The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
118. History of Mantralaya
After departing from Ādavāṇi, Śrī Gururāju arrived at Mantralaya.
Dīvān Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant accompanied him.
Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant summoned the village headmen and prominent residents, and conveyed the message that the Nawab had donated the village of Mantralaya — which was previously under the Khāzīs — to Śrī Rāyaru.
He informed them that, henceforth, the village belonged to Śrī Rāyaru, and by the Nawab’s decree, everyone was to conduct themselves according to the Guru’s guidance. Thus, Mantralaya village was formally handed over to Śrī Rāyaru.
That same evening, Śrī Gururāju called his close associates and Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, and shared his future plans.
He expressed his aspiration to install his family deity Śrī Veṅkaṭēśwara in Mantralaya and to establish it as a great spiritual center in India.
He instructed Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant to build a large temple for Śrī Veṅkaṭēśwara for his daily worship and also construct multiple residences to accommodate his disciples, scholars, and staff — as quickly as possible.
Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant humbly accepted this great responsibility and promised to fulfill it with joy.
He stayed back in Mantralaya to manage the planning and oversee the construction of the Śrī Veṅkaṭēśwara temple and accompanying homes.
The next day, Śrī Rāyaru, accompanied by Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant, went to a spacious open field near the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
He pointed out a particular spot and instructed that the ground be dug up at that location.
Under Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant’s supervision, excavation began.
When they had dug about four to six feet, an extraordinary sight appeared.
Once the earth was cleared, it was revealed to be a large homa kuṇḍa (sacrificial fire altar).
Many items used in Vedic rituals and yāgas were also found in the same location.
As per Śrī Rāyaru’s instructions, the excavation was stopped there.
Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant sent word to the workers to halt the digging and personally returned to the Guru’s side to report the findings.
Vēṅkaṇṇa: “Mahāsvāmi, you had instructed us to dig here, and now a homa kuṇḍa has been discovered! This is truly astonishing. I don’t understand the secret behind this. Kindly bless me by explaining it.”
Śrī Rāyaru (smiling): “Vēṅkaṇṇa! Do you remember that in Ādavāṇi we told you we desired only the village of Mantralaya and would explain the reason later?”
Vēṅkaṇṇa: “Yes, Swāmi, I remember it well.”
Rāyaru: “There is a great reason why we sought this village.
You all thought this was a remote and insignificant place — but in truth, this is a supremely sacred land. Its glory is boundless.
It is a mantra-siddhi kṣetra — a place where mantras bear fruit.
Long ago, in the Kṛtayuga, Prahlāda Rāja, the great Vaiṣṇava king, conducted numerous yajñas and yāgas here for the pleasure of Lord Śrī Hari.
The homa kuṇḍa we have just unearthed is the very yajña altar where Prahlāda performed those sacred rituals.
Because of those yajñas, this land has become so holy that no force in the world can subdue it — it is invincible. That was in the Kṛtayuga.
Now hear about the Tretāyuga. During that age, Lord Nārāyaṇa incarnated as Śrī Rāma for the destruction of the wicked and the protection of the virtuous.
When Śrī Rāma, obeying his father’s command, went into exile with Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa, the demon Rāvaṇa abducted a replica of Sītā.
In search of her, Rāma wandered with Lakṣmaṇa through many places. At one point, he arrived at this very spot and rested here briefly before continuing on.
Because of the dust from the feet of Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, this land became even more sanctified.
Now listen about the Dvāparayuga, Vēṅkaṇṇa.
At that time, this region belonged to the kingdom of Anusālva.
After the Kurukṣetra war, when the Pāṇḍavas had won and Yudhiṣṭhira was crowned, he became dejected due to the destruction of so many revered elders, relatives, and sages.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa advised him to perform an Aśvamedha Yajña (horse sacrifice) for expiation and mental peace.
Yudhiṣṭhira, accepting the advice, began preparations, consecrated the yajña horse, and sent it off ceremonially.
Arjuna, along with an army, followed the horse for its protection.
As the horse wandered across many lands, it eventually reached this place.
Here, the warrior Anusālva captured the horse.
This led to a fierce battle between Arjuna and Anusālva — right here in this place.
Although Arjuna had conquered many worlds, he could not defeat Anusālva here.
Distressed and humiliated, Arjuna meditated on Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
The Lord, who had proclaimed “The Pāṇḍavas are my very life”, heard his plea and appeared instantly at this very location.
Arjuna prostrated before Kṛṣṇa Paramātma and narrated everything, begging for victory.
With a gentle smile, Kṛṣṇa consoled Arjuna and explained the significance of this land:
“Arjuna! Do not worry about not being able to defeat Anusālva.
He is standing on land made sacred by Prahlāda’s ancient yajñas.
This is a yajña kuṇḍa of immense purity and sanctity.
That is why you cannot defeat him — not because of his strength, but because of the power of this holy kṣetra.
Even you — or anyone else in this world — cannot win a battle here.
He is invincible not by might, but by the glory of this place.
Pārtha, no matter how many times you try to fight, you will not win until he is moved away from this spot.
Now, we must use a different strategy to win.
Dhanañjaya, observe now the power of my Yogamāyā!”
Thus saying, Śrī Kṛṣṇa invoked his Yogic powers, and in a split second, caused Anusālva to be moved far from the yajña kuṇḍa.
He then had Arjuna’s chariot stationed at this exact sacred spot.
Truly, Lord Kṛṣṇa — the divine director of the cosmic play!
Then again, the battle between Arjuna and Anusālva resumed.
Astonishingly, within a moment, Arjuna defeated Anusālva.
Anusālva bowed to Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, offered gifts in surrender, and returned the yajña horse.
He also revealed that when Rāvaṇa had abducted what appeared to be Sītā, it was not the real Sītā but a woman named Vedavatī, made to look like her.
The real Sītā had been taken by Agni Deva to his celestial realm.
Arjuna accepted the explanation and continued on with the yajña horse.
Thus, this sacred land was sanctified by the divine presence and the foot dust of Nara and Nārāyaṇa — Arjuna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
While Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant stood in awe, hands folded, overwhelmed by this divine narration, Śrī Rāyaru smiled and continued:
“That’s not all. In Kaliyuga, this region came under the Rāṣṭrakūṭas, and later, during the glory days of Vijayanagara Empire, centered in Hampi, known as the land of Lord Hanumānta, the area became part of the Kannada empire.
During this period, the kings who ruled with dharma were deeply influenced by the spirituality and virtues of our forefather, Śrī Vibudhendratīrtha Swāmiji, the presiding head of the Śrī Madhva Maṭha.
Knowing the sanctity of this place, they donated this very village to Śrī Vibudhendratīrtha.
Śrī Vibudhendratīrtha, aware of the greatness of this sacred yajña altar, performed intense penance here and became the recipient of Śrī Hari's divine grace.
But after the fall of Vijayanagara, the land came under the rule of the Bijapur Sultans, and the village was lost from the Mahāsaṁsthāna’s hands.
This is why we came to Ādavāṇi and reclaimed this same sacred village through donation from the Nawab — because this land was once ours.
Vēṅkaṇṇa! With the yajñas of Prahlāda, the foot dust of Śrī Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, the presence of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, and the holy waves of the Tungabhadrā, this land has become a supreme mantra-siddhi kṣetra.
Therefore, we have resolved to enter Brindāvana at this very place, perform penance for the welfare of the world, and fulfill Śrī Hari’s will.
Do you now understand the glory and mystery of Mantralaya?
Keep this a secret, Vēṅkaṇṇa. In all the work that lies ahead, you will play a central role and receive the special grace of Śrī Hari and Vāyu!”
Hearing these divine words, Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant was overwhelmed, and tears of bliss flowed from his eyes.
But learning that Śrī Rāyaru would enter Brindāvana, he was deeply grieved.
He stood with a sorrowful face, unable to speak.
Seeing this, Śrī Rāyaru smiled again and said:
“Vēṅkaṇṇa, do not be troubled. I understand the sorrow in your heart.
But this is not just our wish — this is the decree of destiny, the will of Śrī Hari, and the command of Śrī Vāyu Deva.
No one can go against it.
You seem to think that by saying I will enter Brindāvana, I mean I will give up my body. No, Vēṅkaṇṇa — I will not die.
I will enter the Brindāvana alive, with this very body, and remain there for seven hundred years, continuing to work for the welfare of the world.
This village will become famous as Śrī Mantralaya Kṣetra.
Scholars and laypeople alike, those suffering from physical and mental illnesses, those yearning for children, wealth, knowledge, health, long life, or any other wish — millions of devotees will journey here and receive fulfillment.
That is the will of Śrī Hari and Vāyu.
So, do not worry!”
With these words, Śrī Rāyaru consoled Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant and then graciously returned with him to rest.
This narration is not just a historical account, but a profound spiritual prophecy, laying the foundation for Śrī Rāghavendra Swamiji’s Brindāvana praveśa and the eternal glory of Mantralaya.