In the 12th Century, Lord Vayu descended as Jagadguru Sri Madhvacharya to the earth and established Dwaitha Philosophy. Many of his stalwart saint successors such as Sri Jayatheertharu, Sri Sripadarajaru, Sri Vyasarajaru and Sri Vadirajaru were also great proponents of Dwaitha Philosophy and took Dwaitha to great heights. In the15th century, Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu, another famous saint in Dwaitha lineage was accredited with writing a maximum number of literary works. Sri Raghavendra Swamigalu, under the blessings of Goddess Vidya Saraswathi, took Sanyasa from his Guru Sri Sudheendra Theertharu, who was disciple and successor of Sri Vijayeendra Theertharu.
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji’s poorvashrama name was Venkatanatha. From childhood he was extremely bright, talented and developed expertise in playing Veena. His formal education was in Kumbhakonam. He is believed to be the third incarnation of Prahlada. In Krutha Yuga, Prahlada with his extreme devotion, pleased Lord Narasimha and obtained his grace, thus state the Puranas. In his second incarnation as Sri Vyasarayaru, during the golden age in Indian History, Sri Krishnadevaraya – the ruler of Vijayanagara Samrajya, revered him as Rajaguru and spiritual mentor. He was the Guru of many Haridasas, including Kanakadasaru and Purandaradasaru who were the founders of Karnatik Music tradition. He wrote many commentaries on Dwaithic works which are all written in a remarkable style that is uniquely precise, apropos, and eloquent.
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji was a master of the Chaturvedas and excelled in many fields such as logic, meemamsa, music, yoga, dharmashastra, and all sixty four arts. He is famous for his commentary called Parimala on the Srimannyayasudha, the most popular Madhwa grantha of Sri Jayatheertharu. For over 50 years Sri Raghavendra Swamigalu was the head of one of the greatest Peethas. On Shravana krishnapaksha dwithiya in the year 1671, in a place called Manthralaya, (which is 150 miles from Hyderabad, AP, India), Sri Swamiji entered the Brindavana alive amidst Brahmins chanting Vedic mantras and stotras.
His blessings for the mortal souls will continue from his Brindavana for next 700 years to come. He is respected and worshipped by many devotees regardless of caste, creed or religion. Millions have had his grace and relied on his merciful nature for succor. Even today, one can hear first-hand accounts of miracles and benevolence. Since he grants everyone’s wishes, he is well known as Kama Dhenu and Kalpavruksha.
