Birth of Sri Vadirajaru

Dakshina Kannada, a place where nature is there in all its glory. Serene mountains, calm rivers and dense forests all make up for a perfect setting for ascetics. It is here at Gautama Kshetra is Kumbhasi. Kumbhasi is also reputed to be one of the seven kshetras of Bhargava Bhumi. Near Kumbhasi is a village Huvvinakere. In this village were a pious couple – Ramacharya and Saraswati (or Gowri). Leading an exemplary varnashrama dharma life, the couple were craving for a male progeny.

Sri Vageesha Tirtha, was the 19th pontiff of the then Kumbhasi Mutt. It is believed that he was a trikalajnani. He was from the lineage of Sri VishnuTirtha – who was the borther of Sri Madhvacharya. One night, in his dreams, he was told by Lord Bhuvarahaswamy ” A brahmin couple seeking birth of a son will approach you.  Bless them and grant them phala manthrakshathe.  They will soon have a very distinguished son.  Make them promise to deliver this child to your care”. Same night, Ramacharya was guided to seek the blessings of the Pontiff for the birth of a son.

The next day, while Sri Vageeshamuni was worshipping Lord Bhoovaraha, Gowridevi prayed for a worthy son and promised to offer the Lord Lakshabharana. While the final mangalarthi was being offered to the Lord, a flower fell from the right side of Lord Hayagreeva. Vageeshamuni immediately realised that it was meant for the Ramacharya couple, blessed them saying that their wish for a son would soon be fulfilled. Though the couple were very happy to hear this, they were also a little worried after Vageeshamuni said that their son, being a jeevottama should be handed over to the mutt. Shri Vageeshamuni, later pacified the couple saying that if the child was born inside the house they could keep it, but if it were to be born outside the house, they would have to hand it over to the mutt.

Saraswati Devi soon became pregnant and the couple were joyful. She spent her time in pilgrimage, listening to puranas, visiting various temples and specially praying to Lord Bhuvaraha.  With the progress of her pregnancy, Saraswati Devi became especially bright – foretelling the birth of a very gifted and enlightened child. Not willing to hand over the child to anyone, the couple took great care to spend as much time indoors. Man’s plans are wasted if God doesnt will so. It was a sadhana dwadashi day. Ramacharya was doing parane. A cow with its calf started eating from his ripe crop. Gowri Devi rushed to chase the cow which went far away and no one saw it ever.

The day had come and she was outside the house. Pre-empting this, Vageeshamuni had arrived with a palki, god harivana and maids to assist Gowridevi. According to Shri Hari’s plans, she gave birth to a son. Ruju Latavya was thus born in a gold harivana on a Wednesday, Magha Shudda Dvadashi in the year Sharvari 1402 (1480 AD).

Despite all care from the parents, as the Lord and fate had willed, the boy was born outside the house and thus was privileged to serve Sri Bhuvarahaswamy. When Sri Vageeshamuni picked up the newborn, the child lifted its folded hands to its head as though in prostration to the Swamiji. Ramacharya offered the boy to Vageeshamuni who empathised with the couple and suggested them to retain the boy till the age of five and to complete all the necessary Vaidika Samskaras. He also foretold of another male child and said that only after that would he give sanyasashrama to the child. He also suggested to name the child as Bhoovaraha.

Thus Latavya ruju was born as Bhoovaraha and the field where he was born acquired the name Gowri Gadde.