The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
63. Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa's Upanayana
As per Venkatanātha Āchārya’s invitation, all his relatives and well-wishers gathered at his house for the sacred thread ceremony (Upanayana) of his son, Kumāra Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa.
The atmosphere was filled with joy and excitement, with everyone engrossed in the preparations for the auspicious occasion.
Among the gathered relatives were:
Lakṣmīnṛsiṁhācārya
Gururājācārya
Rāmacandrācārya
Vāsudevācārya
Ānandatīrthācārya
The elders, along with their wives and children, sat surrounding Āchārya Venkatanātha and his wife, Sarasvatī Amma, engaging in heartfelt discussions.
At one point, Venkatāmbā Devī said—
"Venkatanātha! Our Nārāyaṇa, after hearing about your great scholarship and reputation, insists that he must study under you."
Hearing this, Kamala Devī added—
"Yes, my husband keeps arguing with me daily, saying that we must send our son, Kumāra Venkatanārāyaṇa, to study under his uncle (Venkatanātha)."
Then, Rāmacandrācārya spoke up—
"Āchārya! Nine years ago, during our time in Madhurai, Pūjya Vijayīndra Guruji commanded that my son, Kṛṣṇa, should become your disciple. That has yet to be fulfilled!"
Next, Sarasvatī Amma expressed her wish—
"Swāmi, after our Chirañjīvi (Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa) undergoes Upanayana, he must immediately begin learning the sacred scriptures."
Finally, Gururājācārya turned to Venkatanātha and said—
"Indeed, Venkatanātha, you should personally teach these four young boys."
At this, Venkatanātha chuckled and said—
"Why is it that all the children insist that only I must be their Guru?"
All the young boys eagerly responded—
"Yes! We must also become great scholars like you!"
With a smile, Āchārya reassured them—
"Be patient, my dear ones. Just wait for six more months, and then I will personally invite you all and begin your lessons. But for now, let us proceed with the feast!"
On the auspicious day of Māgha Bahuḷa Saptamī in the year Śrī Śālivāhana Śaka 1543 (corresponding to 1621 CE), during the Duḥrmati Saṁvatsara, the household of Āchārya Venkatanātha was filled with divine celebrations.
From the early morning, he performed ritualistic ceremonies, including:
Puṇyāha (sacred purification)
Nāndi (ancestral worship)
Kuladevatā Pūjā (family deity worship)
Navagraha Pūjā (worship of the nine planetary deities)
Havana and Homa (fire sacrifices for divine blessings)
After the rituals, he honored Brāhmaṇas and Suvāsinīs (auspicious married women) by offering them a grand feast of Mahāprasāda.
On Māgha Bahuḷa Navamī, Āchārya Venkatanātha and his wife, Sarasvatī Amma, sat on the ceremonial platform, filled with joy and devotion, as they performed the Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) of their son, Kumāra Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa.
According to tradition, before the formal imparting of the Brahmopadeśa (initiation into the Vedic mantra), the father must ritually dedicate his son to the deities for divine protection. Although, in reality, parents remain the primary protectors of the child, the offering to deities serves a symbolic purpose.
However, Venkatanātha was deeply troubled by the thought that after taking Sannyāsa, he would no longer be there to protect his son. This realization weighed heavily on his heart.
As the priests began chanting the sacred mantras, calling upon divine guardianship—
"Agnaye Tvā Pradadāmi" (I offer you to Agni for protection).
"Savitre Tvā Pradadāmi" (I offer you to Sūrya for protection).
"Somāya Tvā Pradadāmi" (I offer you to Chandra for protection).
Venkatanātha’s heart sank further, and he thought—
"Once I take Sannyāsa, you will be an orphan! ‘Devatā Eva Rakṣakā Nānye’—the gods alone will truly be your protectors; there is no one else!"
As he offered his son to divine care, tears welled up in his eyes and streamed down his cheeks.
The onlookers, unaware of his inner turmoil, mistook his tears as those of emotional attachment. They assumed—
"Poor Venkatanātha! Even though he knows that offering his son to the deities is just a ritual, he cannot control his emotions!"
Seeing the father overcome with grief, the entire family and assembled guests were also moved to tears.
After this, Āchārya Venkatanātha initiated his son into the Gāyatrī Mantra.
At that moment, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha Swāmiji arrived, and Gururājācārya and the other elders received him with great reverence, leading him to an honored seat.
Venkatanātha requested the revered Guru to bless his son by accepting the traditional Guru-Pāda Pūjā (ceremonial worship of the Guru's feet).
But, to everyone’s surprise, Swāmiji first expressed his own desire—
"Āchārya, before Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa performs Pāda Pūjā, I wish for you and your wife, the virtuous Sarasvatī, to perform Pāda Pūjā to me first!"
Upon hearing this, tears flowed from the eyes of the great Guru!
The realization struck Venkatanātha deeply—this would be the last duty he could perform with his wife as a householder! Understanding the profound significance of this moment, he too was overcome with emotion, and tears streamed from his eyes.
For Sarasvatī Amma, however, this was a moment of boundless joy. Unaware of the impending separation, she cheerfully and reverently performed Pāda Pūjā to the Guru along with her husband.
Little did she know that this would be the last time she would perform a ritual alongside her husband!
After this, Swāmiji performed the sacred Mantra-Mudrā-Dhāraṇa and bestowed his blessings and consecrated Mantrākṣata (blessed sacred grains) upon Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa. He then graciously accepted the boy’s ceremonial Pāda Pūjā and imparted the Guru-Upadeśa (spiritual teachings).
Following the rituals, the Pala Pūjā (final offerings) was conducted, and all customary offerings were presented to the Guru.
Swāmiji then blessed Āchārya Venkatanātha, Sarasvatī Amma, and Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa and, before departing, gifted them valuable presents as a token of his blessings.
Later that day, auspicious items such as sandalwood paste, flowers, fruits, betel leaves, and dakṣiṇā (monetary offerings) were distributed among the guests.
By midday, a grand feast was organized for the assembled Brāhmaṇas and Suvāsinis (auspicious married women). With the successful completion of all rituals, the Upanayana ceremony concluded joyously.
On Ekādaśī, as Sarasvatī Amma returned home after visiting Śrī Maṭha, she overheard some women whispering among themselves—
"It seems that Venkatanātha will soon take Sannyāsa! That’s why he hastily performed his son’s Upanayana!"
As the whispers spread from one woman to another, the painful truth reached Sarasvatī Amma’s ears, striking her heart like a thunderbolt.
She felt as if sharp needles had pierced both her heart and her ears.
It was as though her very life force had been ripped away.
Her eyes overflowed with uncontrollable tears, streaming like an endless river of sorrow.
It was as if those tears were a sacred offering, preparing her own body—like fuel—to be consumed in the fire of her husband's impending separation.
Overwhelmed with grief, Sarasvatī Amma somehow managed to suppress her emotions, but her heart was in turmoil.
That day, she somehow silently endured the unbearable pain and completed her daily household duties, yet her soul trembled with agony.
On Dvādaśī afternoon, after distributing gifts to all the guests who had attended Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa’s Upanayana ceremony, Āchārya Venkatanātha sat conversing with his elder brother, Gururāja, and brother-in-law.
That evening, Sarasvatī Amma, Kamalādevī, Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, and the children set out to visit and offer worship at the temples of Śrī Kumbheśvara and Śrī Sārangapāṇi.
At that moment, Āchārya Venkatanātha gathered everyone and solemnly revealed—
"Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha has chosen me as his successor and will bestow upon me the sacred Pāramahaṁsa Sannyāsa initiation."
Turning to his wife, he added with deep emotion—
"Sarasvatī, from now on, the responsibility of protecting and guiding our son, Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, rests entirely with you and our family elders."
Upon hearing this unexpected and momentous declaration, everyone was struck with a mix of astonishment and joy.
Elder Brother and Brother-in-Law Express Their Joy
His brother and brother-in-law exclaimed—
"Venkatanātha, how blessed you are! You have been chosen to rule over the great Vedānta empire of Śrī Madhvācārya! This is the very prophecy that our father and Śrī Vijayīndra Tīrtha had foretold. It has now come true!"
However, his elder sister, Venkatāmbādevī, could not contain her emotions. With tears streaming down her face, she spoke with a trembling voice—
"Venkatanātha, this is an extraordinary event! You are indeed a Mahāpurūṣa (great soul), and through you, our lineage will attain immortal fame!"
But her joy was quickly overshadowed by sorrow—
"Yet... yet... when I think of poor Sarasvatī, my heart shatters. She is so young, having barely crossed twenty springs! How will she endure such a great shock?"
Her voice choked with grief—
"Her heart is as delicate as a flower, and you are her very life! Ah, her boundless devotion to you, her unwavering love—how can she bear the agony of separation?!"
"Venkatanātha! Your blissful little home is now turning into a place of sorrow! If I cannot even bear to imagine it, then what will become of Sarasvatī?!"
"What about Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa’s future? How will he grow up without his father?"
Overcome with anguish, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
Seeing his sister so distraught, Āchārya Venkatanātha consoled her—
"Akka, if you, too, lose heart, then who will comfort Sarasvatī?"
"It is she who concerns me the most. To her, there is nothing beyond my love. For her, the entire world is empty without me."
"Brother, sister, brother-in-law—you must help her accept my Pāramahaṁsa Sannyāsa and give her your support!"
Hearing these words, his elder brother, brother-in-law, and sister immediately refused—
"No, no, Venkatanātha! That is impossible for us! It is your duty to convince her, not ours!"
Realizing that the difficult task lay upon him alone, Āchārya sighed and resolved within himself—
"Fine, I will take this upon myself. May the Lord transform her heart and grant her the strength to accept this!"
Then, wiping away his own silent tears, he turned to his brother-in-law and spoke with firm resolve—
"Brother-in-law, tomorrow, I must leave for Tañjāvūr with Guru Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha. On Phālguna Śukla Pratipadā, I will receive the final consecration for Sannyāsa through the sacred Phala-Mantrākṣata Anugraha."
"Following that, in the royal court, my ascension to the Vedānta empire will be formally consecrated."
"Brother-in-law, you must accompany me!"
Turning to his elder brother, he said—
"Brother, you and sister-in-law must remain here and care for Sarasvatī."
"From now on, this home, our son Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, and all responsibilities belong to you."
Falling at their feet with folded hands and tears streaming down his face, he pleaded—
"Please grant me your consent for Sannyāsa and bless me!"
His brother, sister, and brother-in-law could no longer hold back their emotions. They embraced him tightly, their eyes overflowing with tears of both pride and sorrow.
In that moment, they all knew that they were witnessing a rare moment in history—the ascension of a Mahāpurūṣa into the renounced order of life.
Venkatanātha’s Final Conversation with Sarasvatī
That evening, Sarasvatī returned home after visiting the temple with Kamalādevī and others. Venkatāmbā, though suppressing her sorrow, greeted her sister-in-law with a forced smile.
That night, as the house settled into silence, Venkatāmbā privately revealed everything to Kamalādevī.
“Venkatanātha is about to become the head of the great Vedānta empire!”
On one hand, Kamala felt immense joy, but on the other, the thought of Sarasvatī’s impending suffering filled her with deep sorrow. She struggled between these two emotions.
Later that night, Sarasvatī busied herself in some work until Venkatāmbā and Kamalādevī forcibly sent her to rest in her husband’s chamber.
Inside the chamber, Venkatanātha sat on the bed, deep in thought. As Sarasvatī entered, he looked up, forcing a smile—
"Come, Sarasvatī! Why did you take so long?"
Taking her hand gently, he made her sit beside him.
For a while, they spoke about Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa’s Upanayana.
Then, summoning great courage, Venkatanātha prepared to discuss the inevitable.
Observing Sarasvatī’s weary and sorrowful face, his heart filled with compassion.
He tenderly ran his fingers through her hair, struggling to speak.
Finally, with great difficulty, he whispered softly—
"Sarasvatī..."
Hearing her name spoken in such a solemn tone, she lifted her gaze and looked directly into his eyes—
"What is it, Swāmī?"
Venkatanātha, holding her cheeks in his hands, hesitated for a moment before speaking—
"Sarasvatī... will you grant me a request?"
She lowered her head, replying softly—
"Swāmī, if it is a request that a wife should fulfill for her husband... then, yes, I will."
Venkatanātha took a deep breath, his voice gentle yet firm—
"Sarasvatī, the welfare of the world, the prayers of the righteous, the aspirations of the learned, and my own spiritual path—everything depends on your answer."
Her heart tightened as she listened.
She responded with quiet intensity—
"Swāmī, you are my world. Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa is my dharma. You alone are my learned scholars. Your love is my highest spiritual achievement!"
"If your request aligns with this, then I will grant it without hesitation!"
Venkatanātha sighed, sensing her rising apprehension.
"Sarasvatī, why do you doubt my every word today?"
She smiled faintly, but her voice trembled—
"Is it not said—‘Excessive love breeds suspicion’?"
Venkatanātha shook his head—
"Sarasvatī! Just answer me plainly—will you fulfill my request or not?"
Her hands trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze once more—
"Swāmī, I am your humble servant. To obey your command is my duty, my purpose, and my very life!"
He smiled sadly—
"Sarasvatī, such unwavering devotion is admirable! But if you remain steadfast even after hearing my request, then..."
She interrupted, growing anxious—
"Swāmī! Am I the kind of woman who would defy her husband's words?"
Venkatanātha gazed at her tenderly, acknowledging her loyalty and purity—
"No, Sarasvatī, you are the embodiment of virtue. To you, my words are like Vedic scripture itself."
"But..."
Her breath caught—
"But what, Swāmī?"
Venkatanātha hesitated, then said solemnly—
"What I am about to say might cause you pain, Sarasvatī. But if, even after hearing it, you can smile and fulfill my request, then your devotion will be unparalleled."
Tears welled in her eyes.
She shook her head firmly—
"Swāmī, you are my very God!"
"What do I own that is separate from you?"
"Without you, life itself is meaningless!"
"To die at your feet is my greatest fortune!"
Venkatanātha quickly placed his hand over her lips—
"No, no, Sarasvatī! Do not utter such ominous words!"
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she folded her hands—
"Oh, my Lord! Your command is my life. Just tell me quickly... what must I do?"
And in that moment, the final chapter of their life together had begun.
The Final Consent: Sarasvatī’s Ultimate Sacrifice
Hearing her husband’s words, Sarasvatī collapsed—as though struck by a thunderbolt.
Her delicate heart shattered.
Her lips trembled, struggling to form words.
Tears poured like an endless stream, and she gasped for breath in an unbearable storm of sorrow, agony, and despair.
“Ha... Sanyāsa? Sanyāsa? My Lord... is this truly happening?”
Venkatanātha’s voice was calm and unwavering—
“Yes, Sarasvatī. Sanyāsa.”
She broke down, sobbing—
“Oh, cruel fate! Sanyāsa? Sanyāsa? This is my end!”
She threw herself at his feet, clutching them tightly—
“Swāmī! My Lord! I cannot live without you!”
Venkatanātha lifted her gently, his voice filled with compassion yet firm with resolve—
“Compose yourself, Sarasvatī.”
She looked up, her eyes burning with sorrow—
“Compose myself? Swāmī, when poison flows through my veins, when my very soul is drowning in grief, how can I be calm?”
“You, my loving husband, are saying these words? Swāmī, when you took my hand in marriage, you vowed—
‘Dharme cha, arthe cha, kāme cha, nāticharāmi - ನಾತಿಚರಾಮಿ!’
What happened to that promise?”
His voice was grave, yet kind—
“That promise has been fulfilled, Sarasvatī.”
“I have never strayed from dharma, artha, or kāma. As Indians, the purpose of marriage is the continuity of our lineage.”
“With Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa’s birth, that duty is complete. He will carry forward our family name. My worldly obligations are fulfilled.”
She shook her head violently—
“Then what of your love, Swāmī? What of the love we shared?”
Venkatanātha sighed deeply—
“That love has now found its highest form, Sarasvatī.”
“It no longer binds me to this world. It has become devotion, flowing entirely toward the Supreme Lord.”
“I am waiting only for your consent, Sarasvatī.”
Sarasvatī wept uncontrollably—
“Must I—must I be the one to say it? Must these lips utter the words that will separate us forever?”
Venkatanātha’s heart ached at her suffering. He placed his hand on her head, his voice soft yet unyielding—
“It is inevitable, Sarasvatī.”
“I know your heart, I know your pain. Yes, I know that you will not survive this grief.”
“But for the good of the world, for the glory of dharma, you must give your consent.”
“If you understand the greatness of this sacrifice, your sorrow will turn into pride.”
“The world will honor you as a woman of the highest virtue, as one who gave everything for the sake of righteousness.”
“Sarasvatī, listen well. My decision is final. Nothing can change it. Only your permission remains.”
“So now, my beloved, tell me. With all your heart—do you give your consent?”
Tears streaming down her face, her voice broken with grief, she gazed at him with hollow eyes—
“What can I say, Swāmī?”
“Your decision is made. I am but a helpless woman, your humble servant. You are my master—you are free.”
“Yes, Swāmī. I will not stop you.”
She collapsed at his feet, pressing her forehead to them.
Tears flowed endlessly, washing over his feet like a sacred ablution.
Venkatanātha watched in silent anguish.
The wife who had been his shadow...
The woman who had lived only for his love...
The purest heart that had ever loved him...
Had just set him free.
And in that moment, the sacred bond between them was severed forever.
The Final Farewell: A Heartbreaking Departure
Venkatanātha sighed deeply, his heart weighed with sorrow.
He gently stroked Sarasvatī’s hair and back, trying to console her in every possible way.
But no words could soothe her pain.
They spent the entire night drowning in tears.
Sobbing. Grieving. Letting go.
By morning, Sarasvatī’s tears had dried—not because her sorrow had faded, but because she had no more strength left to weep.
As the sun began to rise, Venkatanātha struggled to free himself from her desperate embrace.
"Swāmī! My Lord! Do not leave me!"
With a final heart-wrenching cry, she collapsed into unconsciousness.
Venkatanātha turned away, unable to bear the sight.
As he stepped out, he saw his sister and sister-in-law standing outside, weeping silently.
His eyes moistened, but he quickly wiped away his tears.
He spoke just one sentence—
"Take care of Sarasvatī."
And walked away.
At nine in the morning, Rāmacandra Ācārya arrived to escort Venkatanātha to the Maṭha.
The household gathered around him, encircling him in grief.
Sarasvatī, overcome by agony, suddenly ran to him.
She fell at his feet, clutching them with all her strength—
"Swāmī! My Lord! Do not make me an orphan!"
"Our son, Lakṣmīnārāyaṇa, has no one but you!"
"Oh, my Lord! How has your heart turned so cruel?"
"Will you truly abandon your devoted dāsī?"
"Swāmī! I cannot live without you!"
"Take my final namaskāra—because I will not survive this!"
She collapsed into his feet, unconscious.
Everyone wept.
Venkatanātha knelt beside his son—who stood there, wide-eyed and trembling.
He ran his fingers through the boy’s hair, then took his tiny hands and placed them in the hands of his elder brother, Guru Rājācārya.
"From this moment on, his protection is in your hands."
A single tear rolled down his cheek—before he could stop it.
As Sarasvatī lay motionless, as tears flowed from every eye, Venkatanātha turned away from the only life he had ever known.
With Rāmacandra Ācārya and Lakṣmīnṛsiṁhācārya by his side,
He walked away toward the Maṭha—
Never to return.