1068. He entered Alive into the Tomb.....!

Hari Sarvottama Vayu Jeevottama!!!!

When the Prana Vayu (Vital Breath) leaves the Chaitanya (Consciousness) too departs and the individual lose the identity, “He” is now just called “body”. The Chaitanyahina (Lifeless) Deha (body) is disposed of by Bhu, Jala or Agni (Earth, Water or Fire) Samadhi.

Now, what is this Samadhi???  

The word Samadhi has two syllables “Sama” and “Adhi” Sama is Equal and Adhi is beginning. Equal to beginning is to merge with the source. The Jeevatma (Subtle Body) after detaching itself from the Stula Deha (Gross Body) has to merge with Paramatma (Supreme). The Gross body too has attained Samadhi as it is also merged with the five elements namely space, fire, water, air and earth. This procedure is the normal for an ordinary mortal, but there are a few who go into Sajeeva Samadhi (Entering the tomb alive). 

Sajeeva Samadhi is attained by an individual who willfully stops responding to external stimuli. This is achieved with years of practice in Pranayama (Breath Control). We know that Diaphragmatic breathing exercise is practiced to reduce high blood pressure, essentially here too breathing is so practiced that the brain is kept in Super Sub-Conscious state such that the bio-rhythm gets slower and slower. 

Since the individual in Sajeeva Samdhi has control over his breath, he does not allow his body to become lifeless. Hence the body cells do not get destroyed but the functioning of the body is stopped by will power that is got from leading a life filled with positive energy. The individual fixes his mind permanently with Paramatma and is able to stop the voluntary functions thus creating a Spiritual Energy force around him. Then a Brundavana is built around the person who sits still ceasing his breath, his body never gets decayed even after many years. 

The Spiritual Energy force and the already existing positive energy acts as a life force in the body. The time limit for the individual to remain in the Samadhi state depends upon the individuals bio-spiritual strength, which may vary depending on his conviction. However until then, the Atma (Soul) of the person in Samadhi state will continue to bestow grace to the devotees. As an invisible or unseen saint that soul guides the human race towards excellence.

One such saint is Guru Raghavendra Swamy of the Dvaita Philosophy of Sriman Madhva during the period between 1595 and 1671. He is renowned for entering into Sajeeva Samadhi at Mantralaya, Andhra Pradesh in the year 1671. 

Mantralaya is now a pilgrimage destination. Devotees believe that Guru Raghavendra helps the society and mankind to emerge out of troubles and miseries.  His Brundavan even to this day has an enormous positive energy and has created countless miracles.

One such incidence is when the collector of Bellary under the British Rule had visited the Brundavana. Sir Thomas Munro in the year 1801 (130 years after Guru entered the Brundavana) came to confiscate the land belonging to Sri Mutt. Amazingly Guru Raghavendra Swamy answered to the queries in English from within the Samadhi and this incident is preserved as a note in the Madras Gazetteer. It can be seen in letter format: “Extract from Madras District Gazetteer” by W. Francis Esq ICS Volume No 1 Bellary Reprint 1916 by the Superintendent Govt. Press, Madras.

Today, Shravana Bahula Dwitiya is the day when Guru Raghavendra Swamy entered Brundavana 346 years ago. This day is considered as “Aradhana Mahotsava” (Great Festival of Adoration). We normally observe jayanthi's (Birth Anniversaries) being celebrated, but the Madhva Sampradhaya rejoice the disappearance day as the great festival to adore. This is the true merger and hence calls for celebration.....isn't it???   

  

Devotees pay obeisance to Guru Raghavendra Swamy with the following mantra:

pujyaya raghavendraya satyadharmarataya ca
bhajatam kalpavrikshaya namatam kamadhenave
 

{Sri Raghavendra who rides on the chariot of Truth and Righteousness and is like a kalpa-vriksha (a desire fulfilling tree) for he always takes care of his devotees' spiritual needs.}