The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
69. The Departure of Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha
Following the tradition of the Mahāsaṁsthāna (pontifical lineage), Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha embarked on a journey accompanied by his beloved disciple, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha. As they traveled, they were received with unprecedented honor and welcome wherever they went. The people of India, witnessing Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha's divine radiance, profound scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the world, felt blessed by the darśana and service of both revered Gurus.
After traveling for two to three months, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha, along with his disciples, arrived at Hampi Kṣetra on the Pālguna Śukla Dvitīya (second day of the bright fortnight of the Pālguna month). The representative of the Karnataka kingdom, along with the Vaidikas (scholars) and local dignitaries, offered them an extraordinary reception, arranging for their stay at the royal palace.
At Hampi, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha and his disciples, including Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha, experienced great joy in offering worship and service at the Br̥ndāvana shrines of the revered previous Gurus of the Mūla Mahāsaṁsthāna, including Śrī Padmanābha Tīrtha, Śrī Narahari Tīrtha, Śrī Jayatīrtha, Śrī Kavīndra Tīrtha, Śrī Vāgīśa Tīrtha, Śrī Raghunandana Tīrtha, and Śrī Vyāsarāja Guru.
The Final Instructions of Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha
As per the command of Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha, Śrī Rāghavēndra Guru took charge of performing the Mahāsaṁsthāna Pūjā (ritual worship of the pontifical seat), scriptural discourses, mantra initiation, Mudrā dhāraṇa (sacred markings), and Dharma teachings, blessing numerous disciples and devotees.
Ten days passed in this manner. Suddenly, one day, Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha fell ill. Wishing to immerse himself in deep penance and meditation, he moved to the sacred vicinity of the Br̥ndāvana shrines of Śrī Padmanābha Tīrtha, Śrī Jayatīrtha, Śrī Kavīndra Tīrtha, Śrī Vāgīśa Tīrtha, and Śrī Vyāsarāja Guru.
While continuing his daily rituals, prayers, and penance, he limited his intake to just fruits and milk, focusing entirely on meditation. Eventually, he completely abstained from food and engaged in uninterrupted contemplation of Śrī Hari and Vāyu Deva through japa (chanting), tapa (austerities), and dhyāna (meditation).
On the Pālguna Bahula Dvitīya (second day of the dark fortnight of the Pālguna month), in the year Śālivāhana Śaka 1445 (corresponding to the Rudhirōdgāri - ರುಧಿರೋದ್ಗಾರಿ Saṁvatsara), after completing his morning bath and rituals, he sat in yogic posture and called for his most beloved disciple, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha.
He then imparted the highest spiritual teachings of the Śrīmad Ācārya (Madhvācārya) tradition, placed his divine hand on the heads of the worthy disciples, and blessed them with a prophecy:
"In your time, the Mahāsaṁsthāna of Śrīmad Ācārya will attain world-renowned glory. The Dvaita Siddhānta will shine forever, free from all obstacles, as bright as the sun and the moon. May all beings attain prosperity and well-being. May a grand literary and philosophical movement be established, strengthening scriptural discourses and teachings. Just as our revered Guru, Śrī Vijayīndra Tīrtha, commanded us, you have descended for this great mission. Śrī Hari and Śrī Vāyu will stand by you, bless you with their infinite strength, and enable you to fulfill this divine task successfully. I bless you with universal victory!"
After offering these final words of guidance and blessings, he bid farewell to his disciples, entered deep meditation, restrained his breath, and while chanting the name of Śrī Nārāyaṇa, merged with the divine abode of Śrī Hari.
Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha’s Grief and the Guru’s Br̥ndāvana Pratiṣṭhā
Hundreds of disciples, devotees, and spiritual seekers came to have the final darśana of their revered Guru, feeling blessed and purified by the experience. Upon hearing the news of his Guru’s departure, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha was overcome with deep sorrow. The entire Maṭha was plunged into grief beyond measure.
Following tradition, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha enshrined his Guru’s sacred remains at the same holy site where previous Gurus—Śrī Padmanābha Tīrtha and others—were laid to rest. A Br̥ndāvana (sacred shrine) was then consecrated.
After completing the ritualistic worship of Śrī Mūla Rāma, he performed the ritualistic anointing of the Br̥ndāvana with golden water (Kanakābhisheka), offered sacred libations (Hastōdaka), and wept profusely while composing a final shloka in honor of his Guru:
Kushāgramatayē bhānudvitayē vādibhītayē |
Ārādhitaśrīpatayē Sudhīndrayatayē namaḥ ||
"Salutations to Śrī Sudhīndra Yati, whose intellect was as sharp as the tip of Kuśa grass, whose wisdom shone like two suns, who instilled fear in his philosophical opponents, and who constantly worshiped Śrīpati (Bhagavān Viṣṇu)."
After offering the Maṅgala Ārati to the Guru’s Br̥ndāvana, he performed the ceremonial prostration, dedicated sacred mantra flowers, and bid his final respects.
On that day and the following day, following tradition, Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī performed the Mahāsamārādhana (grand final rites) of his Guru with great devotion and grandeur.
Śrī Rāghavēndra Swāmī Ascends the Mahāsaṁsthāna
After completing all the rituals, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha, along with the Mahāsaṁsthāna, proceeded toward Kumbhakoṇa.
The Dvaita Siddhānta empire, which had flourished under the divine guidance of Śrī Madhvācārya and his illustrious successors, had been nurtured and protected by Śrī Sudhīndra Tīrtha on the sacred banks of the Tungabhadrā River.
With his Guru now eternally absorbed in penance at the feet of Bhagavān, the Goddess of Knowledge and Prosperity (Rājyalakṣmī), who had once resided at Tungabhadrā, now moved toward Kumbhakoṇa, taking refuge in none other than the ocean of virtues, the supreme scholar, and the true successor of the Mahāsaṁsthāna—Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha Guru Sārvabhauma.
Thus, Śrī Rāghavēndra Tīrtha ascended the pontifical seat of Śrīmad Ācārya’s Mahāsaṁsthāna, carrying forth the glorious spiritual lineage of Śrī Madhvācārya and ensuring its everlasting illumination.