Guru Raghavendra Swamy is believed to be an incarnation of Shankukarna Devata. Shanku Karna was an ardent devotee of Bhagavan Srihari Vishnu during the Satya Yuga and resided in the Satya Loka helping Brahma and Goddess Saraswati. He used to bring fruits, flowers and other holy materials for the worship of Bhagavan Vishnu.
One day Shankukarna was deeply immersed in the thoughts of Bhagavan Vishnu that he forgot to arrange the Tulsi leaves needed for the puja. The puja of Brahma and Goddess Saraswati for Vishnu Bhagavan was delayed. An angry Brahma cursed Shankukarna to be born in the family of demons and humans.
Thus in the same Satya Yuga, Shanku Karna was born as Prahlada, son of demon king Hiranyakashipu.
Shankukarna was then born as Bhaleeka Raja, a devotee of Sri Krishna, during the Dwapara Yuga.
In Kali Yuga, he was again born as Vyasaraja and Raghavendra Swamy.
Guru Raghavendra Swamy could relate instances of his previous birth and chose his final resting place at Mantralayam where Bhakta Prahlada had conducted a huge sacrificial fire.
Through Bhakta Prahlada the demon king Hiranyakashipu was killed by Narasimha Avatar. This also led to the establishment of Vedic dharma.
Vyasaraja was the famous Rajaguru of Vijayanagar Empire. He had spread Dwaita philosophy and written classic literary works such as the Tarka Tandava. His contribution to the bhakti movement of Haridasas was immense.