DEAR ALL

RADHEKRISHNA

Brahmashri Cuddalore Gopi Bhagavathar Says

My sincere thanks to all bagawathas and bajan mandalis and sathsangh who have extended their support for the Bagawatha Sangamam 2015. Bakthaswara Bajan Mandali , Chennai who have been promoting Nama sankeerthan for a long time has also accepted to be a part of this divine event. Getting calls from various corners in support of this event.Tamil Nadu, Pondy, Kerala, Karnataka,Delhi, Dubai ,Gujarath are being represented. I need representaions from Mumbai, Andhra and other parts of India and across the world. to associate themselves. More particular is the fact rather than money i want bakthas across the world to participate. A final update will be after the informal meeting on Sunday. All are welcome. NAMA PARATHE SADHANA NAHI.

Lets have a darshan of a Great Bhagavathar today

He was a star attraction and a crowd puller in those days. Very religious, strict abider of sampradhaya. He was considered a Very good singer. He was adhering to paddathi always but very innovative in approach. He was popular for introducing namavalis. I must say that what we sing as abhangs nowadays are the tunes composed by him and a great gift from this Mahaan. A very noble hearted man, he foresaw that namasankeerthanam will take a great part in a man's pursuit one day and compiled many songs, abhangs, and from all dravidian languages. He was associated with all the greats of those days and maintained an unique place too. He used to conduct Radhakalyanam at Nungambakkam and Triplicane regularly.

I must very humbly accept that singing for the benefit of listeners is his technique and we all have adopted this. He was a good organizer. He has started Panduranga Bhajan Mandali and Still now it grows in leaps and bounds. He had ardent devotees and shishyaas to carry on his mission. T.S.Krishna Murthy, Venkatesa Bagavathar and many more are there to mention. I remember one abhangam of all he sang still, "Nama gethaa utaa uti". A beautiful tune still mesmerizing. His name "Bhagavatha Shiromani T.V.Narayana Sastri" will ever be in the names of any one sing bhajan ever. You must live with a purpose having taken a human form. He achieved it like our Pudukkottai Appa. Please see our Dear Khole Nataraja Iyer is playing Mridangam in photo above.

I forgot to mention that he brought out a tamil bhajan sampradhaya bhajan book with the help of his great admirer and shishyaa "Kodai Idi A.K.Gopala Iyengar" which was still now very popular.

He has left behind his entire clan to carry on his Mission. His son "Chelli Vaidhyanathan" and grand son "Ananthanarayanan" are still performing and Let gurunathar bless this family. My best wishes to Ananthu for his bright future. Radhekrishna

Let us have a Dharshan of a Grand Old Great Bhagavathar of Chennapuri..

He was called "CHINTHAMANI IYENGAR". He was the senior most and revered bhagavathar of his era. A doyen of Namasankeerthanam. He has created a wide circle of fans and deciples and was a reason for many Radha/Seetha kalyana Utsavams being conducted now in Chennai. A great Scholar, Sanskrit Pundit, he was working for a Bank in those days..He has actively participated in Namasankeerthanam elsewhere in the City, Ambattur, Washermanpet, Georgetown, Mylapore, Nungambakkam etc..The city is well connected by bus services nowadays...Imagine those days....Hats of to those great people...In this photo you can see our Guruji is hugging sri Chinthamani Mama...See the love and affection people shown to this Noble Heart....Let us prostrate before him today..

 — with Chitamani Iyengar and H.H.Swami Haridoss Giri (Guruji).

Lets have a darshan of a Great Bhagavathar today

Just a look at him will give you, whatever you wanted. It was his penance(Tapas), his commitment (Sankalpa), his coveted place in the hearts of thousands of listeners and co-performers as well as the organisors has made him greatest of the greats in this field. He saw God while singing as he could not see this sinful world around. He cried during singing not because he cant see physically but seeing the omnipresent in his heart.

He was a walking dictionary. Knows thousands and thousands of Keerthanas, Javalis, Padams, Namavalis, Slokams etc. He was doing hari keerthana from his young age. More than 75 years he served this field. He did this as service and never bothered about remuneration. Bakthi is predominant and he ensured the Paddathi (as designed by the elders) is strictly followed. He was affluent in southern indian languages as well as Sanskrit. He never succumbed to the pressure of either his shishyaas or the Kartha..i.e.co-performers and the organisors. He will sincerely sit and sing, very slowly, legibly, with righteousness in approach, determination and devotion.

Those villages where he was doing Radhakalyanam or Seetha Kalyanam never changed persons when he was alive.(more than 50 - 60 years continuously). He was a strict teacher but never scolded any one of his disciples.
He was chosen to lead the namasankeerthan in all the three Mutt namely, Govindapuram, Thiruvisanallur and Marudanallur. He made everyone to sing along which was a rare quality in those days.I still remember each and every song I heard from his mouth. I still remember the kindness, he has shown to others. JUST REMEMBER HE LOST HIS EYE SIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BOY AND ALWAYS DEPENDED ON OTHERS BUT NEVER ANYONE WOULD HAVE SEEN HIS ANGER or DISPLEASURE. I COULD NOT CONTROL MY ROLLING TEARS.

Please believe me that He sang for the benefit of others always. Ashta Aiswaryam, as elders say, showered on the place where he sang. I know so many people flourished, because of the association with him either in participation or by a MERE Namaskaram. In those days many vedic scholars, singers attended his Bhajans.
Singing of Ashtapathi was his liking. Spell bound performance. Many leading stars of those days, were seen participating in his bhajans. I have seen, Him alongwith Kumbakonam Balu Bagavathar, Srivanjiyam Ramachandra Bagavathar, Mayavaram Krishnamurthi Bagavathar, Srirangam Sethumathava Rao, Pudukkottai Sanjeevi Bagavathar, Thanjavur Subbarama Bagavathar....all in one line....Unbelievable yet true....

He has produced many many disciples to carry on his mission like Kollidam Rayar, Rangan, Udayalur Kalyanarama Bagavathar, Thanjavur Thyagu, Mayavaram Muthu, Mayavaram Vijayan, to name a few. BHEL Pichai, Sethalapathi Soundararaja baghavathar, Thiruvisanallur Ramakrishna Baghavathar and your own Kovai were frequent participants in his bhajans. No one will forget the services rendered to this great soul, by Kollidam Rayar and Rangan( who is doing pooja at Govindapuram Pandurangan Temple now)

Sri Sri Sri Krishna Premi Maharaj had always regarded this Great man as his bhajan Guru. He will ever be in the minds of his Bakthaas.

PS:
When I wanted to write about him I was searching for his photo. No one had any photo of him doing namasankeerthanam. I will always be thankful to Hosur Anantharaman, a Great deotee of our Bagavathar, for the pains he has taken to locate and transmit it to me. I have given more photos separately. I will also post his video soon.

LET US PROSTRATE BEFORE THIS DOYEN OF BHAJAN SAMPRADHAAYA, "SRI SRI THIRUVIDAIMARUDHUR VENKATARAMA BHAGAVATHAR"

Lets have a darshan of a great Bhagavathar today

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Lets have a darshan of a Great Bhagavathar today

THIRUVIDAI MARUDHOOR VENKATARAMA BHAGAVATHASWAMI

Let us have the Dharshan of yet another Bhagavatha Swami the Chennai City has witnessed and possessed with pride. "SHRI VEMBU MAMA"

He had all the qualities required for calling him as Bhagavathar. He was Kept very high in place by his associates of those days for his knowledge and character. He was a sanskrit scholar, kavya natakaalankaara vidwan, had vivid knowledge in Tamil, Telu

gu and sanskrit. He knows the paddathi very clearly and adopted it till his end. He had special interest in Pavvalimpu Kritis. He has also composed songs in Telugu, Sanskrit and Tamil. He was always seen among all satsanghis like Chinthamani Iyengar, Knott Annaji Rao, Ramachandra Hari etc. He has associated himself with Sri Arana Sangham and devoted most of the time for spreading Namasankeerthanam in the City. Though he had not the throat of a nightingale he was a star among the artistes of his time. Guruji Haridoss Giri Maharaj had special regards for this pleasant Bhagavathar always. His Son Ganesan played mridangam for Guruji many years. 

Let us prostrate before this Bhagavatha Swami today.

Radhekrishna

Sri Sathguru Swami Gnanananda Giri Guru Mahan

Courtesy : Facebook Post

Guru Bhakti arises out of the psychic communion existing between the disciple and the guru in the disciple's heart. The guru is the spiritual father. In the words of Swami, "A true disciple has no sadhana to perform. He has only to surrender himself completely to his guru".

Nothing could be nobler than the guru's willingness to take over the disciple. Swami believed in the spontaneity of surrender, the totality, the absoluteness of it. Time and again, swami has reiterated that we can attain realisation only through the guidance and blessings of the guru. In the words of Swami, "When the disciple is ready, the guru will automatically appear on the scene". Guru is verily the Divine in human form. Guru Bhakti would help us to do service with humility, destroy our ego and prove to be a constant source of inner strength. There is nothing in this world which cannot be attained with the "anugraha" or favour of the guru. The relationship between a guru and the disciple has been hailed as something without a parallel, as being entirely on a supra-human plane. The union between the guru and the disciple lefts us to "the plane of original non-duality".

Lets have darshan of a Great Bhagavathar today

"Sri Sanghu Subramania Iyer" fondly called "Sanganna". A very friendly, knowledgeable personality. A great devotee and a Master for many of the Namasankeerthanam aspirants in the city..Even today he has been regarded as a hero among his deciples. He was working for Genmini Studios in those days.When time permits I shall write more about him.Let him bless us for our en devour for enlightenment.

Let us have the Darshan of Bhagavathar turned Sanyasin, to obey his guru's mission of spreading the namasankeerthanam throughout the world

"Sri Dhandapaani Anna" for us and "H.H.Swami Namanandhagiri Maharaj" erstwhile Peetadipathi of Dhakshina Haalaasyam, Gnananandha Giri Peetam, Thennangur. What a, personality, simplicity, pious, ever smiling, ever caring, unbiased.....So much I can write but I truly believe words will nearly fail my thoughts about him. So Scholarly in this subject of our field, he can sing many many, songs just from his memory..Once you surrender 100% unto your Guru's feet...nothing is impossible.. He toured the whole world for namasankeerthanam, when he was under rated by his fellow singers during those period. He returned victorious and without any hesitation arranged a bhajan mela with those of them to show all are equal in the eyes of a true sanyasin...

A true Sadhaka and trained sanyasin kept healing so many people without any publicity as per the tradition of my Gurunathar H.H.Swami Gnananandha Giri Maharaj.

Saadhu Darshanam Paapa Vimochanam..

Please put in your difficulties in HIM and be relieved of it by just remembering HIM.

Radhekrishna.

Let us have the Darshan of yet another Great Bhagavathar today. SRIRANGAM SRI R.SETHUMATHAVA RAO

Just writing his name I could feel his vibration in all the my body. Such a dynamic, learned, sincere bhagavathar of yesteryears.

He is One man army. His Goal is accomplishing his mission. His mission is "to sing HIS HOLY NAME TILL MY LAST BREATH.". Did he achieved it?. Yes. I have witnessed 

it. Fighting his throat Cancer, he conducted his last seetha kalyanam, he usually does every year for more than 45 years. Within 10 days he attained his Mukthi. Down the memory lane I could see the conviction he had on that day. Despite his family members protest he conducted the seetha kalyanam and directed me to sit by his side and made me sing for the dance during that time.

A vedic scholar he was fearless to correct his fellowmen when they make mistakes. His anger on site, (this phrase is intended for you youngsters, for others it will be "during bhajans")is popular. He was always right you know!. He never wanted people to see the printed books to refer in those days. He wanted every one's attention should be fixed on the LORD.

A relentless worker. Never bothered about the crowd nor about any accompaniments. But I know so many Mridangam artistes and Harmonium players volunteered for his bhajan. His bhajan were of Classroom type. Once you attended one it will be in your memory always. His divyanama bhajans and Puja Sessions were just Awesome. You must believe that only youngsters frequented to his session in more numbers. He was a darling for a lot of us. Kovai, Dindigul, Udumalpet, Mohanur, Nagaiyanallur, Varadharajapuram, Mettuppalayam,Srirangam were some of the places I have visited along with him.

He was user friendly. He will adjust to any situation. Never minded the food, timings, hospitality, logistic difficulties.

How will I forget the "Aadhi Moolame Kuzhandai" "Bopu Hogonna Baro Ranga"...Thoo Maajhi Mavuli, Sadha Majhe Dolaa...or any of his Dasara Kritis and Divyanama Kritis.

With his blessings only I dedicated my whole life for Namasankeerthana. I adopted his singing style, working nuances, adjustability. To reach this height is amazing but A Guru will always guide you properly. He left behind his son Ramachandra Rao to take up his work. He also does very beautifully and his father's blessings will always be there for him. My Best wishes to him.

Let us have the Dharshan of a Great Bhagavathar today.

Superstar of yesteryears. Any comment or remark or explanation about his skills on his field will be of no use and the writer will never justify his writing. Such a great Bhagavathar this field has ever produced. He was a Trier, a true performer, perfectionist. More over I remember the way he was loved by the audience. He was considered equal to any Film personalities or Great Carnatic musicians of those days. The crowd puller himself, I wondered why this man is glowing? He never applied any cosmetics but looked very fresh and beautiful even ordinary layman will not take back his eyes leave alone the ladies gathering. He was first in everything. When he danced the crowd went berserk. When he enacted Bakthi Stories like Daksha yagnam, crowd hailed his conversational skills. I will never hesitate to tell you all that, he was the one turned the attention of ordinary people towards Namasankeerthanam. It was not accepted to most artistes of those days. But this service of him, has made tremendous effect among public and more and more people have organized bhajan activities elsewhere in Tamilnadu and neighbouring states. 

He was a Sanskrit Scholar, being born in a highly religious family learnt Vedas & Sastras, He learnt Bharatha Natyam in Pandhanallur School and Music from his own relatives. He performed pure south indian traditional bhajans and for attracting more people enacted devotional dramas and dance. (In those days public were reluctant to attend Bhajans owing to various Socio-Relegious-Political climate)

I cannot forget the "Sandhana Kaattukkulle". You can visualise the real Oonjal flying back and forth in front of your eyes. You can see Lord Rama going to Forest and after penance returns to Ayodhya victorious, adorns the throne with Maa Sita in his "Bhavayami Raghu Ramam". Lord Shiva's celestial dance in "Daksha Yagnam".The climax of Bakthi as depicted by Saint Meera Bai, in his "Nimmadhi Adaindhen". An everlasting performance of a Kurathi(Mountain Girl) in which I have seen people cry virtually when he tells his own story dubiously that of the kurathi.

I have not given enough, I have just started.....One thing is for sure....Whatever tactics we do nowadays to pull and keep the audience, for spreading the Namasankeerthana, are from this Great Bhagavathar only. We have been blessed to be associated with him. Words will do nothing to show you the picture of my mind..Let me close this now and I fondly remember His Sishyaas E.K.Srinivasan, E.K.Jayaraman, Serukalathur Narayana Sivam, Thiruvaiyaru Venkatarama Iyer, N.S.Venkataraman, T.N.Mahadevan, Srivanjiyam Gopalan, Nannilam Ramanadhan, Srivanjiyam Murali about whom I shall upload Photos and clips.

My sincere Namaskarams to this Great Bhagavathar 'SRIVANJIYAM M.RAMACHANDRA BHAGAVATHAR"

Let us have the Dharshan of yet another Great Bagavathar the namasankeerthana field has produced. Sri Mayavaram Krishnamurthy Bhagavathar.

He has reined this field for more than 6 decades. Words stumble to explain his Bhajans. What should I say.

I remember the days I was with him when he was in full form. He sat as Lord Dakshinamurthy surrounded by his deciples, Sri Aduthurai Vaitha Anna, Podakkudi Sivachaariar, Thiruvarur Pattappa, Thanjavur Subbarama Bagavathar, Sri Madhu and also his sons. On Harmonium Mayavaram Sri.Mani Iyer and On Mridangam Sri Muzhaiyur Ramamurthy Iyer. They produced an aura of Divinity which spectator still would remember. About his performance?. Who will sing like that? The melody of his voice mesmorised the audience. He is one of the foremost Bagavathar in this field to introduce Dance during Bhajans. For which he underwent training which please note. He danced to some padams, javalis, for Dheepa Aavahanams etc. While dancing he will sing for himself and put Thalam himself. The song will be of some Rhythms(Thalakkattu....Pl.Consult some elders). His Thalam will be on different Rhythms and the feet with yet another. Amazing Skills. I never saw him cough once even after 15 days of continuous day and night performance. God's Gift. I can never forget "Nadathu Baa", "Aadinadheppadiyo", "Pazhani", "Kalai thookki Nindru" etc. I am so glad that his tradition is carried on by his son Gnanaguru Bagavathar. All the best to him. Let this Great Bhagavathar bless us today

Let us have a Darshan of a noble bhagavathar today

Every house in our Southern part of India is strict in maintaining their tradition, culture and glory of their clan. Being born to a Great Bhagavathar, our today's hero, Sri Sanjeevi Bhagavatha Swami, was taught, Telugu & Sanskrit besides his schooling. He was asked to undergo musical training as per his Dad's wish. Usual house pooja, Achaara Anushtana, Unchavridhi were given to him. He started accompanying his Great Master, Daddy, (sorry for my language...this is intended for younger generation and elders please excuse) Sri Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar of Pudukkottai. He has served Bhajan Sampradhaya for around 65 years before handing over the torch to his Sons. Like Father like son.. He has travelled length and breath of our Motherland, for the purpose of spreading namasankeerthana. He has kept alive the tradition of his father and only in his period this tradition was called Pudukkottai Paddathi.. He encouraged younger generation widely and earned a reputation from his fellow men for his humble and adjustable nature.

This photo was taken when he graciously accepted to perform in our house 20 years back. I will be always thankful to him as His Bhajan and his Puja in our house has transformed my whole life and I owe him for what ever I am now. My pranams to this Great Bhagavathar.Sri Sri Sanjeevi Bhagavatha Swami.

Have the Darshan of this great bhagavathar today

Kaliyuga Chaithanya Mahaprabhu, Pudukkottai Sri Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavatha Swami. A great Guru for many of the elderly bhagavathaas now living. A great inspiration for lakh and lakh ordinary people. One who has transformed quiet a lot of people to believe in Namasankeerthanam. His true traditional, devotional, singing has its root from his native village "Sornakkadu" where many Bhagavathaas were living. His true unshakeable devotion towards his Kuladeivam Lord Narasimha has granted a boon of taking the tradition of Namasankeerthanam from this Mahatma till today in his family.See the map: Sri Sri Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar->Sri Sanjeevi Bhagavathar->Sri Narasimha Bhagavathar&Sri Ravi Bhagavathar(Later to be called Sri Sri Ramanandha Saraswathi Swamigal->their children. Namasankeerthanam gives you health, wealth, peace, prosperity and also kith and kin to take the torch for future. Let us prostrate before this Mahathma

Let us have the Dharshan of a Great Bhagavathar who lived upto 92 years who recently passed away

He has conducted a Sita Kalyanam and a Radha Kalyanam for more than 70 years individually from the meager income of a Prohit in a village called Kattuputhur in Trichy Dist. He was born to his parents after their sincere prayer to Sri Sadhasiva Brhmendral a great saint from a nearby village called Nerur as a prasadham. A very pious, sincere Bhagavathar who commanded highest regards from his fellow artistes. Let us, to day, have a Dharshan of this Mahatma "Brhmashri Sadasiva Baghavathar @ Kuppudu Baghavathar of Kattuputhur

Lets have darshan of Great Bhagavathars today

Let us have a darshan of Great Bhagavathars today

This Photograph was taken in 1990 at a Radhakalyanam held at Kallukuzhi, Trichy. You can see Great Yester year Bagavathaas like, Kumbakonam Balu Bagavathar, His elder brother, Ganghadhara Bagavathar, Mohanur Viswanatha Iyer, L.S.Ramakrishna Bagavathar, Thanjavur Subbarama Bagavathar, Thanjavur Anantha Krishna Bagavathar,Mutharasanallur Seetharaman etc. You can also see present Bagavathars like, Trichy Sivarama Iyer, BHEL Pichai, Ramani, Kovai Jayaraman, Thanjavur Ramabadra Bagavathar, BHEL Adhinarayanan, Trichy Devi Prasad, Trichy Vagula etc

The Divine voice of Satguru Sri Gnanananda Giri Swamigal

Photograph taken during the year 1957 - Sathguru Gnanananda Maharaj Ki Jai !

DEAR FRIENDS, BAKTHAAS, RASIKAAS,

I WELCOME YOU ALL TO MY NEW BLOG DEDICATED TO OUR GURUNATHAR SRI SRI SRI GNANANANDHAGIRI SWAMI OF TAPOVANAM, TIRUKOYILUR.

Radhe Krishna! Tapovana Gnananandhaki JAI |..Sadguru Gnananandamoorthyki JAI ||

     

I PRAY TO MY GURU TO BLESS YOU ALL WITH THE DIVINE GRACE FOR YOUR PURSUIT IN YOUR LIFE.

KOVAI JAYARAMAN

Kovai Sri Jayaraman Namasankeerthanam September 2011 Schedule

DEAR FRIENDS AT COIMBATORE. FROM 8TH SEPT TO 10TH SEPT YOU CAN ENJOY THE BHAJANS OF KOVAI JAYARAMAN.

08.09.2011 SAI BHAJAN AT THE WORLD'S FIRST EVER SATHYA SAI TEMPLE SITUATED AT THIRUVALLUVAR NAGAR, SOMAYANUR, KANUVAI TO ANAIKATTY ROAD, COIMBATORE-641 108. PHONE: 9944253263/0422-2440102

09.09.2011 SANMARGA SANGH HALL, DEVANGA HIGH SCHOOL ROAD, COIMBATORE-641002 CONTACT PH:9994962225

10.09.2011 AT VINAYAKAR TEMPLE, SRIVATSA GARDENS, METTUPALAYAM ROAD, COIMBATORE, CONTACT PH:9994962225

Poojyasri Nityanandha giri Swamigal of Tapovanam

ஞானாநந்தமே பேரானந்தம்

குருநாதரின் அருளுரைகள்

அன்பாயிரு ஆனால் அடிமையாயிராதே
இரக்கம்காட்டு ஆனால் ஏமாந்து போகாதே
கொடையாளியாயிரு ஆனால் ஓட்டண்டியாயிராதே
சிக்கனமாயிரு ஆனால் கருமியாயிராதே
சுறுசுறுப்பாய் இரு ஆனால் படபடப்பாய் இராதே
பொறுமையாய் இரு ஆனால் சோம்பலாய் இராதே
வீரனாய் இரு ஆனால் போக்கிரியாய் இராதே
இல்லறத்தை நடத்து ஆனால் காமவெறியனாய் இராதே
பற்று அற்று இரு ஆனால் காட்டுக்குப் போய் விடாதே
நல்லோரை நாடு ஆனால் அல்லாரை வெறுத்து விடாதே

Swami Gnanananda

“To obtain [the Sat-Guru’s] grace the disciple should be the embodiment of service; like Satsang and Iswara pranidhana [surrender to God] it brings the mind under subjection and helps one to achieve one’s objective very quickly. Loving service to the guru is very important for attainment of wisdom.

 

Only one who serves the spiritual master, says the Swami, comes to possess the wisdom that is taught by him, just as only he who digs with a spade gets water. There is nothing in this world which cannot be attained with the anugraha or favour of the guru.”

Sadguru Gnanananda, His Life, Personality and Teachings, by His Devotees (Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 1979), p. 109.

The gift of Gnanananda

COURTESY: http://haridasgirigandhi.blogspot.com

The first memory of Gnanananda is of Him at ‘Narayana Bhavanam’ at Tapovanam, some time in the mid sixties.

The sage was giving darshan to members of a guided trip to His ashram. I was with my mother as part of a group.

Mother was worried about her growing hearing disability, but her affinity for the Sage was such that she wanted to communicate with Him then and there.

WHAT IS MAYA - AS EXPLAINED BY OUR GURUNATHAR

Bhagwan Krishna and Narada were going in a forest. After travelling a distance, Krishna felt thirsty. He asked Narada to fetch Him water. Narada went immediately to get water.

Narada reached a village nearby and knocked the door of a house and it opened. Behind the doors stood a beautiful lady, with attractive eyes. She was equal to celestial Ramba in her beauty. She enquired in her sweet voice, "who is knocking the door?" Narada, on seeing the beautiful lady, forgot the purpose of his visit. He talked various things about love but did not whisper about water. Sun began to set, yet Narada was going on with his conversation with the lady. Narada stayed in that village that night. Next day, he visited that lady and he became very friendly with her. Days rolled on. The Magnet, attracted the needle well. Love blossomed. It ripened and ended in a marriage. They led a pleasant married life and three children were born to them. Thus 12 years passed and father of the lady died. Narada got his properties too. He was very happy.

PARAMAHAMSA PARIVRAJAKAACHAARYA JAGADHGURU

COURTESY:http://www.xomba.com/about_gnanananda_giri

After Mahasamadhi of his Guru, Swami Gnanananda Giri became the peetathipathi of Jyotir Mutt. Swamiji did not show any interest in Peeta & nominated Swami Ananda Giri, as his successor and started out to the high Himalayas for undertaking intense penance. Swami Gnanananda wandered high into the snow-covered mountains of Kashmir, Nepal and all over the Himalayan range & met several yogis. The sages of Himalayas performed rare kayakalp treatment to him & inserted special herb in to a vein of his fore arm. It is the obsolete method of preserving the body in health and vigor for more than 100 years for performing extreme spiritual penance in harsh climatic conditions at higher altitudes.

OUR GURUNATHAR'S EARLY LIFE BEFORE RENUNCIATION

COURTESY: http://www.xomba.com/about_gnanananda_giri

Sri Gnanananda's life Prior to renunciation

Swami Gnanananda's Purvashram (life prior to renunciation) is surrounded by mystery. In fact, his age itself is beyond one's estimate. It is believed that he lived more than 250 to 300 years.

It is believed that that Swami Gnanananda was born long ago at Mangalapuri in the North Kanara district to an orthodox Brahmin couple Sri Venkoba Ganapatigal and Smt. Sakkubai. The child was named as Subramanya. At his young age Subramanya did not show interest in formal education. He was indifferent to external things of life and deeply absorbed in knowing thy self. At the age of 12 Subramanya followed a divine light and reached Pandharpur. There, he had a divine darshan of Lord Panduranga and-Rukmayi. It is in this place boy met his Guru, Swami Sivaratna Giri of Jyotirmutt, one of the four mutts established by saint Adi Sankara.

Sri Sivaratnagiri Swamiji judged his spiritual depth and accepted him as his disciple. Boy was duly educated in "Ashtanga Yoga, Hindu scriptures, upanishadic truths etc. Subramanya was given "Sanyasa" and was named "Sri Gnanananda Giri."

TAPOVANAM

COURTESY:http://www.xomba.com/about_gnanananda_giri

Sri Gnanananda Thapovanam meaning, "forest of penance is a place of pilgrimage established by Swami Gnananandagiri. It is located on the northern bank of the river South Pennar (also called Dakshina Pinakini), 3KM away from Tirukoilur, on the Tirukoilur - Tiruvannamalai highway, Tamil Nadu, India.

Tirukoliur is the famous vaishnative pilgrimage center where presiding deities are Ulagalanda Perumal (Thiruvikrama Swami) and Pushpavallithayar.This. It is one among the 108 Divya Deshams for Vaishnavas.