Nurani C.Shivaram,Troy, MI
In our homeland, Bharat, God has incarated in several forms, during several periods for the uplift of Dharma whenever Adharma was gaining ascendancy. The Avatars of Rama and Krishna are well known, but these were before Kaliyuga. We have had several Avatars in Kaliyuga, one of which was Adi Sankaracharya, who dominated the scene 2000 years ago. He resuscitated Hindu Dharma and weaned it away from the influence of atheism and superstitions and ignorant practices All these he did in a short span of 32 years of earthly existence. He traveled the length and breadth of this country and established several Mutts to propagate the Upanashidic teachings and thoughts. Among these that have gained prominence are five viz. Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, Sringeri and Kanchi. Adi Sankara ascended Sarvajana Peeth at Kanchi and established the Kamakoti Peetha, He also attained final Samadhi at Kanchi. Over the centuries, the great Sankaracharyas of the Kanchi and other mutts have endeavored to perform the difficult task of preserving and nurturing the Vedas and Dharmas. Of them, Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekhendra Saraswathi Swamigal. who passed away at the ripe age of 100 years more than a decade ago, came in the direct line of Sishya parampara of Adi Sankara.
Life history of Shri Chandra Sekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal
His Holiness was born on Sunday the 20th May 1894 in the asterism Anuradha at Villipuram in South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. He was the second son of Shri Subramanya Sastry and Smt Meenakshi Ammal, a Kannada Brahmin family settled in Tamil Nadu, following Rig Vedic traditions. Shri Subramanya was an Inspector of schools and had four sons and one daughter. The second son was named Swaminathan, who grew up to be an extraordinary child. He had a prodigious memory, and things once mentioned and learnt were retained by him, In due course, the upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) was performed and Swaminathan was initiated into the study of the Vedas as was customary in those days in Brahmin families. He also received music lessons and attained a certain degree of proficiency in Carnatic music,
At the age of eight. Swaminathan was admitted to the second standard in the American Mission School at Tindivanam. He came out first in the examination and bagged many prizes. He acquired proficiency in Bible too and took part in the school dramas notably Shakespearean plays, and received high praise,
In 1906 when Swaniinathan was in the fourth grade. the 66th Peetathipathi of Kanchi, also named Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swami was touring Tindivanam and other places. The 12 year old boy attracted the attention and received the blessings of the Acharya. Early in 1907, a telegram was received by Shri Subramanya Sastry for sending Swaminathan immediately to His Holiness’s camp at Kalavai 30 miles from Kanchipuram. When Subramanya Sastry and his wife reached Kanchipuram with their son, the Mutt had arranged a special transport for Swaminathan alone to go to Kalavai. The parents followed him later when the telegram had been dispatched, the Acharya was seriously ill and before Swaminathan reached Kalavai, he had passed away. The initiation could not take place, so one of his disciples by name Laxmikantha, a youth of 18 years became the 67th Acharya of Kanchi. But within 8 days, Laxmikantha also passed away afflicted by the same illness. With due regard to his Guru’s wishes, Laxmikantha had suggested on his death bed that Swaminathan alone should be given initiation as the next Peetathipathi. The parents of Swaminathan took the vital and momentous decision to allow him to accept Sanyas with great trepidation and mental anguish, but there was no doubt that the erudition and great mental powers their son had shown inspired their confidence that he will accomplish the high position with rigorous discipline and dignity. Their son’s assurances also convinced them to give their consent,
On February 13 1909 when he was just 14 years, Swaminathan was initiated into Sanyas and became the 68th Acharya of Kanchi Mutt under the name of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swami. It may be mentioned here that the Peetathipathis of Kanchi have to be of Rig Vedic tradition and should be a Brahmachari. For five years, the young boy received extensive and intensive education in all Vedas and Sastras. He also met various scholars of repute from various parts of the country. He not only mastered Sanskrit and Tamil. but also Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Marathi and Malayalam. He learnt French too. His knowledge of astronomy and mathematics evoked great respect from several experts in the field.
The affairs of the Mutt were looked after by the Court of Wards till the Acharya took over the management when he completed 21 years in May 1915. In the year 1919, His Holiness began an extensive tour of the country mostly on foot, visiting hundreds of Villages and towns lecturing and blessing thousands of people who would not have been in a position to meet him or heard him. It was during this time, a historic meeting took place with Gandhiji who was also touring the country to propagate the Congress ideals. The meeting took place on 15-10-1927 in a specially erected shamiana at Nellicheri village in Palghat, Kerala. The great importance that Gandhiji attached to religion and religious matters, and the rapt attention to which he listened to the Acharya were indicated, when Gandhiji was reminded by Sri C.Rajagopala Chari that it was getting late to eat food before darkness sets in. Gandhiji is reported to have told Rajaji “Today my food is the conversation and dialogue with HIS Holiness.
In 1928 His Holiness went to Kanyakumari and from there he went to Calcutta. Nagpur. Jabalpur,Allhabad and Varanasi. A great Vedantic Sadas(convention) was held in Varanasi, presided over by His Holiness where learned scholars attended. He also visited. Patna, Gaya. Puri and other places. He completed the tour in 1939. From the time he ascended the Kanchi Peet till he attained Moksha at the lotus feet of Kanchi Kamakshi in 1994 at the ripe age of 100. he made ceaseless efforts in the cause of Dharma promotion of Vedic, learning and traditional arts and culture. Truly he was an Avatara Purusha to be remembered, revered and adored. All Tamilians referred to him as “Periyaval” meaning the great person.
Subham
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