Raghavendra Swamy

[Guest guest]

Poojyaya Raghavendraya Sathya Dharma Rathayacha

Bhajathaam Kalpa Vrukshaaya Namathaam Kamadhenave

 

Sri Gururaja Rao, a long-time resident of Flushing, New York has been very

instrumental in holding the Sri Raghavendra Swamy Aradhana for many years. He

has played a crucial role in getting a " brindavana " in to New York, many years

ago. New Yorkers who visit this brindavana, as well as those who regularly

attend the Aradhana, will certainly know of the selfless couple, Gururaja Rao

and Sushila Rao, as well as their energetic daughter, Bhavani, who have taken

every step possible to make the Aradhana a grand celebration, year after year

after year.

 

Sri Gururaja Rao has recently received a letter from the Swamiji of the Sri

Raghavendra Swamy maThA in Manthralaya, His Holiness Sri Sushameendra Theertha.

Swamiji writes that he is gratified to know of the activities in New York by the

Devotees of Raghavendra Swamy in New York, an informal group whose existence

predates many organizations today. Not surprisingly, this organization

comprises many who are not Maadhvas. They are a fairly tight knit group, albeit

informally, and are very active in related activities, such as the recent

concerts hosted during the visit of a devotional singer.

 

In the same letter, Swamiji has also issued an appeal. He observes that some

repair is need for a temple in Manthralaya. It is the temple of Srinivasa,

where Sri Raghavendra personally worshipped. (Sri Raghavendra also performed

puja to a set of icons of Venkateshwara and his two consorts; one can see these

icons placed at Sri Raghavendra's brindavana). I have not had the fortune of

visiting this temple, and owing to my ignorance, was not aware of its existence

or condition. Suffice it to say at this point that repair is in order and will

be conducted under the aegis, appropriately, of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha.

 

I am writing you all, to contribute to this cause. To a devotee of Sri

Raghavendra, I think that there is no need to even justify this cause. As one

who has witnessed several miracles of Sri Raghavendra, I consider myself blessed

to be able to put this appeal up, in cyberspace. I know that there are several

of you who are ardent devotees of Sri Raghavendra, and for you, a mere hint is

enough.

 

While on this issue, I want to point out that the Devotees of Raghavendra Swamy

in New York have made arrangements with the managing committee of the Sri

Raghavendra Swamy Matha at Mantralaya to allocate one section of a guesthouse to

those visiting from the US. To use this accommodation, you will need a voucher

from Sri Gururaja Rao. Please contact him at 718 762 9243 or e-mail him at

bhavi11 (The funds for this purpose are the thousands of one-dollar

bills offered to the aarti during the Aradhana that Gururaja Rao organizes.

Although he incurs expenditure from his own pocket, he does not seek donations.

As a matter of fact, he does not accept them either, instead he directs you to

send them to Manthralaya).

 

As an aside, I want to observe that of all the gurus in the Maadhva parampara,

it is Sri Raghavendra whose name is most universally known. It is sad to note

that the names of other illustrious gurus are, for some reason or the other,

either known in very limited circles even within Maadhvas, or just plain

restricted to followers of their respective maThAs. (I was discussing

Jayatheertha once with a Maadhva here, just after the Jayatheertha Aradhana in

Sri Bindu Madhavan's house. The gentleman I spoke with said, " I think

Jayatheertha ranks next after Trivikrama Panditacharya " , a statement that caused

me great concern).

 

To get back to the main subject, in the event that anyone wants to send funds,

please do so, either directly to the Sri Raghavendra Swamy maThA in Manthralaya,

or to me at:

 

Arvind Acharya, 32B, New Street, Eastchester, NY 10709 and I will pass them on

to Sri Gururaja Rao, who will transmit them to Manthralaya.