The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
44. Shelter to Alakshmi by Acharya
One evening, while Acharya was chewing betel leaves, Sarasvatamma approached, carrying their son, Lakshminarayana. As Acharya took the child onto his lap, the little boy said, "Father, teach me a mantra!"
Acharya smiled and asked, "What have you learned so far, my son?"
The child eagerly responded, "I have learned Amara, Shabdarupavali, Samasachakra, and hymns dedicated to Devaru (God), Lakshmi, Hanuman, Ishwara, Parvati, Ganapati, and the Navagrahas. I have also memorized hymns about Madhvacharya and all our Gurus. Today, I learned a new mantra. Let me recite it for you:
'Bhaktānāṁ mānasāmbhoja bhānave kāmadhānave |
Namatāṁ kalpatarave Jayīndra Gurave namaḥ ||'
The śloka recited by Lakshminarayana:
"Bhaktānāṁ mānasāmbhoja bhānave kāmadhānave |
Namatāṁ kalpatarave Jayīndra Gurave namaḥ ||"
"Salutations to Guru Sri Jayīndra, who is the sun that makes the lotus-like hearts of devotees bloom, who is the divine wish-fulfilling cow (Kāmadhenu) to those who seek blessings, and who is the celestial wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpavriksha) for those who bow before him in reverence."
Upon hearing this concluding verse (charamasloka) of Guru Sri Vijayindra, Acharya's eyes moistened with emotion. Overcome with joy, he asked, "Narayan, do you understand the meaning of this verse?"
The child promptly answered, "Oh yes, father! Let me explain— To the Sun of the lotus-like hearts of devotees, to the wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu, to the Kalpavriksha for those who bow in reverence—I offer my salutations to Guru Sri Vijayindra. Is that correct, father?"
Acharya, deeply moved, asked, "My child, who taught you all this?"
Pointing toward his mother, Lakshminarayana replied, "Mother taught me, father! And do you know, our Gopala says he will teach me even more. But why should I study under him, father? Should I?"
Smiling, Acharya responded, "Go ahead and study under Gopala. Later, I will teach you myself." Then, he sent the child to his devoted disciple, Gopala.
Sarasvatamma remarked, "Your disciples are incredibly affectionate toward our child. For Gopala, Lakshminarayana is his very life. And all the boys here see me as their own mother!"
Acharya, amused, said, "Sarasvati! You truly have become a mother to all my disciples. That is why they hold you in such great reverence."
Sarasvatamma smiled and said, "How could they not, dear? These poor boys have left their homes to pursue education. You provide them with food, clothing, and shelter, and impart knowledge selflessly! To them, you are nothing less than God himself."
Venkatnatha (smiling): "Alright, alright, all you ever do is praise me!"
Saraswati (with a soft laugh): "What can I do? Lately, I feel so much joy. A husband like you, a son like Lakshminarayana, disciples like Gopal, and sincere well-wishers like Srinivasa and Padmavati—I feel so fortunate! It seems like no one else in this world is as happy as I am!"
Venkatnatha (laughing): "Don’t rejoice too much, Saraswati. ‘Happiness is followed by sorrow, and sorrow is followed by happiness.’ Your current abundance of joy might just be the prologue to future sorrow."
Saraswati: "Sorrow? It will never come near our house! With a great soul like you by my side, what could sorrow even mean to me?"
Venkatnatha: "Saraswati, your words are not in harmony with wisdom. For every human, joy and sorrow are inevitable. Life is a mix of sweetness and bitterness—this is the will of the divine. As the Bhagavad Gita teaches, ‘Treat both joy and sorrow as equal.’ No being can escape this cycle. So, don’t hope for the contrary. Now, you think of yourself as happy because everything is going well, but if someday we lose all our wealth and have to live in poverty, will you still feel happy then?"
Saraswati (trembling): "Swami, ‘Do not utter inauspicious words.’ Even if hardships come, I am ready to endure them happily."
Venkatnatha (smiling): "It’s easy to say, Saraswati, but putting it into practice is difficult."
Saraswati: "Swami, if you wish, test me. As long as I have the joy of seeing you and hearing your loving words, I am not afraid to face any hardship."
Venkatnatha laughed and said, "Hmm, clarity will come with time!" Saraswati joined her husband in laughter.
That night, as Venkatnatha slept, he had a dream. An elderly woman appeared before him. "Acharya, I have come seeking your refuge. Will you grant me shelter?" she said.
Venkatnatha: "Who are you, Mother? Why do you seek my shelter?"
Elderly Woman: "I am Alakshmi—the goddess of poverty! The time has come for me to reside with you for a while. That is why I seek your protection."
Venkatnatha (astonished): "Why such a situation, Mother?"
Elderly Woman: "Acharya, in your previous births, by the Lord's grace, you enjoyed the splendor of royal prosperity. At that time, I could not even approach you!"
Venkatnatha: "Then how is it that you have come now, Mother?"
Elderly Woman: "After some time, you will once again live in prosperity. At that time, I will be unable to approach you. Every living being in this creation, whether divine or human, must experience the fruits of their past karma—both good and bad! My presence is inevitable."
Venkatnatha: "So be it. How can one defy the will of Lord Hari? ‘One must certainly experience the results of their deeds, whether good or bad.’ I will grant you shelter as per your wish."
Elderly Woman: "You are generous, Acharya! But granting me shelter is like inviting terrible poverty into your life! You will have to endure immense hardship and suffering."
Venkatnatha: "I have given my word. Whatever comes, I will accept it as the will of the Lord. How long do you intend to stay in my home? When will you leave?"
Elderly Woman: "The moment your wife urges you to leave for the Guru’s presence, I will depart from your home." Saying this, she vanished.
At that moment, Venkatnatha was awakened by the melodious voice of Saraswati, who was sweetly singing:
"Are there any who suffer from trusting the Lord, O Ranga?
If not trusting Him leads to ruin, let it be so!"
As he awoke, he engaged in chanting the Lord’s name. Recalling his dream, he reflected deeply upon its meaning.
Venkatnatha: "This is the will of Hari; I must endure it. When Saraswati said earlier that she was most fortunate, I instinctively responded, ‘Happiness is followed by sorrow, and sorrow is followed by happiness.’ Why did I say that? Is it now turning true? Or did the Lord Himself make me utter this prophecy? This is my time of trial. I must pass through this test of fire! O Lord Krishna, may everything happen as per Your will!
Poor Saraswati, if she comes to know of this, she will be deeply troubled. I must not reveal this to her. Let her learn of it only when she experiences it herself."
Resolving this in his mind, Venkatnatha left for his morning bath.