The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
120. Śrī Rāyaru’s Final Pilgrimage of Grace
One day, Śrī Rāyaru summoned Vēṅkaṇṇa Pant and explained to him in detail the responsibilities he had to undertake. He instructed him to prepare a Brindāvana (sacred tomb) for his sake, and to construct a sanctum sanctorum (garbhagṛha) with twelve pillars over the yajña altar where Prahlāda had once performed sacred rituals, as shown earlier by Śrī Rāyaru himself.
After that, Śrī Guru Rāyaru embarked on his final journey for the welfare of the world, traveling from Mantralaya along with the entire Mahāsaṁsthāna (spiritual establishment) on a dharma-victory tour (digvijaya).
As part of this journey, Śrī Rāyaru visited numerous villages and towns, sanctifying them with the dust of his feet, and bestowing blessings upon his disciples and devotees through initiation with mantra-mudrā, spiritual instructions, darśana of Śrī Mūla Rāma, distribution of tīrtha-prasāda, and expositions on philosophical truths and dharma.
As always, during this journey, people of all four varṇas came forward to serve Śrī Guru and were blessed. Thousands of people suffering from diseases, mental disturbances, stress, poverty, childlessness, lack of education, and many other hardships — those who had lost their way and were crying out in despair — surrendered at the feet of Śrī Guru Sārvabhauma.
Just by receiving his pādodaka (water sanctified by washing his feet), ākṣata (blessed grains), and mantra-blessed items, and through the boundless compassion of Śrī Rāyaru, these individuals experienced freedom from ailments, gained children, wealth, education, and had all their desires fulfilled.
They considered themselves uplifted and were devoted to him as their Jagadguru (Universal Teacher and Savior).
Thus, for a period of eighteen months, Śrī Guru Rāyaru traveled the land, uplifting both scholars and commoners, and especially reaching out to the poor, the downtrodden, and the forgotten, thereby being celebrated by all as the wish-fulfilling tree for those in refuge (śaraṇajana mandāra) - ಶರಣಜನ ಮಂದಾರ.
After this sacred journey, Śrī Rāyaru mercifully returned to Śrī Mantralaya.