The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
93. Sri Venkateshwara Command to Raghavendra Swami
The next day morning, Sri Padangalavaru, along with Venkatanarayanaacharya, Narayanaacharya, Lakshminarayanaacharya and three to four close disciples, bathed in Swamipushkarini and performed spiritual japa and tapas in the shrine of Sri Varaha Deva.
After that, Narayanaacharya carried the chest of Sri Moolarama on his head and moved forward, and the Guru along with the disciples came to the shrine of Sri Deva. There, the temple authorities of Sri Deva's shrine, along with the main and assistant priests, met the Gurus with great respect and took them into the presence of Srinivasa.
Near the sanctum, the priests took the deity's chest from Narayanaacharya and placed it on a seat before the Lord.
As soon as Sriyavaru entered the sanctum, the assistant priests, as prearranged, drew the curtain in front of the sanctum and sat outside with the scholars of the Matha.
The all-beautiful Sri Venkatesha, adorned with a Tulasi garland, appeared to Guru Raja in cosmic form. The Guru, overjoyed by the darshan of the Lord, sat in padmasana before the deity and attempted to meditate on the image form in his lotus-heart.
The image form appeared in his heart-lotus. Then Sriyavaru mentally contemplated the oneness between the image form and Venkateshwara and began to praise Him.
The image form disappeared, and Srinivasa gave darshan there. As the Guru praised the Lord in bliss, Srinivasa vanished.
Then the Guru opened his eyes and beheld Srinivasa. What he saw there—such a divine sight—enchanted him.
Sri Venkateshwara was shining with the divine radiance of moonlit milk! That auspicious form, bearing chakra and shankha in varada and abhaya mudras, adorned with Srivatsa, Kaustubha, crown, earrings, and wearing a yellow garment, in his original form, gently smiling, seemed to be showing the abhaya hasta (gesture of protection) to Guru Raja.
Guru Raja, thrilled by the transcendental vision of the Supreme, with tears of bliss and overflowing devotion, prayed:
“O Lord of Devas! Jagannatha, beloved of Lakshmi! Have you shown mercy upon this servant, O Swami!”
“To the embodiment of noble, complete, and exalted qualities, to the one of holy fame! Salutations to the consort of Shri, the form of bliss granted to devotees.
To the eternally beautiful embodiment of perfect, noble virtues, to the one praised formerly by Brahmavindra and others, to the one in the form of Brahma—salutations!”
"Salutations to You, O Shri Hari! Whose body is exalted by eternal, complete knowledge, bliss, and other divine attributes; who is of sacred renown; who is the consort of Lakshmi; who grants the bliss of one's true nature to His own devotees; who is the beautiful form that enchants the world; who is praised by Shri Rama, Brahma, Garuda, Rudra, Indra, and others; who is referred to by the term 'Parabrahma'. I have been fulfilled by Your darshan, O Lord!" — with such emotional ecstasy, he (the Guru) began to praise.
In that peaceful atmosphere, a marvelous, divine light began to shine, and in astonishment, Sriyavaru (the Guru) looked toward the Supreme Being. At that moment, from the lotus mouth of Venkatesha, the nectar-like divine voice emerged:
"There is nothing superior to Me. The Vedas are the root of all Dharma. Through all the Vedas, I alone am to be known. O foremost among devotees! Worship Me through the exposition of the Vedas."
Hearing this divine command and voice directly from the Supreme Being, Guru Rajaru, overwhelmed with supreme bliss, with deep devotion, said, "O Supreme Lord, beloved of Rama, I will carry out Your command, O Swami!", and prostrated, placing his head on the Lord’s feet. His words were heard by all present outside. Everyone was astonished and wondered what might be happening. The priests came near.
By the touch of Shri Hari’s feet, Sri Raghavendra Guru was filled with goosebumps. It was as though a sattvic divine energy had entered his body, and he became immersed in bliss. Then, the tulasi garland adorning Srinivasa’s neck slipped off from the right side and came to rest around the Guru’s neck!
Seeing this, the elderly priests exclaimed:
“Wondrous! Unprecedented! O Guru, you are an intimate devotee of the Lord! You are foremost among the Bhagavatas. In my forty years of experience, never before have I seen such an event take place! I have become blessed today by witnessing this divine marvel through your grace. Swami, my endless salutations to you.”
Saying this, they bowed to the Guru.
Sriyavaru smiled gently and said:
“Acharyare (revered ones), we are not as great as you praise. We are but humble servants at the feet of Shri Hari.”
With just these few words, he came out. The priests brought out the deity's chest. Narayanacharya received it and placed it on his head, and they returned to their resting place along with the Guru.
From that day onwards, for seven days, Sri Padangalavaru performed various services to Sri Venkateshwara. The temple authorities honored him in a special manner and presented two golden ceremonial umbrellas, one white umbrella, two chamaras (fans), fly whisks, and yellow garments offered to Srinivasa.
The scholars on the hill, the devout protectors of Dharma, the temple officials, priests, and workers all received offerings of fruits, sacred rice, and tokens of honor from the Guru. After bidding farewell to all, he descended the hill and reached Padma Sarovara.
There, from the services and darshan of Sri Padmavati, the Guru felt great joy. He offered a golden mangalya thread, a pearl necklace, yellow garments, and an ornamented bracelet to the goddess and conducted special rituals and festivals.
Sriyavaru came to Govindarajapattana, stayed there for 3–4 days receiving devotional service from the devotees, and from there proceeded to Kalahasti, had darshan of the deity, and then graciously traveled to Kanchi.
In Kanchi, after organizing the Garudotsava (festival with Garuda procession) for Sri Varadaraja Swami and being fulfilled by the darshan of the Lord, he joyfully had darshan and offered service to Ekambareswara and Kamakshi and then proceeded to Arunachala.
At Arunachala, after having darshan of Sri Shambhu, offering prostrations and services, Sri Padangalavaru victoriously traveled to Vriddhachalam and Shrimushna Kshetras.
At Vriddhachalam, he had darshan of Maha Rudra Deva, and at Shrimushnam, he worshiped Varaha form of the Lord and the Trinity incarnation—Pranadeva, offered prostrations and praises. He stayed there for four to six days and performed various services to the deities.
From there, the Guru proceeded toward Kumbakonam.