The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
117. Acquisition of the Village of Mantralaya
After returning to the palace with Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, the Nawab described in detail how he had attempted to test Śrī Rāyaru and said:
“Dīvān-jī, your Guru is a great Jñāni, a Mahātmā.
I committed a sin by trying to test him. Yet, that noble soul honored me and blessed me with joy.
Tomorrow, I want to host him with grandeur at the palace and obtain his full blessings.
You must personally take responsibility and ensure the success of this event.”
This brought great joy to Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, who lovingly began making all arrangements for the festive hospitality as per the Nawab’s request.
After sending Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant away, the Nawab again fell into deep reflection.
Even though he had received the phalamantrākṣate from Śrī Rāyaru, he felt unsettled.
A kind of unspeakable fear took over his heart.
He deeply regretted the offense he had committed by trying to test such a tapasvī, mantra-siddha, and mahātmā.
The realization that he had tested such a great saint tormented him.
He now desperately wished to please the Guru, to bring him joy, and to earn his full grace.
He felt only then would he be absolved and find peace.
With that in mind, the Nawab called for Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant again, and with emotion, said:
“Dīvān-jī, I want to offer a village to Gurumahārāj as gurudakṣiṇā.
That Mahātmā is also my Guru!
Please find a way to earn his approval and ensure that he accepts this donation of land.
Only then will I feel I have atoned for my sin and can find true peace and happiness.”
Hearing the Nawab’s heartfelt request, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant felt immense joy and satisfaction. He went to Śrī Rāyaru and conveyed the Nawab’s desire.
Śrī Rāyaru smiled and replied:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa, your Nawab has indeed become a true devotee of God.
He holds deep reverence for saints and jñānis.
If it weren’t so, he wouldn’t have developed such noble intentions.
Nor would we have been inwardly guided by Śrī Mūla Rāma to accept his service.
We too feel affection for him now.
We shall gladly accept the donation of land he offers.
Understand that it is the will of Śrī Hari and Vāyu.
In fact, this may well be the very reason we were led here in the first place!”
Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant then proposed the names of four to six villages he had already selected, explaining that each of them was rich in resources and well-suited. He added that Śrī Rāyaru could choose whichever he liked among them.
Śrī Rāyaru said:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa, none of the villages you mentioned are useful to us. There is one village we desire. Have the Nawab donate that to us. Śrī Mūla Rāma will be pleased.”
Vēṅkaṇṇa: “Guruvarya! Which village do you wish for? Please command me.”
Rāyaru: “There is a village not far from here on the banks of the river Tungabhadra — Mantralaya. We like that village.”
Vēṅkaṇṇa: “Gurudeva, Mantralaya is an undeveloped and barren village. It won’t be beneficial to the Mahāsaṁsthāna.
The Nawab is ready to offer anything you wish right now! Why not request a large jagir?”
Rāyaru (smiling): “Vēṅkaṇṇa, a large jagir is of no use to us. We want only Mantralaya. That’s why we have come here.
Have you forgotten what we told you back in Kandanāti? Didn’t we say that Śrī Mūla Rāma will receive great service through you?
Understand that this Mantralaya is that very service which Mūla Rāma wishes to receive through you.
We will explain to you later why we specifically desire this village. Just make sure the Nawab donates the village of Mantralaya to us.”
Stunned by Rāyaru’s words, Vēṅkaṇṇa, without the courage to respond, simply said, “Guru-citta” (As the Guru wills), and went to the Nawab’s palace to convey Śrī Rāyaru’s wish.
However, the Nawab had already donated the village of Mantralaya to his Guru, Khāzī Sāheb!
And now Śrī Gururāja desired the very same village.
The Nawab was caught in a difficult situation, unsure of what to do.
He consulted Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, who suggested:
“Huzūr, instead of Mantralaya, you could offer two other villages to Khāzī Sāheb and reclaim Mantralaya to donate to Gurudeva.”
Pleased with the idea, the Nawab summoned Khāzī Sāheb and explained everything to him.
Khāzī Sāheb, delighted at the thought of receiving two villages in exchange for one, happily agreed to transfer Mantralaya to Śrī Rāyaru.
With peace restored, the Nawab gave Vagarūru and Nimmāpur villages in exchange to Khāzī Sāheb and ensured all official documentation and royal seals were completed.
He then honored Khāzī Sāheb and sent him off with great respect.
The next day, the Nawab held a grand ceremonial reception for Śrī Rāyaru at the palace.
He had Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant perform pādapūjā (worship of the Guru’s feet), and then formally donated the village of Mantralaya to Śrī Rāyaru, also offering wealth, gold, jewels, and garments as gifts.
Furthermore, he had all official land grant documents (sanad, legal papers) drafted in the name of Śrī Maṭha, sealed with the royal emblem.
He ordered his representative, Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, to personally go and hand over the village of Mantralaya to Śrī Rāyaru.
Deeply pleased by the Nawab’s devotion and service-mindedness, Śrī Rāyaru blessed him and his household with *phalamantrākṣate* and said:
“Nawab-sāheb, through your service, our Śrī Mūla Rāma Devaru is pleased. May you continue to prosper and may all good fortune be yours.”
And so, Śrī Rāyaru graciously accepted Mantralaya into the fold of Śrīmaṭha.