1008 Nama
Bhajathaam Kalpavrikshaya Namathaam Kamadhenave”
‘The one commanding worship, strong in sathya and dharma, a wish fulfilling tree for those chanting his holy name and divine cow Kamadhenu in bestowing good to his worshippers, I prostrate before you in obeisance, Sri Raghavendra’.
“For the achievement of your goal a notebook for writing One lakh ‘Sri Raghavendraya Namaha’ is also available. Please avail of the opportunity of completing those also and ensure your participation in the Granthalaya scheme for the Saint of Mantralaya.”
‘1008 Poojaya Raghavendraya….’ for the establishment of a Granthalaya for the Saint of Mantralaya and earning his grace.
Sri Raghavendraswami entered his Brindavana alive in 1671 A.D. at Mantralaya kshetra and is still living in the Moola Brindavana, radiating his powerful influence for the good of the humanity. He has also made his advent in the form of mrithika Brindavanas all over the country and is gracing devotees everywhere, which we are able to know from their experiences. But Sri Gururaja’s advent in the Granthalaya to be established in course of time by our joint efforts, is to be something unique.
Sri Appannacharya, on the Brindavanapravesh day of Sri Raghavendra, was in a poignant state of mind in Bhikshalaya on the other side of the Tungabhadra. Since the river was in spate, how he should be crossing it to be on the Manchala side before the Brindavanapravesh of Sri Gururaja, was uppermost in his mind then and possessed by devotional spirit of the highest order as it were, he started reeling off the composition “Sri Poornabhoda guruthirtha payobdhipara….” with spontaneity, while attempting to cross the river. In consequence of such supreme devotion and the extraordinary spiritual power possessed by him, the river gave way to him to reach Manchala. But Sri Raghavendra had by then entered his Brindavana.
Appannacharya, in utter disappointment, reflected, ‘I was singing that desires will get fulfilled, troubles will peter out and fear and nightmare will vanish; are all these untrue?,’ and continued the composition instinctively with the words, ‘Kimthvishtarththa samrudhdhireva kamalaanaatha prasaadodayaath keerththir dighviditha vibhoothirathula….,’ but was struggling to complete it when Sri Raghavendra gave the finishing touch to it by uttering “saakshi hayas yothrahi” from inside the Brindavana, the sloka thus earning a unique sanctity and veneration.
The purport of the sloka is, ‘Whosoever worshipfully thinks of Sri Guru Raghavendra’s holy feet (for refuge) and recites this stotra devoutly, will not face any misery at all. By the grace of Lakshmipathy, worldwide renown, unmatched wealth and fulfilment of desires can be had, which Hayagreeva will validate by his testimony.’
It is the experience of numerous bhaktas that this 32 sloka composition of Srimad Appannacharya on Sri Raghavendra Guru – having the stamp of approval of Sri Raghavendra himself – if recited everyday with soulful devotion will cause the accrual of every happiness, plentifully. After Sri Raghavendra’s entry in the Brindavana, the very first glorious deed he had performed was the one related to this composition. Though it is immensely powerful for that reason, Sri Appannacharya has gifted to us another treasure to invoke the blessings of Sri Raghavendra, with ease.
In fact whatever good results, punya and grace can be had by the chanting of these 32 slokas, to achieve all those easily, he has proffered to us another sloka of 32 letters, in Sanskrit. The articulation of it will unfailingly cause the extinction of all sins, warding off diseases and bringing forth everlasting happiness. If even its utterance is so beneficial, its writing even as one recites it, will cause bountiful good to accrue. It is that sloka of 32 letters that has spread everywhere. Yes, “Poojyaya Raghavendraya sathya dharma rathaya cha| Bhajathaam Kalpavrikshaya namathaam Kamadhenave||,” is that priceless sloka.
This sloka should be written 1008 times in this notebook after formalizing on the first day the sankalpa for it, mentally praying for the fulfilment of the desire at heart. The writing should be commenced after taking bath and applying the religious marks and lighting lamps and the utterance of the sankalpa. Later, whenever time permits and wherever one goes, the continuation of the writing can be done.
Such sacred book to be completed by you will find its abode under the Grabhagriha of Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya everlastingly, fulfilling your heart’s desires and ensuring the welfare of your progeny.
In part III of “Sri Raghavendra, the Saint of Mantralaya” the line-drawing depicting Sri Raghavendra getting down to the cellar at a depth of 8’ below the ground level (at Mantralaya) holding the hand of Sri Yogindra, as also his being in meditation there, have been presented with great deal of imagination by the artist.
In ‘Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya’, below the Garbhagriha, a spacious cellar as in Mantralaya will be provided and in its confines the “1008 Poojyaya Raghavendraya…” books completed by the devotees will be placed permanently. While in the Mantralaya Moola Brindavana it is Sri Raghavendra who is present there and extending his grace, in “Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya” it will be the 32 letter Raghavendra mantra that will be radiating its influence on devotees.
Where the Granthalaya will be established and what its objectives are, should be known to all and are relevant here.
Sri Raghavendra, when he was Venkatanatha in his purvashrama days had the vision of divine beings appearing before him and explaining to him with their blessings that he alone would disseminate Vedic knowledge through writings and true to that he has proffered 50 marvellous writings or granthas, after his taking to sanyasa.
Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya seva and Educational Charitable Trust has proposed to publish all those granthas, to start with in Tamil, to be followed by their publication in certain other languages too.
With the spreading of these granthas through publications, a granthalaya also is planned to be established simultaneously, under the patronage and leadership of Sri Amman Sathiyanathan, author of ‘Sri Raghavendra Mahimai’ publications.
Incidentally, your granthas – the slokas submitted in writing – will find abode in the foundation of the garbhagriha. That apart, a large-sized Dhyana Mantapa with the panelling of its wall containing inscriptions of the slokas on Sri Raghavendra and his writings, will be set up to present the awe-inspiring sight of Raghavendra nama sparkling everywhere. In addition, the project includes the setting up of a Gurukula, an Old age Home, some educational institutions, bringing out a monthly publication, production of documentaries and spreading the glory of Sri Raghavendra in a serialized presentation through different media, as also the dissemination of the writings of Sri Madhwacharya (the principal guru of Sri Raghavendra) and others in the line of succession of that great preceptor and his followers and dasas.
On 27.11.2008, Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya Trust was registered (Regn. No. 977/2008) and formally inaugurated on 31.12.2008. Apart from Raghavendra bhaktas offering donations, many devotees have come forward to donate land for the establishment of Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya. Among such offers, proximate to Chennai, an acre of land in Tiruvallur district, 7k.m. from the collectorate, in Suryodhaya Nagar near Poondi Reservoir was found to fulfil our project needs. A devout family of Sri Raghavendra has handed a gift deed in favour of the Trust on 27.04.2009, the auspicious ‘Akshaya Thrithiya’ day. Besides, two brothers who are ardent devotees of Sri Raghavendra have come forward to make available land space adjacent to Manavur Railway Station, not far from Tiruvallur, for the establishment of educational institutions under the auspices of Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya.
It is proposed to buy one more acre with the cooperation and monetary assistance of devotees, in addition to the one acre already received as benefaction. It is planned to later establish on a two acre spread (comprising the land gifted and the portion bought) a granthalaya of large dimensions. But the one acre land yet to be purchased, needs funds to the tune of lakhs of rupees. We therefore solicit donations from the devout ones at the time of submission of this completed book or even earlier, to earn the grace of Sri Hari Vayu Guru by their participation in this holy effort.
Devotees need not hesitate about the quantum of monetary offering to be made, as it could be according to their capacity to spare. Further, details about this holy effort may be passed on to other devotees, enabling their participation too in this sacred mission. In fact, that would be like your own donation of a sizeable amount for the cause.
At the end of this book, we have published details about how the donation has to be remitted and the address to which it has to be sent. Let us at once join hands in the establishment of a Granthalaya for the Saint of Mantralaya. We appeal to each and every devotee to extend his helping hand for this worthy cause.
With Warm regards,
Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya
Seva and Educational Charitable Trust,
16/116, T.P. Koil Street,
(Opp. Sri Raghavendra Mutt)
Tiruvallikkeni, Chennai – 600005.
A sketch plan of the proposed Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya. Those desirous of living near Granthalaya and doing Raghavendra seva there can contact us.
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The land to be purchased for Granthalaya out of donations from devotees.
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The land got as donation for Raghavendra Granthalaya.
The address for sending this note book after completion, as also for remittance of donation is :-
Sri Raghavendra Granthalaya Seva and Educational Charitable Trust
16/116, T.P. Koil Street, (Opp. Sri Raghavendra Mutt)
Tirumala Flats, Triplicane, Chennai – 600005
Ph: 044-42663545/3546, 9884552585
9677291041, 9791291870, 9884569579.
contact@sriraghavendragranthalaya.org
Remittances should be made by M.O., cheque or D.D. in the name of the above Trust. They may also be sent to Indian Bank A/c No. 827128932, Triplicane Branch, Chennai – 5 from any Indian Bank branch, advising the details to us.