The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
70. The Jñānayajña of Shri Raghavendra Swamiji
After arriving from Hampi to Kumbakonam, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji remained in deep silence for a month, fully engaged in divine worship and meditation. He was deeply saddened by the loss of his Guru. Whenever he remembered his Guru’s noble qualities, scholarship, and affectionate guidance toward his disciples, his eyes would fill with tears. Seeing this silent sorrow, his close associates became very worried.
One day, in solitude, Ramachandra Acharya met the Guru and prayed that he should devote more attention to the daily activities of the Mahasansthana (monastic seat) and Vidyapeetha (seat of learning). Expressing his grief, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji shared his feelings, saying,
"Before our plans could materialize, our Guru left us orphaned and departed to Lord Hari’s abode. Consequently, all our enthusiasm has diminished."
At this moment, Guru Rajacharya consoled him, saying,
"Fulfilling the plans you had undertaken will be the most fitting tribute and honor to your Guru. Therefore, we all request you to resume teaching, writing scriptures, and guiding students and devotees with renewed vigor."
Hearing this, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji smiled gently and said,
"By the will of Lord Shri Hari and your affectionate prayers, I will dedicate myself to my duties."
Upon hearing this, everyone prostrated before him and expressed their gratitude, saying, "We are blessed."
The Vidyapeetha (seat of learning) established in Kumbakonam by Shri Vijayindra Tirtha had reached its peak of excellence during the times of Vijayindra Tirtha and Sudhindra Tirtha. By the time Shri Raghavendra Swamiji became the Pontiff, this Vidyapeetha had already gained recognition across India as a premier institution of learning.
Every day, at the Vidyapeetha, hundreds of students received lessons from Shri Raghavendra Swamiji, starting from Prakarana Granthas (introductory scriptures) to advanced texts like Nyayasudha and Chandrika. Besides him, twenty-five eminent scholars taught various scriptures at the Vidyapeetha. In the afternoons, at the Shri Matha, the Guru would lecture on Nyaya (logic), Vyakarana (grammar), Mimamsa (interpretation), and Dharma Shastra (religious law).
For ten years, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji stayed in Kumbakonam, engaging in daily rituals, teaching, meditation, divine worship, and spiritual discourse, offering guidance to disciples and devotees, and resolving their spiritual and worldly dilemmas. His unwavering commitment earned him deep devotion and reverence from disciples and followers from both Vedic and secular backgrounds, elevating him to the pinnacle of spiritual glory.
During this period, in accordance with the promise given to Sudhindra Tirtha and his close associates, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji trained his former household relatives, Narayanacharya, Lakshminarayanacharya, Krishnacharya, Govindacharya, and Raghupati Acharya, in Dwaita (dualistic philosophy) and in subjects like Nyaya (logic), Mimamsa (interpretation), Vyakarana (grammar), Dharma Shastra (religious law), and Sahitya Shastra (literary studies), making them distinguished scholars. Similarly, hundreds of students pursued various branches of knowledge under his guidance.
Thus, Shri Raghavendra Swamiji conducted an uninterrupted "Jñānayajña" (sacrifice of knowledge) for ten years, transforming hundreds of students into great scholars, earning global recognition as a revered spiritual master.