The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
105. The Great Sage Who Granted Liberation
Citradurga is a city rich in historical renown, and also notable for its large and vibrant Brahmin community, among whom many were disciples of Śrīmaṭha. Just as Citradurga is famed in recorded history, it also holds spiritual and mythological significance.
According to tradition, during the Dvāpara Yuga, the region of Citradurga was sanctified by the presence of the Pāṇḍavas, and it is believed that the idol of Gopālakṛṣṇa, installed atop the hill, was consecrated by King Janamejaya, the grandson of Arjuna.
Within the Śrīmaṭha at Citradurga, the idol of Prāṇadēvaru (Hanuman) is said to be very ancient. This idol, known for having five bells (ghaṇṭās) associated with it, was revered as the guardian deity of the Pāṇḍavas.
Knowing this, Śrī Rāghavendra Swāmī chose to reside and serve in the presence of this sacred Prāṇadēvaru while at Citradurga.
Among the personal attendants of Śrī Rāyaru was a devoted sevaka named Veṅkaṇṇa, who served him with deep devotion and steadfast discipline. Pleased with his faithful service, one day Śrī Rāyaru asked:
“Veṅkaṇṇa, what is it that you desire?”
Each time he was asked this question, Veṅkaṇṇa would respond with unwavering sincerity:
“Swāmī, I seek only one thing—liberation (mokṣa).”
Śrī Rāyaru would smile gently but remain silent. This dialogue happened repeatedly over the years, and even now after reaching Citradurga, on two or three occasions, Śrī Rāyaru again asked what he desired, and Veṅkaṇṇa replied in the same way—requesting only mokṣa.
Others in the maṭha sometimes took this as a joke and would tease him:
“Oh Veṅkaṇṇa! You think you’ll attain mokṣa?”
But Veṅkaṇṇa remained calm, never angry, always replying seriously:
“When our great Guru deems it time, I will certainly be liberated.”
Śrī Rāyaru, who was a Trikāla-jñānī (knower of past, present, and future), knew that Veṅkaṇṇa was indeed spiritually eligible for liberation. The time for grace to blossom had come.
One day, while Veṅkaṇṇa was serving as usual, Śrī Rāyaru called him close and gently asked:
“Veṅkaṇṇa, what do you desire?”
As always, Veṅkaṇṇa responded with humility and devotion:
“Mahāsvāmī, I have already submitted my heart’s desire at your lotus feet many times.
I desire nothing from this worldly life.
If you are truly pleased with me, grant me mokṣa and redeem me.”
Śrī Rāghavendra Swāmī said:
“Veṅkaṇṇa! Simply desiring liberation is not enough—you must be fully prepared in every way.”
Veṅkaṇṇa humbly replied:
“Command me, Mahāsvāmī. Please instruct me in how I must prepare. I shall obey accordingly.”
Rāyaru asked:
“Will you do exactly as I say?”
Veṅkaṇṇa affirmed:
“Certainly.”
Rāyaru continued:
“Even if it seems that your very life may be at stake, will you still carry out my instructions without hesitation?”
Veṅkaṇṇa placed his palms together and solemnly vowed:
“I take your holy feet as witness. I shall act precisely as instructed.”
Rāyaru then said:
“Very well. Tomorrow, you shall attain mokṣa. Be ready.”
Overjoyed, Veṅkaṇṇa prostrated to all the elders and disciples in the maṭha, declaring:
“I am redeemed! Please tell me what I must do.”
Rāyaru simply said:
“Tomorrow, we shall instruct you.”
After Veṅkaṇṇa completed his daily bath and sandhyāvandana, Śrī Rāyaru performed purification rituals on him using pañcagavya, conducted a homa (fire ritual), and kindled the sacred fire (agni-kuṇḍa). He then initiated Veṅkaṇṇa into a secret bījākṣara mantra, instructing him to chant it constantly, and finally gave this command:
“Now, leap into the sacred fire while chanting this mantra.”
Veṅkaṇṇa, electrified with divine energy, tears of joy streaming from his eyes, circumambulated Śrī Rāyaru three times, prostrated, and exclaimed:
“Śrī Rāghavendra Gurusārvabhauma, Govinda! Govinda!”
Chanting the sacred mantra imparted to him, Veṅkaṇṇa leapt into the fire.
A few Brahmins and bystanders from Citradurga, thinking this was all a theatrical act, watched in shock as Veṅkaṇṇa entered the flames. They immediately rushed to Rāyaru, exclaiming:
“Swāmī! What is this? That poor man trusted you with his life. You promised him liberation but led him to death in the fire!”
Rāyaru smiled gently and replied:
“Whether I granted him mokṣa or took his life—you will see for yourself in a moment. Listen carefully! Veṅkaṇṇa is now ascending to the heavens in a divine vimāna (celestial chariot). Listen to the sound of its bells!”
To everyone's astonishment, a celestial bell sound—soft, melodious, and reverberating—was heard from the sky, exactly as Rāyaru said!
People turned their eyes to the heavens in awe and devotion. As they looked up, a shower of flowers rained from the sky onto Rāyaru’s head!
Overwhelmed, they cried:
“What a miracle! What a glorious display of divine power! We have witnessed a great sage grant mokṣa to a disciple—right before our eyes!”
The skeptics fell at Śrī Rāyaru’s feet and begged:
“Mahānubhāva! We failed to recognize your greatness. Forgive our ignorance! You not only allowed us to hear the divine bells and see the heavenly flower shower—you showed us your miracle. You are truly a Mahāmuni who grants liberation!”
They praised him, chanting victory to Śrī Rāyaru.
To this day, the very spot in Citradurga where Rāyaru granted Veṅkaṇṇa liberation is preserved and revered. The Br̥ndāvana of Śrī Rāghavendra Swāmī stands nearby, commemorating this sacred event.
It is said that Bhattarahaḷḷi Nārāyaṇarāya, a descendant of Veṅkaṇṇa, and his son later built a shrine in honor of Śrī Rāyaru and invited Pūjya Śrī Suyaṁīndra Tīrtha Swāmī to install the Br̥ndāvana and hand over the maṭha.
This, too, is considered another miracle of Śrī Rāyaru—one whose blessings transcend generations.