You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - Jul 2004

SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00218 Jul 2004

 
Jul 2004 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


Dear BhakthAs :

The following write up from Ahobila Matam
web pages would be of interest to many of you .

I thank the web Master of the Ahobila Mutt pages
for his courtesy to make use of this information .

The PaadhukA JeerNOttharaNa Kaimkaryam is 
proceeding well since its start on July 17 .

All Paadhukais of PoorvAchAryAs except the following 
have been spoken for :

20 Pattams: 4 , 5 , 8 , 10, 11, 16 , 17 through 24 , 
27 , 31 through 34 , 36 .

The remaining 25 Pattams have either been spoken for
or Completed . Please contact me for additional information .

Meanwhile please enjoy reading the full history of
an ancient Matam and its great AchAryAs ! 

V.Sadagopan 
 
ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORY OF SRI MATAM
*************************************************

Place: Kancheepuram, the Kshetra, called the most important among 
the seven cities that give liberation( MOksham) .

Time: Just before dawn of the day (1398 C.E.). 
Young Srinivasacharya, hardly twenty years of age, wakes up in an exciting 
mood. The dream he witnessed a little while ago is the cause of it. Lord 
Lakshmeenarasimha of Ahobilam appeared before him, commanding him to come to 
Ahobilam, don the robe of a sanyasi and be instructed in his future mission of 
life there. Could this vision be true, he kept asking himself again and again. 
Ahobilam, of course he knew and worship there is not an unusual occurrence in 
those days of pilgrimage; but that God should have chosen HIM of all people 
left him amazed. He went about his morning ablutions as usual but in the same 
ecstatic mind. He then hurried to his Guru the well known Gatikasatham Ammal 
and told him of his vision. The old Master also known as Varadavishnvacharya 
told his disciple Srinivasacharya to obey the mandate. So he wended his way to 
Ahobilam. Having arrived there, he climbed the hill amidst dense forest (which 
Thirumangai Azhvar describes as one which none can reach except God), had a dip 
in the river Bhavanasini and took up abode in that wilderness. Meanwhile 
Mukundaraya, the local chieftain also reached the, place to receive him on 
divine command. Lord Narasimha appeared before Srinivasacharya in the form of a 
sanyasi and initiated him with the "Preshmantra", gave him 'Sanyasa asrama''' 
and named him 'Satakopa Jeeyar'. Thus was born Sri Ahobila Mutt and its First 
Jeeyar. 

        
      Sri Malolan in the divine hands of
      Srimad Athvan Shatakopa Jeeyar
      (This Archa Vighraham is in Ahobilam.) 
This is commemorated in the following 'mangala sloka' 

"Abobile Sri Nrisimhah Prekshamantram swayam dadou
Yogiroopena yasyasmai Satakopaya mangalam " 

This incident can be seen now in the form of images, carved on a pillar in the 
Ranga mandapa of the Lower Ahobilam temple (vide History of the Cult of 
Narasimha in Andhra Pradesh by Dr. Madabhoosi Narasimhacharya). 

Srinivasacharya, son of Kidambi Kesavacharya was born on 18th August 1379 AD at 
Thirunarayanapuram (Melkote), Karnataka. Being a family of great orthodox views 
and of high literary cultural attainments, the boy showed a remarkable mental 
grasp and keen perception and so, his father Kesavacharya, himself a learned 
man, decided to send him to Kancheepuram to study at the feet of Ghatikasatham 
Ammal, a very great scholar of those days. The name Ghatikasatham Ammal 
(grandson of the famous Nadadoor Ammal) was given to this learned preceptor in 
honour of the fact that he could compose a hundred verses in a Ghatika 
(Nazhigai). His school was the most famous and sought after during that period 
and no wonder Kesavacharya decided to put his son Srinivasacharya there so as 
to make him a brilliant scholar. Srinivasacharya acquired all the knowledge 
when Lord Lakshmeenarasimha ordained him into the monastic order as mentioned 
above and gave him the name 'Satakopa Jeeyar'. The Lord commanded him to take 
any one of the 'Utsava' Moorthis and said the Jeeyar's task henceforth would 
be, "Go from door to door taking me with you and minister to the, well being of 
the disciples. Be thier Guru, purify them with my (Vishnu's) emblems of the 
conch and the discus and instruct them in the Ashtaksharam, Dwayam, and Charama 
Slolka." 

        
      Sri Malolan of Sri Ahobila Mutham 
The Jeeyar though anxious to start on his mission right earnestly, could not 
decide on the 'Utsava' Moorthi he could take with him. He, therefore, went into 
a meditation and prayed that the most suitable Moorthi' should come and bless 
him. Immediately the 'Utsava Moorthi' of Malola Narasimha (Lakshmeenarasimha) 
came flying from the temple and seated Himself on the outstretched hands of the 
Jeeyar. Mukundaraya on hearing of this miracle became his disciple and offered 
not only arrangements for permanent daily worship but also gave a palanquin and 
other paraphernalia to assist the Jeeyar in his sanchara (tour) along with the 
'Malola' Moorthi. He also gave control of all the temples to this Jeeyar and 
henceforth Ahobila Kshetram came under the direct control of Ahobila Mutt whose 
pontiffs are even today the hereditary trustees. 

Now a look at the 'Malola' Moorthi will reveal that He wears a Paduka 
indicating that He is ready to proceed on tour and thus both the Jeeyar and his 
God fully equipped commenced their historic travel giving spiritual and 
material succour to all who prayed in the course of their travel. Bearing the 
name Satakopa as he was, it was natural that this first Jeeyar should be eager 
to visit Alwarthirunagari the holy place sacred to Nammalwar. Having reached 
Alwarthirunagari, he found to his dismay and grief that the temple of Nammalwar 
was completely changed to one wherein eleven images of siva (linga) had been 
installed and had come to be called Ekadasarudra Kshetra. The idol of Nammalwar 
was not to be found anywhere.   
      Nammazhvar 
Setting up his camp there, Satakopa Jeeyar went about his routine of preaching 
the doctrine of surrender (prapatti) and gradually his fame spread as a mystic 
saint of great powers and efficacy. Distressed at the loss of Nammalwar and his 
shrine, he constantly recited Madurakavi's stanzas when Nammalwar appeared 
before him in a vision, told him that his idol lay in the bed of a river 
adjacent to a ravine and that the Jeeyar should recover and restore it. It so 
happened that the Pandya King of that place was on a hunting trip around those 
parts and the Jeeyar's divine personality instantly attracted him. He fell at 
the Jeeyar's feet and solicited to become a convert to Vaishnavism. Accompanied 
by this king, the Jeeyar went to the spot of the difficult terrain and prayed 
to Nammalwar and lo! the image slowly emerged from the river bed and settled on 
the outstretched arms of the Jeeyar just as 'Malola' Moorthi had done so 
earlier!! The King was spellbound and without hesitation, (on the orders of the 
Jeeyar), he straightway removed the saivite images and installed the 
Nammalwar's idol in the temple as before with due pomp and favour thus 
restoring the temple's pristine Vaishnavite glory. The British historian Mr. 
Sewell's list. of South Indian Dynasties cull out one Kulasekhara Pandya as the 
reigning chief of this period (vide History' of the Ahobila Mutt by S.N. 
Venkatesa lyer). 

But the fact remains that the Pandya king whoever he was had built Mandapams 
etc., at the temple and also made other arrangements for worship at the 
instance of the first Jeeyar. The mandapam and other structures stand even 
today on the banks of the river Tamraparani as also a shrine for Vedanta Desika 
constructed by this saint. The king so adored this Jeeyar that he made a true 
image of this Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar and had it duly installed in the Nammalwar 
shrine 'in Alwarthirunagari. Pleased with the loving service of this Jeeyar, 
Nammalwar gave him the name Adi (first), Van (powerful) Satakopa (Nammalwar's 
own name) by which the Jeeyar came to be called. Henceforth the successive 
Jeeyars have always the prefix "Van Satakopa". Vedanta Desika for his part gave 
this Jeeyar the suffix Mahadesikan as also the various titles (i) Srimat 
Vedamarga Pratishtapanacharya, (ii) Paramahamsa Parivraajaka, (iii) Ubhaya 
Vedantacharya, (iv) Sarvatantra Swatantra and (v) Bhagavat Ramanuja Siddhanta 
Nirdharana Sarvabhouma. It will be significant to note that even today, 
whenever and wherever the Jeeyars go, the air resounds with the cries of these 
names chanted loudly by the followers of the mutt. Suffice it to say that 
Yateendra (best of saints) applied very appropriately not only to this Jeeyar 
but to every successive Jeeyars. This term is not applied to any other holy 
order of which there are many. 

This Pandyan King's incident was heard by King Mukundadeva Raya of Orissa who 
was wandering in wilderness, having lost his kingdom to the Muslims. Keeping 
himself abreast of the times, the Jeeyar felt it was expedient to come to the 
rescue of this exiled monarch who had sought his help. The Guruparampara 
describes the miracle of the pride of lions (Remember that Man-lion 
manifestation of God) invaded Orissa and put to flight the philandering Muslims 
who in sheer fright handed back the kingdom to Mukundadeva Raya and fled never 
to return. While the Jeeyar was admiring the ways of his pet God Narasimha, the 
King fell at the feet of this Jeeyar in great gratitude and accorded him all 
honours befitting the occasion (vide history of Ahobila Mutt by S.N. Venkatesa 
lyer). It is specially mentioned by the 7th Jeeyar in his famous samskrit drama 
'Vasantika Parinayam'. Taking leave of the Orissa King, the Jeeyar, Sree Adivan 
Satakopa Yateendra Mahadesikan then proceeded towards Vijayanagar Kingdom whose 
Rajah received him with full honours and gave him grants and presents. It was 
at this time that one Manappakkam Thozhappar became the Jeeyar's disciple 
getting Panchasamskara as also expert knowledge in Sreebhashyam, Bhagawad 
Vishayam and Rahasyatrayasaram at the Jeeyar's feet. Marveling at the wisdom 
and learning of this Thozhappar, the Jeeyar asked him to write authoritative 
text on various Sastras which Thozhappar did under eight different heads 
earning the deserving title 'Vaidika Sarvabhouma'. As the head of the 74 
Simhasanadhipathis, this Jeeyar Adivan Satakopa then trekked his way to 
Thirukudantai (Kumbakonam) to worship Lord Aravamudhan and then proceeded 
further south to Nammalwar's place where he constructed a Mutt with all 
conveniences for the benefit of Srivaishnavas. From here the Jeeyar went to 
Thirunarayanapuram (Melkote) where after worshipping Ramanuja, Selva Pillai and 
Yadugiri Nachiyar, he set up a camp on the banks of the Kalyani Pushkarani 
where he taught Sreebashyam and Rahasyatrayasaram to many Srivaishnavas.. One 
day, people beheld the wonder of a five-headed serpent spreading its hood and 
listening to the exposition of the Jeeyar's lucid interpretation of Ramanuja's 
philosophy. The class was not perturbed and at the end of the session, the 
serpent glided slowly and disappeared. That Ramanuja was the incarnation of 
Adisesha impressed heavily on the audience who with one voice agreed that 
Ramanuja Himself gave darsan now in the guise of a serpent and gave his 
approval of Jeeyar's interpretations! 

The King of those parts sought the Jeeyar's benediction to get rid of his 
ailment and lo! his cure came as soon as he renovated the Rajagopuram of the 
Thirunarayanapuram Ternple at the instance of the Jeeyar, who also installed 
the Vigraha of Vedanta Desika there. In fulfillment of the desire in a vision 
of Lord Venkatesvara, the Jeeyar then went to Thirupathi and camping there for 
sometime, he built a Mutt both at Thirumala and Thirupathi, where idols of 
Lakshmeenarasimha were consecrated by him. He also provided steps to climb the 
Thirumala Hills and constructed several Mandapams on the way so that the 
pilgrims could rest while negotiating the steep climb. The jiyar then reached 
Kancheepuram where he built a 1,000 pillared Mandapam in the Varadaraaja swami 
Temple and even now, one can witness a Lakshmeenarasimha image in one pillar 
opposite to which is the figure of the Jeeyar in another pillar. It is said 
that this mandapam was, constructed from out of the wealth surrendered to the 
Jeeyar by a scholar by name Udayabhanu Misra who lost to the former in vedantic 
debate. It seems this debate lasted nearly a fortnight when Vedanta Desika 
appeared to the Jeeyar in a vision and told him to deal the matter by referring 
to his (Desika's) treatise Sathadooshani, with the result Udhayabhanu accepted 
defeat and became a disciple of the Jeeyar, who also built a frontal Mandapam 
and temple for Deepa Prakasa at Thooppul and also a mandapam and Sannidhi for 
Vedanta Desika whose idol was also duly installed there. After all this, the 
Jeeyar took the road towards Sholingar visiting Thirupathi on the way again and 
then proceeded to Sriperumbudur, the birthplace of Ramanuja. From there he 
found his way straight to Srirangam where he was received with full honours 
given to the prince among ascetics. Never was the reception so spontaneous as 
was given here. Staying in this holy city, he renovated the saptaprakara walls 
as was done by Thirumangai Azhwar earlier and Jataavarman Sundarapandya a 
little later. At the northern entrance of the temple, he constructed his mutt 
wherein the idol of Lakshmeenarasimha as also his own image were installed. 
Then on divine command, he built a frontal mandapam at Dasavatharam Sannidhi 
(built by Thirumangai Azhwar). Again as per Ranganatha's wishes, he built a 
Sannidhi for Vedanta Desika in front of the Srirangam Nachiyar Sannidhi and 
made arrangements for the daily worship there. The northern Gopuram was built 
at his instance where his image can be seen even today. He also constructed a 
mutt at the eastern gate of the Uttara Street duly consecrating an icon of 
Lakshmeenarasimha. Having thus given fixity and method to the activities, the 
Jeeyar was called upon to go to Melkote for the worship of Thirunarayanan. 

It is significant after that sixty years of divine service in his Sanyasa 
asrama', and at an advanced age, the Jeeyar should come back to his place of 
birth where he shed his mortal frame so as to be in the constant company of 
Sreeman Narayana in Sreevaikunta. This happened in April 1458 C.E. and his 
Brindavan in Melkote is a beacon light to his followers even to this, day. He 
was succeeded by the eminent Nambakkam Swami Srivan Satakopa Sriman Narayana 
Yateendra Mahadesikan



Jeer 2 -7

Having established Sri Ahobila Mutt and having made a dynamic leadership in 
managing it, the first Jeeyar Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan made 
the task easier for his successor to carry on the challenging job of spiritual 
ennoblement. The fact that the 2nd Jeeyar-Sriman Narayana Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan was the one chosen, to lead is evident from the title given to him 
"Shashti Prabhandha Nirmatha" - Author of sixty books, a title given by the 
first Jeeyar in recognition of his versatility. It is remarkable that like the 
first Jeeyar, this 2nd Jeeyar's birth star was also Jyeshta. He built a 
prosperous village called Madhuramangalam and by duly installing the image of 
his master in the temple of Selvapillai (at the command of that God) and 
another in the Brindavan of his master at Melkote (again at the command of Sri 
Lakshminarasimha), the Jeeyar had amply carried out the noble tradition of the 
first Jeeyar - his Guru. His Sanchara took him to places like Kancheepuram, 
Sholingapuram, Thirupathi, Ahobilam, Srirangam and Melkote where, after a 
reigning period of 15 years, he attained Paramapada. His Brindavan is also at 
Melkote. 
Sri Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesika was the third Jeeyar in line of succession. 
He spent his days in teaching Sribhashya and Srimath Rahasyathrayasara to 
numerous disciples Kancheepuram. His contribution was the creation of villages 
like Neeralur, Uragadam, Nemmily, Kadankarai, Pilaaputh and Kalathur. By a 
divine command, he went to Srimushna where he was instantly attracted to the 
Lord there as al Sri Ramanuja whose grace he immensely derived and breathed his 
last there in tranquil. 

The fourth Jeeyar Sri Srinivasa Yatheendra Mahadesika needs special mention 
because he undertook Padayathra to as places as Ayodhya, Gokul and Brindavan, 
all in the north before he settled down at Singar Kovil, spreading the message 
of Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika. He realised his days were drawing near in this 
world and was in search of a worthy successor. The Lord appeared in his dream 
saying, 'Sarvathanthra Swathanthra is coming to take the Peetam and hence do 
not be concerned' where upon the fourth Jeeyar was jubilantly awaiting him. 
Lakshmeenarasimha similarly appeared in the dream of one Kandalur Swami asking 
him to proceed immediately to the fourth Jeeyar's camp. They exchanged the 
substance of their respective dream messages. However, since Kandalur Swami 
happened to belong to Thankalai sect, the fourth Jeeyar asked him to have his 
Bharasamarpanam done then and there at his (4th Jeeyar's) feet and having done 
this, the Sanyasa Asrama was given to him. It is a matter of magnanimity on the 
part of both the Jeeyars in that while the fifth Jeeyar respected the Vadakalai 
tradition by having Bharasamarpana at the fourth Jeeyar's feet, the fourth 
Jeeyar directed that during the time of 5th Jeeyar's reign, both the 
Sampradayams would be respected. Kandalur Swami was then duly installed as the 
fifth Jeeyar bearing the Asrama name Sarvathanthra Swathanthra Satakopa 
Yatheendra Mahadesikan. 

The fifth Jeeyar made tours mostly in the north of India and when his period 
ended, he was laid to rest on the banks of the river Krishna. It is again the 
magnanimity of this fifth Jeeyar that he in turn gave the Sanyasa Asrama to the 
famous Shashta Parankusa Swami of the Vadakalai sect. 

The reference of this Vadakalai and Thenkalai sects is significant and is 
mentioned here to set right the record in view of a recent controversy raised 
in Bhakthi Nivedana (A Vedantha monthly published by Sri T.K. Gopalacharya from 
Seethanagaram, Guntur Dist) in their January 1992 issue wherein it was 
erroneously mentioned that the first five Jeeyars of Ahobila Mutt were 
Thenkalai and that it was converted to Vadakalai from the 6th Jeeyar onwards. 
This authentic information that only the fifth Jeeyar was Thenkalai is 
irrefutably made in the Sathsampradaya Mukthavali authored by no less a person 
than the 33rd Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. 

The sixth Jeeyar: Shashta Parankusa Yathindra Mahadesika After the first 
Jeeyar, the 6th Jeeyar Srimath Shashta Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesikan became 
equally famous for his spiritual and miraculous powers. Let us see what S.N. 
Venkatesa Ayyar writes in his 'History of the Ahobila Mutt'. "This Jeeyar," he 
says," is deservedly considered as one of the most powerful personages that 
adorned the pontifical seat. Even at the outset, in connection with this Jeeyar 
we meet with another well known personage Pachamathabhanjanam Tathachariar 
(sister's son of this Jeeyar in his pre- sanyasin life). This Tathachariar was 
also noteworthy as being the father of the great Lakshmeekumara 
Kotikanyakadanam Tathachariar - the famous p-erson who gilded with gold the 
Varadarajaswami Temple, Kancheepuram. He was a person of great importance and 
influence - being the Guru of Venkatapathiraya (Venkata 1) 1575 to 1614 C.E. 
and also of (Venkata 11) 1630 to 1642 C.E. - both Kings of Vijayanagar in its 
later days of decline. Any student of the Aravedu dynasty of Vijayanagar cannot 
afford to miss this Tathachariar family as outstanding spiritual teachers of 
the time. This Lakshmeekumara Tathachariar has claimed himself as having 
crowned both Venkata the First and Venkata the Second and used the valuable 
presents given to him by his masters - the Emperors - for gilding the 
'Tirupathi and Kancheepuram temples. The sixth Jeeyar with whom we are now 
particularly concerned was THE GURU and TEACHER of the Tathachariar - the 
original founder of the family. Inscriptions both at Tirupathi and Kancheepuram 
state that the sixth Jeeyar founded a settlement at Bhashyapuram in Cuddapah 
district, on the banks of the north Pennar. He was a very learned man and 
taught Vedhantha and other philosophies to numerous disciples. The Ahobila Mutt 
became quite wealthy in his reign, possessing a large number of villages 
granted in Sarvamanyam, besides numerous heads of cattle, number of elephants, 
camels and other paraphernalia of a rich Mutt. The sixth Jeeyar travelled upto 
Badrinath in the Himalayas and visited all the famous Vishnu shrines in India. 
The modern Vaishnavite Agraharams of Injimedu and Thaiyar trace their origin to 
this Jeeyar. 

Reference is made to this Jeeyar in the History of the Cult of Narasimha in 
Andhra Pradesh wherein it is said that both during the period of the fifth 
Jeeyar and the sixth Jeeyar, Ahobila Mutt was the nerve-centre of 
Srivaishnavism in Andhra Pradesh and brought many influential families as well 
as masses into its fold. It is stated that the fifth Jeeyar was the spiritual 
preceptor of the Nandyala Chiefs who were Vijayanagara feudatories. The sixth 
of the apostolic line of the Ahobila Mutt, Shashta Parankusa, says, Dr. M. 
Narasimhacharya, was respected by king Mukundadeva of Kalinga and he instituted 
the worship of Alwars at Purushottham (Puri) which is also known as Jagannatha 
Shrine. An epigraph of 1555 C.E. during the reign of Sadasiva, mentions that 
Shashta Parankusa was the trustee of the Ahobila Temple and the agent of Aliya- 
Ramappadeva Maharaja. This Jeeyar is stated by the 'Sathsampradaya Mukthavali' 
to be the contemporary of Sadasivaraya for his spiritual leadership. It further 
says that he (the Jeeyar) cured the Raya's daughter, who had become possessed 
and that he received from Sadasiva, the village of Bhashyapuram on the banks of 
the river. He was the author of a number of works including Narasimha-sthava. 
Tradition has it that this sixth Jeeyar while fervently worshipping at Ahobilam 
was commanded by Lakshmeenarasimha to be ever present there to do pooja to Him. 
In order to do that he had disappeared into the cave of Ahobilam which now 
remains closed. (This place is shown to pilgrims at the Upper Ahobilam Temple 
where it seems even now early in the morning the peeling bells and chanting can 
be heard by the devout). He was however never again seen afterwards though we 
are told, very pathetically that his Shisyas - particularly Tatachariar - 
stayed outside the cave for several days without meals and water, wept and 
cried out for him requesting him to come out - but it was all in vain. 

7th Jeeyar-Sri Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan Like the first Jeeyar, this 
seventh Jeeyar also became a Sanyasi at the young age of twentyfive. His 
scholarship was so high that he earned the title and came also to be known as 
"Sathalekhi Neelagaanaanuguna Kavithadhurandhara Kavitarika Kanteerava Van 
Satakopa Swamy." "An inscription of S. 1501 (C.E. 1578-79) from the Lower 
Ahobilam, records certain stirring political events that happened at the time, 
on the initiative of Van Satakopa Jeeyangaru, the seventh head of the Mutt of 
Ahobilam, the recapture of Ahobilam from the Muslims. The Jeeyyangaru 
approached the King Ranga I of Vijayanagara and appealed to him to recover the 
temple from the Muslims. As the King had regard for the Jeeyar, he issued 
orders to his chief, who proceeding with the Jeeyar to Ahobilam, defeated the 
Muslims, repaired the temple and established the Jeeyar at Ahobilam." Dr. M. 
Narasimhacharya records further in the 'History of the Cult of Narasimha in 
Andhra Pradesh' that this is no mean achievement for the Jeeyar, who took the 
lead to drive away the Muslims from the temple. This Jeeyar was not only famous 
for this act of resuscitation of Ahobilam temple, but also popular as the 
author of a Sanskrit Drama "Vasanthika Parinayam." The theme of the drama is 
the marriage of Lord Narasimha with a Chenchu woman. The importance of his work 
is that it is the first of its kind in Sanskrit literature, which mentions the 
association of God Narasimha with Chenchata, a tribal woman. The story of 
Narasimha and Chenchata became popular not only among the Chenchus but also 
among the rural folk. It made the Chenchus feel even now that Chenchata is 
their woman and God Narasimha- is their tutelary deity. Prior to beginning of 
Brahmothsavam, even today, it is the custom for the, Uthsava Narasirnha to tour 
several villages around Ahobilam and accept their hospitality. After touring 
Ahobilam to Srirangam, this seventh Jeeyar found his resting place at Srirangam 
itself where his Brindhavanam lies now. 

The first five stanzas of Vasanthika Parinayam open with an invocation to the 
first Jeeyar by this seventh Jeeyar. Translation given hereunder speaks of the 
reverence with which the first Jeeyar is held. "I bow to that Guru who was 
carried in a palanquin on the shoulders of the Orissa King Mukundade Raya; who 
consecrated holy images at Puri (Purushotamapuri), (1) and got as presents 
elephants, horses, diamonds, palanquins, two umbrellas and two chamaras; who 
thereafter, went to the capital of the Karnatik Kingdom (Vijayanagar) and 
obtained great success there. (2) This Van Satari was Veda Vyasa reborn, was 
the second Sukarishi, a rebirth of Pundareeka; a second Prahlada; a great 
master of penances who by his mantra of Eight Letters (Ahstakshara) increased 
the riches of Kings by giving them the eight riches (Ashta Aiswarya), the eight 
enjoyment (bhoghas), and fame in the eight quarters of the earth. (3) The above 
Guru became the head of the 74 Simhasanapathis (who were the followers of Sri 
Ramanuja's system) by the command of Lord Sri Lakshmeenarasimha and thus became 
the first Van Satari (4) The Guru was the great Bhattar (Kumarila) of Poorva 
Meemamsa, was a veritable Patanjali, was Kannada reborn; the living essence and 
rejuvenator of Kapila and the embodiment of the Dharma Sastras; was learned in 
both the Vedas (Ubhaya Vedantha); and a beacon-light to the ways of the Vedas. 
This great Sanyasin, being a master of all arts and sciences, verily has 
conquered the world. To such a Divine Being I prostrate." - vide. The History 
of Ahobila Mutt, by S.N. Venkatesa Ayyar. 



Jeer 8-24



The succession of the Ahobila Mutt Jeeyars as above was quite a smooth one in 
each case as they were all erudite scholars and were chosen by merit and by 
divine grace. They followed the tradition of the earlier Acharyas prior to them 
in the hierarchy and built up the Mutt and its glory in a manner that attracted 
numerous disciples to whom the inner meanings of the Vedhantha and Prapatthi 
path were diligently taught, as was practised by Ramanuja and Desika. Every one 
of them toured different parts of the country and had contributed spiritual 
works for posterity. The details of their period etc., are given in the 
Guruparampara separately. 

However, particulars of some Jeeyars are available with regard to their 
achievements. For instance, the llth Jeeyar was one among those whose period as 
head of the Mutt lasted for about 40 years. The twelfth Jeeyar had the 
distinction of discoursing on the Sreebhashya of Ramanuja twelve times at 
Thirunarayanapuram (Melkote). The 13th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava 
Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan was another scholar who explained Sreebhashya 
to the disciples for one full year at Azhwar Thirunagari. Next to the 1st 
Jeeyar (Sri Adivan Satakopa), this Jeeyar led the Mutt for a full 44 years. The 
14th Jeeyar had prepared a Guruparampara known as Acharya Gunadarsana as also 
Bhashya for the Upanishaths- Esavasya and Mandookya. A great pandit by name 
Thirunarayanapuram Devarajacharya, sought the 16th Peetadhipathi of Ahobila 
Mutt and learned the esoteric meaning of great many works of the earlier 
Acharyas like Ramanuja and Vedhantha Desika, and later took Sanyasaramam at the 
feet of this Jeeyar with the name Kesava Satakopa Swami. Under his command, he 
also wrote a text called Ennayirappadi on Bhaghawad Vishaya. Another well-known 
scholar of those days, Arasanipalai Kidambi Venkatacharya also became a 
disciple of the 6th Jeeyar. The 17th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava 
Vedantha Yatheendra Mahadesikan was yet another erudite person known for his 
command of the language (Sanskrit) as well as the art of giving lectures. Large 
number of disciples sought his feet to whom he explained Sreebhashya twelve 
times, Bhagawad Vishayam 10 times, Rahasyatrayasara 15 times. 

His successor, the 18th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Srimannarayana Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan was noted for his knowledge and wisdom and at his feet, the famous 
Koil Kandhadai Annangar Swami learnt the scriptures. It is presumed that while 
this Jeeyar was staying at Dasavatharam Sannidhi at Srirangam, Koil Kandhadai 
Swami or his wards gave the Jeeyar a gold image of Ranganatha which is 
worshipped in the Mutt even today. The 21 st Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri 
Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesikan's composition "Adaikkala Patthu" is recited in 
the Mutt during Pooja even today. His other compositions include Mangala Slokas 
on Nrisimha and Kannan and a history of the Mutt named Sathasarnpradaya Saaram. 
The 22nd Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Srimah Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan's period 
was the shortest duration - just seven months. 

The 23rd in Jeeyars was one who had extensively toured the country and was 
staying in Srirangapattinam in Karnataka where he had a vision of two 
Sreevaishnavas requesting him to come to the shrine of Ramanuja and lo! he was 
called to heaven there! His Brindavan is laid in Srirangapattinam. The 24th 
Jeeyar - Sri Parankusa Ramanuja Yatheendra Mahadesikan - needs a special 
mention in that he commenced his Yathra from Srirangapattanam and went to 
Srirangam and from there to Ahobilam. While at Ahobilam, Raja Somabhoopala of 
Gadwal Samasthan received him with full paraphernalia and invited the Jeeyar to 
set his lotus feet in his Samasthan. Overwhelmed by the devotion of this King, 
the Jeeyar went to Gadwal where Somabhoopala and his family had Samasrayanam 
from this 24th Jeeyar. It was here that the decorated Mandapa for 
Lakshmeenrasimha was given by the King along with several villages, cash and 
ornaments as gift. The glory of Gadwal began from this period and the 
successive kings felt indebted to the Mutt whose Acharyas they always held in 
high reverence. The entourage of the Mutt consisting of elephants, camels and 
horses were presented by the Gadwal Raja as a token of his gratitude. From then 
on every Jeeyar visited Gadwal. From here this Jeeyar proceeded to Thirupathi 
to worship Lord Srinivasa and from there to 'Melkote where he stayed for 
sometime giving discourses on Sreebhasya and Rahasyatrayasara. His religious 
compositions include Sreeprapatthi, Sri Nrisimha Mangalaasasanam and 
'Yathsarikai'. 



Jeer 25 - 36



The Jeeyars of Ahobila Mutt from 25th to 27th occupy an important place in the 
history for many reasons. First, unique in the Guruparampara, these three 
formed successive generation of a family. Thus the 26th Jeeyar was the son of 
the 25th Jeeyar and 27th Jeeyar was the son of 26th Jeeyar. Three more of the 
same family were to adorn this holy peetam and about that later on. 

The 25th Jeeyar - Srivan Satakopa Sri Srinivasa Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan 
hailed from Gadhadharapuram (Kumbakonam) and ascended the peetam in March 1776. 
He was a great Narasimha Upasaka and in his powers of mysticism and miracles, 
he equalled Adivan Satakopa Swamy and Shashta Parankusa Swamy (6th Jeeyar). He 
was sought after from every part of the country and people thronged to have his 
benign grace so as to rid themselves of their sorrow and suffering. His chants 
were quite effective and his words were the very truth. He was astute and hence 
his lectures and discourses gave solace to his disciples. On one occasion he 
was administered poison by some jealous persons; but it did not affect him in 
the least. He attributed his protection from poison and evil to 
Lakshmeenarasimha and Garuda. While on a tour of the north, an evil sorcerer 
was harassing the people of a town by his magic and sorcery. This Jeeyar, by 
invoking Lakshmeenarasimha by his chants made the sorcerer ineffective who 
having lost his livelihood, fell at the feet of this 25th Jeeyar and asked for 
pardon. 

This Swami was on his way to Gadwal Samasthanam when at a village called 
Surapurani, he was confronted by a great scholar by name Kireeti Venkatacharya 
who accepted defeat in an academic debate with the Jeeyar and tied his Victory 
bell on the palanquin of the Jeeyar. Then and there, he became an ardent 
devotee and disciple of the Jeeyar. Gadwal Samasthanadhipathi Somabhoopala took 
him to his Royal palace in a, grand procession and offered him many presents 
and endowments. Likewise, the Maharaja of Thanjavur who had a vision of the 
Lord Narasimha one night, went to meet this Jeeyar then camping neat 
Pullamboothamgudi near Kumbakonam and was instantly attracted to him by seeing 
the Thejas on the face of this Jeeyar. The Sarabhoji Maharaja (1798- 1832) was 
immensely benefited by the Jeeyar's benignity and in gratitude gave many gifts 
including land near where His Holiness was camping and thus was created the 
famous village Narasimhapuram. The Jeeyar 0 s period saw acquirement of 
Additional lands in many towns and villages as also renovation and construction 
of Brindavanams to his predecessors where idols were duly installed and regular 
worship undertaken. He was noted for his interpretations of the esoteric and 
his works include Narasimhasthavam, Sree Sathcharitra Ratnavali and Sree 
Narasimha Mangalasasanam. His long tour include northern parts of the country 
as also Ahobilam and Thirupathi and down south upto Azhwar's birthplace. His 
Brindavanam lies in Narasimhapuram the village created by him. 

The 26th Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Ranganatha Satakopa Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan, son of the 25th Jeeyar in his poorvasrama, zealously guarded the 
property entrusted to him and also carried on the Mutt activities in the 
tradition of his poorvacharyas. He was considered to be an avathara of Sri 
Andal. Such was his love for God. He also visited Ahobilam and other Kshetras 
and toured south upto Srivillipulthoor where he built a Branch building of the 
Ahobila Mutt. He installed an image of the 25th Jeeyar in his Brindavanam at 
Narasimhapuram, The Mysore Maharaja, Sri Krishnaraja Kantecrava Sarva Bhouma, 
gave as gifts to this Jeeyar, a golden palanquin, a Silver Mandapa, a jewelled 
Gata (urn) and a box made of gold to offer Betel leaves, nuts etc., to Malola. 
This Jeeyar also created a village naming it as Ranganathapuram. He was laid to 
rest at Narasirnhapuram. 

The 27th Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava Vedantha Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan, was again the son of the 26th Jeeyar in his poorvasrama and a 
great scholar. He has 28 works to his credit that include among others, 
authoritative instructions on Dharma Sasthra, Nithyanushtanas, on Vyakarana, on 
Logic, on the subject of reaching the Ultimate Abode of Sriman Narayana, on 
Ashtakshara, on the divine Jyothi, on sacred rivers etc. His duration was only 
just 2 years and 7 months when, while on tour, he attained salvation at Gadwal. 
He called the Gadwal Raja and entrusted the task of choosing his successor to 
him. The Raja desired to give the Peetam again to the son of this 27th Jeeyar. 
But the son declined and instead recommended an erudite pandit of 
Thirukkurungudi by name Vanamamalacharya. He was deserving of the post by all 
merits and so, he was anointed as the 28th Jeeyar styled Srivan Satakopa Sri 
Ranganatha Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan. He was gifted with Narasimha 
Sakshathkaram just like Ramanuja, Desikan, Adivan Satakopa Swami and Shashta 
Parankusa Swami. As was his predecessor Sri Srinivasa Yatheendra Mahadesikan, 
this Jeeyar also by his miraculous powers, removed the distress of the 
sufferers. This Jeeyar and his brother by poorvasrama, Venkatanarayanacharya 
were both intellectuals, adept in expounding difficult subjects in a lucid 
manner and were great logicians. Because of this Jeeyar's mystic powers, 
special prayers are conducted by devotees at his Brindavanam at Madhurantakam 
to obtain relief and tranquility. 

Once a wealthy man, to show off his wealth and with a view to boost his own 
ego, gave large cash to this Jeeyar. The Jeeyar, in order to contain his prides 
distributed the entire money along with the pearls of promogranate fruits to 
the assembled devotees, who had come from far and near. The 33rd and 34th 
Jeeyars were great devotees of this 28th Jeeyar. He named Srivan Satakopa Sri 
Parankusa Ramanuja Yatheendra Mahadesikan as his successor (i.e. 29th Jeeyar) 
and since this 29th Jeeyar was also not well, he directed that the son of the 
27th Jeeyar (in his poorvasarama) be anointed as the 30th Jeeyar. 

The 29th Jeeyar in his characteristic way carried out the duties of the Mutt. 
His period lasted unfortunately just 13 months and obeying the command of his 
Acharya, he anointed Srivan Satakopa Sri Srinivasa Vedantha Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan as the 30th Jeeyar. The 29th Jeeyar wrote Sanskrit slokas to wake 
up Lakshmeenarasimha (Suprabhatha) and based on this, the 30th Jeeyar composed 
Sri Lakshmeenarasimha Suprabhatham which is recited in the Mutt early in the 
morning everyday even now. 

The 30th Jeeyar's period lasted 5 years six months. After the (poorvasrama) 
family run of 25th, 26th and 27th Jeeyars, it devolved again on this 30th 
Jeeyar. He has a number of spiritual works to his credit. He toured the entire 
region of the south and held his chaturmasya at Veeravanallur (Thirunelveli 
Dist). He offered a pair of gold padukas to the Lord Aravamuda of Kumbakonam. 
He established a village called Srinivasa Vedanthapuram and was laid to rest at 
Narasimhapuram. The 31st Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Srimannarayana Vedantha 
Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan undertook tour from Narasimhapuram to Srirangam 
and Thiruvallur. He donated a silver (Elephant) Vahana to Veeraraghava Perumal 
at Thiruvallur. Ms compositions were Sri Narasimha Magalasasanam and Saanga 
Prapatthi Nishtai. The 40th Jeeyar built a Brindavanam for this 31st Jeeyar at 
Thyagarajapuram on the banks of the river Kaveri where his image was also 
installed. The 32nd Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava Yatheendra 
Mahadesikan extensively toured from Kumbakonam to Thirukkurungudi, upto 
Thirunarayanapuram in the west and Thirupathi in the north. He was honoured by 
the then Maharaja of Mysore. This Jeeyar was pretty old when he took over the 
Mutt as a sanyasi and yet with remarkable energy undertook tours for the 
benefit of his disciples and devotees. He was called "Thatha Swami" because of 
his age. He renovated some of the Brindavanams of his poorvacharyas and as he 
felt his final release was about to come, he gave the asrama to the 33rd 
Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan. 

This 33rd Jeeyar carved for himself a special place in the history of Ahobila 
Mutt. No better tribute can be paid to him than to mention that eight 
Azhagiyasingars after him were the ones who had 'Bharasamarpanams' at this 
Jeeyar's feet; that is for about 60 years his direct disciples were the 
pontiffs of the Mutt one after another. Not only was he known for his keen 
knowledge and wisdom, but was also a great mystic, like his predecessors. It 
was during this Jeeyar's period that there was a tremendous improvement in the 
wealth and welfare of the Mutt and so the Mutt's prestige as well as the 
sishya's prestige stood greatly enhanced. He acquired groves and trees so that 
the society could benefit by the fruits. He bought lands for Veeraraghava 
Perumal so that the proceeds from the cultivation would go to maintain the 
archakas and other staff as also the temple administration. He built a big mutt 
at Thiruvallur for the benefit of the pilgrims. He had a charming personality, 
was broad minded, had always entertained noble thoughts and was astute by 
nature. His delivery of speech had a distinct style and his presentation of the 
subject matter was clear and lucid. People used to vie with one another to be 
at the front to watch his performance of the daily pooja, especially the 
Mangala Harathi which brought forth visible divinity in the surroundings in all 
its brightness. The history of the Ahobila Mutt is well preserved thanks to 
this Jeeyar who had done a detailed note in Manipravala called Sathsampradaya 
Mukthavali in which he has authenticated many episodes of the earlier 
Azhagiyasingars. His another work is named Acharya Gunaadarsam. He was laid to 
rest at Thiruvallur. 

The 34th Jeeyar, Sri Lakshmeenarsimha Divya Paduka Sevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri 
Satakopa Ramanuja Yatheendra Mahadesikan was better known as Atthippattu 
Azhagiysingar. He has fifteen works to his credit among which are topics on 
Nyaya, Adhikaranasaravali on Brahmasutra and on Lakshmeenarasimha, Veeraraghava 
and Varadaraja. His Tamil stanzas "Adaikkalappatthu" are recited even to day at 
the Mutt. He took pains to publish for the benefit of the disciples and 
devotees, books on Srimad Ramayanam, Srimad Rahasyatrayasaram and on Sannidhi 
Guruparampara. His Bridavanam is at Thiruvallur. The 35th Jeeyar, Srivan 
Satakopa Sri Ranganatha Yatheendra Mahadesikan reigned for about five years and 
stayed mostly in Thiruvallur doing repair works to the temple there and spent 
his time expounding the philosophy of Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika. 

Since the 35th Jeeyar did not nominate anybody to the asthanam before his 
attaining salvation a section of the disciples desired to install the well 
known pandit of the Chola Desa, Sri Satharka Vachaspathi Kuricchi Rangacharya; 
but as per the wishes of the majority, another scholar by name Paranthoor 
Vankeepuram Rangacharya who was the younger brother of the 33rd Jeeyar in his 
poorvasrama, was installed as the 36th Jeeyar. He was respected for his depth 
of knowledge in Tarka Sastra, Vedantha Sasthra and Sreebhashya. He was a good 
exponent of the Vedantha philosophy and his lectures were keenly heard. When he 
passed away another scholar of the day, Swarnam Krishnamacharya remarked that 
the world has lost 'Sreebhashya'. 



Jeer 37 - 41



Atthippattu Azhagiyasingar (34th Jeeyar), Kalathur Azhagiyasingar (35th Jeevar) 
and the 36th Jeeyar were also privileged to utilise the services of 
Pillaipakkam Gopalacharya, a great Visishtadvaitin who was known better by his 
title Sapta-tantra Vachaspathi, meaning master of the seven tantras. Let us see 
how this illustrious person became the 37th Jeevar called affectionately as 
Pillaipakkam Azhagiyasingar. While young, he mastered Vyakarana and Nyaya 
Sastras at the feet of the famous Thirupputkuzhi Swami (Mahamahopadyaya Krishna 
Thathacharya) and received his panchasamskara from 33rd Jeeyar. Completing 
Adhyathma Sastra first under 33rd, he studied next under the 34th Jeeyar. 
Recognising his merit, the Atthippattu Azhagiyasingar appointed him as the 
Srikaryam of the Mutt which post Pillaipakkam Gopalacharya continued under the 
35th Jeeyar also. Even as he was performing his duties both at the office and 
at home, he developed Vairagya and while on a pilgrimage, he was fortunate to 
get the benign grace of the Tenkanikottai Swami who was a centre of attraction 
at the time in view of his divinity and scholarity. This Tenkanikottai Swami 
gave Sanyasasrama to Gopalacharya and gave him the name Veeraraghava Satakopan. 
The Swami continued to visit temples and his contribution included renovation 
of some temples and offering of jewels. By a divine vision from Veeraraghava 
Perumal, he rectified defects on the idol of the Lord of Thiruvallur. He 
regularly gave discourses on Sree Bhashya at Kancheepuram, proceeded further 
south to master Divya Prabandham and Bhagavad Vishayam. When the 36th Jeevar 
attained Mukthi without nominating his successor, the sishyas of Ahobila Mutt 
called on Pillaipakkam Swami and requested him to ascend the Peetam. With 
reluctance, he acceded to their request; but once he became the Azhagiasingar, 
Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan considered it 
his special duty to enhance the glory of the Mutt and this he did with great 
devotion. His bhakthi for Vedantha Desika was unparalleled and he visited the 
abhimanasthala of the Acharya - 

Thiruvaheendrapuram (near Cuddalore) where he restored the uthsavas after 
settling the dispute among the Srivaishnavas there. He himself remained there 
to supervise the Brahmothsavam and he documented his experiences in a beautiful 
record named "Vedantha Desikothsava Vaibhavani" for the sake of the posterity. 
It was unfortunate that this Jeeyar also did not nominate anybody and hence 
there was an interregnum for about 5 1/2 years between 1899-1905. 

One among the group who had earlier persuaded Pillaipakkam Swami to accept the 
Peetam was Gadadharapuram Chakravarthi Venkatacharya, a very learned person who 
hailed from the Gadadharapuram family that had given five Azhagiyasingars 
earlier. This Swami had done his best for the upliftment of the Mutt though 
leading a family life. He was respected by all. However since the 37th Jeeyar 
had left without nominating anyone and as five and a half years had elapsed, 
the sishyas made an appeal to the Government to restore the Mutt to its pivotal 
position. The then British Governor ordered preparation of electoral rolls of 
the Mutt's disciple,- and when the votes were cast, the majority favoured the 
Gadadharapuram Swami who respecting the sentiments, became the 38th Jeeyar of 
Ahobila Mutt. "The History of the Ahobila Mutt" (Venkatesa Ayyar) records thus: 
"Gadadharapuram family came to the assistance of the Mutt in good time. This 
38th Jeeyar's (Srivan Satakopa Sri Srinivasa Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan) 
knowledge of men and matters was so great that by wise choice of management, 
the property of the Mutt was cleverly administered and made to yield a good 
income." The Mutt rose once again to become the centre of influence and revered 
seat of learning. For his reign of just four years, this Jeeyar can be said to 
have achieved remarkable results. A northern devotee by name 
Balamukundachariyar became his disciple and with his influence, Utthara Ahobila 
Mutt was established at Pushkaram. He also renovated a number of Mutt buildings 
and Brindhavanams and was laid to rest at Narasimhapuram adjacent to the 
Brindhavan of 37th Jeeyar. Even today, the 38th Jeeyar's (poorvasrama) 
grandsons lead a retired life after having served very high posts and his great 
grandsons are serving in high capacities. The 40th Jeeyar installed an image of 
the 38th Jeeyar out of his reverence for him in his Brindhavan at 
Narasimhapuram. 

The 39th Azhagiyasingar Srivan Satakopa Sri Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesikan 
carried on his predecessor's work dutifully. He made a silver Mandapam for 
Malola and built outer walls of the Veeraraghavaswami Temple at Thiruvallur. 
His Brindhavan exists at his birthplace Rajamannar Koil (Mannargudi). 

Ahobila Mutt's glory rose to greater heights during the stewardship of the 40th 
Azhagiyasingar, Sri Lakshminarasimha Divya Padukasevaka, Srivan Satakopa Sri 
Ranganatha Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan. Known as Karaikurichi Vankeepuram 
Vidwan Venkata Krishnamacharya in his poorvasrama, he ascended the Peetam on 
17th April 1913 and came to be sought by scholars and laity alike because of 
his genial temperament as also by his great psychic power. Since some of the 
earlier Azhagiyasingars could not visit Ahobilam, he more than made up for them 
and Venkatesa Ayyar in his History of Ahobila Mutt says, 'Here is a clear case 
of HE CAME - HE SAW - HE CONQUERED. No other Azhagiyasingar had undertaken so 
extensive a travel as this Jeeyar - all for the sake of devotees welfare. His 
visits extended upto Hyderabad. He stayed at Ahobilam for quite sometime 
restoring the worship and renovating the temple structures. His psychic powers 
and Mantra Siddhi were utilised by the then Gadwal Raja to regain his royal, 
financial and spiritual powers. 

The 40th Jeeyar-Sri Ranganatha Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesika (1913-1923) 
visited Gadwal after a long interval. Apart from being an erudite scholar, he 
was credited with great psychic and mystic powers like the 1st, 6th and 25th 
Jeeyars. When he reached Gadwal, the 40th Jeeyar found to his dismay that the 
place had become one of total inactivity. It seems that when the Kesava temple 
was built, a human (Brahmin) sacrifice was made and that as a consequence, Soma 
Bhoopal had incurred a curse whereby he was left without a progeny. From that 
time onwards his successors in line were all by adoption only. Not even a 
female child was born, leave alone a son. When Sriram Bhoopal ascended the 
throne, the temple had become a haunted place as also the Gadwal palace and the 
Raja had moved to Hyderabad where he had a palace and other properties. In a 
bid to set right things, the Jeeyar sent word to the Raja at Hyderabad who 
promptly came back to Gadwal with his family. This Jeevar's son was a great 
scholar with Mantra Siddhi and with his help the place was duly sanctified. The 
Jeeyar on visiting the Kesava temple found the Moola Vigraha (idol) deformed 
and wanted it to be removed. The Raja and other learned Brahmins were reluctant 
to do so for fear of incurring the wrath of the God once again. Undaunted, the 
Jeeyar, it is said, himself went about the job. He tied a rope round the idol 
and the other end of the rope was tied round a bullock which dragged the idol 
out of its place. The Vigraha was then buried in the sands of the river Krishna 
and that place is known as Erra Banda since then. A new idol of Kesava with 
Sreedevi and Bhoodevi on His either side was obtained from Srimushnam, a 
Swayamvyaktha Kshetram of Tamil Nadu and duly installed at the temple situated 
in the fort of the Gadwal palace. A number of Ahobila Mutt disciples once again 
settled down in that town and the era of bubbling and bustling activities began 
again. The Jeeyar stayed at Gadwal for three years. The grateful Raja of Gadwal 
honoured the Jeeyar with jewels to the Lord Lakhsminarasimha and gave other 
properties. 



Jeer 43

In the unbroken line of Acharyas of Sri Ahobila Mutt in which Lord Lakshmee 
Narasimha Himself took the role of an Acharya and the successive Acharyas who 
were endowed with Hayagreeva's grace, Mantra Siddhis and supernatural powers, a 
shining star was the 43rd Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava Satakopa 
Yatheendra Mahadesikan. 

The oldest dedicated aradhakar today of Sri Ahobila Mutt, the tall lean, 
austere Veda Vedantha Vidwan, Injimedu Rajagopalachari (who has had the good 
fortune to serve six Azhagiya Singars) recall the incident in connection with 
the birth of Devanarvilagam Lakshmeenarasimhachariar by which name the 43rd 
Jeeyar was known in his poorvasramam. 

The childless parents whose knowledge and religious duties were unparalleled, 
sought the blessings of the Athippattu Azhagiyasingar (34th Jeeyar) who asked 
them to partake Goodaan (rice boiled with jaggery and milk) the prasad offered 
to Lakshmeenarasimha that day. Great was their rejoicing when a son was born to 
them in due course and was appropriately named Lakshmeenarasimhan. His father 
Thiruvenkatachariar took care to perform the enjoined samskaras the respective 
age and sent his son to Kumbakonam where Lakshmeenarasimhan mastered Sanskrit 
including Kavyas and nataka. A scholar by name Nellore Rangachariar taught him 
the Vedas in the traditional style. Being a precocious lad, he not only 
mastered Vedas and Sastras with perfect ease; but also passed courses in Tarka 
Sastra and obtained Siromani title in a creditable manner. 

He had his PanchaSamskara - the five purificatory ceremonies under the 40th 
Jeeyar and Saranagathi (Bharasamarpanam) under the 40th Jeeyar. He also learnt 
Sreebhashya at the feet of the 40th Jeeyar and Sruthaprakasika, Geethabhashya 
and Bhagawath Vishayam under the 41st Jeeyar. Thus Lakshmeenarasimhan had fully 
qualified himself at an early age for his future role as 43rd Jeeyar. This 
attainment moulded him to remain dispassionate in worldly affairs and he very 
much fitted the description of King Dileepa by Kalidasa. 

Though born in a very affluent family, he was not attracted by material 
pleasures, delved deep into the various branches of learning, took to righteous 
deeds and had the wisdom of the old even while being young. I recall with 
nostalgia, his devotion of Malola during those days of the 41st and 42nd 
Jeeyars at Dasavatharan Sannidhi in Srirangam when I was doing Kalakshepam 
(philosophical study) under the 41 st Jeeyar. His performance of the aradhana 
of Lord Lakshmeenarasimha was worth witnessing what with his rigid austerity, 
meticulous handling of pooja items, great devotion, humility, inspiring 
utterances and utmost love for God. 

Back at Devanarvilagam Village where he led his family life, people who visited 
Uppilliappan Sannidhi made it a point to visit him also at that adjacent 
village. What they admired in him was his achara in the midst of his outword 
activities, looking upon joy and sorrow with equal indifference and equanimity 
of mind of one who knows Brahman. 

The era of 42nd Jeeyar was a golden period and his three outstanding 
achievements (among others) were (1) Estabhshment of a Sanskrit college at 
Madhuranthakam (2) The starting of the periodical 'Nrisimha Priya' and (3) 
Holding of the annual Veda-Vedantha Vidwat Sadas-a scholarly gathering 
indulging in dialectics of Vedantha, especially Sreebhashya wherein the concept 
of individual self, God and Universe, the idea of Saadhana and Mukthi and the 
doctrine of substance and attribute - are all brought within the purview of 
discussion based on the works of Vedantha Desika and Ramanuja. Scholars put 
forth their arguments which were countered by some others, thereby animating a 
lively discussion. The important rule was to allow the scholar to complete his 
arguments on a particular adhikarana and not to interrupt him in the middle. 
The 42nd Jeeyar would patiently wait for that scholar to conclude when he would 
explain the esoteric and clarify some tricky points which that school might not 
have elaborated. For the new comers, this would be a great help to understand 
the depth of Sribhashya. At the successful conclusion of this ten-day session, 
all the participating scholars would be duly honoured, apart from meeting their 
travel expenses by the Mutt. This is practised even to this day. 
Lakshmeenarasimhan enriched these sessions by his art of reasoning and quite 
naturally, recognising his merit, the 42nd Jeeyar appointed him as the 
Principal of the Madhuranthakam College and later made him the Asthana Vidwan 
of the Mutt. By now Lakshmeenarasimhan had so endeared himself to the Mutt that 
he became the natural choice to be the successor. Considering his own failing 
health, the 42nd Jeeyar appointed Lakshmeenarasimhan as the 43rd Jeeyar giving 
him the asrama title "Srivan Satakopa Sri Veeraraghava Satakopa Yatheendra Maha 
Desikan" in 1951. Both the 42nd and 43rd Azhagiya Singars were together for two 
years, when in 1953 the 42nd Jeeyar shed his mortal coil to adorn Sreevaikunta. 

The 42nd Jeeyar had toured upto Hyderabad and he had desired his successor to 
proceed further north to propagate the message of Ramanuja and Desika. With 
this in mind, the 43rd Azhagiya Singar commenced his administration of the Mutt 
and set an example as the epitome of an ideal Acharya whose mode of living is 
akin to a realised soul, adhering to righteous path, disciplined conduct and 
helping the fellow beings disciples to ennoble their souls so as to cross the 
ocean of the mundane. With his attention on the Lord's Lotus Feet, His sacred 
names on his lips, the Jeeyar identified himself as a Dasya - servant of the 
Supreme Lord. 

He nourished well the institutions started by the 42nd Azhagiyasingar and 
established eight oriental schools in various places as feeders. While engaged 
in this task of upliftment of the fellowman, he never swerved from the 
established orthodox rules and did not attempt to relax them. He firmly 
believed that the time honoured values are best for realisation of the soul. 

Obtaining the tacit approval of his beloved Malola, the 43rd Jeeyar undertook 
his first journey towards south, visiting several shrines on the way. A large 
number of disciples took the opportunity of his visit to have Pancha Samskara 
and Bharasamarpanam. His divine disposition attracted a large number of people 
wherever he went. Travelling by Palanquin followed by a large retinue of carts 
men and material for sustenance, people vied with one another to give him grand 
reception and the temple authorities in each place received him with Poorna 
Kumba and bestowed honours on him. A gentleman who used to make advance 
arrangements for the Jeeyar's travel says how, when the Azhagiyasingar visited 
Padmanabha Swami Temple at Trivandrum, the then king received him with royal 
honours and hosted the Lord and the Jeeyar at the palace. From there, the 
Jeeyar proceeded to Thiruppullani; reminiscing on the noble deeds of Sri Rama 
in that Kshetra. His first Chatur-masya was at Thuvariman (near Madurai). From 
here he came to Madras to receive a rousing reception from an enthusiastic 
crowd of devotees and disciples. 

Making up his mind to fulfil the desire of his predecessor, the Jeeyar 
commenced his northward journey in right earnest. The daily aradhana of Lord 
Lakshmeenarasimha required strict adherence to rigorous discipline and 
performance at the appropriate time throughout the day, which included sacred 
bath, purificatory rituals etc. The Jeeyar and the aradhakars religiously 
followed these principles, even while on journey or in new surroundings. 
Camping at Ahobliam, he had a well dug next to the Divine Mother's Sannidhi, 
that does not go dry even to this day. While attending to the daily routines, 
he still spared time to teach Sreebhashya and other subjects to the interested 
persons. 

His Andhra journey was personally supervised by the then Chief Minister of 
Hyderabad which speaks of the reverence in which the Jeeyar was held. The Chief 
Minister even expressed his desire to become his disciple. The Jeeyar took 
delight in chanting the auspicious names of the Lord along with the devotees of 
Andhra, when he came to know ,that the local people were religious by nature 
and were very devoted to Lord Lakshmeenarasimha. Both the Royalty and the Laity 
came to worship him. 

It is said that when he had to cross Thungabhadra river, a part of his retinue 
consisting of bullock-carts got stuck in the slush of the river and by divine 
grace, an elephant came to the rescue, dragging the carts one by one out of 
that slush and safely landing them on the other bank. The Jeeyar's visit to 
Hyderabad was a tremendous success with the then Hyderabad state honouring him, 
He had to face hurdles on his way to Bombay when the bearers refused to carry 
his palanquin. Undaunted he covered the distance by walk, while the palanquin 
with the idols was carried by some of his disciples. At Pushkaram the idol of a 
disciple of the Mutt installed in the sanctum sanctorum was the cause for the 
Jeeyar's refusal to receive honours there. His Delhi visit was hosted by the 
then speaker Sri Ananthasayanam Ayyangar who dug a well at the place of his 
stay for the personal use of the Jeeyar. On his way to Badarinath, he visited 
all the pilgrimage centres and the U.P. Government deputed a senior officer to 
look after his needs and comforts during his visit to that Himalayan shrine. 

Having had a blissful darsan of the Lord of Badarinath, with the feeling that 
just like the sun shine on the peaks though the snow-clad Himalayas is 
encircled by clouds, in the presence of Nara-Narayana, all the travails of 
travel melted away into insignificance. On his return journey, the 
Azhagiyasingar agreed to the request of the devotees to have his fifth 
Chaturmasya at Risheekesh. His disciples also chose Naimisaranyam on the banks 
of the holy river for celebration of his birthday that was to fall in the 
Karthik month (Nov-Dec.) in 1957. Accordingly, he reached that holy Kshetra 
sung by Rishis and Alwars, two days prior to the celebration. But the long 
travel had already begun to tell upon his health. Unmindful of this setback, 
Azhagiyasingar continued his routine, especially the daily dawn dip in the cold 
(being winter) waters of the river, followed by long ablutions and rituals of 
the ascetic order. His greatest virtue was his vairagya and never would he 
deviate from the chosen path. This affected his health further causing 
increased concern for the disciples. A true sanyasin, he had little concern for 
his body and as if, his chosen time had come, he easily cast off his mortal 
frame and reached the abode of the Supreme Lord to do eternal service at the 
feet of Sree Vaikuntanatha. The disciples not only around him, but those in the 
country and abroad suddenly felt orphaned. His Brindavan was built there by the 
44th Jeeyar who succeeded him, having earlier accompanied him as the Mutt's 
Asthana Vidwan. 

In a short span of five year's reign, the 43rd Jeeyar had fulfilled with 
glitter and grandeur what no other Acharya could achieve. His a sublime life of 
purity, wisdom and divinity and one of assiduously preaching and practising of 
religious observations and restrictions against odds. 

Jeer 44

On the sacred occasion of the centenary of the late Alagia Singar-forty fourth 
in the illustrious line of Ahobila Math Jeeyars, it is appropriate to look back 
and refresh our memory of that great savant. 

Despite the tremendous strides in the fields of Science and Technology, mankind 
is still in a state of despair and anguish. The real peace of mind the human 
seeks is elusive. Only a living faith as that displayed by those peerless band 
of devotees the Alvars and Acharyas can help us overcome this paralysing sense 
of fear. 

The Lord Himself declares in the Geetha that "When the sacred Law fails and 
evils raise their ugly heads, I take embodied birth in this world" to guard the 
righteous and root out the sinners. 

The Amsas of the Lord Narayana descended into this World when the heretical 
religions were on the ascendant. The 'Alvars' as we call these messengers of 
the Lord went about the country singing the praise of Narayana, communicating 
the joy of their communion with Him through their soul stirring hymns 
celebrated as the "Nalayira Divya Prabandham" which contains the quintessence 
of the Visistadvaita philosophy. Their mission complete, when they returned to 
Sri Vaikunta, the Lord again descended into this World in the garb of Acharyas. 
Of these Sri Nathamuni, Sri Yamuna and Sri Ramanuja belong to the formative 
period of Vaishnavism, when the foundations of Vaishnavism were firmly laid. 
After Sri Ramanuja, Sri Vedanta Desika held aloft the flag of Vaishnavism. His 
was an age of giants both in the literary and religious fields. 

The period from 1370 A.D. saw the task of preservation ,and propagation of 
Vaishnavism largely institutionalised. Of the institutions that came to the 
fore, Ahobila Math founded in 1398 A.D. was easily largest and most 
influential. The Founder, Sri Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar blazed a new trail which 
continues till this day. 

In the history of Vaishnavism since the fifteenth century A.D., the Jeeyars of 
Ahobila Math have made very significant contribution to Vaishnavism. The First 
Jeeyar was a disciple of Sri Nainaracharya - the son and disciple of Sri Desika 
the apostolic leadership from 1371-1410 A.D held by him has been most 
faithfully carried forward by the later Jeeyars. 

Among them, we find the fortyfourth Jeeyar, Sri Van Satakopa Sri Vedanta Desika 
Yatheendra Mahadesikan as towering figure among the contemporary Acharyas. He 
was the 'Asthana Vidwan' of the Ahobila Math under the previous two 
Alagiasingars, namely - Sri Injimedu and Sri Devanarvilagam Swamis. He assumed 
the headship of the math in November 1957 and for nearly thirtyfive years he 
held the position with great distinction till he shed the coils of earthly 
existence on the morning of 16th August 1992. His period as the pontiff is 
indeed an eventful and productive period as he strove hard to re-establish the 
grandeur of Ahobila Math. 

The 44th Azhagiyasingar was born in - Avani - in the Asterism of Hasta (August 
1895 A.D.) in the Mukkur village in North Arcot District situated on the banks 
of 'Cheyyaru'. Mukkur has also the additional distinction of being the birth 
place of the 42nd Jeeyar Sri Injimedu Alagiasingar. His parents - Sri 
Rangachariar swami and Smt. Ranganayaki Ammal (strange indeed) bore the names 
of the Divya Dampatis at Srirangam. Sri Rangachariar swami was a strict 
adherent of rigid daily routine prescribed by Vaishnava Acharyas down the ages 
and was well-versed in the Vedic lore. Named Rajagopalan, the son underwent the 
Upanayanasamskara at the age of eight. 

He studied the Kavya Grantha under Thaiyar Josyam Madaboosi Srinivasachariar 
who resided at the nearby village Parasoor. Sri Injimedu - Alagiasingar in his 
poorvasrama and other Vidwans of the day were also instructed-by the Swami in 
'Kavya Granthas'. His father, himself, administered the 'Panchasamskara' to his 
son Sri. Injimedu Alagia Singar, (then in Poorvasrama) was present on the 
occasion and helped in the conduct of the ritual. At the age of twelve, he was 
sent to the Veda Patasala at Srimushnam where he studied under Sri 
Krishnamacharya Swami-renowned as "Srimushnam - Ganapati". There was another 
eminent scholar named Sri Swarnam Krishnamachari at Srimushnam. Under him, 
Rajagopalan received instructions in 'Kavya Natakas'. It is pertinent to note 
that Srimad Injimedu Alagiasingar - in his poorvasrama - had also studied Kavya 
Grantha' under the same swami. 

After completing successfully the 'Vedic Adyayana; he went to Mannargudi - to 
which place his parents had moved some time ago. Here, he learnt 'Vyakarna' at 
the feet of the Mannargudi Alagiasingar. Later he mastered the 'Vyakarna 
Sastras under the renowned Vyakarana Vidwan Nadadur Sri Krishnamachariar swami. 
When a patasala was established at Mannargudi under the management of Kottur 
Rangaswami Mudaliar Sri Rajagopalan joined the same. Some of the eminent 
Vidwans of the day like Sri Puthamkottam swami Thilliambur Sri 
Chakravarthiacharya swami and Perugavalandan Sri Krishnamachariar swami were on 
the staff. He learnt 'Divya Prabhanda' under Sri Kasi Kuppuswami Ayyangar. It 
was about the time, 'the 39th Jeeyar had nominated Karukurichi Srimad 
Alagiasingar to succeed him in office. At the age of eighteen, he married one 
Janakavalli. The couple were blessed with- a daughter and son. 

When the 40th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Lakshmi Nrusimha Paduka Sevaka Srivan 
Satakopa Sri Ranganatha Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan passed away, his 
successor, the 41st Jeeyar proceeded on a tour of Divyadesas. With the specific 
consent of the Jeeyar, Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar swami learnt Vedanta Sastras at 
the feet of the renowned Thilliambur swami. He became an adept in Kalakshepa 
granthas. He attended several sadas conducted at Kodiyalam, Pudukottai etc. and 
distinguished himself as a versatile scholar and a doughty exponent of 
Visistadvaita. 

When the 40th Jeeyar Swami sent a 'Srimukham' to Sri 'Thilliambur swami to 
nominate suitable Sishyas to do Kainkarya (service) in the math, the latter 
nominated Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar swami. Thence forward began an unbroken 
period of very intimate and cordial relationship with the successive Jeeyars. 
Serving under the fortieth Jeeyar, he accompanied him on his tour of Andhra 
Desa when the Jeeyar effected many structural improvements to the Temple at 
Ahobilam. 

When the Swami became too ill to perform the daily aradhana etc., he called 
upon Sri Gopala Ramabadrachariar to assume 'Sanyasa' and adorn the peetam as 
his successor. 

Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar swami's discourses on Ramayana enthralled asthikas 
everywhere. He also instructed many devout Srivaishnavas in Rahasya granthas. 
When the 41st Jeeyar was at Tiruvellore, he became ill and initiated Sri 
Injimedu Madaboosi Sri Ranganathacharya swami into Sannyasa Asrama on 4.6.1929, 
thus paving the way for eventual succession after him. 

The period of pontificate of Srimad Injimedu Alagiasingar will go down as a 
'Golden era' in the history of Ahobila math. He started the journal Sri 
Nrisimhapriya, conducted the Malola Sadas with great distinction and 
established the Sanskrit college at Madhurantakam. By the time Sri Injimedu 
Alagiasingar returned to Tiruvellore after a pilgrimage, Sri Rajagopala 
Ayyangar swami had moved over to Tiruvellore with his family. He was appointed 
as the Asthana Vidwan by the 42nd Jeeyar and permitted to deliver discourses at 
Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi and other great cities and he won wide acclaim as an 
outstanding exponent of our Sampradaya. Under Sri Devanarvilagam Alagiasingar - 
43rd in this illustrious tine - Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar continued his services 
as the Asthana Vidwan. He accompanied the Jeeyar on his tour of the North. The 
Jeeyar observed his 'Chaturmasya Sankalpa' at Risikesh. Plans were afoot to 
celebrate his birth asterism - Poorvashada falling in the month of Krittika at 
Naimisaranya - but the Jeeyar fell ill and passed away on 24.11.1957. At this 
critical moment in Math's history, Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar swami assumed the 
Sanyasasrama in the asterism of Sravana in November 1957 - and was installed on 
6.12.1957 at Naimisaranya P-s the fortyfourth Jeeyar. For nearly thirtyfive 
years, he presided over the affairs of the Math with great distinction. 

Now, he assumed the name - Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesikan combining 
the names of two of our most illustrious Acharyas - namely Sri Desika and Sri 
Ramanuja. Like Sri Ramanuja, he had the privilege of sitting at the feet of 
five Acharyas - and earned the title "Panchacharya Padasrayah". Like Sri 
Vedanta Desika, he has composed several works of great merit. Some of them are 
"Dayasagarasataka, Panchamrita Stotra, Brahmasootra Vivarana (565 slokas), 
Tiruppavai Subodhini, Lakshmeenrishimha Mangalam, Lakshmeenrisimha 
Karavalambam, Dwadasa Stotram, Karana Samarpana Santhanam, Injimedu 
Alagiasingar Mangalam and Sadhupadesa. Under his stewardship, the math 
witnesses spectacular growth. 

The 44th Swami constructed Brindavan in Naimisaranya for his predecessor, built 
a rest house and renovated the Rajagopurams of Upper Ahobilam and Adanoor. The 
Samprokshanam at Upper Ahobilam was performed on 30th June 1978. 

Several shrines were spruced up - Mukkur Temple, Kanchi Nammalvar sannidhi - 
Thayar Sannidhi at Injimedu Temple, Chaitra Brahmotsava mandapa, the tank 
(Hritthapanasini) at Tiruvellore, Sri Lakshminarayana Temple at Chembur 
(Bombay), Tiruvaheendrapuram Ahobila Math and Pullabhoothangudi Temple. The 
Sannidhi of Perumal, Sri Rama, Andal, Selvar at Trivellore were given facelift. 
A mirror room was also built and the Moolavar and Utsavar were adorned with 
costly jewellery like Muthangi and Ratnangi. The Sanskrit college at 
Madhurantakam- was provided with a first floor. 

In 1979, the Jeeyar returned to Srirangam saying that he had been commissioned 
by Lord Ranganatha in a dream to complete the construction of the Rajagopuram 
in the Southern entrance. Since then till his passing away in 1992 he stayed at 
Srirangam. The structure known as 'Mottai Gopuram' had long remained 
incomplete. 

Due to historical conditions, all the four Rajagopurams in the seventh 
enclosure remained incomplete. In the case of the southern gopuram or the 
Mottai gopuram the stone Kudya i.e. the wall portion was complete. The super 
structure of brick and mortar was not at all taken up. Even in its incomplete 
form, the Southern Rajagopuram, had attracted the viewers by its sheer size and 
grandeur. It measures 130' by 100'. The passage in the middle is 21'6" and has 
a row of five Jambs of enormous size. The Jambs - made-out of a single stone 
are 43' in height. The cross beams measured 23', x 4', x 4', We have no record 
to tell us how these huge stone slabs were hauled up and put in position. 
According to Fergusson, had it been completed, the gopura would have risen to 
an immense height of 300'. In the centre of the passage, there are two small 
shrines at the ground level of Srinivasa perumal in the east and Anjaneya in 
the West. 

The Srirangam Temple, the Holy of the holies has seven prakaras and hence it 
belongs to the Utthamottama class. Lord Ranganatha reclines facing south. The 
main entrance to the temple has remained ''Mottai' and nobody came forward to 
undo this anachronism which was certainly not in harmony in relation to 
otherwise complete and fullfledged Periakoil. This has to be set right and the 
indefatigable Jeeyar felt an irresistible urge within himself to set matters 
right - whatever the cost. 

With meticulous planning the swami obtained Government's permission to complete 
the huge structure. He went about the task of building the thirteen tired super 
structure. Thanks to his untiring efforts, the engineering marvel in temple 
architecture was achieved on the 25th March 1987 when the newly built 
Rajagopuram was sanctified in the presence of a most distinguished assembly 
which included a former President of India, Sri R. Venkataraman and the then 
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sri M.G. Ramachandran. 

This stupendous tower rising to a height of 236' - the largest of its kind in 
Asia testifies to the Jeeyar's iron will, noble heartedness, religious fervour 
and dedication to a cause so dear to Vaishnavas all over. 

Since then, millions of people from all parts of the globe have looked at it 
with awe. It has consumed 12,000 tons of cement, 130 tons of steel, 1,705 
million specialized bricks, 20,000 tons of sand and 1,000 tons of blue metal 
besides 8,000 litres of paint to give it a bewitching colour effect. The total 
weight of this mighty structure varies between 1.25 and 1.35 lakhs of tons. 

People contributed their mite the moment it was realised that the Jeeyar would 
not swerve from the objective. 

For ages to come, this will stand as a fitting monument to the memory of the 
indefatigable Jeeyar. 

The Swami made Srirangam his headquarters and stayed at Dasavatara Sannidhi - 
built by Tirumangai Alvar himself. In fact, the Jeeyar was also instrumental in 
founding the colony known as 'Dasavatara Nagar'. 

The Jeeyar lived a full span of life. Except for a few weeks before his sad 
demise on the 16th August 1992 at the ripe age of 97, he was performing the 
aradhana himself and looking after the affairs of the math. 

He displayed great foresightedness when he chose the successor and initiated 
him into the ascetic order. A smooth succession was effected on 24.8.1992 when 
the 45th Jeeyar assumed office. 

Jeer 45

Achtakshara, the 8-syllable mantra is very very important, especially to 
Sreevaishnava's, for, it symbolises the effective bestower of everything one 
aspires for, including Sriman Narayana Himself and at whose feet, seekers of 
the Divine, would like to serve eternally in His abode. Hence the number 
"eight" is quite significant ant it is a remarkable coincidence that the 45th 
Jeeyar, Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan, should be the 
Eighth Pontiff in the hierarchy of Sri Ahobila Mutt, to bear the asrama name 
"Narayana", the very subject and object of Ashtakshara! Ashtakshara itself 
literally means Sacred Eight letters. The earlier seven Azhagiyasingars (with 
the name Narayana), to adorn the Mutt were 2, 9, 12, 14, 18, 22 and 31st 
Jeeyars. 

Having said this, let us link this personage with another incident that 
indirectly portended his ascension to this glorious spiritual throne. The 
greatest achievement of the 42nd Jeeyar was to produce a galaxy of scholars 
specialising in Sreebhashyam, many of whom are alive today, to our good 
fortune, so as to guide us to seek the path of the ultimate goal. AR the 
Sixtyfour of them had the good luck to learn and master the knowledge at his 
feet and a few to mention, are Villivalam Narayanacharya (elder brother of the 
45th Jeeyar in his poorvasrama), Villivalam Krishnamacharya (45th Jeeyar), 
Thirukkallam Narasimharaghavacharya, Purisai Krishnamacharya (grandson of 42nd 
Jeeyar and the editor of Sri Nrisimha Priya), Sri S. Varadhachariar (former 
Federal Court Judge), Injimedu Rajagopalachariar (senior-most Aradhaka of 
Ahobila Mutt), Melpakkam Narasimhacharya (an authority today in Dharma 
Sastras), Pnamukai Narasimhacharya (present Srikaryam), among other eminent 
ones. 

Now, Villivalam Krishnamacharya (45th Jeeyar in his Poorvasrama) had also the 
added advantage of serving the 42nd Jeeyar personally that helped him to move 
closely and learn all that one could desire to imbibe. It was not that easy for 
anyone to serve him, because 42nd Jeeyar with his profound knowledge and 
seasoned saintlihood was also sternly simple and austerely sober. So, one had 
to be always on guard with abundant care and attention, for one will not know 
what error one may commit inadvertently while serving him. The Jeeyar was, no 
doubt a great humanist and habitually sweet-tempered; yet his one look was 
enough to cause trepidation. To such a holy one, Villivalam Swamy had endeared 
himself and, therefore, in the middle of the night one day,' when he was about 
to draw water from a deep well to be given to the Jeeyar who had just then 
returned from the backyard, the Jeeyar gently restrained him for a moment and 
asked him what time it was. When he was told it was 12.30 p.m. he said, past 
midnight one should draw water from a well only after uttering a certain Vedic 
hymn to ward off the evil spirits lingering there. Since Villivalam Swamy was 
not even aware of such a thing, the Azhagiyasingar himself, chanting the sloka, 
lowered the pitcher into the deep well and then allowed Krishnamacharya to lift 
up the filled-in pitcher. Then and there he taught him the mantra, since both 
of them, having not slept in and not touched the bed were pure enough to utter 
the Vedic sloka at that time. Significantly, the Jeeyar added. "Learn such 
directives, for, they will be useful to you now and in the future". 

This not only prompted Villivalam Krishnamacharya to write an authoritative 
text on AHNIKA GRANTHA entitled, "SRI VAISHNAVA SADHACHARA NIRNAYA" wherein all 
the duties of a religious- minded man, from dawn to night, have been compiled 
as "AHNIKAM" and made available to posterity; but also made the prediction of 
the 42nd Jeeyar true in respect of the 45th Jeeyar indirectly, as this 
Azhagiyasingar is fully making use of them and is strictly adhering to the 
directives, unmindful of the inconveniences and obstacles. 

Born on December 12, 1926 at Villivalam in North Arcot district, Sri 
Krishnamacharyar was a student of the Madras University, passing Nyaya Siromani 
in 1949 and received the first prize for general proficiency. His elder 
brother, Vedanta Vaavadhooka Narayanachariar Swamy gave him the requisite basic 
foundation, after which Krishnamacharya learnt Nyaya and Meemamsa Sastras at 
the feet of 42nd and 43rd Azhagiyasingars. He had served as Tamil Pandit in the 
Ramakrishna Vidyalaya, Chingleput for four years from 1956 and subsequently as 
"Nyaya" Professor in the Sri Ahobila Mutt Sanskrit College, Madhurantakam till 
1965. He was appointed "Asthana Vidwan" of the Mutt by the 44th Jeeyar in 1966 
and he had been Joint Editor of Sri Nrisimha Priya (Tamil) since 1982. 

Settling down at Madras, Krishnamacharya had been giving discourses in 
Sreebhasya, Rahasyatrayasara, Ramayana, Bhagavatham, Thiruppavai and Geetha at 
various places of the country for the past 30 years. He had also been 
conducting daily discourses in Madras for the benefit of his friends and 
disciples in the traditional way on the various Granthas of Sree Vaishnava 
philosophy. His contribution as a member on the board of Ahobila Mutt Sanskrit 
Vidya Abhivardhinee Sabha, a registered body that manages the Mutt's Oriental 
High Schools at West Mambalam and Madhuranthakam as also the Sanskrit College 
at Madhuranthakam, is quite large. He has written commentaries on a number of 
ancient works. Krishnamacharya's articles regularly published in Sri Nrisimha 
Priya (Tamil) that included Vishnu Purana serial and Upansishaths were avidly 
read. 

The 44th Jeeyar suddenly took ill in October 1991 and without hesitation he 
called upon Krishnamacharya to take up the reins of the Mutt. The annointation 
ceremony took place on October 21, 1991 amidst traditional rituals, that 
prepared Krishnamacharya for renunciation and then ascension as the 45th 
Peetadhipathi of Ahobila Mutt, when he took the asrama name, "Srivan Satakopa 
Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan". It will be significant to note here that 
Krishnamacharya had his Panchasamskaram from the 42nd Jeeyar, Bharasamarpanam 
(Saranagathi) under 43rd Jeeyar and Presha Mantropadesa from the 44th Jeeyar at 
Sri Ahobila Kshetra. 

The 45th Jeeyar recalls his close association with the three preceding pontiffs 
- the present Mukkoor Jeeyar, the Devanarvilagam Jeeyar and lnjimedu Jeeyar and 
said that but for their meticulous training and guidance, he would not have 
been elevated to this high position. Recapitulating nostalgically, the guidance 
he had specially received at the feet of his (poorvasrama) elder brother Sri 
Villivalam Narayanachariar, the Azhagiyasingar added, with his characteristic 
humility, that his clear duty was only to live up to their training, guidance, 
ideals and thus carry on the torch of their glorious traditions. 

There has been an unbroken succession of great Acharyas in Ahobila Mutt, who 
have realised the "TRUTH" and are always intent on the good of their following, 
and through them, the good of the world at large. The scriptures stress that 
the guidance of "Acharya" is a "Must" for enlightenment and self- realisation 
for he alone can lead us from darkness to light. It is this torch of 
illumination that I am called upon to carry for the benefit of sishyas and 
aspirants, said His Holiness






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> 
Yahoo! Domains - Claim yours for only $14.70
http://us.click.yahoo.com/Z1wmxD/DREIAA/yQLSAA/VkWolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 

 
Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SriRangaSri/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    SriRangaSri-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
 


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
srirangasri-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list