Sage of Kanchi -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Sri Sri Sri Paramacharya!

Sri Paramacharya/Sri Mahaperiyava , Sri Chandhrashekarendhra Saraswathi Swamigal who was the 68^th pontiff of revered Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam.  He was a Mahasidhdha Purusha, supreme preceptor/Jagathguru and illustrious Deviupasaka of the century.   Sri Paramacharya was known as Swaminatha in his early years of life, Swaminatha was born on 20^th May 1894 to Sri Subramanyashasthrigal and Mahalakshmi Ammal, a pious couple from Karnataka.  He was born as the second son to this couple with the birth star Anuradha, in a small village called Vilippuram, South Arcot District, Tamilnadu.   This second child Swaminatha was named after their family deity Lord Swaminatha of Swamimalai.   Swaminatha finished his early education in the Arcot American Mission High school in Dindivanam, where his father was a teacher.    He was a studious child who excelled in all the subjects and religious texts.  In 1905 he was initiated to Upakarma, thus Swaminatha was introduced to Bhramacharyashram to attain Vedic knowledge.   Once the astrologer after viewing the horoscope of Swaminatha, was overjoyed to witness the divine symbols in the horoscope, he immediately prostrated before Swaminatha and murmured in ecstasy ‘One day the whole world will pay obeisance before Him.”   Swaminatha was introduced to Mutt in the year 1906 when the 66^th Acharya was performing ‘Chathurmasya Vratham’ in Dindivanam, later he accompanied his father whenever the family make a visit to Mutt.    During February 1907, Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt informed Subramanyashasthri about their decision to initiate the first cousin of Swaminatha as 67^th pontiff, due to the severity of illness of present Acharya.   Swaminatha and his mother Mahalakshmi Ammal preceded their journey to Kalavai to console the widowed mother of his first cousin who was initiated to Sanyasa a few days back, soon he also had fallen ill.  One day Swaminatha was taking bath in Kumarakoshtatheertham, a carriage was abruptly stopped at the steps of the pond, the people in the cart were purchasing the requirements for the performance of the final ceremony of previous Acharya, and one person from cart approached Swaminatha and asked to accompany him.  The other cart was vacant in which the entire family occupied.  On the way, he received a hint from the person that he probably will not return home in his whole life; he has to continue life in the Mutt.  Swaminatha was in utter astonishment at the sudden turn of events, all he could utter ‘Rama, Rama’, later his mother was at the end of receiving consolation from others.   The 67^th pontiff continued to be seer of the mutt for a brief period of seven days, immediately after his demise, Swaminatha was declared as 68^th pontiff of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peedam.   It was in the year 1907, on February 13^th at the age of 13 Swaminatha was initiated to Sanyasashrama with the holy name Sri Chandhrashekharendhra Saraswathi, an elaborate ceremony was conducted at the Kumbakonam Mutt, where ardent devotees like Shivaji Maharaj of Tanjore and dignitaries were present.   He was divine personified on Earth symbolizes simplicity, compassion, kindness, love, and always worked for the welfare of the people, he advised people about the importance of protection of Veda and Vedic way of living, he emphasized the strict observance of religious rites, vows, and Vedic practices, he guided people to follow one’s own Dharma according to their Varnna, he highlighted the importance of recitation of sacred scriptures and acquiring knowledge in scriptures, he introduced good morals and disciplines, he emphasized the importance of daily rituals of a Bhramin and most importantly Sun worship/Sandhyavandhanam, Panchayathana Puja/worship of five deities /Surya, Ganesha, Subramanya, Vishnu, Shiva and Shakthi, worship of Sri Chandramaulishvara and Goddess Kamakshi.  He lived in sheer simplicity, he traveled by foot and used a simple palanquin for travels that too whenever his attendants’ insists, all that he was owned a Dandam/stick,  a small wooden vessel, and a pair of eyewear.  During his visits to unknown lands, he preferred to stay under the shade of trees, dilapidated shrines, or somewhere close to woods.  He had no requirements at all, all that he wanted to perform his regular religious practice for several hours, he rarely consumes any meals and that too handful.    He was popularly known as ‘Mahaperiyaval’, he had a large number of disciple and ardent devotees from all over the world, still continues to be the same.  His fame crossed over several thousand miles, oceans, countries, languages, and people from all over the world were yearned to have a fleeting look of this great Sage.  His splendor rose from the preceptor to Universal preceptor, with his precise vows, strict austerities, meticulous religious practices, dedication, wisdom, and knowledge.  He was a master in all subjects; he conducted regular assembly of wise, intellectuals, and scholars in various fields of knowledge.    He was most promising to people who belong to the non-Bhramin community as well, he taught them how to practice simple religious deeds.  He attracted all classes of people with his childlike innocent smile revealing beautiful line of teeth, well smeared sacred ashes on forehead and body, garlands of Rudraksha, sparkling eyes completely soaked in kindness, the crisp and clean saffron robe which itself too considerate on his thin limbs, simple gestures, soft and humorous talks, he was always followed by large crowd like honey bee. 

Paramacharya conducted vast expedition throughout the breadth and length of India visited various sacred shrines.  It is imaginable about the endless hardships and difficulty in commuting from one place to another through the woods and hills, there were no proper roads or means of transportation in those days, our Acharya made it through those perilous ways that too by foot.    There is a book in Tamil ‘Deivaththin Kural’ /The voice of God/Deiva Vani has it all about the greatness of Paramacharya, all I can wish that everyone should be fortunate enough to read it once.    He performed various religious and social services for the welfare of the world; he installed Ardhdha Meru Srichakra in the famous temple of Mangadu Goddess Kamakshi that was in a dilapidated state, in which Goddess Kamakashi can be seen undergoing extreme penance.  Sri Paramacharya revived the famous Navavarana Pooja of Goddess Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram with the assistance of Pandit Sri Chidhanandhanathan, he contributed magnificent ‘Thadangam’ ear ornaments to Goddess Akhilandeshvari of the famous temple of Thiruvanaikka.   Sri Acharya performed an abundance of contributions to various temples and put great effort into reviving old and prescribed rite of veneration in the temples.

The following are the golden rules emphasized by Paramacharya for the betterment of society and its people.  He insisted everybody is responsible to contribute their own part for the welfare of the country; rich people should give a substantial amount of money as charity and contribution for the promotion of Veda and Vedic way of life, building and maintenance of temples, ponds, digging wells, gardens, etc…  The poor people should serve the society with dedication and sincerity; influential people should make use of their power for the service of people who are in real need of it.  Human are incapable to produce even a single grain, therefore it is our responsibility to offer all that to Almighty before consuming, otherwise we will remain thieves and selfish in our lives, in this way Paramacharya taught us the importance of the sense of gratitude.  Paramacharya taught us to be loving, kind and caring, he taught us the essence of charity which enhances the happiness of giver, until and unless it was kept as top secret, he taught us to remain humble and obedient servant of God.   Paramacharya pointed out that grieving over the past deeds will do no good; therefore it is good to have thorough knowledge of good and evil, and stay away from evil deeds, feeding on sensual pleasure do nothing other than accumulate sins, following one’s own duties and responsibilities with utmost dedication and faith, gaining knowledge of self and God-realization will provide permanent bliss, it removes sufferings, miseries, pain, agony, afflictions, and sorrows, finally liberate the souls from repeated births. 

Hara Hara Shankara | Jaya Jaya Shankara ||

Lord Buddha's Teachings –

I found all the teachings of Lord Buddha are overpowering and mesmerizing.  Lord Buddha describes that a ship does not sink, because of water around them, but when the water gets inside definitely it will sink, therefore we have to make all the effort to move around the material world without getting addicted or attached to it, in other words, practice of attachment with detachment keeps a person live in peace at any circumstance.  Always respect elderly people, help weaker sections of the society, accept the flaws and move on, because these three stages of life are very crucial and everyone has to go through all these three stages of life.  The troubles and afflictions in life teach the greatest lessons, it transforms a person kind, compassionate, loving and caring, therefore sufferings have a positive effect on everyone’s life.  Always be deaf to negative voices, harsh and meaningless criticisms, always be blind to absurdity and vulgarity, and always be dumb to defamation.  Practice the act of generosity, but do not let others exploit, shower an abundance of love but do not allow mistreatment.  All the life events are ironical, tragedies and sufferings teach the value of contentment and happiness, the earsplitting atmosphere teaches the beauty of silence, and the absence of a person in your life teaches great lesson and value of the person’s presence.  Practice meditation which gives a new perspective in life, it teaches to behold all those beautiful things around, keep away from impurities of the mind, it provides peace and serenity, eventually overall well-being.  Always follow the truth, it never hurts, though it put the person into many difficult trails, finally the success will be yours.  Work for the progress of weaker sections of the society, refuse to go along with evil and always adore life.  Sufferings are inevitable, everything in life happen for a reason, never question it, it will take away the peace, better accept it.  Human beings are born with generous heart, humility, happiness, and kindness, because of the presence of Universal spirit which represents virtues and permanent bliss, the situation plays important role in everyone’s life, just need to stir it and bring it out.

Life of Lord Budhdha –

India has been the land of diversified beliefs and faith, Buddhism was initiated from Lumbini,  a sacred place close to the border of Nepal which is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama who was born in 623 B.C. in the Kingdom of Kapilavasthu.  He was born to Queen Mayadevi and King Sudhdhadhana of the Kingdom of Kapilavasthu.  

Queen Mayadevi had a dream in that a white  elephant was moving on the sky, which is considered as highly auspicious during the days of pregnancy, it was a part of their tradition to give birth to the child in the paternal homeland,   hence Queen Mayadevi decided to travel to Devadhaha while she was fully pregnant, but she had to give birth to the child in the Lumbini grove on the way to Devadhaha.   Thus, Supreme Being took the form of a human, later became the source of liberation/Nirvana for the entire clan of Sakhya/branch of Ikshvaku dynasty and the living beings on Earth.   King invited many scholars, priests; astrologers for the naming ceremony of the child, one of the astrologers prophesied that the child would discard all the princely status and will attain enlightenment. 

In the early years of childhood, Siddhdhartha was under the supervision of excellent Masters in various field of knowledge, he was a studious child, he mastered all the subjects, he has grown up into a talented and brave young man. He was extremely caring, compassionate, loving, and kind to all the people and living creatures on the Earth.  King Sudhdhadhana was anxious about the prophecy of the astrologer in his whole life, therefore he has arranged all the comforts and luxuries within the palace ,  not giving any room for  Sidhdhartha  to practice the sense of abandonment, he has arranged superior attendants to fulfill  all his requirements,  and charming young courtesan girls distract him from any sort of renunciation. There was one incident, his visit to the country people, witnessing their poor living standards, illness, sufferings, poverty and death made Sidhdhartha contemplate upon the cause for sufferings.  It ignited the spark in him for the search of absolute truth and the cause for sufferings and miseries of worldly existence.   

 At the age of 16 he was married to his first cousin princess Yasodhara.    Siddhartha Gautama and Yasdhara were same age; at the age of 29, this couple had a son Rahula, on the 7^th night after the birth of the child   Siddhartha Gauthama abandonment the material life and conducted search for enlightenment, while Yasodhara was asleep.  When Prince Siddhartha left the chamber, Yasodhara who was pretending to asleep, moved close to the window watching her husband leaving the palace once for all, she sincerely wished that her husband should achieve all the comforts in the forest life, he had chosen over the princely status.    Siddhartha renounced the princely living and went in search of the ultimate truth, the next six years he underwent extreme austerities and penances, it caused physical weakening.    During this period of time, Yasodhara who came to know that her husband is leading a supremely ascetic life, she renounced her royal comforts, she abandonment royal costume, and jewelry embraced saffron robe, and consumed meal once in a day, during these six years of rigorous penance of her husband, Yasodhara has closely followed the news of his development in asceticism.    He proceed his journey to Gaya, on the way he met a farmer who offered a bundle of Kushagrass, he sat under a Bodhi/awakening tree for 49 years and contemplated upon causes of sufferings in the material existence, on a full moon night Siddhartha gained enlightenment, this sacred place has come to know as Bodha Gaya/Buddha Gaya which is situated 150 km south of the city of Patna.  Buddha Purnima is the day commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, and enlightenment of Buddha.  

When Budhdha visited Kapilavasthu after enlightenment, Yasodhara did not go to meet him; she had a faith that if she is having any virtues, her Lord would definitely come to meet her, as expected, Budhdha met Yasodhara and praised her patience and sacrifices.  Later, Yasodhara and Rahula became devoted disciples of Budhdha.   Yasodhara attained the supreme abode at the age of 78, just two years before the Mahanirvana of Lord Budhdha.

The way to end sufferings –

Sufferings, mental and physical afflictions, the pain of separation, grief, poverty, and illnesses are the genuine cause for the interest in spiritualism, it is the ultimate truth and no one can deny it.   Spirituality is knowledge of self and God-realization, knowledge about Supreme Being who resides as a soul in living beings; we are madly driven by the sensual pleasure without the awareness of supreme consciousness which is the permanent cure for all the sufferings.  The practice of Knowledge of self is definitely not a shallow pond; it is an unfathomable ocean.  All the religious practices teach the ultimate objective, that is true enlightenment and liberation from worldly existence.  The practice of spirituality is definitely not practicing on a particular method of belief or faith which is more appealing and compatible, and practice on it and if it does not work, leave it and pick another one.  Bhagavan Krishna says in Srimadh Bhagavad Gita that practicing one’s own Dharma, though practicing it with flaws is better than following another person’s Dharma with perfection, which could bring dangerous consequences, Varnna/classes was established to follow Dharma meticulously,  four classes are established such as Bhramana, Kshathriya, Vaishya and Shudra were entrusted with certain responsibilities and duties to follow strictly.  The Brahmanas were entrusted with the duty of study of scriptures, promote the growth of Vedic way of living and sincerely follow Bhraminic rites, the performance of fire sacrifices, share knowledge on scriptures and Veda, ensure the augmentation of Vedic knowledge and protection of the same.  The Kshatriyas were entrusted with the duties of protection of Kingdom, implementation of rules and regulations for the welfare of the people of the country, protection of the country from its enemies, ensure the prevalence of peace and welfare in the country.  The Vaishyas were entrusted with the duties of production of grains in abundance; protect the country from famine, development of agriculture and animal husbandry.  The Shudhras were entrusted with the duty of serving all the three Varnnas with utmost sincerity.   Therefore following one’s own duties and responsibilities which are prescribed in the scriptures only can bring salvation from repeated births.

Sri Anandamayi Ma -

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Ma took good care of Bholanathji who was seriously ill with smallpox, she relentlessly served her husband like a mother, he was shriveling with pain and distress, her magical touch relieved his pain, her selfless service to Bholanathji brought out immense satisfaction and relief in him.  Bholanathji shivered with severe chillness, Ma covered his fragile body with the saffron robe.  She remembered a conversation with her husband when Bholanathji was planning to take up Sanyasa, he admiringly spoke “I have considered you as my Mother, so when I take up Sanyasa, I want to get the first alms from you.” Ma compassionately asked him ‘Do you remember the Sankalpa Manthras of Sanyasa?’ he was already uttering the same; he pronounced the word ‘Ma’ like a child and attained Nirvana.  Ma fondly kept her palm on his ‘Bhramarandhri’ which is the passage of vital air, while attaining ‘Mahanirvana’.  Thus, Bholanathji attained the heavenly abode on 7^th May 1938, while the recital of sacred hymns and chants in the Kishanpur Ashram, Dehradun was in progress.   Ma’s response to the demise of Bholanathji was unique, devotees were guessed Ma would be inconsolable, on the contrary, there was no sign of grief or remorse on her face, she was serene as usual, and her response was “Do you cry over a person’s movement from one room to another in the same house? Death is inevitable in the ocean of worldly existence, in the globe of immortality there is no death or loss, therefore no one lost to me.”  Do we need any more explanations to realize the truth about divine personalities?  Bholanathji accomplished his major task of bringing the souls together contemplating upon absolute Bhramam which is the safest heaven from the miseries and sorrows of worldly existence.  In this endeavor Bholanathji was accompanied by a huge number of pious, ascetic, dedicated people in the spiritual practice and devotional services; he spread harmony, compassion, selflessness, and humanity.   It reminds me of the golden verses from Srimad Bhagavad Gita  ‘Yadha Yadha Hi Dharmasya Glanir Bhavathi Bharatha: | Abhyuththanamadharmasya Thadhathmanam Srujamyaham’.  The demise of Universal father/Lord Shiva/Bholanathji, divine personified on Earth created a large vacuum in the hearts of devotees.   This divine couple will be always around us in their subtle forms to protect and comfort us from all the afflictions, pains, sorrows, miseries, and grief of worldly existence.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma !

Bholanathji went on a pilgrimage to Gangotri and many neighboring places; he stayed in Uttarakashi, and underwent severe austerities for two years at the guidance of Ma.  She often makes a visit to Bholanathji,  Ma could realize the progress he was made in attaining a higher state of spirituality, ascetics of Uttarakashi adore Bholanathji, his two years of rigorous religious practice was accomplished with the establishment of Kali image at Uttarkashi in the presence of Ma and her followers.  While he was in Shanbhag garden, Bholanathji used to spend ten to twelve hours in the recitation of sacred names, Ma’s father who was a profound player of musical instrument was led the recital program.  It was in 1938, sacred city Haridhwar was preparing to host Kumbhamela, Ma and Bholanathji were resided in the bungalow of Dr.Pant.   In the early morning Bholanathji with a group of devotees would prepare for ‘Namasankeerthan’ they apply sandalwood paste on their forehead and adore garland around the neck, they conduct recital of holy names in the presence of Ma in the bungalow courtyard for some time, after that they proceed for ‘Nagarkeertan’ recitation of holy names of Lord in the streets, that would continue for three to four hours a day, even the passers-by would join the group in a bliss.  The famous Kumbhamela was held on 14^th April 1938,  Bholanathji was accompanied by disciples to Bhramakund, where Naga saints assembled were used to take holy bath,  suddenly these Naga saints were pulled towards Bholanathji like a magnet,  they affectionately gave bath to the supreme being they have witnessed through several years of practice of asceticism.  Ma returned to Dehradun after Kumbhamela, but Bholanathji continued to stay in the association of pious people for another ten days.  On April 24^th Bholanathji returned to Dehradun with a severe infection of smallpox, he was completely down with fever and stomach-ache.

Sri Anandamayi Ma –

Pranams at the lotus feet of Ma!

Ma was reverentially greeted as ‘Manush Kali’, she was divine personified on Earth to eradicate the sufferings and grief of the distressed, she urged the distraught people to contemplate upon the supreme being, who is supreme bliss resides as a soul in human beings,  one prominent astrologer exclaimed that he never had an opportunity to read a palm, like hers with the Chatu Sagari Yog, still he remembers an occasion of reading the palm of a Yogi who lived on the banks of Lake Manasarovar for more than 350 years, he has undergone strict Yogic practices for several years to attain that state, Ma does not require to undertake those extreme austerities, she herself embodied as ‘Bhramavidhya’.  Bholanathji was a great companion and a devoted disciple of Ma was deeply anxious when Ma undergoes transcendental state which is beyond description, sometimes she immerses in a state of bliss for hours and hours which made Bholanathji continue his devotional service to a greater the extent to bring her back to the state of normalcy, he was an exceptional soul with deep devotion and compassion to Ma, he continued his service as a disciple as well as the guardian of Ma till he breathed last.   Ma was a spiritual preceptor and a devoted wife to Bholanathji.  At the instructions of Ma, Bholanathji continued rigorous spiritual practices in Siddheshvari Kali temple as well as in Tharapeet, later the couple left Dhaka and settled in Dheradun which was the favorite place of Sadhana of Bholanathji.  The divine personified on Earth may refuse to be in the center of attraction for long; they often chose a place of solitude and continue with their spiritual practices, they need not attain anything material, they are beyond material existence, all they look for the elevation of soul from the worldly existence.  Ma and Bholanathji have renounced soul; hence they did not find any difference in leaving one place to another, they are void of worldly bondage, newly settled land of Dheradun was completely a strange place for them and the languages are unknown to them, but they continued their spiritual practices and intense meditation at ease.