The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
55. A Reunion at the Elder Brother’s Home
As Shri Sudheendra Tirtha and the entire entourage of the Matha arrived at Ramachandrapura Agrahara, they were warmly welcomed by Gurajacharya and the local residents. Shri Pranadeva’s temple was arranged as the place for the Guru’s stay.
The following day, Gurajacharya performed the sacred Padapuja (ceremonial worship of the Guru's feet) and offered Bhiksha at his home, receiving the Guru’s blessings.
Meanwhile, Venkatanatha and his wife, along with their son Lakshminarayana, took residence at his elder brother’s house. The reunion, occurring after several years of separation, brought immense joy to both brothers.
Warm Affection Between the Families
The arrival of Venkatanatha, his wife Saraswati, and their son at the household delighted Kamaladevi (his sister-in-law) and Venkatanarayana (his elder brother).
Observing Saraswati’s radiant beauty, Kamaladevi teasingly remarked with a smile:
"Saraswati! You look even more beautiful now! Ever since Lakshminarayana was born, it seems your charm has only grown. I wonder… could it be that your husband’s love has deepened even more? It seems like you have completely conquered him with your devotion!"
Hearing this, Saraswati blushed and shyly replied:
"Akka, you haven’t changed at all! Perhaps the same reason applies to your own beauty as well, doesn’t it?"
Kamaladevi, laughing, turned to Venkatanatha and said playfully:
"Did you hear that, Venkatanatha? Your dear wife speaks with such confidence now! It seems all her old shyness has disappeared. Is this your doing?"
Venkatanatha, smiling, responded humorously:
"Attige (sister-in-law), I believe this is all due to your guidance! You must have been a great teacher in such matters."
Hearing his witty reply, everyone in the household burst into laughter.
After dinner, the family gathered in the main hall, chatting and reminiscing. Eventually, Kamaladevi prepared a resting space for the couple and returned, saying:
"It’s getting late, Venkatanatha. You should rest now."
She then sent her husband off to their room.
Saraswati, however, stood still, blushing shyly.
Noticing this, Kamaladevi teased her again:
"Saraswati, are you still acting like a newlywed bride? You are now the mother of a child! And yet, you still haven't lost your shyness? Silly girl—now go!"
Gently pushing her along, she sent Saraswati off to her husband, while arranging beds for Lakshminarayana and Venkatanarayana.
After ensuring everything was in place, Kamaladevi and her husband retired to their own chamber, leaving the house filled with warmth, love, and the joy of a long-awaited family reunion.
As Saraswati entered the room, blushing and smiling, Venkatanatha teased her:
"Saras! Today, I have no Veena to welcome you!"
The moment she heard this, memories of their sweet past flooded her heart. A wave of nostalgia swept over her, making her hair stand on end with joy. She turned crimson with shyness, pretending to be mildly annoyed.
"Are you teasing me just because my sister-in-law said something?" she asked, sitting beside her husband and offering him fruits, milk, and betel leaves.
Venkatanatha gently held Saraswati’s face in both hands and said with a warm smile:
"But what she said is true! Saraswati, you are growing more beautiful with each passing day."
Saraswati, now returning his playful gaze, replied mischievously:
"Did you hear what she said? Apparently, I have completely won you over! Do you know how embarrassed I was hearing that?"
Venkatanatha, laughing, responded:
"And what’s wrong with that? Have you not won me over with your love? I must admit—her words filled me with joy."
Saraswati, still acting coy, tilted her head and asked:
"Then what will you give me in return for this victory?"
Venkatanatha smirked and said:
"I will express it as a poetic riddle (Samasyā). But you must complete it!"
Saraswati, determined not to be outdone, challenged him in return:
"Swami! Are you testing me? Then I shall also give you a riddle! Let’s see if you can complete mine."
"Agreed!" he said. "But you must first solve mine."
Venkatanatha then posed the poetic challenge:
"Dvitīyānirjito yathā!!"
("As the one who was conquered for the second time...")
Saraswati closed her eyes for a moment, thinking deeply. Then, noticing Guru Rajacharya’s Veena nearby, she gracefully picked it up, placed it on her lap, and began plucking its strings.
With her mind absorbed in composing the solution, she finally opened her eyes and smiled:
"I have completed the verse! Now, let me give you a challenge. Complete my line using the ‘Upendra Vajra Vrutta’ meter!"
She then recited her poetic challenge:
"...Bhāti Saraswatīvā!" ("...shines like Goddess Saraswati!")
Venkatanatha's Masterful Poetic Response
Venkatanatha smiled, thought for a brief moment, and then, with ease, recited the completed verse:
Sangeeta-Sāhitya-Kalā-Prapūrṇā |
(She is adorned with the perfection of music, literature, and all the fine arts!)
Vidyādharī Rūpaguṇojjvaleyam |
(She, like the celestial Vidyadharis, radiates beauty, virtues, and brilliance!)
Sadvallakīśobhita-Padmabahustā |
(Holding a Veena in her lotus-like hands, she exudes divine charm!)
Sarasvatī Bhāti Saraswatīvā!
(Indeed, Saraswati shines like the divine Goddess Saraswati herself!)
As he finished his verse, he turned to his wife, smiling mischievously:
"Saras! How is my poetry?"
Saraswati, amazed by her husband's wit, poetic mastery, and boundless affection, simply smiled—her heart overflowing with admiration and love.
Hearing her husband compare her to Goddess Saraswati, Saraswati Devi's heart softened, but she still responded with a gentle smile and playful doubt:
"Swami, can I really be compared to Goddess Saraswati?"
Venkatanatha, ever the scholar, replied with a charming explanation:
"Saras! The scriptures declare that there is some degree of resemblance between the Supreme Lord and the individual soul. That is not incorrect! Similarly, the attributes of Goddess Saraswati—knowledge, art, beauty, virtue, divine grace, and her Veena—are found in you in a small measure. That is what I was expressing!"
Then, changing the subject slightly, he said:
"Now, tell me—have you completed my poetic challenge? Let me hear your solution!"
Saraswati, still smiling, gracefully recited her poetic answer:
"Ajayopi Jayīndraāryaḥ |
(Though unconquerable, Jayīndraārya is defeated!)
Shishyabhaktā Vinirjitaḥ ||
(Not by enemies, but by the devotion of his disciple!)
Advitīyo Patih Prema |
(A husband, though incomparable, is conquered by love!)
Dvitīyānirjito Yathā ||"
(Just as one who is second to none is defeated by his second half—his wife!)
Hearing this clever and poetic response, Venkatanatha clapped his hands joyfully and exclaimed:
"Bravo, Saraswati! You have used my poetic challenge in a truly fascinating way!"
Then, explaining her own words, he said:
"My Guru, Shri Vijayeendra Tirtha, was an unconquerable scholar, undefeated in debate by anyone in the world. And yet—he was ‘defeated’! How? Not by argument, but by the pure devotion, dedication, and selfless service of his beloved disciple, Shri Sudheendra Tirtha!
In the same way, a husband may be ‘advitīya’—peerless, incomparable—but even he is conquered by the love of his ‘dvitīyā’—his wife! Saras, your verse is brilliant! You have beautifully responded to my sister-in-law’s teasing words, showing how love triumphs over all!"
Smiling with admiration for her wit and poetic talent, Venkatanatha praised his wife before they both finally retired for the night in peace and happiness.
Meanwhile, Shri Sudheendra Tirtha and his entourage, after staying in Ramachandrapura, arrived at Achyutappa Samudra, where they spent two days.
During this time, Venkatanatha’s in-laws, led by Vasudevacharya, who were also connected to him from his Purvashrama (pre-monastic life), earnestly invited the Guru to their Agrahara (Brahmin settlement). Honoring their request, Shri Sudheendra Tirtha accepted their service and stayed with them for a short period.
Around the same time, officials and priests from the royal court of Tanjore arrived. They presented a formal invitation from King Raghunatha Bhoopala, requesting Shri Sudheendra Tirtha to visit the capital on a victorious spiritual tour (Digvijaya Yatra).
Accepting the invitation with great joy, the Guru assured them of his arrival soon.
Thus, with the entire entourage of the Mahasamsthana, he set forth towards Tanjore, where new intellectual conquests and spiritual triumphs awaited him.
As per King Raghunatha Bhoopala’s heartfelt request, Shri Sudheendra Tirtha arrived in Tanjore. The royal court, accompanied by an elaborate procession, welcomed him with majestic splendor. The grand reception included traditional honors, music ensembles, scholars, ministers, and the city’s citizens.
The Guru was seated on a decorated elephant (Ambari) and taken on a victorious procession through the city, finally being escorted to a magnificent palace. After receiving the Guru’s blessings, the King returned to the royal palace.
The next day, within the royal court, Raghunatha Bhoopala, accompanied by his queen, ministers, military commanders, and an assembly of scholars, performed a reverent Padapuja (ritualistic worship of the Guru’s feet) to Shri Sudheendra Tirtha with utmost devotion.
On the following day, Gita Jayanti was celebrated at Shri Matha with great spiritual fervor. The day was marked by profound discourses from scholars and the Guru’s enlightening teachings on the Bhagavad Gita.
As an offering to Lord Krishna, Shri Sudheendra Tirtha commanded Venkatanatha to perform on the Veena, accompanied by his son, Lakshminarayana.
The divine music that flowed from Venkatanatha’s Veena was nothing short of celestial.
The soul-stirring melodies,
The profound mastery of ragas,
The resonating vibrations of the strings,
all enchanted the audience, leaving them spellbound with joy and devotion.
Among those completely enraptured by this extraordinary musical display was King Raghunatha Bhoopala himself.
Witnessing Venkatanatha’s unparalleled Veena artistry,
Experiencing his radiant spiritual aura,
And recognizing his extraordinary virtues,
the King developed an immense reverence for him.
Unable to contain his joy and admiration, King Raghunatha requested Venkatanatha, along with his wife and son, to visit the royal palace.
At the palace, the King and Queen personally honored Venkatanatha, his wife Saraswati, and their son Lakshminarayana.
They presented him with:
A prestigious royal robe of honor (Khillattu)
Precious gifts and ornaments
as a token of their deep appreciation and respect.
Venkatanatha, in turn, blessed the King, Queen, and their young prince, Vijayaraghava, before returning to Shri Matha.
Thus, his reputation as an extraordinary scholar, musician, and spiritual luminary continued to grow, earning him the admiration of both the royal court and the people of Tanjore.