SIR THOMAS MANRO’S TRYST WITH SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY

 FROM SAMPATH’S DESK:

 






SIR THOMAS MANRO’S TRYST WITH SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY


(Sir meets  SRI)

 

FORMER MADRAS COLLECTOR SIR THOMAS MANRO’S TRYST WITH SRI RAGHAVENDRA SWAMY IN HIS BRINDAVAN:

 


DETAILS:



As we all know, the Jeeva Samadhi (Brindavan) of Sri Raghavendra Swamy is in Mantralayam, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh (Manchale). He entered His Brindavan (Divine Eternity) at this site in 1671 AD.

 

 

In the year 1800, Sir Thomas Munro, a Collector in British India, met and conversed with the Dvaita saint Sri Raghavendra Swamy who emerged from his Vrindavana (Samadhi) at Swamy's Mutt in Mantralayam to resolve a land revenue and ownership dispute regarding the Mutt.

 

 

The then Madras Government ordered Munro to collect annual tax and revenue from the Mantralayam village and the Mutt. Revenue officials could not process it because historical ownership documents were missing. Munro visited the sacred site in 1800. He removed his hat and shoes out of respect, sat in silence before the Vrindavana, and experienced a direct conversation in English with Sri Raghavendra Swamy, who was visible and audible to him alone. Swami explained to Munro in detail the facts and documents proving the ownership of the Mantralayam site (Manchale) where His Brindavan was situated. Munro agreed to what Swami told.

 

 

After receiving the holy rice (MANTRAKSHATE) from the saint, he left the place. On reaching his headquarters viz. Madras (now Chennai), Munro quashed the tax/procurement order and confirmed the mutt's ownership rights.

 

 

This favourable historic notification was officially published in the Madras Government Gazette (Chapter XI, page 213, under "Manchali Adoni ").

 

 

The village of Mantralayam in Andhra Pradesh is the location of the tomb of the Dvaita Saint Raghavendra Swmi.  A narrative regarding Thomas Munro and this site, drawn from prevailing local legend, was recorded by W. Francis in the Madras Government Gazette, Chapter XI, page 213, more than a century after the events, as it described. This order is preserved at the Fort St. George, Madras (now Chennai) as well as at Mantralayam.



It will be interesting to note that the 5th-generation descendants of Sir Thomas Munro visited Mantralayam in July 2018. During this specific sentimental visit, the Mutt authorities warmly welcomed them, treated them as honoured guests, and gave them special blessings (PRASADAM) out of respect for Munro's historical kindness to the institution.



पूज्याय राघवेन्द्राय सत्यधर्मरताय च ।

भजतां कल्पवृक्षाय नमतां कामधेनवे ॥

 


Poojyaya Raghavendraya Sathya Dharma Rathayacha,

Bajathaam Kalpa Vrukshaya Namathaam Kamadhenave.


MEANING

 

PujyayaRaghavendraya: The great universal guru Sri Raghavendra.

Satya Dharma Rathayacha: The protector of Satya and Dharma.

BajathamKalpaVrukshaya:  I salute the esteemed Raghavendra who is like a kalpavriksha tree, a kind of wish fulfilling tree found in the Indra Loka.

Namatham Kamadehnave: I bow to the Guru Sri Raghavendra who is also like the divine cow Kamadhenu, a divine cow lives in the Indra Loka.

 

Mantra is sacred utterance, which is considered holy and has spiritual positive effects.

 

பூஜ்யாய ராகவேந்த்ராய ஸத்யதர்ம ரதாயச;

பஜதாம் கல்பவ்ருக்ஷாய நமதாம் காமதேனவே.


சத்ய மற்றும் தர்மத்தின் பாதுகாவலராக விளங்கும் மதிப்பிற்குரிய ராகவேந்திரரை வணங்குகிறேன். கல்பவிருட்சத்தைப் போன்ற மதிப்பிற்குரிய ராகவேந்திரரை வணங்குகிறேன். நம் காமதேனுவைப் போன்ற ஸ்ரீ ராகவேந்திரரை வணங்குகிறேன்.

 

 

 

R.SAMPATH

3.10.2026

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