The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
92. In the Presence of the Family Deity
Shri Gururājaru arrived at Govindarajapattana, stayed there that day, and the next morning, along with his retinue, bathed in Kapilatīrtha, completed his morning rituals and disciplines, and set out with the sacred deity chest (devara peṭṭige) carried in front. Reaching the foot of the hill, he offered full prostrations (sāṣṭāṅga namaskāra).
Then, scholars, students, and the members of his entourage began ascending the hill while chanting the śāstras in proper recitation. By noon, the Guru reached the sanctum of Shri Prāṇadeva after praying at the desired time. The temple authorities there welcomed him with full honors, including Pūrṇa Kumbha (a traditional ceremonial welcome with a pot filled with sacred water).
After circumambulating the great outer courtyard (mahāprākāra), he sprinkled himself with the sacred waters of the Swāmipuṣkaraṇī, had darshan of Shri Varāhaswāmi, and then arrived at the sanctum of Shri Vēṅkaṭēśwara.
The moment he beheld the Lord of Lords, Gururājaru was overwhelmed with supreme bliss. Out of intense devotion, tears of joy flowed from his eyes. He offered full prostration to Shrī Shrīnivāsa, praised Him in various ways, performed maṅgala-ārati (auspicious waving of lamps), received the divine prasāda, touched the feet of the deity, and was filled with immense joy.
When Shri Gururājaru expressed his desire to meditate alone for some time in the presence of the deity, the elderly archakas and temple officials informed him that he could come in the early morning hours to perform personal worship of the Lord.
Thereafter, the Guru returned to the Shri Maṭha, completed the daily rituals and deity worship, and compassionately offered tīrtha and prasāda to hundreds of disciples and devotees living on the hill, and also received bhikṣā (alms/offering).