Raghavendra Swamy Lord Krishna
HOLY PILGRIMAGES
Soon after becoming a pontiff, as per the tradition,Guru Raghavendra began to travel to various holy places, visited lot of temples and worshipped the deities.During his travels, he performed many miracles and removed the troubles and turmoil of the people. He also won in the debates held with the learned scholars, and proved that the teachings and the philosophy of Madhwacharya is true. Rayaru also went to Udupiand Pandharpur, and had the divine vision of Lord Krishna. He also preached about the importance of worshipping the deities amongst the public, and made them to attain enlightenment in their lives.
ILLITERATE VILLAGE PERSON BECOMES A DIWAN
Venkanna was an orphan boy, and he was taken care of by his wicked uncle. He didn’t allow Venkanna to study, but he made him to graze the cows. Once, from the words of someone, Venkanna had heard about the significance of Guru Raghavendra and he eagerly waited for him to receive the divine blessings from him.
Once as usual while he was grazing the cows, he saw Rayaru, who was travelling by that side. Venkanna immediately ran and stood before him with uneasiness for some time. Later he had narrated his entire life history to him. Rayaru took pity on him and gave him some mantrakshate (consecrated rice) and asked him to recite his name whenever he is need of his help.
One day, Nawab of Adoni, Siddimasood Khan gave him a paper and asked him to read it. Since he was an illiterate, he was unable to read the contents present in the paper. Due to fear, he began to pray sincerely to Guru Raghavendra, and at once, he was able to read the contents present in the paper. In that paper, it was mentioned that the Nawab had fetched victory in a battle. On hearing the good news from the mouth of Venkanna, Nawab had appointed him as a Diwan for Adoni.
STAY AT KUMBAKONAM
After travelling to several holy places, finally Guru Raghavendra reached Kumbakonam, and stayed there for a few years. People felt his presence as very divine, and all of the people in Kumbakonam had honoured him very well.
After staying a few years in Kumbakonam, Rayaru went to Adoni. Venkanna felt very happy on his Guru’s visit and treated him with much devotion.
NAWAB’S TEST
The Nawab after hearing about the visit of Guru Raghavendra to Adoni, wanted to test the powers of Guru Raghavendra. Hence with the help of his attendants, he kept some meat on silver plates, covered with silk clothes, and made them to place it near to our Holy Guru Raghavendra. Rayaru with a divine smile, accepted the Prasad given by the Nawab, and sprinkled some water from his kamandala on the plates. Later, he ordered the clothes to be removed. When the clothes were removed, the nawab could only see full of flowers and fruits in the plates! The Nawab then realised his mistake, and known about the greatness of Rayaru, and asked him to apologise him, and he was willing to donate the entire Adoni to the great guru.
Guru Rayaru rejected his proposal, but asked him to grant an infertile village Manchale, which is situated on the banks of the holy Tungabhadra River. As per the wish of the divine guru, the king happily agreed to give him the holy village Manchale to him.
On one fine day, Rayaru went to the village of Manchale, offered his sincere prayers to Ma Manchalamma and got her blessings.
OM SRI GURU RAGHAVENDRAYA NAMAH