Sanyasa

It was not desirable to step into sanyasa in the presence of wife. So that her love does not come in the way of sanysashrama, SriSudhindratirtha decided to move the venue of sanyasa diksha, from Kumbakonam to Thanjavur, to the court of Maharaja SriRaghunatha Bhupal. Once this news spread like wildfire, scholars and other citizens came in droves to gather at l lianjavur. It was the auspicious day when Venkatanatha was to relinquish all his ties and get ordained as a sanyasin. Venkatanatha rose early in the morning, completed Ins morning ablutions and rituals required to be performed by a sanyasin and went over to the Thanjavur palace. There in the presence of all scholars, citizens and devout people in big numbers on Falguna Shukla Dwadaslii of Durmatinama Samwatsar i.e. 1621 A.I)., his Guru SriSudhindratirtha ordained Venkatanatha into the sanyasa ashram and named him SriRaghavendratirtha. After performing the pranavamantropadesha he was seated on the vedantavidyasamrajyasimhasana a saligrama was placed on his head, and milk poured m ibhisheka to consummate the Pattabhisheka. This is described in the composition ‘SriRaghavendravijaya’ –
“O Disciple, who have ascended the throne as Vedantasamrajyadhipati, you are now famous as Raghavendratirtha according to SriHari’s wish. Sri I lari’s wish now stands fulfilled. Go on to become rich like Kubera and with SriHari’s blessings continue a good tradition like SriRamachandra. Be engaged always in the welfare of the world.”
“You shall attain the richness of penance like our supreme guru SriSurendratirtha, fame like our guru
SriVijayindratirtha, expertise in pleading like myself and the Matha shall achieve tremendous progress under your reign. May the Hag of your fame decorate the world like the moon-light. May the grace of SriMoolaramadeva always be upon you.” in these words the guru blessed him with tears of joy ir; his eyes thanking the Parameshwar’s compassion for having gifted him with such an heir.
SriRaghavendratirtha gratefully received the great blessings of the guru in all humility with a bowed head. It would be impossible to describe the great celebration in a few sentences. The king Raghunath Bhoopal gave away large tracts of land and substantial wealth and counted himself blessed by repeatedly saluting his Rajaguru and the young sanyasin SriRaghavendraswami. Those present during this ceremony, with a sense of fulfilment, proclaimed the victory of these two sanyasis ioud enough to be heard in all directions.
SriSudhindratirtha handed over the charge of SriMadhwacharya Moolamahasamsthana in the unbroken tradition of the supreme atma named SriHamsa, to his disciple. He also passed on the Samsthana’s original idols of Moola Ramachandra, Digvijayarama and Jaya- rama and also various royal symbols like Vyasamushtika, Vedanta Books, White Umbrella, Vinjamar, golden ambary, elephant, golden palanquin, rahu-ketu musical instruments etc.
SriSudhindratirtha left from there on a tour and via Hampi went on to the Kshetra of nine vrindavanas where senior and great sanyasis like SriPadmanabha-tirtha’s vrindavanas were at a place called Kaladri. There, having completed all his worldly duties, he passed on into SriHari’s dhyana in the year 1623 A. D. Sri Raghavendratirtha was immersed in sorrow at the loss of his beloved Guru.
Elsewhere, learning of her husband accepting sanyasa, the sadhvi Saraswati was stunned. Her world came to a halt. She was overcome with sorrow. She was unable to bear the pangs of separation from her husband. Although being the wife of the great Vedantin Sri Venkatanathacharya, she was aware that everything was but momentary; she tried to console herself, but failed. At last she preferred death to an aimless life and chose to commit suicide. Although she knew it was a sin, she could not bear a life without her husband even for a moment, and died by jumping into a well. Those who die prematurely end up as spirits in limbo. When Saraswati’s spirit visited SriRaghavendra he sprinkled mantra water on her and liberated her from that life as a wandering spirit. He proclaimed that the progeny from his family before sanyasa. should thenceforth offer prayers to her , in every celebration. Accordingly even to this date the members of SriRaghavendraswami’s family from before sanyasa, perform a Sowbhagyavati Puja, during celebrations like weddings without breaking the tradition.
Sri Yadavendratirtha had been ordained a sanyasi at the hands of SriSudhindratirtha even before the maha- vairagyashali SriRaghavendratirtha. When he learnt of the new admission to the Ashram, the senior Sri Yadavendratirtha came to the Vidyasamrajya to spend a few days there to partake of SriMoolarampooja etc. and with a renewed detached feeling went off to a village by name Mudumale on the banks of river Krishna and passed on into SriHaridhyana. His vrindavana can be seen there even today. SriMatha organises an elaborate aradhana on Magha Shukla Pournima every year.

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