The Importance of Mantralaya

SASHAREERA BRINDAVANA PRAVESHA OF GURU RAYARU IN 1671 A.D.

Raghavendra Swamiji chose Manchala or Mantralayam as his last place to leave as the days of his incarnation slowly came to conclusion. He built a temple for Lord Venkateshwara by whose blessings he had been born. Venkanna paid frequent visits to Manchala to enquire the welfare to Swamiji. One day, Swamiji took Venkanna, the Diwan, to the banks of Tungabhadra and asked him to dig at a particular place. Venkanna did so and found a "Homakunda" (a sacrifical fire place). Venkanna was amazed. The Swamiji told him that this place he had performed a sacrifice in the days of Krithayuga in his incarnation as Prahalada and Manchalamma or Mantralayambike was their family deity and he had chosen manchala as he loved it so much all these years. And this was the place where in the Dwapara Yuga, there was a bitter fight between Anusalva and Arjuna during the Aswamedha Sacfice. Arjuna could not defeat Anusalva as his chariot was on the Homakunda. On Krishna 's advice. Sri Krishna made Arjuna to move a little backward when Anusalva's chariot too left the point and become vulnerable and Arjuna defeated him. Such was the importance of the place, the Homakunda. Venkanna was very happy to know the Swamiji's previous incarnation. 

Rayaru selected Mantralaya to remain here in Yogamudra. Venkanna was unwilling to hand over Mantralaya as it was not a fertile land. Rayaru said I want only this Manchale, and asked Venkanna to dig there and found and showed the Angaara(ash)of Yagna -Yaaga performed during Prahlada Avatara and also found an idol of Sri Rudradevau i.e. Shivalinga worshipped at that time. Rayaru selected that Yaaga place for his Brindavana. Later Sri Yogeendrateertharu did the pratisthaapana of Sri RudraDevaru in front of the Brindavana i.e. at the right side of PraanaDevaru facing to Rayaru. Praana Devaru was also made of Madhavara Shila. Madhavara Shila is full of Sanctity as Sri Rama Devaru has taken rest on that rock during the Vanavaasa. Venkanna said in a choked voice: “Everything has become quite intelligible, every bit of your actions reveals that you are really a unique soul. Not a day has passed without your divine miracles. What I seek most is your benevolence only. I am specially fortunate to have you as my guru. I pray that I may tread the path of righteousness with your grace!”

As ordained by the swamiji, Venkannapant saw to the construction of a Sanctum Sanctorum on the spot where Yagnakunda existed. He also built a spacious corridor bordering the temple of Goddess Mantralayambike. He was always eagerly looking forward to the day of achieving the fullest satisfaction by carrying out whatever was said by the swamiji.

Diwan Venkanna and Siddi Masood Khan became the close Devotees of Rayaru. Their life turned fruitful as they offered Mantralaya as per the desire of Rayaru. 

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||

Courtesy: http://gururaghavendra.org/ & Guru Charite (SRS Matha)

Sri. Raghvendra Patwari.