MAHAPURUSHAS

A TRIBUTE TO NAMASANKEERTHANA THRI MOORTHIGAL

Sri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal

Kesava, a poor Brahmin of Kancheepuram, used to visit the Sree Kanchi Mutt often for darshan and guru kainkarya. One day he was accompanied by his son Purushothama who used to go with him to Sree Mutt and enjoyed the activities over there. He used to observe the activities of the Mutt with rapt attention and also the daily routine of the Seer who was heading the same. He was impressed by the way the then Seer Sri Athmabodendra Saraswathi who was worshiping the shrine of Adi Sankara and other deities and offering obeisance to the Acharya, formed parts of the daily routine of Purushothama. He was bringing his young son also along, to seek the blessings of Swamigal as he was perturbed about his son’s future. While walking, holding the young boy’s hand, Kesava pondered what his son would become in future. That was sometime in early 17^th Centuruy.

“He is my son, Purushothaman” said Kesava introducing him to the Kanchi Acharya. Acharya Swamigal looked at the young son with a piercing look of divinity for a while and then asked his father: “What are you going to contribute for the Mutt”? “Whatever that you wish and command” replied Kesava with all reverence. “Well” said Swamigal, pointing at his son “then, give him to the Mutt”. Coming from the Acharya of a venerable Institution like Sankara Mutt, the order, however unpleasant it may be, he had to obey the holy orders of the Seer and he agreed for the same. . The young Purushothama joined the Mutt, received the formal initiation to sainthood (Diksha) and ascended the Peetam in 1638 as Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal. It was Bhagawan Nama Bhodendra Swamigal, the 58th Achaarya of Kanchi Mutt who pioneered the Nama Sangeerthanam movement.

The spiritual fulfillment was sought in many ways in different ages. While the path of meditation was prescribed for Krita Yuga, the way of sacrifice was advocated for Treta Yuga and the emphasis was on service in Dvapara Yuga. As the Kali Yuga approached, Narada sought the advice of Lord Krishna. Having visualized the plight of the people in Kali Yuga, Lord Krishna advocated an easy path for them. He said: “He who seeks Me through the simple means of Nama Sangeerthanam would easily reach Me”. Thus, Nama Sangeerthanam has been recognized as the effective way of reaching the Lord in the age of Kali Yuga. The Lord had said: “I do not live in Vaikunta or in the heart of saints or among Gopikas. I live in the heart of devotees who sing my glories”; till this date He has been doing that and His presence can be felt when Nama Keerthan is done in proper way with all humbleness as could be envisaged for.

When Narada queried as to how to lead the people towards this belief and how to make them convince, the Lord said, He Himself would incarnate, over the period, as a seer, as a saint or as a singer to highlight the value of Nama Sankeerthanam. Over the ages, the Lord Himself descended to Bharatha Varsha, manifesting himself as Vyasa, Sukha and as other sages, kindled the light of devotion and guided humanity to the righteous path. Sri Adi Sankara expressed devotion through Bhaja Govindam. Arunagirinathar hailed the glory of Muruga through Thiruppugazh. The Musical Trinity, Saint Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Deekshithar and Shyama Sastrigal showed us the way to God through music. There were legends like Jayadevar, Chaitanya, Annamacharya, Thukkaram, Ramadas, Purandaradasar, and Narayana Theertha, to mention a few, who highlighted the value of devotion through Keerthans. The life of each of them was a saga of devotion and dedication.

It was the boy who, one fine morning, walked his way to the Kanchi Mutt and later became its head as Sri Bhodendra Swaraswathy Swamigal who revived Nama Sankeerthanam tradition in South. Even while performing duties as the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal used to visit different holy places. Sitting on the banks of river Kaveri, he would start meditating, sing the glory of the Ram Naam and then prompt others to join him. He believed that one who chants Rama Nama or sing His glory would find fulfillment in life.

“SAPTHA KOTI MAHA MANTRA: CHITTA VIBRAMA KARAKA:

EKA EVA PARO MANTRA: RAMETHI AKSHARA DWAYAM”

There are 7 croress of Maha mantras which would vitiate one’s mind and one and only Maha mantra which would be of par excellence is RAMA, the two lettered one.

One day, Sri Bodendra Swamigal was camping in a village called Perambur in Needamangalam, a place adjacent to Raja Mannarkudi in Tamizh Nadu. A couple came to have his darshan and invited him to their home for Biksha . The Swamigal also agreed to come the next day.

On the following day, Sri Bodendra Swamigal arrived at the couple’s residence and sat down to eat. Just then, he noticed their son sit by his side and have his food with him. In spite of his repeated requests, the little boy was most unresponsive. The parents then slowly explained the Swamigal that he could neither hear nor speak. He was deaf and dumb by birth. Hearing this, tears rolled down Swamigal’s eyes. He cried uncontrollably because, just a while back, he had made a proclamation in one of his works that one would escape the fear of death if he sings or hears the Taraka Nama even once. He had thought that the Taraka Nama could spare none as everyone would at least hear the Divine Name knowingly or unknowingly during their lifetime. except this deaf and dumb boy.

The devout couple consoled the Swamigal, that it was their past karma which they are reaping now amd requested Swamigal to accept the 'bhiksha'. At the tearful pleadings of the hosts Sri Bodendra Swamigal had three handful of food and then took leave of them. The couple reverentially accompanied the Swamigal to the entrance to the village. Hungry that this boy was, he reached out to the leaf that Swamigal had eaten from, and ate from the remnants left on it. No sooner had he eaten the ‘Uchchishta’ from Sri Bodendral’s leaf than he began singing the Names of the Lord! When the parents returned to the house, they could not believe their eyes seeing their hitherto deaf and dumb child jumping in joy crying out Bhagavan Nama in Bhakti. What a miracle!

It is because of his immense penance and namasidhantha he is praised as under:-

"Yasya smarana mathreena nama bhakthi: prajayathe

Tham namami yathi shrestam Bhodendram Jagatham Gurum"

In his immortal works, Rama Karnamrutham and Naamamrutha Rasaayanam he stressed the importance of chanting Rama Nama. He said, while performing different duties assigned to each, one should seek God, with heart full of devotion, by singing (Keerthana), reciting (Japa) hearing (Sravana) and meditating (Smarana). Our Swamigal left an indelible impression on Namasankareethan field by spreading the fame and efficacy of Rama Nam far and wide by his indepth research and brought out useful research through his works. His contribution to the world by establshing the supremecy of Bhagavan Nama earned him the name Bhagavannamma Bhodendra Swamigal and he was worshiped by people enmass. Whether it is Kings or saints all were attracted to our Swamilgal who attained Jeeva Samadhi on the banks of tributory of Kaveri and was found out after many centures by Marudanallur Sadguru Swamigal. His Jeeva Samadhi is a boon giving Kalpaka Vrisksha and any seeker who with intense devotion prays to Him is granted all his wishes and many devotees have also gone abroad on His wishes and are living with comfirts and inner sanctitiy by His copious Grace.

It is not surprising that Sri Sri Krishna Premi Swamigal calling Him as under:-

" Gopi mruth kalithoordhwa pundra vilasath phalam prsannanam

Kashayambhara veshtitham pranamathaam kalyana kalpadrumam

chin mudrankitha phani padmam anisham sankeerthayantham Harim

Vandeham Karunaarnavam yathivaraam Bhodendra Yogeeswaram"

Sri Sreedhara Ayyaval, Thiruvishaloor

A contemporary of Bhodendra Swamigal, Sri Sreedhara Ayyaval, was another great exponent of Nama Sangeerthanam. Born to Lingaraya at Mysore, Sreedhara Ayyaval spurned the offer of Ministership and went on an extensive pilgrimage. He found Tiruvisainallur, located on the banks of river, Kaveri, as the ideal place to pursue his spiritual mission. He became an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and acquired mastery over Vedic texts and composed many scholarly works like Padamani Manjari, Navaratnamalika, Dayasathakam, Achuthashtakam, Ramamrutha Rasayanam, Stuthi Padhathi etc. Hearing his great works and the great miracles happening in his life, like Ganges came out of his house well to proove the provess of his intense prayers on Karthika Amavasya Day, Holy Trinity of Bramma Vishnu and Lord Siva attending the Shradda ceremony at his House, Lord Krishna giving him Darshan etc. Sri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal came in contact with Ayyaval and it became a lifelong association between them. On seeing Sri Ayyaval at the very first glance our Bhodendra swamigal extolled a verse in his praise:-

" Eesay Thasya cha namani pravimalam gnanam thayoor urrjitham

prema prema cha that pareshu virathis cha anyatra sarvatra cha

Eeseksha Karunaa cha yasya niyatha vruthi: sruthasyaapi yam

tham Vandeh nara roopam anthaka ripum Sree Venkatesham Gurum"

Sri Sr;I Premi Anna reverently calls on Ayyaval as under:-

“SHIVA NAMA RASAASWADHA PARAMANANDHA THUNDILAM

SHIVA BHAKTAGRA GANYAM THAM SREEDHARAARYAM

NAMAMYAHAM”

Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal

Yasyaangam kanakaabha kaama sadrusam phaalam thripundraankitham                                                          
Vaanee Sri raghunaatha naama sudahyaapi aardhraa asakruth dhaaraya |

Cheathasi ambuja lochano yadhupath: kelathyalam raadhayaa                                                          
Tham vai Venkataraama daesika varam sarvaathmanaa aham bhajae  |

While the revered Acharya sowed the seeds of Nama Sangeerthanam tradition and Sri Ayyaval nourished it, Sri Maruthanallur Sadguru Swamigal (1977-1817) helped it to grow further. Venkatarama Desikan, who later came to be known as Sadguru Swamigal, was born in Thiruvidaimaruthur in Thanjavur District in 18th centuary. It is believed that while performing Pradakshina, Sadguru Swamigal happened to discover a rare book titled Nama Koumudhi which turned out to be a source of immense inspiration for him. He turned the river Kavery to a northern direction to build a memorial for his master, Bhodendra Swamigal. Sadguru Swamigal brought about an orderly system of Bhajan rendering, known as Sampradaya or Padhadi Bhajan. The elaborate Bhajan Sambradhaya devised by him is divided into major categories like Thodaya Mangalam followed by Guru keerthanai, Astapathi, Ramadasar, Purandara Dasar Keerthanas, Sadhashiva Brahmendra geethangal, Gopalakrishna Bharathi kritis, Thyagaraja Kritis, followed by Hindi/Hindusthani keerthanaigal, pooja paddathathi, Divya Nama Sangeerthanam & Gopika Geetham followed by Dololthsavam and Prabhodhanam each part containing slokas, songs and Namavalis and concluded with Mangala Aarathi. An elaborate Padhathi (method) has also been composed for Kalyanothsavam.

Sri sri Premi Anna sang in praise of Sadguru Swamigal as under:-

“YASYA UNCHAVRITTHI SAMAYE VIVIDHA UPACHAARAI:

ARADAYANTHI YAM PARITHO BHAGAVATH PRAPANNA:

SANKEERTAYANTHAM ANISHAM RAGHU NAATHA NAMA

THAM BHAVAYAMI HRUDHI SADGURUM AATMABHANDUM”

Swami Gnanandha Giri Swamigal of Thapovanam

Just as the Musical Trinity, a Nama Sangeerthanam Trinity has also come into being with Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal, Sreedhara Ayyaval and Marudhanallur Sadguru Swamigal. There were many great personalities others, like Swami Gnanananda Giri Swamigal of Thapovanam, Tirukoilur, (who brought out all Agasthya geethams to the world) Pudukottai Brahmashri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar (Sathuguru Swamigal himself reborn in this form to re-establish Sampradhaya Bhajans) Swami Haridas Giri (who made Bhagavathas command respect on all platforms and spread namasankeerthanam all over the world) etc. All of them left an indelible message in the minds of the people that Nama Sangeerthanam is the sure and easy way to God realization and salvation.

Swami Gnananandha Giri Swamigal, a disciple of Swami Sivaratha Giri of Kashmir Jyotir Mutt, founded by Sri Thotakacharya renounced his life and became of sanyasin of high order. He even left his Mutt for easy moving with common people and spent years and years at Himalayas and various other holy places for intense tapas and moved with Sidda purushas and saints and even went abroad through his attainments. He lived for certain centuries and his actual age is not known. He can talk many languages and won the hearts of his devotees by his sheer simplicity, served them with food and shelter and imparted knowledge through his own example. It is said that he was present with Sant Kabir when he received Ram Nama Upadesham from Ramanandar. It is also said that he lived in various places assuming various names and did intense tapas and spent his days in the company of holy saints of India and also in Cylon,Malaysia and other places in Himalays. The last few decades of his long life were sent on the banks of Then Pennaiyar viz., Siddalingamadam and Thaponvanam, whereat he attained Maha Samadhi. Swami was in contact all holy personalities of India and did various miracles in his own inimitable ways. He lead a very simple asetic life and moved with common people often blessing them to get their problems solved without their knowledge. He was a great siddaha purusha of par excellance. He was instrumental in spreading nama sankeerthanam often headed by Sri Natt Annaji Rao and other Polur bhagavathars. He was the main stay in bringing out Agasthiar Geethams which were in palm leaves. He gave darshan to many great devotees at various places on the one and same day and same time. His contribution to namasankeerthan margam attracts devotees and saints alike to his place of abode even today.

Sri Sri Anna of Ramakrishna Mutt sang in praise of Gnanananandha Giri Swamigal of Thapovanam as under:-

‘MANDHA SMITHA MUKHAMBHOJAM MAHANEEYA GUNAARNAVAM

MADHURAA BHASHINAM SHANTHAM SARVABHOOTHA DAYAPARAM

BAKTHAVATSALYA JALADHIM PARAMA ANANDA VIGRAHAM

GNANANDHAM PRAPANNOSMI NIRMALA GNANA SIDDHAYE’

Pudukottai Brahmashri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar

Many sadhus were all God-incarnates. Most of them, saints, musicians and composers who helped to nurture the tradition of Nama Sangeerthanam were born and grew up around Kaveri belt. It would seem that the waves of Kaveri produce the eternal notes of Thala in rhythm or sometime they sound like the music of Nama Sankeerthanam. The river Kaveri has come to symbolize the hoary tradition of Nama Sangeerthan. As the season of Bhajanothsavam dawns, the whole land would be immersed in the serenity of music. Kaveri, on whose surroundings the tradition of Nama Sankeerthanam flourished, would then flow through all over South India.

Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar was born at Swarnarayanyam in Madurai District and learnt music, dance and harikatha, veena from his father. He was married at an early age and lost his wife in a few years later. He lived a saintly life from then on propagating nama keerthan through his own inemitable ways to please the Lotus feet of he Nrusimha Deva. He took up to Unchavritti Dharmam at an very early age and all his earning were meant for Lakshmi Nrusimha Jayanthi which he celebrated in all granduer as could be possible in his days. He went on tour often for conducting bhajanotsavams and never missed his daily poojas or anustana throuh out 40 years of his constant journeys Asethu Himichalam. His daily routine was to conduct probhodhanam in sampadhaya margam, followed by his nithyanushtanams, followed up Unchavritti. At noon japam, keerthan and parayan used to be done by him. At evenings he used to conduct regular bhajans followed by Divyanama Keerthan and Shyanotsava often by his enchanting Dance and Abhinaya. He used to eat very little, only once a day at noon and often at night only Phala Ahara and milk offerred to his deity used to be his food. In one of the yatras to the North India, Kanchi Maha Periaval attended the Divya Nama Sankeerthan of Bhagavathar and danced with him at the time when "Anganaam anganaam" was sung. Both were enjoying each other's company in estacsy. Later Maha Periaval made a comment that Pudukottai Bhagavathar wears a white dhoti and lives like a saint like me. There is only one difference between them that Periaval wore a saffron robe and that Bhagavathar a white one. During Lakshmi Nrusimha Jayanthi he used to be on drinks for 15 days at a stretach & only after Avabrutha snana he used to eata square meals. Ambikadasar, GS Mani and many others have written songs in his praise out of their swanubhuti which lingers on the lips of his true devotees. He was a great siddha purusha and his attainments are praise worthy. Even today any one who prays to "Appa" (as he was used to be called upon by his devotees) their wishes are granted to them.

One of the great devotees of Appa picturized him as under:-

“NADA BRAHMA MAYEEM NIJANKA RASIKAAM

VEENAM THUDAN MANJULAAM

SREESHA VESHA NATANA CHATURO

RANJAYAN BAKTHI MUGDAN

ANANDASHRU CHAYAI: SUPOORNA NAYANA:

BINDHAN MANA: KALMASHAAN

VARVARTHEEHA GURU: MAHAN GUNA NIDHI:

GOPALAKRISHNO MAMA”

ENTHARO MAHAANUBHAVULU ANTHARIKI NA VANDANAMU