05 Shrimad Raghavendra Theertha Swamiji

Shrimad Raghavendra Theertha Swamiji

Shrimad Raghavendra Theertha Swamiji was the fifth Swamiji of the Samsthan. He was considered to be great ‘tapasvi’ and whatever he predicted used to happen. Some accounts also state that the Thirtha given by the Swamiji had cured many sick people.

He had founded the Shri Lakshmi Narashima Temple in the premises of Matha in Banaras.
The legend is that one day when Shrimad Raghavendra Theertha was having his customary bath in Pancha Ganga along with the idol of Veda Vyasa. On the same night Lord Narasimha came in his dreams and is said to have expressed his desire to have customary bath like Veda Vyasa.

Accordingly the next day morning Shrimad Raghavendra Theertha had the customary bath in Pancha Ganga with the idol of Lakshmi Narasimha. In return Shrimad Raghavendra expressed his desire to take the Darshana of Lord Narasimha when he was awake.
Lord Narasimha gave Darshana to Swamiji during Narasimha Chaturdashi when Shrimad Raghavendra was performing evening puja of Lord Narasimha.

He was instrumental in laying down the principles of conducting puja at Shrimadanantheshwara Temple at Manjeshwar. It was Shrimad Raghavendra who instructed that pujas should be conducted in the temple as per Pancharatragama.

Shrimad Raghavendra attained Mahasamadhi on Febraury 15, 1725.

He had initiated Shri Narayana Bhat, nephew of Shrimad Yadavendra Theertha II into Sanyasa. Shri Narayana Bhat was named as Shrimad Devendra Theertha Swamiji.