The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
98. Worthy Disciples for a Worthy Guru
During the period of Vedabhashya composition, two close disciples of Sri Raghavendra Swami—Sri Lakshminarayanacharya (his poorvashrama son) and Krishnacharya—deeply engaged themselves in activities like:
Reviewing various scriptures,
Participating in learned discussions with the pandit community, and
Assisting in poetic and philosophical evaluations.
As a result, though already eminent scholars, their intellect expanded, and their extraordinary talent began to shine ever brighter. Under Sri Raghavendra’s guidance, they studied the four principal shastras, and through active involvement in the matha’s vakyaartha sessions (scriptural debates and interpretations), their knowledge deepened and their power of discernment grew vast.
Endless contemplation and analysis of thousands of texts made their wisdom flourish. Eventually, a deep desire arose within both disciples to compose their own works.
A few days after the publication of the Vedabhashyas, the two disciples approached Sri Raghavendra Swami and humbly expressed their longing to author original texts, seeking his permission and blessings.
Seeing their zeal, the Guru was pleased.
He instructed Krishnacharya:
“There is currently a great need in society, especially among the Madhwas, Brahmin community, and Hindus at large, for an authoritative Dharma Shastra text. Compose such a scripture for the welfare of the people.”
To Lakshminarayanacharya, his son by birth, he said:
“You must compose a commentary (ṭippaṇi) in line with Sri Madhvacharya’s sacred Ṛgveda Bhāṣya and ṭīkā, thus serving Acharya Madhva and the great commentators who followed him.”
He blessed them both and offered phalamantrakshata (blessed rice and fruits), assuring them of success.
Infused with the Guru’s powerful blessings, both Krishnacharya and Lakshminarayanacharya enthusiastically began writing in an auspicious muhoorta (moment).
With relentless effort, sincerity, and encouragement from scholars, they completed their works and presented them at the feet of their Guru, saying humbly:
“Mahaswami, through your grace, teachings, and blessings, we have written these according to our humble capacity. We pray that you review them and bless us.”
Delighted by their dedicated scholarship, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to the sampradaya, Sri Raghavendra Swami smiled and replied:
“Well done. We will review your works.”
He examined both manuscripts thoroughly and, overwhelmed with joy, ordered that they be read and introduced in a public scholarly forum (vidvat sabha), with the authors themselves presenting the content.
A special event was arranged in the matha.
Every day during midday, in an assembly filled with eminent pandits, the new compositions were recited and explained.
First came Krishnacharya, son of Ramachandraacharya (himself the nephew of Sri Vijayindra Tirtha). He presented his brilliant Dharma Shastra text, titled “Smriti Muktavali”, structured in four sections.
This scripture covered a wide range of vital topics:
The duties of householders,
Auspicious ceremonies,
Daily and occasional Vedic rituals,
Fasting, vows, and atonements,
Rites for birth and death,
Time calculation (kaala nirnaya), and much more.
It served as a clear and authoritative guide, benefiting not only the Madhwa and Brahmin communities, but all Hindus across India.
The assembled pandits praised both the work and the author openly, saying:
“This is an exceptionally useful and refined text.
It fills a critical gap and serves society in a deeply meaningful way.”
Sri Raghavendra Swami, endorsing their praise, gave an anugraha vachana (benediction), and said:
“May this work become renowned across the world.”
He blessed Krishnacharya abundantly.
From the next day, Sri Lakshminarayanacharya, the poorvashrama son of Sri Raghavendra Swami, began the recitation and commentary of his newly composed work.
He began by reading the Ṛgveda Bhāṣya, followed by its ṭīkā (sub-commentary), and then proceeded to explain his own ṭippaṇi (gloss) with majestic solemnity. His interpretation sparkled with depth of scholarship, elegance of style, and literary beauty.
Hearing this intelligent, charming, and masterfully written gloss, the gathered scholars unanimously praised:
“He is indeed a worthy disciple of Sri Raghavendra Swami—
a brilliant torchbearer of his family and lineage,
and one of the finest ṭippaṇikāras (glossators) of our time.”
As Sri Raghavendra Swami listened, his eyes filled with tears of joy, and with affectionate grace, he personally guided Lakshminarayanacharya by citing numerous Ṛgvedic traditions to strengthen and support his commentary.
Thus, through his blessings and active participation, Sri Swamiji ensured that Lakshminarayanacharya’s Ṛgṭīkāṭippaṇi - ಋಗಟೀಕಾಟಿಪ್ಪಣಿ gained wide circulation and acceptance among scholars.
This blossomed into another major work by Sri Swamiji:
The “Mantrartha Manjari”, a remarkable treatise on the essence of Vedic mantras.
That very evening, in the scholarly assembly, both Krishnacharya and Lakshminarayanacharya were honored by the Vedic and secular scholars of Kumbhakonam.
Many pandits gave speeches, praising the authors and their contributions.
Guru Rajacharya declared:
“These two eminent scholars, one the poorvashrama son and the other a cherished disciple of the great Guru Sri Raghavendra Swami, have composed profound scriptures that glorify the Guru’s legacy and give new meaning to the title ‘Pratīta Vrata’ - ಪ್ರತೀತ ವ್ರತ (One of Proven Vow).
Truly, they are disciples befitting their Guru—
revered by pandits, honored by devotees of dharma.
I pray that Sri Hari and Vayu continue to inspire more such noble works and honor this gifted pair with even more grace.”
The entire audience responded with joyous applause and chants of appreciation.
Then, Sri Raghavendra Swami, with his nectar-like hands, personally:
Draped both Krishnacharya and Lakshminarayanacharya in ceremonial shawls, and
Gifted them gold bangles, honoring them as distinguished scholars.
The great scholar and future Mahapeethadheesha, Sri Vadindra Tirtha (the spiritual grandson of Sri Raghavendra), beautifully immortalized this moment in his revered hymn Sri Guru Guna Stavana, saying:
“Lakshminarayanaryaḥ—like a gem among sons—
whose ṭippaṇi illumines the ṛkṭīkā brilliantly,
whose intellect and devotion shine in equal measure,
you, O Raghavendra, declared him worthy of the title ‘Pratīta Vrata’,
aligning with your grand bhāṣyas and teachings.”