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Raghavendra Swamy also known as Raghavendra Tirtha or Parimalacharya, is a highly revered saint in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. He lived during the 17th century and is considered to be an incarnation Bhakta Prahlada. Raghavendra Swamy was not only a spiritual leader but also an accomplished scholar, philosopher, and a renowned proponent of the Dvaita school of philosophy, founded by Sri Madhvacharya.
Raghavendra Swamy was born as Venkatanatha in 1595 in the town of Bhuvanagiri (present-day Karnataka, India). From a young age, he displayed exceptional intelligence and a deep devotion to Lord Krishna. He was married to a woman name Saraswati and had a child name Laxmi Narayana. He began teaching for free to his students on vedic literature as the time passed they didn't even had a single grain to eat. His wife advised him that they should shift from Bhuvangiri to Kumbakonam (present day Tamil Nadu, City of Temples)and take shelter under great saint Sudheendra Tirtha. By seeing Venkatanatha's knowlegde his guru advised him to take sanyasa. At first he refused but later had a divine vision of a diety and agreed to take sanyas. As Saraswati got the news that his husband took sanyas she took a harsh decision by comitting suicide. The Ghost of Sarawasti cried in front of Raghavendra Swamy, he felt pity on her and sprinkled holy water on her and she attained salvation.
In 1614, Venkatanatha was initiated into sanyasa by his guru Sudheendra Tirtha. He was the successor of his guru, and in 1621 became the pontiff of the Sri Uttaradi Matha. Raghavendra Swamy was a prolific writer and composed numerous works on philosophy, theology, and commentaries on sacred texts. His writings covered various aspects of the Dvaita philosophy, which emphasizes the dualistic relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Divine. He was named as "Parimalacharya" after he wrote the book "Sudha Parimala". He was skilled Musician and was great expert in playing Veena.
Raghavendra Swamy was believed to possess miraculous powers, and many stories of his divine interventions and blessings for devotees are passed down through generations. His compassion and dedication to serving people earned him widespread devotion and reverence. According to legend, when Raghavendra Swamy felt that his earthly mission was complete, he entered his Brindavana (sacred tomb) alive in 1671 and got the name as "Raghavendra Tirtha". It is believed that he merged with the deity he worshiped, and continues to bless and protect his devotees from there.
According to some legends, Once Raghavendra Swamy called 3 astrologer and gave them horoscope and asked them to tell him the exact age when the person in the horoscope dies. So the first astrologer said 76 years, the second said 300 years and the third said 700 years. As they looked at each other in confused state and knew that they failed, Raghavendra Swamy calmed them saying the horoscope belongs to him and he will physically live on the earth till the age of 76, the books written by him will has the age of 300 years and he himself will reside in brindavan for 700 years to protect and bless his devotees.
The Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, India, is the site of Raghavendra Swamy's Brindavana and is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for his followers. The temple attracts devotees from all over the world, seeking his blessings for spiritual upliftment, health, prosperity, and overall well-being.
Raghavendra Swamy's teachings and legacy continue to inspire millions of devotees to this day. His devotion to God, compassion for all beings, and profound knowledge of Hindu scriptures have left an indelible impact on the spiritual and cultural landscape of India. He is remembered as a divine saint and a guiding light for those seeking spiritual wisdom and liberation.
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