Shri Raghuttama Teertharu

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The unparalleled scholar that the madhva community of the time witnessed, Shri Raghuttama Teertha was the nineteenth noble seer of the Palimaru Matha lineage.  He was a great seeker who went on a pilgrimage from Rameshwaram to the Himalayas thrice. He journeyed across the country,inviting scholars for debates, defeating opponents with the might of his arguments, conciliating, establishing the philosophy. He had earned such unique erudition.

Credit goes to Shri Raghuttama Teertha for besides teaching his own disciple Shri Ramabhadra Teertha, he also taught his disciple’s pupil – Shri Raghuvarya Teertha and made them well versed in the doctrines. Palimaru Matha had the fortune of embellishing its throne with three able roaring debaters at the same time. The story of these three seers exemplifies how good the foresightedness of the noble seers of the yore was. The guru used to teach his disciple and prepare him. Usually, the guru would be aged by the time his disciple completes his study. The disciple would be sent on tour and he would stay at the matha engaging in prayer and worship. At that time, he used to accept a prashishya (student of his disciple) and would teach him at the matha itself in the capacity of paramaguru (guru of one’s guru). He not only showered his knowledge but also experiences.

It is just as important to maintain the education tradition and develop it as it is for the seers to tour and promote the tatva philosophy.It is a little tedious to teach as one tours. However, that cannot become a reason to stop touring. That would hinder the propagation of the tatva philosophy.Teaching too cannot be abandoned.That would hinder the education system. The way of life of these three seers seemed like a solution to this problem. An extremely beautiful and exemplary lifestyle.

In the event of all the three seers being present at the matha at the same time, the median seer would complete his study and proceed to touring.The paramaguru would teach the prashishya at the matha itself. This would enable the prashishya to peruse his study well. He would also be able to assist his elderly paramaguru in his worship and other chores. Overall, in this manner the seers were able to adhere to their dharma in full measure. With such progidious thinking, these three noble seers lead a meaningful life. There is no second thought about the good fortune of the madhva community that has witnessed such eminent seers.

Thus, Shri Raghuttama Teertha showered his knowledge in all the treatises upon his prashishya Shri Raghuvarya Teertha too and groomed him into a reservoir of knowledge.

Shri Raghuvarya Teertha too adored his paramaguru just as much. He stayed by the side of Shri Raghuttama Teertha on his final day and has rendered an interesting and touching account of his routine on the final day and the manner in which he breathed his last in Shlokashtaka (eight verses).

Aware of his departure, Shri Raghuttama Teertha instructed the respective duties to his disciple and disciple of his disciple (prashishya). He performed ablution as prescribed in the shastras, recited all the mantras, offered devout worship to Raghukulatilaka Shri Ramachandra who was worshipped by the lotus of hands of Shri Madhvacharya, accepted the food offered to the Lord followed by sipping water from the palm for Achamana (purification)and then ordered his disciples to make arrangements for him to enter the vrindavana.

He told all the virtuous people who were by his side to bring to mind the sages, deities, philosophers, the refuge to everyone Shri Ramachandra and Vedavyasa. As instructed to his disciples, they offered him holy water and Gangajala which he sipped with joy as he listened to hymns. Meditating upon Shri Hari, he placed his hands upon the shoulder of his successor and consoled the mournful people by raising his hand.

He completed the evening tarpana and ordered his prashishya through his disciple to offer worship to Shri Hari quickly. After the worship, the learned guru in a meek voice told the disciples around him to sing hymns of Shri Hari. Marked with fresh urdhvapundra, postured in veeraasana, listening to hymns of Shri Hari, he then sipped the paadodaka of Lakshmipati. He adorned the Gandha Prasada and tulasi garland offered to Shri Rama. Owing to the virtuous deeds he had previously performed, meditation upon Shri Hari and other such oblations, the mystic Shri Raghuttama Teertha whilst chanting Shri Narasimha nama that is considered to be the medicine for bad karma and remembering Shri Rama, attained the lotus feet of the Lord at Palimaru in the final moments of the night of Paridhaavi samvatsara while the sun was in kanya raashi on saturday during preeti yoga shukla paksha panchami thithi anuradha nakshatra. Performing ritualistic cleansing and chants every day, expounding the treatises, renouncing the imperfections, focusing the mind upon worshipping the lotus feet of Seeta Rama, the pure ocean of compassion – Shri Raghuttama Teertha, I hail his exemplary knowledge. Saying thus, Shri Raghuvarya Teertha extolled Shri Raghttama Teertha in the Shlokashtaka hymn describing his activities on the final day.

Charama Shloka

दूषिताशेषदुःशास्त्रान् शिष्यतच्छिष्यशिक्षकान् ।
रघूत्तमान् गुरूत्तंसान् श्रितो विद्वत्तमोत्तमान् ॥

dooshitashesha duhshastraan shishyatachishya shikshakaan |
raghoottaman guruttamsaan shrito vidvattamottamaan ||

Source: www.sripalimarumatha.org