The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
Sri Appanacharya
When Sri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhouma entered the Brindavana in his physical body, his divine glories began to manifest immediately. Since then, the miracles have continued to emerge in countless ways even to this day!
Each miracle of Gururaja is significant. If we were to write all the glories known and experienced by devotees even now, it would result in thousands of pages and numerous volumes!
No one could completely and thoroughly document all the miracles of that great soul.
Among the disciples of Rayaru (Sri Raghavendra Swamiji) was Sri Appanacharya of Bichale.
According to the desires of his spiritual master, Appanacharya studied Nyaya Vedanta and other scriptures under Rayaru for twelve years, and he was blessed to earn the immense love and special favor of Gururaja.
He became renowned as a distinguished scholar among scholars and earned the respect of all.
While traveling with his guru, and when the main Matha (institution) was located in Raichur, Appanacharya once brought Gururaja to his home in Bichale and honored him with immense devotion and reverence, feeling greatly fulfilled.
At that time, at the request of Appanacharya's father, Rayaru commanded Appanacharya to embrace the householder's life and bring joy to his parents.
In obedience to the Guru’s command, Appanacharya married, settled in Bichale, and led the household life diligently, remaining devoted to scriptural studies and discourses.
Later, while Gururaja had secured the village of Mantralaya from a Nawab and was residing there, Appanacharya informed the Guru of his desire to undertake a pilgrimage along with his family.
Thus, Appanacharya embarked on his pilgrimage with his family.
As he was on pilgrimage, he remained unaware of Gururaja's entering the Brindavana and thus missed the chance to serve him during his final moments.
Three days before Appanacharya's return to Bichale, Gururaja had entered the Brindavana.
Upon arriving in the village and hearing the news, it struck him like a thunderbolt.
Overwhelmed with grief, he cried,
"Alas! How unfortunate I am! I could not have the final darshan of the Guru’s holy feet! I shall not even drink water until I have darshan of that great soul’s Brindavana!"
Resolute, he immediately left home.
It was the rainy season, and the Tungabhadra river was overflowing.
There was no other way to cross the river to reach the Brindavana.
Longing for the darshan, Appanacharya waited for an hour or two, but the floodwaters did not recede.
Without a second thought, with unwavering faith, he jumped into the Tungabhadra to reach the other side.
Appanacharya, who was not a skilled swimmer, struggled to swim, moving his hands and feet desperately, while keeping Gururaja's image firmly fixed in his heart.
At that moment, the Guru’s divine compassion became manifest — from Appanacharya’s mouth spontaneously poured forth the Guru Stotra!
Starting with:
"Sri Poorna Bodha Guru Teertha Payobhijatha Kamarikaksha Vishalaksha Shirassprushanti..."
it flowed forth seamlessly!
Through the grace of Bhagavan, who had enabled Gururaja to cross the ocean of worldly existence, it was no great wonder that he would help cross the Tungabhadra too.
It appeared as though an unseen divine hand supported Appanacharya in crossing the turbulent river.
When he reached the near bank, the Guru Stotra had already continued up to the verse:
"Rajachora Mahavyaghra Sarpa Nakradipidanam | Na Jayate Yasya Stotrasya Prabhavanaatra Samshayah"
A crowd standing nearby recognized Appanacharya and ran to inform him:
"Acharya! Our Gurupada (Guru Rayaru) has entered the Brindavana with his body, leaving us orphaned!"
Upon hearing this, grief overwhelmed him, and tears streamed down his face.
He ran toward the Brindavana.
At that moment, the Guru Stotra continued from his mouth, driven by profound devotion.
Singing:
"Yo Bhagiruraghavendra Charana Dvandvam Smaran Yah Pathet Stotram Divyamidam Sada..."
— meaning:
"He who constantly remembers and recites this divine Stotra of Sri Raghavendra Gurus' holy feet will never suffer sorrow. By reciting this Stotra daily, by the grace of Kamalanatha (Sri Hari), one attains all desired wishes, widespread fame, immense wealth, and final liberation."
— while chanting these verses, Appanacharya beheld the Brindavana itself!
His composition, however, remained incomplete.
Rushing to the Brindavana, he offered full prostrations (Sashtanga Namaskara).
And lo!
From the Brindavana itself emanated the divine, thunderous voice of Gururaja:
"Saakshi Hayasyotkathi!"
("Sri Hayagriva himself is witness to this!")
What incredible grace and affection the Guru had for his disciple!
With this, Rayaru himself completed the unfinished Stotra, sealing it with divine approval!
Three days after entering the Brindavana, Sri Rayaru gave his divine voice in full presence of hundreds who witnessed the miraculous event, filling them with awe and wonder.
Appanacharya, overwhelmed with devotion and joy, danced in ecstasy, tears of bliss flowing from his eyes.
He exclaimed:
"Among the hundreds of disciples, this lowly soul has received the Guru’s compassion! Rayaru completed my unfinished Stotra and blessed it!"
"Though I missed his physical darshan, I received the nectar of his divine voice! What more could I ask for? Guru Deva, I am truly blessed!"
Appanacharya, upon arriving, found Rayaru immersed in the chanting of the Sri Hayagriva mantra, seated in deep meditation.
Being highly pleased with the Stotra composed by his beloved disciple, Gururaja blessed the work, affirming that:
The contents of the Guru Stotra were entirely true.
Those who recite it would attain all desires, protection, and liberation.
Its potency would endure for 700 years!
Completing the seven missing syllables ("Saakshi Hayasyotkathi"), Gururaja sealed the Stotra with his divine authority, sanctifying it forever.
Thus, it is universally accepted that, among the many hymns composed in praise of Sri Gururaja, the Stotra composed by Sri Appanacharya is the most beloved and revered by Rayaru himself.
Since then, countless devotees have recited and repeatedly chanted this Stotra, freeing themselves from disease, poverty, ignorance, unrest, laziness, and grief, attaining all auspiciousness.
Every syllable of this Stotra is a Bija-akshara (seed syllable), a nectar syllable, rich with profound power and significance.
It fulfills the fourfold aims of human life — Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
As Sri Rayaru himself bore witness:
"Saakshi Hayasyotkathi"
— this Stotra reigns supreme in the spiritual world with unmatched glory and popularity!
Due to this, Sri Appanacharya, who composed this unparalleled and auspicious hymn, has rendered immense, eternal service to the community of devotees and will never be forgotten.