The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
106. Blessings upon the Lovers of Food
As part of his pilgrimage, Śrī Rāghavendra Swāmī arrived at the sacred town of Harihara Kṣetra, situated along the banks of the Tungabhadra river. This place was particularly radiant with its numerous agrahāras (Brahmin settlements).
The devout townspeople, full of reverence, felt blessed to host Śrī Rāyaru, offering pāda-pūjā, bhikṣā (meals), and various services with deep devotion.
One day, after completing his daily teaching (pāṭha), Rāyaru summoned the maṭha manager (pārupattēdāru - ಪಾರುಪತ್ತೇದಾರು) and instructed:
“Today, prepare extra offerings for Śrī Rāma in the form of hot cooked rice (shāvige), paramānna (sweet rice), jalebis, and laddus.”
Shortly afterward, while Śrī Rāyaru was engaged in conversation with devout visitors, the manager introduced three Mādhva Brahmins, radiant and dignified in appearance. One of them respectfully said:
“Having heard of your divine fame, O revered Guruvarya, we—your humble disciples—have come for your darśana, to receive your mantra-mudrā-dhāraṇa (spiritual initiation) and blessings. Kindly bestow your grace upon us.”
Śrī Rāyaru, smiling with warmth, replied:
“Very good! I’m pleased. I shall initiate you with the mantra and mudrā. After completing your bath and midday rituals, come quickly for darśana of Śrī Mūla Rāma.”
He then left for his own bath and pūjā preparation.
The three Brahmins proceeded toward the Tungabhadra River for their bath. Along the way, one of them, seemingly casual in nature, remarked:
“Everyone says the Guru is a great Mahātmā. Well, if today he serves me my favorite—jalebi—for lunch, then I’ll accept him as a true Mahātmā!”
The second said:
“And if I receive laddus—my favorite—I too will believe in his greatness!”
The third Brahmin, who was more composed and spiritually inclined, chastised them:
“This is not right. We should never test a Mahātmā. Above all, Rāyaru—who is not only Jagadguru but also our Kula-guru—must never be tested! It is a great offense!”
But the first two Brahmins defended themselves, saying:
“We do believe in Rāyaru’s greatness. That is exactly why we’re hoping he blesses us by fulfilling even our silent desires. Is it wrong to desire such grace from our Guru?”
The spiritually radiant third brāhmaṇa gently advised:
“From a Guru, one must seek jñāna (knowledge), bhakti (devotion), vairāgya (dispassion), and karuṇā (compassion)—not mere indulgences for tongue or belly. Our speech must reflect reverence, not frivolity.”
Though the other two brāhmaṇas were somewhat dissatisfied with the rebuke, they didn’t argue. With a sheepish smile, they teasingly asked:
“Well then, what is your favorite delicacy?”
He calmly replied:
“The Guru knows what I like. If he chooses to bless me with anything, I shall accept it as his divine will. But I will not desire like you two, nor try to test him. I have no wicked intent to measure a great saint like him.”
As the three reached the riverbank and prepared to bathe, they saw a maṭha servant, standing on a rock and washing Śrī Rāyaru’s śeṣa vastra (sacred leftover garments).
The servant looked up, smiled mischievously, and called out:
“Ah, so the lovers of sweets have arrived! Quick, finish your bath. The Guru will soon fulfill your cravings!”
Startled, one of the brāhmaṇas asked:
“Wait—what did you just say? What do you mean?”
The servant, now with dry hands and holding the wet garments, looked confused:
“What are you talking about? I didn’t speak with you. I don’t even know who you are!”
And then, without another word, he resumed his work in silence.
The brāhmaṇas were stunned.
“Is he pretending? He just spoke to us so clearly!”
They wondered if perhaps he was mentally unwell.
But just as they dismissed the incident, the same servant—now finished—turned back again and called:
“Did you hear me or not? Hurry up and finish your bath. The Guru is waiting to fulfill your heart’s desires!”
And off he walked toward the maṭha.
Now fully bathed and even more curious, the brāhmaṇas stood speechless in the river.
“What is going on? First he speaks as if he knows our unspoken thoughts… then denies it… and now repeats it again? What could this mean?”
The wise brāhmaṇa who had earlier warned them smiled and explained:
“I told you not to test great saints. Do you see now? This is not just about the Guru himself—but the power even in his śeṣa vastra (sacred clothes). Did you notice the pattern? When he held the Guru’s garments, he spoke with divine insight. Once he set them down, he seemed unaware and denied knowing us. That is the glory of the Guru's garments! Even the one who touches them becomes a medium of the Guru’s grace. Let this be a lesson. Let us go now and seek forgiveness and blessing with sincerity.”
The three returned together to the maṭha—humbled, curious, and transformed.
By the time the three brāhmaṇas returned to the maṭha, the nivedya (offering) had been made, and Śrī Rāyaru was performing the mahamangala ārati (great ceremonial waving of lights) to Śrī Rāma.
After the deity's worship concluded, and tīrtha-prasāda (holy water and blessed food) was distributed, Śrī Rāyaru summoned the maṭha caretakers and, pointing to the three brāhmaṇas, instructed:
“Seat these gentlemen in front of the decorated brāhmaṇas. Lay out banana leaves accordingly and serve them with reverence.”
All assembled devotees, adorned with sandal paste and sacred rice grains, approached the meal setting. Śrī Rāyaru sat at the center to receive bhikṣā (ritual offerings) and directed the caretakers to seat the three brāhmaṇas in front of the chief guests.
The meal commenced. After the first portion of food was served, Śrī Rāyaru again called the caretakers and pointed to each brāhmaṇa, saying:
“To the radiant brāhmaṇa at the first leaf—serve sweetened rice pudding (pāyasa). To the one next to him—jalebi, and to the third—laddus, serve all abundantly.”
The cooks, following these divine instructions, joyfully served them all. Then, Śrī Rāyaru smiled and said:
“Dear brāhmaṇas, you have come from afar to seek our darśana. Please enjoy these dishes you love most, at your leisure.”
The three were thunderstruck. Overwhelmed, they froze in disbelief.
The radiant brāhmaṇa stood up and spoke humbly:
“O Master, I have committed no lesser offense. Though I did not make the request, I accompanied those who did, and thereby share in their error. Kindly forgive us and bless us as your true disciples.”
Upon hearing this, the surrounding scholars and devotees, curious about the strange exchange, asked the three what had happened. They narrated everything—from their conversation en route to the river, the strange maṭha servant who mysteriously knew their desires, to the divine alignment of the exact sweets they had privately wished for.
The radiant brāhmaṇa exclaimed:
“Even I, who didn’t ask, received pāyasa, my most beloved dish—unspoken yet granted! See the glory of Śrī Rāyaru, who fulfilled our hidden desires, even without our asking!”
After the meal, all three approached Śrī Rāyaru, bowed deeply, and with folded hands asked forgiveness and blessings.
Śrī Rāyaru, smiling graciously, comforted them and blessed each with sacred akṣate (blessed rice), gifts, and affectionate words.
He then turned to the radiant one and said:
“Timmanna Bhaṭṭa, come closer. You are most fortunate. Don’t feel troubled by the events—this too was the will of the Lord. You and your descendants shall forever receive the privilege of serving us and our maṭha. May you always be blessed.”
Thus, the three brāhmaṇas were transformed by this miracle, and the incident became one of the many shining jewels in the life of Śrī Rāghavendra Swamiji—a testimony to his omniscience, compassion, and the sanctity of his every gesture.