Mantralayam, a small town in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, holds a place of profound significance in the hearts of countless devotees of Hinduism. At the heart of this town lies the sanctified shrine of Shri Raghavendra Swamy, a revered saint, philosopher, and spiritual luminary. The town of Mantralayam, often referred to as the abode of miracles, resonates with the divine presence and teachings of this remarkable saint. In this essay, we shall explore the life of Shri Raghavendra Swamy and the spiritual oasis that is Mantralayam.

The Life and Legacy of Shri Raghavendra Swamy: Shri Raghavendra Swamy, also known as Guru Raghavendra or Rayaru, was born in 1595 in the village of Bhuvanagiri, which is now located in Tamil Nadu, India. From an early age, he displayed exceptional devotion and spiritual inclination. His life's journey was marked by unwavering faith, selfless service, and miraculous acts, which continue to inspire millions of devotees.

Pilgrimage Destination:

Mantralayam, nestled on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, has become a significant pilgrimage destination for devotees from all over India and beyond. The town is home to the Brindavan, the final resting place of Shri Raghavendra Swamy, where he is believed to reside in a state of eternal meditation, bestowing blessings on his devotees.

Spiritual Significance:

The sanctified atmosphere of Mantralayam exudes spirituality and tranquillity, inviting pilgrims to seek solace and connect with the divine. Devotees visit the shrine to offer prayers, seek guidance, and experience the profound sense of peace that permeates the town.

The Annual Aradhana:

The annual Aradhana, a grand celebration commemorating the samadhi day of Shri Raghavendra Swamy, draws lakhs (hundreds of thousands) of visitors every year. During this period, the town comes alive with festivities, devotional music, and spiritual discourses, creating an atmosphere of devotion and celebration.

"Sankalpa Seva: A Path to Sri Guru Raghavendra Theertharu's Blessings"

Sankalpa Seva is accessible to all those seeking the blessings of Sri Guru Raghavendra Theertharu.

Below, you'll find instructions for performing this sacred service in Mantralayam:

Guidance from Aachars/Archakas: The dedicated priests at Mantralaya mutt, responsible for the worship of Sri Rayaru's brindavana, will assist you in taking the solemn oath before initiating the seva. A nominal fee is charged for this service, which can be paid at the counter within the mutt.

Oath Ritual: Before commencing the seva, devotees must bring an unpeeled coconut. These coconuts can be acquired from the shops located outside the mutt. It is essential to touch the coconut only after taking a bath.

Optimal Timing: It is advisable to perform Sankalpa Seva in the morning between 5 am and 8 am or in the evening between 4 pm and 5 pm.

How to Perform Seva:

1. Number of Pradakshina (Circumambulations): Choose between 5, 11, 14, 28, or 54 rounds around the Brindavana.
   
2. Duration of Seva: Opt for 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, or 42 days for your seva.
   

Pre-Seva Regulations:

a) The person taking the oath should bathe in the river twice, ensuring that the head gets wet. Women need to do this once.

b) Avoid using soap during the bath.

c) Your clothes should remain dry during the seva.

d) Dress traditionally, wearing a pancha-kache (five folds) or fully covered attire for ladies.

e) Do not cut hair or shave during the seva days.

f) Refrain from adorning hair with any flowers except those offered to Sri Hari-Vayu-Guru.

g) Consume one meal per day, with milk or fruits in moderate quantities at night. Avoid hotel-prepared or fried foods.

h) After completing pradakshina, engage in religious and pious activities, one can sing the compositions of Haridasas.

i) Sleep without a bed; you can use a chaape (thin mattress made of fiber).

j) On Dwadashi and during the Dhanur masa, continue pradakshina after having food.

Pradakshine and Namaskaara (Prostration) Regulations:

Follow these guidelines during pradakshina and namaskaara:

a) Perform pradakshina 5 times around the Hanumanta icon in front of the brindavana.

b) During each pradakshina, perform namaskaara 4 times, one on each side of the brindavana, with utmost devotion towards Sri Rama, Narahari (Narasimha), Krishna, and Vedavyasa, respectively.

c) Perform one namaskaara in front of Sri Vadeendra teertha's brindavana.

d) Recite religious compositions like Sri Raghavendra stotra, Vayu Stuti, Dashaavatarastuti, Krishnaashtakam, and Vishnu Sahasranama during pradakshina.

e) After completing the main courtyard pradakshina, perform one pradakshina around the brindavanas of Sri Sudharmeendra teertha, Sri Suvrateendra teertha, Sri Suyameendra teertha, Sri Sujayeendra teertha, and the banyan tree.

f) Ladies should kneel and perform namaskara instead of the full-body sAshtanga namaskara.

Alternative Ways to Serve Rayaru:

Apart from Sankalpa Seva, other methods to serve Rayaru include:

a) Reciting Sri Raghavendra stotra 108 times while sitting in one place.

b) Hejje namaskara, advancing one foot at a time while circumambulating the Brindavana and performing namaskara for each stride.

c) Urulu Seva, rolling on the body and circumambulating the brindavana (not suitable for women).

d) Reciting Sri Raghavendra stotra 108 times while performing abhisheka for Rayara Brindavana with cow's milk.

e) Studying religious works composed by great scholars, such as Sudha, Parimala, Sri Madhva Vijaya, Sri Raghavendra Vijaya, etc.

In all these approaches, sincerity, a pure heart, and intense devotion are the essential ingredients.

Serving on Behalf of Others: You can undertake the oath and pradakshina on behalf of a handicapped relative, provided the person is present.

Blessings and Dreams: While not everyone can conclusively prove that Rayaru appeared in their dreams and blessed them, sincere and devoted service with a pure heart can attract his grace, potentially in dreams or even directly.

Poorna Phala: At the outset of the Seva, set aside a new, unpeeled coconut, symbolically offered to Rayaru at the Seva's completion. This coconut, known as "Poorna phala," is returned with mantrakshate.

Handling Poorna Phala: Treat the holy coconut with reverence and care. Do not place it on the ground or allow it to become impure. Take it home, worship it with devotion as a representation of Rayaru's blessings, and later consume it (without cooking) with close relatives.

After Seva: Maintain patience as Rayaru's blessings will manifest according to the service rendered. Continue the discipline and devotion displayed during the Seva, as it ensures the continued grace of Rayaru.

Shrimad raamapada aravinda madhupaha Shrimadhva vamshaadhipaha

sachchhishhyoduganodupaha shritajagadgeervaanasatpaadapaha |

atyartham manasaa kritaachyutajapaha paapaandhakaaraatapaha

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||1||

karmandeendrasudhindrasadgurukaraambhojodbhavaha santatam

praajyadhyaanavasheekritaakhilajagatvaastavyalakshmidhavaha |

sachchaastraatividooshhakaakhilamrishhaavaadeebhakantheeravaha

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||2||

saalankaarakakaavyanaatakakalaakaanaadapaatanjala

traiyarthasmritijaimineeyakavitaasangeetapaarangataha |

viprakshtravidanghrijaatamukaraanekaprajaasevitaha

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||3||

rangottungatarangamangalakarashritungabhadraatata-

pratyasthadvijapungavaalayalasan mantraalyaakhyepure |

navyendropalaneelabhavyakarasadvrindaavanaantargataha

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||4||

vidvadraajashirahkireetakhachitaanarghyoruratnaprabhaa-

raagaghaughahapaadukaadvayacharaha padmaakshamaaladharaha |

bhaasvaddandakamandalojvalakaro raktaambaraadambaraha

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||5||

yadbrindaavanasapradakshinanamaskaaraabhishhekastuti-

dhyaanaaraadhana mridvilepanamukaanekopachaaraan sadaa |

kaarankaaramabhiprayaanti chaturo lokaha pumarthaan sadaa

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||6||

vedavyaasamuneeshamadhvayatiraat teekaryavaakyaamritam

jnyatvaadvaitamatam halaahalasamam tyaktvaa samaakhyaaptaye |

sankyhaavatsukhadan dashopanishhadaam vyakhaamsamakhyaanmuda

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||7||

Shrimadvaishhnavalokajaalakaguruhu shrimatparivrraadbharurhu

shaastre devaguruhu shritaamarataruhu pratyoohagotrasvaruhu |

cheto..teetashiruhu tathaa jitavaruhu satsaukyhasampatkuruhu

Shrimadsadgururaaghavendrayatiraat kuryaaddhruvam mangalam ||8||

yah sandhyaasvanisham gurorvratipateh sanmangalasyaashhtakam

sadyah paapaharm svasevividushhaam bhakyaiva baabhaashhitam |

bhaktyaa vakti susampadam shubhapadam deeghayuraarogyakam

keetrim putrakalatrabaandhavasuhrunmoortihi prayaatidhrivam ||9||

||Iti ShriAppaacharyakritam ShrimadRaaghavendra Mangalaashtakam||

Sri Raghavendra Mangalashtaka