Raghavendra Math (Mantralayam)

Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Mantralayam
Sri Moola rama, Digvijaya rama and Jayarama Idols at Raghavendra Math

Shri Raghavendra Math, better known as Rayara Math (popularly known as Shri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, formerly known as Kumbakonam Math, Vibhudendra Math, Dakshinadi Mutt[1] or Vijayendra Math or Sushameendra Math) is one of the Dvaita Vedanta monasteries (Matha) descended from Madhvacharya through Sri Jayatirtha further with Vibudhendra Tirtha (a disciple of Ramchandra Tirtha). It is one of the three premier monasteries descended in the lineage of Jayatirtha the other two being Uttaradi Math and Vyasaraja Math and are jointly referred as Mathatraya.[2][3][4] It is the pontiffs and pandits of the Mathatraya that have been the principle architects of post-Madhva Dvaita Vedanta through the centuries.[5]

Ramachandra Tirtha's disciples are Vidyanidhi Tirtha and Vibhudendra Tirtha. Vidyanidhi Tirtha continued in the lineage of Uttaradi Matha and Vibhudendra Tirtha established Dakshinadi Matha in Kumbhakonam. These lineages were formed and continued for the benefit of the Madhva philosophy so that more and more individuals consequently have access to the philosophy and get Upadeśa (spiritual guidance). Later this matha came to be known by the name of Kumbhakona Matha. After the times of famous Vijayendra Tirtha it came to be known as Vijayendra Math. Post the period of Sri Subodhendra Tirtha (1799 - 1835) the mutt was stationed at Nanjanagud, hence it is also known as Nanjanagud Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in later days. In recent decades, the mutt has established it headquarters at Mantralayam. It is the holy abode of Sri Raghavendra teertha (1621 - 1671) who is one of the prominent personalities in the lineage of Madhvacharya. Sri Raghavendra Swami Mutt (the temple and monastery surrounding the burial site of Sri Raghavendra Teertha) is located on the bank of Tungabhadra River in Mantralayam in Adoni taluk of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India.[6][7]

  1. ^ Census of India, 1961, Volume 2, Issue 6, Part 32. Office of the Registrar General Manager of Publications. 1962. p. 86. Sri Raghavendraswamy Mutt at Mantralaya is also known as Kumbhakonam Mutt and Dakshinadi Mutt i.e., belonging to South.
  2. ^ Sharma 2000, p. 199.
  3. ^ Steven Rosen (30 November 1994). Vaisnavism. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. p. 132. ISBN 9788120812352.
  4. ^ Sharma 2000, p. 193.
  5. ^ B. N. Hebbar (2004). Viśiṣṭādvaita and Dvaita: A Systematic and Comparative Study of the Two Schools of Vedānta with Special Reference to Some Doctrinal Controversies. Bharatiya Granth Niketan. p. 29. ISBN 9788189211011.
  6. ^ Venkataraya Narayan Kudva (1972). History of the Dakshinatya Saraswats. Samyukta Gowda Saraswata Sabha. p. 196.
  7. ^ Purabhilekh-puratatva: Journal of the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museum, Panaji-Goa, Volume 2. The Directorate. 2001. p. 90. This matha was established by one Vibhdeendra Teertha in the middle of the 15th century. He was the spiritual progenitor of Sri Ramachandra Teertha of the Uttaradi matha. Both belong to Dvaita philosophy.