The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
115. Śrī Rāyaru in Ādavāṇi
After departing from Kumbhakoṇa, Śrī Rāyaru swiftly traveled and graced Hampi with his presence. There, he had darśana of Padmanābha and other ancient ācāryas, offered hastodaka, and paid respects to Śrī Virūpākṣa, Rāma Deva, and Prāṇa Deva through worship and service. From there, he proceeded to Ballari, where he rested for a few days.
After four or five days, the Nawab of Ādavāṇi, along with his beloved disciple, Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, and several other dignitaries, received Śrīmukha letters sent by Śrī Rāyaru, inviting them to receive him at Ādavāṇi. These letters, accompanied by phalamantrākṣate, were carried by Śrīpāda Putra Lakṣmīnārāyaṇācārya and other scholarly members of the Maṭha.
Upon meeting the Dīvān, Śrīpāda Putra and the paṇḍitas presented Śrīmukha and the blessed mantrākṣate.
When Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant received these divine tokens from Śrī Rāyaru, his body was overcome with goosebumps, and, brimming with emotion and devotion, he exclaimed:
“Ah! Will my liberating Guru truly bless me again? After so many years, Rāyaru has shown his compassion on this poor disciple one last time. I am truly blessed!”
His heartfelt reaction amazed Śrīpāda Putra and the assembled paṇḍitas.
Sensing their wonder, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant humbly recounted his life-changing experiences — how, despite being unlettered, he had been forced by the Nawab to read royal letters; how he had been struck with fear and, at that moment of despair, remembered Śrī Rāyaru; how, through divine grace, he could miraculously read and gained the Nawab’s affection, ultimately leading to his appointment as Dīvān of the state.
With heartfelt devotion, he said:
“From being discarded like filth, I have now risen to this exalted position — all due to the power of Śrī Rāyaru’s grace!”
Listening to this moving testimony, everyone present felt as if a current of divine energy had passed through their bodies.
They stood astonished and overwhelmed with bliss.
Later, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant arranged for the Śrīpāda Putra and paṇḍitas to meet the Nawab, and presented the Śrīmukha and mantrākṣate.
He said to the Nawab:
“Huzūr, my revered Gurudeva is coming to bless us. His arrival will be greatly auspicious for you and for the entire kingdom.”
The Nawab, Siddī Masūd Khān, who had heard about the Guru’s knowledge, devotion, renunciation, and greatness from his beloved Dīvān, was extremely pleased.
Smiling, he turned to the Śrīpāda Putra and said:
“Paṇḍitjī, since your revered Guru is also the Guru of my Dīvān, then surely he is my Guru too! It is a great joy indeed to welcome such a noble soul.”
Turning to Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, he added:
“Dīvān-jī, it is your responsibility to honorably receive Gurumahārāj and offer him the highest respect. You must take full charge of these arrangements.”
Hearing the Nawab’s words, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant was filled with immense joy. He humbly replied,
“Jī Huzūr, I will arrange everything,” and returned to his residence along with the Śrīpāda Putra and the others.
That very night, he distributed the Śrīmukha and mantrākṣate to all the prominent citizens of the capital and instructed everyone to be ready with great enthusiasm to welcome Śrī Gururāja. As per the directive of the state’s Dīvān, all the people joyfully decorated their homes and streets.
Numerous elegant banana arches and decorative pavilions were beautifully set up. With full royal honors—auspicious pitchers, Vedic chants, mangala vādyas (festive music)—and with thousands of people including political dignitaries, citizens, disciples, and devotees, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant waited at the town’s outskirts, eager for the arrival of his revered Guru.
At the appointed time, Śrī Gurusārvabhauma’s grand procession approached. As soon as Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant had darśana of the Guru, his face lit up with joy. He ran forward, placed a full offering at the Guru’s feet, prostrated completely, and said with devotion:
“Gurudeva! After so many years, I have the fortune of seeing your feet. I am truly blessed!”
With a gentle smile, Rāyaru asked about his well-being.
At Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant’s request, Śrī Rāyaru was seated in a richly adorned golden palanquin, and from there, he was paraded through the main streets of the capital, eventually arriving at Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant’s residence.
That day’s unprecedented celebration, the overwhelming excitement of the people, and the fervent devotion were truly unforgettable.
There, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant introduced all the town’s dignitaries to Śrī Rāyaru, who, smiling warmly, enquired about everyone’s welfare and graciously distributed phalamantrākṣate.
Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant made arrangements for the Guru, Śrīpāda Putra, and prominent scholars to stay in his own mansion. For the hundreds of others—followers, scholars, students, family members, and staff—he provided accommodation across dozens of homes.
The next day, he hosted a grand bhikṣā (ceremonial meal) for Śrī Rāyaru at his residence.
On the following day, a splendid and reverent reception was held at Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant’s house. In the early morning, he performed pādapūjā (worship of the Guru’s feet) and, along with his wife, son, and household, received mantrākṣate and maṅtra-mudrā-dhāraṇe (sacred sealing). He offered gold, money, garments, and ornaments and felt truly fulfilled.
Although Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant was now the Dīvān of a great kingdom, he remained humble, unaffected by status or pride, and stayed a devoted disciple just as he had been in the beginning.
Śrīpādaru, overjoyed by this, smiled and said:
“So, Dīvān Sāheb! You still haven’t forgotten your Guru—how wonderful that is!”
Hearing those words from Gururājaru, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant collapsed to the ground. He panicked, wondering if he had somehow committed an offense.
Tears streamed down his face, his throat choked with emotion.
Overwhelmed with sorrow, he placed his head at the Guru’s feet and cried out:
“Mahāsvāmi, is it even possible for me to forget you—my divine Guru, who uplifted this orphan who had been cast aside and neglected by society and even his own kin?
You, who held my hand and nurtured me; you, who gave shape to something as worthless as trash and turned it into nectar—gave it a form and made it worthy of respect, honor, and prestige in this world—how could I be so mindless as to forget you?
The very thought shakes me to my core. If such a feeling were ever to arise in me, no power in the world could protect me!
Swāmi, I am not an ungrateful one.
Everything I have today—this glory, position, wealth, and the world’s recognition—is the fruit of your blessed feet!
Guruvarya, please continue to look upon this servant of yours with the same merciful gaze as always.
O great one, the very blood in my body, each breath I take, has been nourished by your nectar-like grace.
There is nothing that belongs to me—everything is yours.
Please continue to bless your disciple.”
He prayed with such profound humility.
Seeing Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant’s turmoil, sincerity, and humility, Śrī Rāyaru said:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa! Are you really this upset over a remark I made in jest?
Do you think we don’t know you?
You are, and have always been, our most beloved disciple.”
He then drew Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant near and gently placed his hand on his head, comforting him with compassion.
Feeling the divine touch of his Guru, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant was overwhelmed with joy.
His entire body being trembled with bliss, and he prostrated again and again before Śrī Rāyaru.
Everyone present was amazed at his Guru-bhakti, gratitude, and unwavering love for Gururāja.