I wasn’t on a job (meaning a paying job) yet. Having said that, I wasn’t proficient enough to utilize the good fortune of learning lessons as a student. Delivering orations while on Swamiji’s tours, assisting Swamiji with small tasks was my job. Just this much used to pump my egotism beyond the cosmic cavity in my brain and back. A beneficiary of Rayaru’s grace, Shri Sushameendra Theertha is the great soul who opened my eyes.
This incident occurred around 8 – 10 years ago. It is not surprising that others may find this trifle. But knowing my personal mental orientation very well, as far as I am concerned this is a significant event.
Before you read about this experience I feel it is essential to present an overall snapshot of the environs including Tirumakudalu Matha, the confluence of rivers and the river landing system. Trimakuta is the ancient name of this place. The Rivers Cauvery and Kapila converge at this place. Also the native glory describes the presence of the Spatikasarovara Theertha in the middle of this confluence. Thus, this is a popular confluence of three water bodies. It may be referred to as the sturdy fort around the Vyasaraja Matha. The Matha here is constructed at a very high elevation from the river. To get to the river for a bath one has to descend around 50+ steps. These stairs were built several years ago using large stone blocks. Descending is easy, but since the steps are high climbing back up would lead to fatigue. The water level in the river would naturally keep fluctuating. It could be either well below the last step or rise up to cover a few steps. Carefully one may get into the water to bathe (if one is courageous they may swim, have fun) and come.
There was a unique friendship between the former pontiff of Shri Vyasaraja Matha Shri Vidhyavaachaspati Theertha, Shri Sushameendra Theertha of my Shri Matha and Shri Vignananidhi Theertha of Shri Shripadaraja Matha. A lot of people are aware of this fact. Shri Vidhyavaachaspati Theertha was desirous of installing 108 idols of Shri Pranadevaru, Shri Yantroddhara Pranadevaru and Shri Panduranga Vittaladevaru. Well, having undertaken the installation program he invited his two ascetic friends. That was an extraordinary event. Installation of 108 Pranadevaru by Shri Vidhyavaachaspati Theertha, Shri Yantroddhara Pranadevaru by Shri Vignananidhi Theertha and Shri Panduranga Vittaladevaru by Shri Sushameendra Theertha all at the same time was an enchanting proceeding. On the day of installation I had the opportunity of assisting Shri Sushameendra Theertha in the installation program. But I do not remember the date.
That foggy day Swamiji said “At 6:10 (1) take me for a bath.” Well accordingly I made preparations to take Swamiji for a bath. Since there was still adequate time, Swamiji sat on a cane chair placed there. Sushameendra Theertha was like an alluring center. Everybody began coming and offering their obeisances. Out of fear, awkwardness or respect people refrained from speaking to Swamiji directly! Overall people began asking me “Will Swamiji put the mudre?” “Get me a Yantra (2)” “Get us Mantrakshate”. With this my nose began broadening with pride. As soon as Swamiji began giving mantrakshate and Yantra people started gathering. I gradually began displaying my egotism over the people. I began yelling “Why do you push?”, “Don’t you know you should stretch out both arms?”, “How is it you don’t know that Swamiji is not to be touched?”, “Move behind.” Whether people respected what I said or feared or criticized me only the patron deity of the mind Lord Rudra would be able to tell. Why would people who received mantrakshate at that time even remember this incident?
Well, the time turned 6:00. Swamiji stood up to go for bathing. Another assistant came and picked up the plate of mantrakshate and left. I held Swamiji’s hand and arrived at the entrance of the river. All along the way people were prostrating before Swamiji. I had a strange sense of pride! As if to say they were paying their obeisances to me.
When I approached the steps with Swamiji I felt it would be a little difficult to get down. Since the steps were very high I brought him down very slowly. I made Swamiji sit down on the second step from the base of the river while I stood on the last step for a few moments and pondered from which side it would be safe to bring Swamiji down into the river. Since the last step too was as high as the waistline, it was difficult to stand and step down into the river. I decided to sit and lower ourselves into the river but which stair to sit upon was another dilemma altogether because all along the steps there was layers of moss as thick as a mattress. With intensely cold winds it was getting extremely difficult to even stand. I paced here and there, cleared a layer of moss and brought Swamiji hither. Now “Should I get into the river first and then help Swamiji get down into the river or should I help Swamiji get into the river first and then follow him into the river” was the dilemma. If Swamiji were to get down first, what if water splashes over him while I get down? Similarly if I were to get down first who will lend a hand to Swamiji? What if he were to lose his balance? Such extreme intelligence was emanating within me.
As I stood there in this confusion I heard Swamiji’s voice, ” Wouldn’t you get into the water? Are you afraid of the cold?” he asked. I looked and Swamiji was already in the water and had already taken a dip!! Oho I thought and readied myself to get down but lost control and fell into the river with a thud! The force of the plunge, swift winds and water currents all put together shocked me and I had no clue of where I was like an ignoramus. That’s it! As I fell in the water and struggled Swamiji’s hand held & lifted me safely. Water had entered my nostrils and as I was coughing Swamiji held me tightly and said utter Raghavendra nothing will happen. His words are a great Mantra in itself. With enormous difficulty I uttered Ra…h h h…gh…a…vendra and miraculously the cough stopped and my eyes could see clear water.
After bathing, while returning with Swamiji, he stopped at a place midway and like a child he wittily said “He fell into the water. Fool, fool!” and laughed. That exquisite laughter made all my distress and shame vanish. All the pride that had gotten to my head was shattered by the waves of Swamiji’s laughter.
After the installation program was completed, while resting at noon Swamiji once again said “Don’t be afraid, Rayaru is there.” The incident of me falling into the water once again flashed across my mind. “I” will hold Swamiji’s hand and take him everywhere, “I” will take Swamiji for a bath, “I” will ensure Swamiji is not put at risk is what I used to say. But Gururaja through Swamiji washed my mind that was filled with ego. It is not me that holds their hand, on the contrary it is they who hold my hand, lead me and lift me up in life is the clear understanding that dawned upon me. Ad hoc although they may hold our hand and walk around, that in reality is the mercy they bestow upon us. Besides it has firmly instilled in me the opinion that it is inappropriate to feel proud and think I have that capability.
Some extra information:
(1) Swamiji’s time table may seem a little peculiar to others. But he has never transcended the time mentioned. Ex : He used to say I will come to give mantrakshate at 9.39. Neither 9.30 nor 9.45. He used to state a median time. Interestingly he used to be present in the chamber to give mantrakshate at precisely 9.39. Similarly 7.24, 8.11, 4.07 is how this ascetic’s clock used to be.
(2) Yantra means Talisman. It refers to a charm given by Swamiji that has been energized through the worship of Shri Santana Gopala Krishna.
The source for the pictures of Shri Rukmini with Lord Panduranga, Shri Yantroddhara and Shri Pranadevaru is here.
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