The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
113. The Orphan Vēṅkaṇṇa Becomes a Dīvān
After completing the Chāturmāsya Vrata, Śrī Rāyaru, as part of his travels, visited a village called Kandanāti - ಕಂದನಾತಿ, near Rāyachūr. The jagirdars of that place were chief disciples of the maṭha. After the original jagirdar passed away, his relatives influenced the court of the Bijāpura Sultan, claiming rights over the jagir and usurped the authority, while the rightful heir — a young boy named Vēṅkaṇṇa — was pushed aside and neglected.
At Kandanāti - ಆದವಾನಿ, in the jagirdar's household, Śrī Rāyaru was welcomed with excellent hospitality. By that time, the orphaned Vēṅkaṇṇa had come of age, and he had heard of the greatness and glory of Śrī Rāyaru. He believed that with the Guru’s grace, all his sufferings would be resolved.
As soon as he heard of the Guru’s arrival, he came with deep devotion and reverence, served Śrī Rāyaru sincerely, narrated all his troubles and losses, and prayed for blessings that would help him rise and flourish.
The compassionate Śrī Gururājaru was moved by Vēṅkaṇṇa’s situation. Pleased with his pure heart, service, devotion, and humility, Rāyaru blessed him and said:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa! We are pleased with your service. Śrī Mūla Rāma is also pleased with you. Whenever you are in distress, remember us. From that very moment, you will begin to prosper and earn renown. In the future, you will render great service to the Mahāsaṁsthāna and to Śrī Mūla Rāma himself. Your name will become eternal.”
So saying, he offered him phalamantrākṣate and his blessings and proceeded on his journey toward Kumbhakoṇa.
Vēṅkaṇṇa, who eventually earned fame in the Bijāpura Sultan’s court with the title “Sadēsayī - ಸದೇಸಾಯಿ”, came from a once-wealthy and respected family that had received jagirs. However, when he was still a child, both his parents passed away. The jagir was then taken over by his relatives, who ostracized and sidelined him despite his rightful claim.
Raised in envy and neglect by his kin, Vēṅkaṇṇa grew up in hardship, often having to work as a cowherd. He had a strong desire to become educated, cultured, and respected in society like everyone else. But without proper guardians or mentors, and surrounded by jealous and indifferent relatives, he had to grow up as an orphan. People referred to him dismissively as “useless”.
Unable to receive even basic education, he led a life of sorrow and struggle.
As though the gates of fortune had opened for Vēṅkaṇṇa, the great saint Śrī Rāyaru arrived at Kandanāti.
Vēṅkaṇṇa, who had been deeply moved by the stories of the Guru’s greatness, served him with enthusiasm, hoping that by obtaining his blessings, he too could become a respectable and successful person in life. Blessed by the Guru with phalamantrākṣate, Vēṅkaṇṇa felt as if a powerful force had begun to circulate through his body.
Various thoughts began to arise in his mind. Until then, he had been shabby and unkempt. Now, he cleaned and wore his clothes neatly. Every day, he bathed, offered salutations to God and Guru, and began his day’s work. The people of the village, observing this transformation in Vēṅkaṇṇa after the Guru’s visit, were amazed. They began to think that his days of fortune were approaching.
Time moved on.
At that time, the region of Ādavāṇi – ಆದವಾನಿ was a vassal state under the Bijāpura Sultans, and Ādavāṇi served as its capital. The military general and nobleman Siddī Masūd Khān (c. 1662–1687), brother-in-law of ʿAlī Ādil Shah of Bijāpura, was both the mandalika (provincial ruler) and governor of that region.
Though formally under the Sultan’s authority, Siddī Masūd Khān acted autonomously and was actively expanding his domain. At that time, the entire Rāyachūr region was under his control. He was known to personally go out to collect taxes.
On one such expedition, while heading through the Kandanāti route for revenue collection, the locals trembled in fear. Since robbery, looting, and killings were common among the Yavanas (Muslim forces), Hindus, particularly the respected ones, were terrified to even look upon him.
As Siddī Masūd Khān approached Kandanāti - ಕಂದನಾತಿ, riding an elephant and accompanied by soldiers, two horsemen met him near the village and offered him royal greetings and handed over two letters.
Since no official royal reader (khaṣāpatravācaka) had accompanied him on this expedition, the Nawab (Khān) looked around to find someone who could read the letters aloud.
His eyes fell upon Vēṅkaṇṇa, who stood under a tree observing the Nawab’s grand procession. Noticing his demeanor and presence, the Nawab assumed he was a Brāhmaṇa and summoned him. He handed him the two letters and commanded him to read them aloud.
Terrified, Vēṅkaṇṇa replied politely,
“Khāvand - ಖಾವಂದ್ (master), I cannot read.”
Hearing this, the Nawab became furious:
“Are you lying, Brāhmaṇa! Saying that you are a Brāhmaṇa and yet can’t read? If you don’t read these letters right now, I will tie you to the elephant’s leg and have you dragged to death! Hmph! Read!”
Vēṅkaṇṇa’s whole body began to tremble.
He pleaded,
“No, Janāb, I truly cannot read.”
But it was of no use.
The Nawab’s anger reached its peak:
“You Brāhmaṇa! Liar! You don’t know who I am! If you read, you will be rewarded. If you don’t — it’s death!” he roared.
Hearing this, Vēṅkaṇṇa was completely lost. Tears streamed down his eyes. In that life-threatening moment, he remembered what Śrī Rāghavendra Gururāja had told him:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa, when you face hardship, remember us. From that very moment, your rise will begin, and you shall earn fame.”
Now he was in grave danger — surely this was the moment to seek the Guru’s intervention.
In his heart, he silently prayed, “Śrī Rāghavendra, save me.”
With that, he opened the letters and looked at them — and in that very moment — a miracle!
Though he had never learned to read, Vēṅkaṇṇa began reading the letters fluently, line by line!
What a wonder!
Vēṅkaṇṇa, who had never learned to read, began reading fluently like a well-educated scholar. His confident and articulate reading style, composed demeanor, and bold presence astonished the Nawab.
By the grace of Vēṅkaṇṇa’s good fortune, both letters happened to contain joyous news:
One conveyed news of victory, stating that enemies had surrendered; the other conveyed the happy news of the Nawab being blessed with a son!
Hearing both glad tidings, Siddī Masūd Khān was overwhelmed with joy. Smiling broadly, the Nawab asked:
“Hey, what’s this? You read so well, yet pretended to be illiterate! Were you scared of me?”
At that moment, Vēṅkaṇṇa realized the miraculous grace bestowed by Śrī Rāghavendra Guru. Protected by the Guru’s compassionate gaze, Vēṅkaṇṇa boldly replied:
“No, Huzūr! Truly, until now I was completely illiterate. But thanks to the blessings of my great Guru, I have now discovered, here before you, that I can read these letters. That is the truth.”
Startled, the Nawab asked, “How is that possible?”
Vēṅkaṇṇa then explained everything: how he had met Śrī Gururājaru, shared his troubles, received blessings and the promise,
“In your time of distress, remember me,”
how he had found himself in this crisis today, remembered the Guru, and was now able to read — miraculously — without understanding how.
“Huzūr, this is the greatness of our Guru,” Vēṅkaṇṇa said with humility.
Deeply amazed, the Nawab exclaimed,
“I have heard of such Mahātmās among you Hindus — but today, I have seen it with my own eyes! I am overjoyed! You have read two pieces of news most dear to me. Ask for whatever you want — I shall give it to you.”
With gentle humility, Vēṅkaṇṇa replied,
“Khāvand, your happiness is my blessing! Huzūr, your affection is enough for me — I desire nothing more.”
Impressed by Vēṅkaṇṇa’s selflessness, noble demeanor, charm, and sincerity, Siddī Masūd Khān developed special affection for him. He invited Vēṅkaṇṇa to Ādavāṇi – ಆದವಾನಿ and gave him a position in his service.
By the grace of Śrī Gururājaru, Vēṅkaṇṇa studied for several years and became a highly learned scholar. He performed his duties with deep commitment and earned the trust and affection of the Nawab.
Vēṅkaṇṇa’s ancestors — his father included — had been intelligent and skilled in governance. That political sharpness, administrative insight, and innate talent, inherited through generations, had been lying dormant in him.
Now, through the blessings of Śrī Rāyaru, these qualities blossomed.
In a short span of time, Vēṅkaṇṇa became skilled in all matters of governance, diplomacy, and policy.
He conducted himself with such competence and timely wisdom that the Nawab began trusting him more than anyone else, and constantly sought his counsel.
Vēṅkaṇṇa’s poetic skill, loyalty, humility, and royal allegiance filled the Nawab with delight.
Eventually, Vēṅkaṇṇa became the Nawab’s most trusted confidant, and within a few days, he was elevated to the prestigious position of Dīvān of Ādavāṇi!
Vēṅkaṇṇa, who was once a destitute orphan, now became the honored Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, bearing the title of “Sar Desāyī”!
From that time onward, he was renowned as Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant and became the most trusted confidant of the Nawab.
He never forgot the boundless grace of Śrī Gururājaru, who had uplifted an orphan like him and elevated him to the status of a Dīvān. Always immersed in that remembrance, he longed for the day when he might once again be blessed with the opportunity and fortune to serve that great soul.
While he waited in hope for such a moment, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant flourished in his role as Dīvān of Ādavāṇi ಆದವಾನಿ — gaining widespread fame, prestige, and immense wealth.
Meanwhile, having blessed Vēṅkaṇṇa, Śrī Gururājaru continued his travels and arrived at Kumbhakoṇa on his Digvijaya (spiritual victory tour).
The people of Kumbhakoṇa, filled with joy at the Guru’s arrival, welcomed Śrīpādaru with great pomp and honor.
At Vidyāmaṭha, Gururājaru engaged — as always — in:
Teaching and discourse (pāṭha-pravacana)
Overseeing the educational institution
Working tirelessly for the welfare of the world, and
Uplifting disciples and devotees.