The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
119. Kṛṣṇadaipayana – ಕೃಷ್ಣದೈಪಾಯನ Attains Hari's Abode
On the full moon day of the bright fortnight in the month of Dvēṣa – ದ್ವೇಷ during the Saumya Saṁvatsara, as per the daily routine, Śrī Rāghavendra Guru Sārvabhauma was seated on a large rock on the banks of the Tungabhadrā River, surrounded by close disciples and scholars.
There was still time for the sun to set. The gentle ripples of the flowing river created a sweet melody, and the cool breeze delighted everyone's minds.
Scholar Kṛṣṇācārya raised a complex question from Vedānta philosophy and humbly presented his doubt before Śrī Rāyaru, requesting clarity and blessings.
Śrī Guru Rāyaru, with grace and mastery, began to unravel the most intricate philosophical concept layer by layer, explaining it in such a way that everyone could easily grasp it.
All who listened were filled with joy, witnessing how a topic once considered difficult could be made so simple.
Just then, Śrī Rāyaru suddenly looked toward the sky, waved his hand with a smiling face.
The others, surprised, also looked toward the sky — but they could see nothing.
Śrī Rāyaru sighed and bowed his head.
Unable to contain their curiosity, one of the scholars humbly asked:
“Mahāsvāmi, just now you looked at the sky and waved your hand.
We did not understand what happened.
Kindly explain this mystery.”
Śrī Guru Rāyaru responded:
“Śrī Kṛṣṇadaipayana has attained Hari's abode.
Just now, he was traveling skyward in a divine chariot, leaving this world.
He offered salutations upon seeing us.
I returned the greeting as he ascended to Śrī Hari’s celestial realm.”
Everyone present — the learned scholars and close disciples — were filled with wonder and reverence upon witnessing this divine yogic vision and Śrī Rāyaru’s extraordinary spiritual power.
Although they were well aware of Śrī Rāyaru’s greatness and yogic strength from earlier experiences, each new expression of his divine powers brought fresh awe and bliss, as if they were witnessing it for the first time.
This became the norm for all near him — to be endlessly amazed by his mahimā.
Śrī Kṛṣṇadaipayana Yatī, it is known, was a great ascetic filled with dispassion and wisdom, a realized soul who had no desire for power or position, and voluntarily gave up the Pīṭhādhipatya (pontifical seat).
Introverted and detached, he spent his time in japa, tapas (austerities), worship of Bhagavān, and giving discourses on the scriptures, always immersed in bhakti and vairāgya.
His Brindāvana (sacred resting place) is located on the banks of the Bhīma River at a village named Kusumāvati (Kusumūrti).
It is a remarkable place — where the Bhīma River flows, and not far away is the holy confluence of the rivers Kṛṣṇa and Bhīma, home to the divine temple of Śrī Saṅgameśvara.
Most importantly, it is also the sacred abode of Śrī Jitāmitratīrtha, renowned as a partial incarnation of Rudra, a master of knowledge and penance, and a former revered pontiff of Śrīmad Ācārya’s Mahāsaṁsthāna.
Thus, it is believed that Śrī Kṛṣṇadaipayana Yati chose this supremely sacred land for his residence and spiritual practice.
When Śrī Guru Sārvabhauma saw Śrī Kṛṣṇadaipayana ascending in a divine chariot to Śrī Hari’s realm, he offered his salutation.
The Maṭha’s scholars and devotees spent a long time discussing this wondrous event before returning to the Maṭha with Śrī Rāyaru.