RAyaru’s daily routine:
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RAyaru’s daily routine: |
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When in Kumbhakonam RAyaru followed a set routine, exactly as specified by ShastrAs and outlined by Acharya Madhva in his sadAchAra smruti. He would wake up at brAhmi-muhUrta, with the thoughts of the Lord in his mind. He would prostrate with devotion before the tuLasi brindAvana and an icon of PrANadevaru and then set off in a palanquin to the Kaveri river for bathing. In the palanquin he would recite auspicious strotras like gajendra moksha from bhAgavata, mangalAshTaka and so on. Near the riverbed he would complete all the normal morning activities including bath, exactly as prescribed in the shAstras, uttering the appropriate mantras at the appropriate time. He would then perform the japa (chant) of pranava and other mantras prescribed for ascetics. He would then go the tapovana (sacred garden) and listen to discourses on purAnas while performing puja to the vyAsa-mushti (saligrAmas). He would then visit the brindAvana of Sri VijayIndra tIrtha and perform pradakshina with utmost devotion. He would then come back to the maTha, offering salutations to Kumbheshwara (and the Lord within him). He would then spend time with his disciples, teaching them different aspects of madhva shAstra and engaging in a lively discussion with them on aspects of other doctrines. By then it would be time for the noon bath, which he would perform within the maTha itself. He would then perform the pooja of Moola Rama devaru and other important icons of the maTha, with all due pomp and glory. This would be witnessed by the hundreds of devotees who would have gathered there for this very purpose. After the pooja, he would partake a nominal meal from the naivedya offered to the Lord. He would then spend some time in individual study or writing of documents while his disciples had their meal. Immediately after this, he would commence the next round of lessons to the disciples. Next, he would engage in a discussion with scholars on different aspects of vedanta, or deliver a discourse on a general topic to the assembled public. He would perform the evening bath in the maTha itself and perform the evening / night pooja to the Lord, in a very grand manner. Here, he would himself utter stotras from different scriptures, or sing devotional songs. Sometimes he would go into a trance while contemplating on the Lord. Finally he would offer phala-mantrAkshate to the assembled devotees and bless them. He would remain awake late in the night, working on the latest document that he was authoring. Finally, when it would be impossible to keep awake, he would reluctantly go to sleep. All in all, it may be said that he practised what he preached, totally in accordance with the principles of shAstra, as stated by Acharya Madhva.