The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
94. Mangalsutra Saved—Joy Restored!
With eagerness to quickly reach Kumbakonam, Gururajaru traveled with lightning speed and reached Ramapura, a Brahmin agrahara in the Chola region, as part of his digvijaya (spiritual conquest). There, owing to the request of the disciples and devout people of the area, Sriyavaru had to stay for two to three days.
Among those serving Sriyavaru was a young man named Guru Venkata, 28 years old, who had been serving as a doorkeeper with reverence and devotion for four to six years and had earned the blessings of the Guru. He was studying the Vedas and Vedanta Shastras under Shri Lakshminarayanaacharya, the spiritual son of Sri Padangalavaru, and because of his humility and scholarship, had won the affection of everyone in the Matha.
By divine will, Guru Venkata was engaged to a girl named Mangala, the daughter of a householder from the same agrahara. Now the girl had come of age. Seeing that their son-in-law was in the presence of the Guru, the girl’s parents approached Sriyavaru and, with his permission, took Guru Venkata to their home to conduct the marriage.
The next day, the Guru graciously came to their house and received padapuja (ceremonial washing of the feet) from Guru Venkata and Mangala, and bestowed his blessings saying:
"May you have a long life (dīrghāyuṣmān bhava), may you remain happily married (dīrgha-sumaṅgalī bhava), may you be blessed with good children (suputrāvāptirastu)," and, giving sacred fruits and rice, returned to the Matha.
That night around ten o’clock, as the Guru was speaking pleasantly with scholars, suddenly a young woman came crying and fell at his feet, saying “Gurugale, please save me!”
Sriyavaru recognized her as Mangala, the wife of Guru Venkata, and asked gently:
“Dear girl, one who should be with her husband—why have you come here? What is the cause of your tears?”
Just then, Mangala’s parents also arrived. Crying, Mangala said:
“Guruvarya, where is my husband now? I am unfortunate! This morning, you blessed us with long life and a happy marriage. Has that now become false? Swami, give me the boon of my mangalsutra (married life) and protect me!” — saying this, she bowed with grief.
Hearing her words, Gururajaru was shocked and said:
“Shāntam pāpam! Dear child, what are you saying? Tell me clearly.”
Mangala’s father stepped forward and explained:
“Swami, tonight after performing the āratī, we sent our daughter and son-in-law to their room. As our son-in-law entered the room, he stumbled and hit the door, receiving a heavy blow to the head. He collapsed to the floor. We panicked, poured water on his head and administered some remedies. Still, he did not regain consciousness. We called the doctors. After examining him, they said it is difficult for him to regain consciousness—he is either already dead or will pass away within the hour.”
Hearing the doctor’s words, Mangala ran like one possessed and came here. She now wept bitterly and prayed:
“You must protect my mangalsutra, Gurudeva. Please save it!”
Gururajaru’s heart melted.
“There is no room for inauspiciousness where the supremely auspicious form of Sri Moola Rama is present. Sri Hari and Vayu will ensure our blessings come true—do not worry,” he said. Then, sitting in padmasana, he touched his heart with his right hand and entered deep meditation.
After a short while, the Guru opened his eyes and said:
“Dear girl, our blessings have not gone in vain. This is an instance of untimely death that has occurred—and it is the result of past karmic sins. Guru Venkata will survive—do not worry.”
Saying this, along with his disciples and staff, all bearing danda and kamandalu, the Guru proceeded to the house of the family.
There, seeing the body of Guru Venkata lying on a mat, Sriyavaru looked over him, sanctified water in his kamandalu, and sprinkled it over the body. Then, with his divine nectar-like hand, he touched from the head down to the heart three times. Placing his hand on the chest, he began chanting a mantra silently.
In just a moment, the lifeless body of Guru Venkata began to move gently!
He began to breathe and slowly opened his eyes and sat up! Seeing Sriyavaru, he stood up in astonishment, folded his hands, and said:
“Maha Swami! Why have you come here? What has happened to me?”
The house that had been drowning in grief now erupted into a celebration of joy!
Everyone, having witnessed the miracle with their own eyes, began to praise Sriyavaru with devotion and reverence.
Mangala Devi, overwhelmed with bliss, bowed to the Guru’s feet and exclaimed:
“Swami, you are most glorious! Your blessings have borne fruit! You have given me the gift of mangalya (a blessed married life) and protected me.”
Sri Gururajaru smiled and said:
“My child, know that all of this is due to the grace of Sri Moola Rama. You both—husband and wife—will live joyfully for a long time and be blessed with children and grandchildren.”
He then departed victoriously.
The fame of the miracle spread throughout the agrahara, and everyone began to glorify the Guru as the universal spiritual sovereign (Guru Sarvabhouma).
After completing this part of his digvijaya, the Guru entered the region of Chola Mandala.
From afar, he had darshan of the River Kaveri, and was filled with divine bliss.
As Gururajaru entered the kingdom of Tanjavur, all the people were overwhelmed with joy.
Twelve years prior, the people had suffered from a great famine. The Guru had, by his grace, relieved them of this suffering and performed miracles, so the people now regarded him as their guardian deity.
Wherever the Guru went, villages were decorated with plantain arches and flower garlands. Thousands welcomed him with great celebrations and honors. From the poorest farmers to the most learned scholars and wealthy people, all offered him service.
Sri Padangalavaru, continuing this digvijaya yatra, circumambulated all of South India, visiting all sacred pilgrimage centers, offering service and worship, engaging in debates, establishing siddhanta (spiritual principles), uplifting his disciples and devotees, displaying divine miracles, uplifting the poor and downtrodden, and being revered by kings as the supreme spiritual leader. Flying the banner of divine victory everywhere, he finally arrived at Kumbakonam.
All the citizens of Kumbakonam, along with temple authorities from every temple, came with full ceremonial welcome—purna kumbha, banners, Vedic chants, and auspicious instruments—to receive Guru Rajaru.
On either side of all the streets of Kumbakonam, thousands stood to behold the Guru's darshan with cheers of joy and showers of flowers. In front of each house, married women performed āratī.
After a long and arduous pilgrimage, appearing slightly emaciated, Sri Raghavendra Guru Sarvabhouma entered the richly endowed and auspicious Sri Vidya Matha from the eastern entrance, carrying with him the deity Sri Moola Rama.
That divine sight brought bliss to everyone. The majestic scene reminded onlookers of that sacred moment when Sri Rama, returning from forest exile, was ceremoniously welcomed into Ayodhya by Bharata, who had grown lean through austerity.