The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
66. Sri Raghavendra Swami’s Divine Grace: The Liberation of Sarasvati
That evening, Lakshminarasimha Acharya arrived at the monastery (Sri Matha) and directly went to Sri Sudhindra's private chamber. Seeing him standing with a grief-stricken face, Sri Sudhindra asked, "Acharya, why did you not participate in the welcome ceremony for our beloved disciple?"
Acharya wiped his tears with his garment and replied, "Forgive me. Circumstances forced me to do so."
Sri Sudhindra asked, "That is fine, but why are there tears in your eyes? Is it due to the overwhelming joy of witnessing our dear disciple becoming the Jagadguru?"
Acharya, with a heavy heart, responded, "That joy has now turned into sorrowful tears."
Sri Sudhindra: "What do you mean? What has happened?"
Acharya: "It is my misfortune to have to convey a tragic incident!"
Sri Sudhindra: (anxiously) "Speak clearly, Acharya!"
Acharya: "Swami, our Sarasvati…"
Sri Sudhindra: (shocked) "What has happened to Sarasvati? Is she healthy?"
Acharya: "There is no more Sarasvati, Swami! Unable to bear the sorrow of her husband's ascetic renunciation into the Paramahamsa order, she ended her life by jumping into the well."
Sri Sudhindra: "Shāntaṁ pāpaṁ! (O Lord, may her sins be absolved!) When did this unfortunate incident occur?"
Acharya: (weeping) "On the very night when the new ascetic was crowned."
Sri Sudhindra: "Oh, Shri Moola Rama! Why did this happen? Such an injustice! Was her tender, love-filled heart truly needed by Lord Hari? It is Lord Hari’s will. What about Sarasvati's funeral rites?"
Acharya: "Gururaja Acharya is conducting the final rites through Lakshminarayana, and the subsequent rituals are being performed."
Sri Sudhindra: "Acharya, let the sacred rites be completed properly," he said, instructing the monastery officials to ensure everything was done accordingly.
Acharya then said, "Maha Swami, I cannot bear to inform the younger Sri Padangalavaru (Raghavendra Swami) of this terrible news!"
Sri Sudhindra replied, "I will take care of that myself. Once all the rituals are completed, bring Lakshminarayana and the family members to my presence."
After receiving the Guru’s command, Lakshminarasimha Acharya returned home.
The entire monastery was deeply saddened by Sarasvati’s untimely death. None of them had the courage to face the younger Sri Padangalavaru, and in silence, they all immersed themselves in their duties.
That night, during the time of rest, Sri Sudhindra conveyed the tragic news of Sarasvathamma’s untimely death to his beloved disciple. Upon hearing it, the younger Sri (Sri Raghavendra) remained motionless, stunned. For a brief moment, his mind vividly painted the virtues and loving nature of his former wife, and a few tears rolled down his eyes. However, he immediately composed himself, took a deep breath, and simply said, “Hūṁ, Śrīśēcchā” (This is the will of the Lord), and “Yārige Yārō Purandara Viṭṭhala” (For whom is anyone? Only the Lord belongs to all), before falling silent.
Sri Sudhindra was astonished by the steadfastness of his beloved disciple.
Sri Raghavendra displayed no signs of distress or sorrow over his former wife’s passing. Instead, he continued his daily routine with a serene mind—performing snāna (ritual bath), ācamana (purification rituals), japa (meditation), tapas (austerities), pāṭha (study), pravachana (discourses), Śrīmūlarāma ārādhana (worship of Sri Moola Rama), and guru-sevā (service to his Guru). His unwavering composure, mental strength, and deep detachment impressed everyone around him. Observing his dispassion and fortitude, the devotees, monks, and scholars present were in awe and reverently exclaimed, “Mahanubhava!” (What a great soul!), glorifying their Guru.
One morning, Sri Raghavendra Tirtha was deeply engrossed in meditation in the Purāṇa Maṇṭapa—an ancient pavilion on the banks of the Kaveri River. Narasimha Acharya, the monastery’s daily reciter, was seated before the Guru, reciting and translating the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. A large gathering of scholars and devout listeners had assembled for the discourse.
Suddenly, from the sky, a shadow resembling a dark Krishna-cloud materialized in the space before Sri Raghavendra! Everyone present was struck with awe and fear, anxiously watching the extraordinary event unfold. The shadow seemed to move and sway, as if communicating with the Guru. While the onlookers could only hear Sri Raghavendra’s responses, they could not comprehend what the mysterious form was conveying. A divine conversation had begun.
As soon as Sri Raghavendra Tirtha called out, "Sarasvati!", the shadow confirmed, "Yes, Swami, it is me."
Sri Raghavendra, with a heavy heart, asked, "Is this what has become of you?"
Sarasvati’s spirit responded, "Didn’t you yourself teach, ‘Avaśyam anubhōktavyam kṛtaṁ karma śubhāśubham’ (One must inevitably experience the consequences of one’s deeds, whether good or bad)? I have simply met my fate."
Sri Raghavendra sighed deeply, "Sarasvati, you were a thoughtful and virtuous woman. How could you act so rashly, without considering the consequences?"
Sarasvati replied, "Yes, Swami, I acted in haste. But now, it is too late. My destiny has been written, and I am left to wander as a restless spirit."
Sri Raghavendra, in a firm yet compassionate tone, asked, "Why did you do this?"
Sarasvati’s voice trembled, "What else could I have done, Swami? I worshipped you as my very deity. You were the breath of my life. I endured every hardship—poverty, struggles—happily, because I had your presence, your love, your words, and your touch. And you loved me too! But when my Lord renounced the world and became a sannyasi, what was left for me? For whom should I have lived? Rather than continuing as a lifeless corpse, burning in the flames of separation, I chose to end my suffering."
Sri Raghavendra, unwavering, asked, "And what did you gain from this act?"
Sarasvati sighed, "In life, I lost the fortune of seeing you. But now, at least as a spirit, I can stand at a distance and behold you. What more could I want?"
The saint shook his head, "Sarasvati, even in this state, you have not let go of your delusion! Have I not told you countless times, ‘Ati sarvatra varjayēt’—excess of anything is to be avoided? You disregarded my words, and now you suffer."
Sarasvati’s voice was pained, "Was it wrong to love my husband?"
Sri Raghavendra’s response was sharp yet profound, "Love, when placed in impermanent things, inevitably leads to suffering. You are yourself proof of this truth! Had you directed this same love towards the eternal, the supreme, the redeemer—the Paramātma—you would have advanced far on the path of liberation. Now, tell me, what is to be done about your fate?"
Sarasvati humbly pleaded, "Swami, you must decide for me. I have lived as a devoted wife. I foolishly thought that death would free me from suffering, but now I see my mistake. I have lost both—you, my husband, and my dear son, Lakshminarayana! I am trapped in this miserable ghostly existence. I am tormented by the thought of what will happen to our lineage. Swami, please save me!"
Sri Raghavendra assured her, "Sarasvati! You need not worry about Lakshminarayana. He will grow to be a great scholar, a generous benefactor, and a celebrated author. He will illuminate the lineage like a beacon, spreading its fame as long as the sun and moon shine in the sky. The very Śrīmūlarāma bears witness to this! Your son’s lineage has my divine blessing. Let this not trouble you anymore."
Tears of relief filled Sarasvati’s spectral eyes, "Ah! Now I am at peace, Swami! But what about my own salvation?"
Sri Raghavendra spoke with divine authority, "That too is in the hands of Śrīhari and Vāyu. You shall attain saddhati (liberation). As a mark of your devotion and sacrifice, I decree that in honor of your memory, your son Lakshminarayana and his descendants shall observe a special floral offering (hūvīḷya) to sumangalis (married women) during auspicious occasions. Are you satisfied?"
Sarasvati’s voice trembled with joy, "Swami, this is bliss—great bliss! But… but… I have sullied your name with my reckless act. My heart aches at the thought that I brought dishonor upon your divine grace. Please forgive me, Swami!"
Sri Raghavendra let out a gentle chuckle, "Sarasvati, the world is full of fools like you! Your love for your husband has now become a tale of great devotion. The people of this world do not condemn you—they glorify you as a Mahāsādhvi, a woman so devoted that she could not live without her husband! There is no dishonor upon me; in fact, the world shall praise my name even more because of this. People will sing of my ‘great power’ in delivering you from this ghostly existence. Now, go. Śrīhari, Vāyu, and Guru will liberate you, granting you eternal bliss."
With that, Sarasvati’s spirit, now filled with divine grace, dissolved into the ether, freed at last from the bonds of suffering.
As Sri Raghavendra Guru Sarvabhouma chanted the sacred mantras and sprinkled the sanctified water upon the shadowy apparition of Sarasvati, he closed his eyes in deep meditation. He then took water from his kamandalu (holy vessel), sprinkled it again, and solemnly declared, "Sadgati prāptirastu" (May she attain liberation).
What an astonishing miracle! A radiant flash of divine light illuminated the space. And within that golden brilliance, there appeared Sarasvati—not as a wandering spirit, but as a celestial being, adorned in resplendent yellow garments and divine ornaments, glowing with unparalleled beauty and radiance!
Witnessing this divine spectacle with their own eyes, the assembled devotees were overcome with awe, devotion, and reverence. In ecstatic wonder, they exclaimed, "Ah! What a Mahānubhāva! Truly a master of divine mantras and an unparalleled ascetic!" Their hearts filled with devotion, they bowed in complete surrender, prostrating before the Guru, chanting his "Jaya Jaya" in praise.
Sri Raghavendra, having granted salvation to his former wife, remained serene and unmoved by external emotions. With his eyes half-closed, he placed his right hand on his heart, silently immersed in deep meditation.
The news of Sarasvati’s manifestation before the Guru, their mystical conversation, and how he had dispelled her restless spirit and granted her sadgati (liberation) spread like wildfire! The people of the town, overwhelmed with amazement and joy, sang the glories of Sri Raghavendra Swami, recognizing his divine power and supreme grace.