The following Chapter from "SHREE RAGHAVENDRA MAHATMYAM" describes the Accordance.
"SHREE RAGHAVENDRA MAHATMYAM", CHAPTER 01, "GURU RAGHAVENDRA A DIVINE MESSENGER"
Bhagavan Shree Narayana is the Creator of the Universe and the worlds around. He is also their Protector and Destroyer, repeating the process in cycles.
Bhagavan Shree Narayana assumes Various Incarnations for diverse purposes, in every Yuga.
The Yugas are divided into four different periods.
They are described variously as Krita Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga.
We are living in the Kali Yuga now.
The Manifestations of the Lord in the past and the Avatar He would be taking in the present Yuga, are described in the Puranas.
It would be necessary to know a little about the various Avatars taken by the Lord, before trying to understand how Guru Raghavendra fits into the role of a Divine messenger.
IN THE KRITA YUGA, THE LORD TOOK FIVE AVATARS.
(1) The Matsya Avatar was taken to kill the demon Parimukha and enlighten the ardently devout Satyavrata, as also to restore the Vedas.
(2) The Koorma Avatar was assumed to keep the Mandara hill in balance, when Devas and Asuras were churning the ocean of milk to get nectar, the Devas having earlier lost their power and riches, on account of a curse by the saint, Dhurvasa.
(3) Bhagavan Shree Varaha. The next Appearance of the Lord was as Bhagavan Shree Varaha to kill the demon king Hiranyaksha and protect the Devas from his troubles.
(4) In the Narasimha Avatar, the Lord protected Prahlada and annihilated the demon chief Hiranyakasipu, revealing that He is everywhere, be that pillar or dust.
(5) In the Vamana Avatar, The Almighty, in the Guise of The Young Dwarf, demanded of the demon king Balichakravarthi, a strip of land to be measured by three Paces of His.
On getting the promise of the king' that it would be gifted, the Lord grew in size infinitely and took two strides, on the earth and in the sky, when the king realised his folly, and to honour his commitment offered his head to the Lord, for putting His foot on.
The Lord, blessing Vamana for his truthfulness, ultimately gave him another kingdom to rule.
IN THE TRETA YUGA, THE LORD MADE HIS APPEARANCE TWICE.
(1) The Parashurama Avatar was taken to save 'Kamadhenu' from Kartha Veerya Arjuna and the Lord in that Avatar had fought twenty one times and annihilated the wicked kings who had swerved from the path of righteousness.
(2) The Rama Avatar tells us how Ravana, blinded by lust, carried away Sita forcefully and despite the entreaties of others, kept Her confined in Asoka Vana, where Rama's ambassador Hanuman finds Her and subsequently Ravana is killed in a battle with Rama, the Almighty.
Bhagavan Shree Rama has proved to the world at large what it is to lead a life of virtue and how One should be faithful to One's Spouse, even in separation.
He has taught obedience to parental commands as being one's sacred duty, besides revealing what Dharma is.
IN THE DWAPARA YUGA SAW THE APPEARANCE OF THE LORD TWICE, TO ROOT OUT VICE AND HELP THE NEEDY.
(1) In the Krishna Avatar, the Lord killed Kamsa, outwitted Jarasanda and stood on the side of the Pandavas n the Mahabarata war, to win the battle. He advised Arjuna the path of righteousness in Gitopadesa, that stands as the moral code of conduct for all.
(2) The Bouddha Avatar was taken to destory Tripurasura and protect the good. This should not however to be confused with Gautama Buddha.
What took place at the end of the Dwapara Yuga is referred to as Bouddha Avatar this was a happening just before the commencenent of Kali Yuga.
AT THE END OF KALI YUGA, THE LORD WILL ASSUME KALKI AVATAR, WHEN ADHARMA WOULD HAVE GROWN OUT OF PROPORTION, WITH LITTLE OR NO VALUE FOR MORALITY.
The Lord would then be born at Chappala in a poor family.
He will come riding in a horse, with a Garland of Tulsi around His neck and a Sword in His Hand to put an end to the evil deeds of Kalipurusha.
When He appears in such form, those raising Tulsi and worshipping Shreemati Tulasi-Devi for Her Sanctity, will be saved, according to the Puranas.
When the significance of these Avatars is examined, it is obvious that the Lord has made His Appearance at different times in the bygone ages, only to put an end to the decline in moral standards and establish Dharma.
In the process, He has always protected the good and anquished the wicked.
In this Kali Yuga, although the Lord is yet to take His Avatar and fulfil the Mission of spreading Dharma, He has sent His Divine Messengers in Human form, a number of times.
They have lived amongst the common people, rooting out evil forces by His Grace and doing good to the devout and the virtuous ones, making mortals understand what Dharma is.
Shree Raghavendra is one such Divine Messenger and Blessed Soul.
