurnool District Andhra  pradesh. Swamiji took jeeva asampragyat samadhi in this place is still present in the Brundavan at Mantralayam blessing his devotees .

Mukopi yat prasadena mukund shayanayate! RajRajayate rikto Raghavendram Tamashraye!!

Krishnarpanamastu