The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
68. Guru Bhakti
Today, in the world, Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī is revered as the foremost Guru who uplifted and guided countless devotees. He was an embodiment of truthfulness and the very symbol of Sāttvika purity. Through his sacred conduct, he demonstrated how the relationship between Guru and disciple should be, setting an ideal example that earned him the praise of all. Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī became synonymous with Guru Bhakti (devotion to the Guru). His unwavering devotion to his Guru, his immense Sāttvika energy, served as a guiding light for his devotees.
Words are insufficient to describe his devotion toward his Guru, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha—it was beyond ordinary comprehension. His Guru Bhakti was not a mere formality but a spontaneous and heartfelt expression that emerged from within. Firmly believing that the Guru’s blessings alone were responsible for all forms of upliftment, he exhibited the true devotion expected of an ideal disciple. In this way, he remains, in the past, present, and future, an eternal example of Guru Bhakti for the world.
Only those who have had the fortune to experience Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī’s divine grace can truly understand his greatness! His Guru Bhakti shone like a celestial light that descended upon the earth. For his disciples and devotees, merely obtaining his darśana was a milestone of success in life. From children to the elderly, from common folk to the most learned scholars, from the ignorant to the enlightened, he showered love, trust, and compassion upon all. His teachings, guidance, and affectionate interactions cleansed the impurities of people’s hearts and created a sacred space within them.
His spiritual and philosophical discourses, which were both logical and timely, ignited the flames of devotion in people’s hearts, dispelling sorrow and despair while leading them toward a new, divine path. He sowed the seeds of Bhakti (devotion) in the purified minds of his devoted disciples and nurtured them with divine wisdom. The nectar of his teachings bore fruit quickly, and countless individuals attained spiritual upliftment by partaking in this divine wisdom. Even today, millions continue to receive all-round prosperity and well-being through his benevolent guidance and teachings—this is a truth established through experience.
Considering all this, it is beyond doubt that Guru Rājā’s unparalleled devotion and selfless service toward his Guru, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha, is a testament to his spiritual greatness. When Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī ascended the Pīṭhādhipati (pontifical seat), he continued to serve his Guru with unwavering devotion and reverence. Though many were assigned to assist in Guru’s service, Śrī Rāghavēndra personally attended to Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha from the moment he woke up in the early morning until he retired at night.
Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha held his disciple Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī in the highest regard, showering him with immense love and trust. He never let his disciple leave his presence, even for a moment. Such was their bond that Śrī Rāghavēndra was the very life-breath of his Guru. Seeing the disciple’s unparalleled devotion, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha was often left in awe and wonder.
Just as the saying goes,
"Gaganaṁ gaganākāraṁ, sāgaraḥ sāgarōpamaḥ"
("The sky can only be compared to the vast sky, and the ocean only to the mighty ocean"),
if an example is needed to describe Guru Bhakti (the devotion of a disciple) and Guru’s affectionate love toward his disciple, then one must cite the Guru Bhakti of Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī and the affection of Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha—for no other example can compare!
Such was the sacred Guru-Śiṣya (teacher-disciple) bond, their unwavering devotion, and their boundless love for each other!