Post by Amritha Varshini on Aug 31, 2020 17:49:32 GMT 5.5
Sri Bhagavan Nama Bodhendra Swamigal - A Saint who propagated Nama Japa
Article by Sri O.N. RAVI, Mumbai
As part of the Upanishad literature, there exists an Upanishad, called “Sri Rama Tapini Upanishad” which glorifies the greatness of Sri Rama. It states that “one who worships and takes the name of “Rama”, by following the path of virtue and knowledge, will be endowed with a very high degree of discrimination as also wealth.”
The name of Lord is said to be more powerful than the Lord himself. It is also repeatedly said by Saints of this Holy Land that in this dark age or “Kaliyug”, doing various sacrifices or yagnas, japas or recitation of mantras or seed letters of various deities, performance of poojas or worship of the Gods with elaborate rituals , call for a lot of self-discipline or yama and niyama which would be very difficult to follow. Even if followed, there could be possibilities of mistakes occurring in performance of such deeds or recitation of the seed letters or mantras. In the process, instead of getting beneficial results out of such actions, one could end up loaded with malefic results arising out of the mistakes.
Interestingly, in “Valmiki Ramayana”, when King Dasaratha is advised by Sages headed by Vasishta, to perform yagna or sacrifice to get progeny, they state that it should be done carefully by strictly adhering to the rules prescribed therefor. If not, the results of the same would be snatched away by the darker forces or “brahma rakshasas”. From this one can make out the degree of discipline that was expected to be followed in performance of such deeds. If that was the degree of standard maintained in the olden days of high moral rectitude and discipline, maintenance of such discipline or adherence to such rules of code would be very difficult in this age of decadence and ebbing moral and ethical values. Realising this, the Sages advise the people to take the name of Lord and that itself, would spiritually elevate them without any other external formalities of worship. The name of Lord Rama has one more significance. The recitation of “Rama” gives the combined effect of reciting the names of both Lord Shiva and Lord Narayana as “Rama” is combination of “ra” of the seed letter or eight letter mantra of Lord Narayana, called “Narayana Ashtakshari” and “ma” of Siva Panchakshar, the five lettered mantra . If “ra” and “ma” are removed from the respective “mantras”, they become meaningless and without any vibratory effect. With the powerful combination of these letters is formed “Rama Nama”. Thus through recitation of “Rama Nama”, one can get the benefit of worshipping both the deities.
Further, the recitation of “Rama Nama” does not require any kind of discipline or code to be followed unlike in the case of other forms of worships. It can be recited anytime, anywhere without limit on time or space. A sincere devotee who gets an initiation from a teacher, ie.,Sad Guru, of Rama Nama, and does ceaseless recitation of the name is sure to get His Grace and also cross this ocean of life consisting of birth and death. It is an easy passport to attain divinity. Ceaseless recitation of “nama japa” makes a person truthful and devoid of desire, anger, lust etc. over a period of time. The classic example of the statement of Mahatma Gandhi proves this point. Once he said, it seems, that “if I had practised truth throughout my life, the name of Lord Rama will issue forth my lips at the time of my death”. This shows the efficacy of ceaseless “nama japa” which Mahatma had followed throughout his life. It also shows the power of Lord’s name which makes one truthful.
In the South Indian tradition, the name of Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, one of the Sankaracharyas of the Kanchi Mutt, is associated with the chanting of “Rama nama” and “nama kirtana”. He is the father figure of the South Indian Bhajan Sampradaya or System. He extensively propagated the “nama japa” of Lord Ram. His love for “nama japa” was so great that he even abdicated his position as “Sankaracharya” in favour of propogation of the “nama japa” amongst the masses and in that pursuit he settled in a place called “Govindha Puram” near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Persons who have visited the sacred “Govindha Puram”, where the Saint attained the Jeeva Samadhi, will testify to the sanctity of the place. On entering the sanctum sanctorum, one will realise that his or her thoughts automatically stopped and the mind overpowered by the ceaseless chanting of ‘Rama nama” . The serene atmosphere of the place set in sylvan surrounding situated on the banks of the River Cauvery reverberating with continuous “nama japa” of Lord Rama will attract any pious person. If once a person visits that place, it has the magnetic pull of attracting them back to it.
Shri Bhodendra Swamigal was born in a Andhra Brahmin family of Kanva gothra. His parents were very virtuous and pious by nature. His father’s name was Panduranga yogi and mother’s name was suguna. Noticing very favourable planetary positions in his horoscope which indicated divine qualities, they named him as “Purushotama”. As the parents were very great devotee of the then “Sankaracharya”, Sri Atma Bhodendra, they paid a visit to the Mutt, along with their small boy. The Acharya, spotted in that kid marks of greatness and signs of a spiritual leader. After exchange of mutual enquiries, the Acharya, asked the parents whether they could leave the kid in the service of the Mutt. They willingly agreed to their preceptor’s request. In such a situation, any other person would have been reluctant to even consider such a proposal. But since the couple were highly matured with discrimination and a sense of detachment, they agreed to leave their loving son in the august company of their teacher. The boy “Purushottaman” was brought up in the Mutt with loving care. He had a very sharp intellect and quick grasping power. He was taught the Vedas, vedantas and various languages after the customary sacred thread ceremony. He mastered all branches of learning at a very young age.
With the daily recitation of “Gayathri japa” , practice of other austerities under the able guidance of the “Acharya”, “Purushottama” was glowing like a morning Sun. His continence or brahmacharya further added to that glow. He had one companion called “Gnana Sagaran”, who was also brought up in the Mutt. Both studied and ate together, and often discussed on highest truths of Vedanta. They had similar qualities of piety, adherence to all good conduct, lovable nature. Even as they grew into young lads of handsome personalities, they were not given to even a semblance of any temptation which normally affect boys of that age. They both did intense practice of “Rama Nama japa and kirtanas” . This single minded devotion to “Rama Nama” must have laid down a firm foundation in “Purushotaman” which in later years was to help him in the propagation of the “nama sankirtana” amongst the masses. After the death of his parents, Purushottaman’s intensity of devotion to the Lord and his teacher increased manifold as also his sense of discrimination.
Shri Atma Bhodendral or Visvathikendra Swamigal, had a desire to undertake a trip to Kasi or Varanasi. It seems that the people had given him the name “Atma Bhodendra” as he was a saint of fully ripened discrimination and knowledge. When he started for the pilgrimage along with his retinue, both the boys insisted on accompanying him, to which the saint told them that they could join him at later stage as he proposed to have a longer halt at Kasi.
As commanded, though they stayed backed, the boys could not resist the temptation to join their teacher, for long. Hence, after some time, they started on the pilgrimage to Kasi. The company of Realised Souls is such that any one who comes in contact with them, would always long for the divine nectar of their holy company. The karmic knots of an aspirant would be cut asunder in their very presence and such an aspirant will be rid of any new karma. Hence, it is no surprise that the two boys who were naturally endowed with divine qualities wanted to be in the company of their teacher who was a very great Gnani.
In those days undertaking a journey to Kasi was tough task as the entire distance was required to be covered by walk as there were no facilities of transportation. Further undertaking such a journey was an arduous one and fraught with the danger of encountering ferocious animals in dense jungles, merciless robbers and unexpected perils from the least expected quarters. There was no guarantee that a person would safely reach the destination. Even if one reached Kasi after undertaking such a long arduous journey, it was considered a very great feat if he safely returned to his place.
Before commencement of the journey, both the boys undertook a very strange oath that if one of them died enroute, the survivor , upon reaching the destination, would jump into the River Ganges and drown himself. This oath was made out of pure affection born out of a true friendship. They happily started their journey, visiting many temples on the way, singing the glory of the Lord, discussing the intricate points of Vedanta, and performing with unfailing regularity their daily religious duties. When they reached the River Godavari, the boy “Gnana Sagaran”, suddenly developed a high fever and passed away. Though momentarily thrown in to the throes of sorrow and grief, Purushottaman quickly came out of the same on account of his innate sense of detachment. After completing his friend’s last rites, he continued his journey with the mind full of thoughts on the greatness of Lord and reached the city of Kasi. Upon reaching the holy city, he ran to the august presence of his peerless teacher even as a calf would run to the cow, offered his salutations and then narrated the entire story of their journey, their oath and the untimely death of his friend. In order to honour his oath, he insisted on ending his life. Immensely pleased with his disciple’s devotion to the truth and at the same time deeply pained on the very thought of losing such a bright student, the Acharya suggested a way out of this predicament said to be sanctioned by the sastras. He said that as per“sastras”, if one took “sanyasa”, it was considered equivalent to taking another birth. Secondly, “sanyasa” or mendicant way of life can be given to only a person with full vairagya or discrimination and detachment. In both ways, Purushottaman was qualified. After lot of deliberation, he was convinced of the truth behind his teacher’s statement which was also echoed by other learned scholars and saints of that Holy city. Accordingly, Purushottaman, was initiated into sanyasa order by his Guru and was given a diksha or initiatiated name called “Sri Bhagavan Nama Bhodendra Swamigal”. After initiation, he stayed with his Guru, in the holy city practising severe penance and propagating the Rama nama japa amongst the people.
Realising the compelling need to popularise the nama japa, which was the easy path to attain Godhead, in the “kaliyug” , the Senior Pontiff asked the disciple to go back to his hometown in South and compose a work on the importance of “nama japa”. He also stated that they can jointly commence the propagation of the nama japa after his return from “kasi” in the Southern parts which were more steeped in the culture of rituals and procedures. The Senior Pontiff also instructed him to go to the holy city of Puri Jagannath, on his way back home and meet one renowned scholar saint by name, Shri Lakshmidhara. That devout scholar had made one treatise on the greatness of “Rama Nama” called “ Bhagavan Nama Kaumudhi”. This work extols the greatness of Lord’s Name and the author had proved irrefutably in that work that Lord’s name outweighs all other forms of worships and to prove that point he had given very convincing reasons by marshalling authorities from the scriptures, Vedas, Itihasas and Puranas in support of that statement. The work was accepted as an authority by almost all the scholars in the country. The Senior Pontiff directed his disciple to collect this treatise from Sri Lakshmidhara.
By the time Shri Bhodendra reached the city of Puri, the great scholar passed away and his son Sri Jagannatha Kavi, equally a great scholar like his father and respected by all, was living with his mother. When the Saint reached his residence after worshipping the Lord at the famous Sri Jagnnath Temple, it was very late in the night. Not wanting to disturb the scholar at that odd time, Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, retired to sleep at the open platform located outside that house.
After a while, he was awakened by a noise of opening of the door. At the doorstep, there stood a brahmin asking for Sri Jagannath kavi. Just behind him at a distance stood a lady covered by a black robe indicating that she was a muslim. The scholar politely asked the Brahmin, who appeared to be full of sorrow and despair, as to what brought him at that untimely hour to his house. In answer, the Brahmin narrated the following incident:
He and his wife were making pilgrimage to the holy city of Kasi and enroute stayed in a choultry in a city, which was ruled by the muslim king. His wife was carried away by a muslim chieftain while they were sleeping. Struck with grief on not finding his wife, he became inconsolable. As time rolled on, he, resigned to the fate, carried on with his pilgrimage. On his return journey, one day he found one muslim lady suddenly falling at his feet. On enquiry, he realised that it was his wife who was thus converted by the abductor and made her as part of his harem. The shocked Brahmin could not console the sobbing lady who pleaded him to accept her back as his wife. Though torn between the duty as husband and the strict discipline of religion, he could not decide on the course to be adopted. Then he proceeded with her to consult some scholar well versed in sastras on whether she could be accepted into his family. They also decided that if it was not possible to admit her back, they both would commit suicide by jumping into a river. Fortunately, they were directed to the renowned Sri Jagannath Kavi, at Puri as the one who could give a positive and definite solution for their problem. So they came to meet him without any one’s knowledge at that odd hour to seek remedy for their embarrassing problem.
Sri Jagannath Kavi, overcome with compassion, requested the couple to go to the famous temple tank, next day morning and asked the lady to say aloud that “she had full faith in the Immutable, Everlasting, Merciful, Parabrahman called “Sri Rama” who always came to the rescue of his fallen children and his name I recite from the deep recess of my heart and Let him restore my lost honour and glory.” He also directed that lady to utter thrice the name of Lord after that and then take a dip into the tank. That could be the only remedy for the sin in which she was pushed into and that would restore her lost glory. They couple willingly agreed to do as directed.
Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, overheard this conversation and was moved by the intensity of the devotion of the great scholar. He introduced himself and appreciated him on the remedy suggested. The scholar’s mother who came out overhearing the conversation between her son and the Brahmin couple was not very much pleased with her son’s reply. She chided him gently that there was no need to utter the name of the Lord thrice. Even uttered once with utmost sincerity, the Bhagavan Nama would protect its devotee. Only a mind with doubt would be tempted to utter it more than once. The Saint was stunned by the devotion of mother and son to Lord Sri Rama.
Next day, the couple went to the temple tank and the lady narrated the incident of her woe to the assembled crowd of devotees which included the Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, Sri Jagannath Kavi, and as directed took the name of the Lord and dipped into the water. When she came out, she was said to have attained her lost honour and brahminhood.
At this juncture, one need to understand two points. The first one being that , this kind of miracle or occult incident, is a matter of routine for great Gyanis or Realised Souls and they never would like to show off this kind of powers. It happens in spite of themselves or without their willing. They renounce even the sankalpams or any resolution arising from the minds. Since they transcend the state of minds, there is no thought that sprouts in their minds. Hence, in their perception, what we perceive as a miracle is not one. Secondly, even as per “Sastras”, a person who had committed a sin, the best expiation prescribed is to speak aloud about it to everyone and then perform the required the rite as expiation for the sin. Of course, this is applicable to only a sin committed unknowingly and not to one committed deliberately. From this view point also, the lady could be said to be redeemed.
But the real redemption came to her only when the Saint accepted from her hands the food as the first alms. Thereafter Shri Bhodendra Swamigal , came back to Kanchipuram to undertake the task given by his preceptor. The couple also accompanied him to do service to the noble task of propagation of nama japa. Subsequently, the Senior Pontiff also joined his disciple after which they spread not only advaita philosophy as required of their order but also the greatness of “Bhagavan nama” amongst the masses. After some time, the Senior Pontiff, on his way back to Kanchipuram after a pilgrimage to Sri Rameswaram, took Samadhi. Thereupon Shri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal became “Pontiff” of the Mutt which responsibility he discharged admirably. The thirst of devotion to the Lord increased amongst the masses on account of his preachings. He spread the great name of Lord Rama all around. Sri Swamigal had composed many works on advaita philosophy. But his works on “Rama nama” are well known for their extensive quotations from the scriptures, Itihasas, Srimad Bhagavatha, Vedas etc., to uphold the superiority of the name of the Lord or “nama smarana”. He had authored eight great works on importance of name of the Lord called “Namamritha Rasodhayam, Namamritha Suryodhayam, Namamritha Tharangam, Moorthabrahma Vivekam, Hari hara Bheda Thikkaram, Hari Hara Advaitha bhushanam”. As the Saint was increasingly getting attracted to the Lord name, at one stage he decided to retire to “Govindha Puram” near Kumbakonam . There he came in contact with the famed Saint “Sri Ayyaval of Thiruvisanallur”. Both travelled together to nearby villages and towns and preached and propagated the “nama japa and kirtanas.” During this period, there was a great awakening amongst the masses towards the path of devotion or bhakti.
Immediately after Sri Ayyaval, Shri Bhodendra Swamigal also took Jiva Samadhi on the banks of Cauvery in Govindhapuram. It was in the year 1692 A.D. The Saint, as was his wont, was playing with the kids on the banks of the Cauvery. He sat in a sand pit upon which the children covered him with the sand. Next day when the elders came to take out the sand mound, they were instructed not to disturb that as the Swamigal had attained Jiva Samadhi. He assured them that he would always guide the sincere devotees in their spiritual path.
Glory to the Holy Feet of Shri Bhodendra Swamigal and Nama Japa. Let us all recite the name of Rama and attain His grace.
Source: Sri Bhodendra Swamigal Divya Charitram in Tamil compiled by
Mahatma Sri Krishnapremi Swamigal
Article by Sri O.N. RAVI, Mumbai
As part of the Upanishad literature, there exists an Upanishad, called “Sri Rama Tapini Upanishad” which glorifies the greatness of Sri Rama. It states that “one who worships and takes the name of “Rama”, by following the path of virtue and knowledge, will be endowed with a very high degree of discrimination as also wealth.”
The name of Lord is said to be more powerful than the Lord himself. It is also repeatedly said by Saints of this Holy Land that in this dark age or “Kaliyug”, doing various sacrifices or yagnas, japas or recitation of mantras or seed letters of various deities, performance of poojas or worship of the Gods with elaborate rituals , call for a lot of self-discipline or yama and niyama which would be very difficult to follow. Even if followed, there could be possibilities of mistakes occurring in performance of such deeds or recitation of the seed letters or mantras. In the process, instead of getting beneficial results out of such actions, one could end up loaded with malefic results arising out of the mistakes.
Interestingly, in “Valmiki Ramayana”, when King Dasaratha is advised by Sages headed by Vasishta, to perform yagna or sacrifice to get progeny, they state that it should be done carefully by strictly adhering to the rules prescribed therefor. If not, the results of the same would be snatched away by the darker forces or “brahma rakshasas”. From this one can make out the degree of discipline that was expected to be followed in performance of such deeds. If that was the degree of standard maintained in the olden days of high moral rectitude and discipline, maintenance of such discipline or adherence to such rules of code would be very difficult in this age of decadence and ebbing moral and ethical values. Realising this, the Sages advise the people to take the name of Lord and that itself, would spiritually elevate them without any other external formalities of worship. The name of Lord Rama has one more significance. The recitation of “Rama” gives the combined effect of reciting the names of both Lord Shiva and Lord Narayana as “Rama” is combination of “ra” of the seed letter or eight letter mantra of Lord Narayana, called “Narayana Ashtakshari” and “ma” of Siva Panchakshar, the five lettered mantra . If “ra” and “ma” are removed from the respective “mantras”, they become meaningless and without any vibratory effect. With the powerful combination of these letters is formed “Rama Nama”. Thus through recitation of “Rama Nama”, one can get the benefit of worshipping both the deities.
Further, the recitation of “Rama Nama” does not require any kind of discipline or code to be followed unlike in the case of other forms of worships. It can be recited anytime, anywhere without limit on time or space. A sincere devotee who gets an initiation from a teacher, ie.,Sad Guru, of Rama Nama, and does ceaseless recitation of the name is sure to get His Grace and also cross this ocean of life consisting of birth and death. It is an easy passport to attain divinity. Ceaseless recitation of “nama japa” makes a person truthful and devoid of desire, anger, lust etc. over a period of time. The classic example of the statement of Mahatma Gandhi proves this point. Once he said, it seems, that “if I had practised truth throughout my life, the name of Lord Rama will issue forth my lips at the time of my death”. This shows the efficacy of ceaseless “nama japa” which Mahatma had followed throughout his life. It also shows the power of Lord’s name which makes one truthful.
In the South Indian tradition, the name of Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, one of the Sankaracharyas of the Kanchi Mutt, is associated with the chanting of “Rama nama” and “nama kirtana”. He is the father figure of the South Indian Bhajan Sampradaya or System. He extensively propagated the “nama japa” of Lord Ram. His love for “nama japa” was so great that he even abdicated his position as “Sankaracharya” in favour of propogation of the “nama japa” amongst the masses and in that pursuit he settled in a place called “Govindha Puram” near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. Persons who have visited the sacred “Govindha Puram”, where the Saint attained the Jeeva Samadhi, will testify to the sanctity of the place. On entering the sanctum sanctorum, one will realise that his or her thoughts automatically stopped and the mind overpowered by the ceaseless chanting of ‘Rama nama” . The serene atmosphere of the place set in sylvan surrounding situated on the banks of the River Cauvery reverberating with continuous “nama japa” of Lord Rama will attract any pious person. If once a person visits that place, it has the magnetic pull of attracting them back to it.
Shri Bhodendra Swamigal was born in a Andhra Brahmin family of Kanva gothra. His parents were very virtuous and pious by nature. His father’s name was Panduranga yogi and mother’s name was suguna. Noticing very favourable planetary positions in his horoscope which indicated divine qualities, they named him as “Purushotama”. As the parents were very great devotee of the then “Sankaracharya”, Sri Atma Bhodendra, they paid a visit to the Mutt, along with their small boy. The Acharya, spotted in that kid marks of greatness and signs of a spiritual leader. After exchange of mutual enquiries, the Acharya, asked the parents whether they could leave the kid in the service of the Mutt. They willingly agreed to their preceptor’s request. In such a situation, any other person would have been reluctant to even consider such a proposal. But since the couple were highly matured with discrimination and a sense of detachment, they agreed to leave their loving son in the august company of their teacher. The boy “Purushottaman” was brought up in the Mutt with loving care. He had a very sharp intellect and quick grasping power. He was taught the Vedas, vedantas and various languages after the customary sacred thread ceremony. He mastered all branches of learning at a very young age.
With the daily recitation of “Gayathri japa” , practice of other austerities under the able guidance of the “Acharya”, “Purushottama” was glowing like a morning Sun. His continence or brahmacharya further added to that glow. He had one companion called “Gnana Sagaran”, who was also brought up in the Mutt. Both studied and ate together, and often discussed on highest truths of Vedanta. They had similar qualities of piety, adherence to all good conduct, lovable nature. Even as they grew into young lads of handsome personalities, they were not given to even a semblance of any temptation which normally affect boys of that age. They both did intense practice of “Rama Nama japa and kirtanas” . This single minded devotion to “Rama Nama” must have laid down a firm foundation in “Purushotaman” which in later years was to help him in the propagation of the “nama sankirtana” amongst the masses. After the death of his parents, Purushottaman’s intensity of devotion to the Lord and his teacher increased manifold as also his sense of discrimination.
Shri Atma Bhodendral or Visvathikendra Swamigal, had a desire to undertake a trip to Kasi or Varanasi. It seems that the people had given him the name “Atma Bhodendra” as he was a saint of fully ripened discrimination and knowledge. When he started for the pilgrimage along with his retinue, both the boys insisted on accompanying him, to which the saint told them that they could join him at later stage as he proposed to have a longer halt at Kasi.
As commanded, though they stayed backed, the boys could not resist the temptation to join their teacher, for long. Hence, after some time, they started on the pilgrimage to Kasi. The company of Realised Souls is such that any one who comes in contact with them, would always long for the divine nectar of their holy company. The karmic knots of an aspirant would be cut asunder in their very presence and such an aspirant will be rid of any new karma. Hence, it is no surprise that the two boys who were naturally endowed with divine qualities wanted to be in the company of their teacher who was a very great Gnani.
In those days undertaking a journey to Kasi was tough task as the entire distance was required to be covered by walk as there were no facilities of transportation. Further undertaking such a journey was an arduous one and fraught with the danger of encountering ferocious animals in dense jungles, merciless robbers and unexpected perils from the least expected quarters. There was no guarantee that a person would safely reach the destination. Even if one reached Kasi after undertaking such a long arduous journey, it was considered a very great feat if he safely returned to his place.
Before commencement of the journey, both the boys undertook a very strange oath that if one of them died enroute, the survivor , upon reaching the destination, would jump into the River Ganges and drown himself. This oath was made out of pure affection born out of a true friendship. They happily started their journey, visiting many temples on the way, singing the glory of the Lord, discussing the intricate points of Vedanta, and performing with unfailing regularity their daily religious duties. When they reached the River Godavari, the boy “Gnana Sagaran”, suddenly developed a high fever and passed away. Though momentarily thrown in to the throes of sorrow and grief, Purushottaman quickly came out of the same on account of his innate sense of detachment. After completing his friend’s last rites, he continued his journey with the mind full of thoughts on the greatness of Lord and reached the city of Kasi. Upon reaching the holy city, he ran to the august presence of his peerless teacher even as a calf would run to the cow, offered his salutations and then narrated the entire story of their journey, their oath and the untimely death of his friend. In order to honour his oath, he insisted on ending his life. Immensely pleased with his disciple’s devotion to the truth and at the same time deeply pained on the very thought of losing such a bright student, the Acharya suggested a way out of this predicament said to be sanctioned by the sastras. He said that as per“sastras”, if one took “sanyasa”, it was considered equivalent to taking another birth. Secondly, “sanyasa” or mendicant way of life can be given to only a person with full vairagya or discrimination and detachment. In both ways, Purushottaman was qualified. After lot of deliberation, he was convinced of the truth behind his teacher’s statement which was also echoed by other learned scholars and saints of that Holy city. Accordingly, Purushottaman, was initiated into sanyasa order by his Guru and was given a diksha or initiatiated name called “Sri Bhagavan Nama Bhodendra Swamigal”. After initiation, he stayed with his Guru, in the holy city practising severe penance and propagating the Rama nama japa amongst the people.
Realising the compelling need to popularise the nama japa, which was the easy path to attain Godhead, in the “kaliyug” , the Senior Pontiff asked the disciple to go back to his hometown in South and compose a work on the importance of “nama japa”. He also stated that they can jointly commence the propagation of the nama japa after his return from “kasi” in the Southern parts which were more steeped in the culture of rituals and procedures. The Senior Pontiff also instructed him to go to the holy city of Puri Jagannath, on his way back home and meet one renowned scholar saint by name, Shri Lakshmidhara. That devout scholar had made one treatise on the greatness of “Rama Nama” called “ Bhagavan Nama Kaumudhi”. This work extols the greatness of Lord’s Name and the author had proved irrefutably in that work that Lord’s name outweighs all other forms of worships and to prove that point he had given very convincing reasons by marshalling authorities from the scriptures, Vedas, Itihasas and Puranas in support of that statement. The work was accepted as an authority by almost all the scholars in the country. The Senior Pontiff directed his disciple to collect this treatise from Sri Lakshmidhara.
By the time Shri Bhodendra reached the city of Puri, the great scholar passed away and his son Sri Jagannatha Kavi, equally a great scholar like his father and respected by all, was living with his mother. When the Saint reached his residence after worshipping the Lord at the famous Sri Jagnnath Temple, it was very late in the night. Not wanting to disturb the scholar at that odd time, Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, retired to sleep at the open platform located outside that house.
After a while, he was awakened by a noise of opening of the door. At the doorstep, there stood a brahmin asking for Sri Jagannath kavi. Just behind him at a distance stood a lady covered by a black robe indicating that she was a muslim. The scholar politely asked the Brahmin, who appeared to be full of sorrow and despair, as to what brought him at that untimely hour to his house. In answer, the Brahmin narrated the following incident:
He and his wife were making pilgrimage to the holy city of Kasi and enroute stayed in a choultry in a city, which was ruled by the muslim king. His wife was carried away by a muslim chieftain while they were sleeping. Struck with grief on not finding his wife, he became inconsolable. As time rolled on, he, resigned to the fate, carried on with his pilgrimage. On his return journey, one day he found one muslim lady suddenly falling at his feet. On enquiry, he realised that it was his wife who was thus converted by the abductor and made her as part of his harem. The shocked Brahmin could not console the sobbing lady who pleaded him to accept her back as his wife. Though torn between the duty as husband and the strict discipline of religion, he could not decide on the course to be adopted. Then he proceeded with her to consult some scholar well versed in sastras on whether she could be accepted into his family. They also decided that if it was not possible to admit her back, they both would commit suicide by jumping into a river. Fortunately, they were directed to the renowned Sri Jagannath Kavi, at Puri as the one who could give a positive and definite solution for their problem. So they came to meet him without any one’s knowledge at that odd hour to seek remedy for their embarrassing problem.
Sri Jagannath Kavi, overcome with compassion, requested the couple to go to the famous temple tank, next day morning and asked the lady to say aloud that “she had full faith in the Immutable, Everlasting, Merciful, Parabrahman called “Sri Rama” who always came to the rescue of his fallen children and his name I recite from the deep recess of my heart and Let him restore my lost honour and glory.” He also directed that lady to utter thrice the name of Lord after that and then take a dip into the tank. That could be the only remedy for the sin in which she was pushed into and that would restore her lost glory. They couple willingly agreed to do as directed.
Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, overheard this conversation and was moved by the intensity of the devotion of the great scholar. He introduced himself and appreciated him on the remedy suggested. The scholar’s mother who came out overhearing the conversation between her son and the Brahmin couple was not very much pleased with her son’s reply. She chided him gently that there was no need to utter the name of the Lord thrice. Even uttered once with utmost sincerity, the Bhagavan Nama would protect its devotee. Only a mind with doubt would be tempted to utter it more than once. The Saint was stunned by the devotion of mother and son to Lord Sri Rama.
Next day, the couple went to the temple tank and the lady narrated the incident of her woe to the assembled crowd of devotees which included the Shri Bhodendra Swamigal, Sri Jagannath Kavi, and as directed took the name of the Lord and dipped into the water. When she came out, she was said to have attained her lost honour and brahminhood.
At this juncture, one need to understand two points. The first one being that , this kind of miracle or occult incident, is a matter of routine for great Gyanis or Realised Souls and they never would like to show off this kind of powers. It happens in spite of themselves or without their willing. They renounce even the sankalpams or any resolution arising from the minds. Since they transcend the state of minds, there is no thought that sprouts in their minds. Hence, in their perception, what we perceive as a miracle is not one. Secondly, even as per “Sastras”, a person who had committed a sin, the best expiation prescribed is to speak aloud about it to everyone and then perform the required the rite as expiation for the sin. Of course, this is applicable to only a sin committed unknowingly and not to one committed deliberately. From this view point also, the lady could be said to be redeemed.
But the real redemption came to her only when the Saint accepted from her hands the food as the first alms. Thereafter Shri Bhodendra Swamigal , came back to Kanchipuram to undertake the task given by his preceptor. The couple also accompanied him to do service to the noble task of propagation of nama japa. Subsequently, the Senior Pontiff also joined his disciple after which they spread not only advaita philosophy as required of their order but also the greatness of “Bhagavan nama” amongst the masses. After some time, the Senior Pontiff, on his way back to Kanchipuram after a pilgrimage to Sri Rameswaram, took Samadhi. Thereupon Shri Bhodendra Saraswathi Swamigal became “Pontiff” of the Mutt which responsibility he discharged admirably. The thirst of devotion to the Lord increased amongst the masses on account of his preachings. He spread the great name of Lord Rama all around. Sri Swamigal had composed many works on advaita philosophy. But his works on “Rama nama” are well known for their extensive quotations from the scriptures, Itihasas, Srimad Bhagavatha, Vedas etc., to uphold the superiority of the name of the Lord or “nama smarana”. He had authored eight great works on importance of name of the Lord called “Namamritha Rasodhayam, Namamritha Suryodhayam, Namamritha Tharangam, Moorthabrahma Vivekam, Hari hara Bheda Thikkaram, Hari Hara Advaitha bhushanam”. As the Saint was increasingly getting attracted to the Lord name, at one stage he decided to retire to “Govindha Puram” near Kumbakonam . There he came in contact with the famed Saint “Sri Ayyaval of Thiruvisanallur”. Both travelled together to nearby villages and towns and preached and propagated the “nama japa and kirtanas.” During this period, there was a great awakening amongst the masses towards the path of devotion or bhakti.
Immediately after Sri Ayyaval, Shri Bhodendra Swamigal also took Jiva Samadhi on the banks of Cauvery in Govindhapuram. It was in the year 1692 A.D. The Saint, as was his wont, was playing with the kids on the banks of the Cauvery. He sat in a sand pit upon which the children covered him with the sand. Next day when the elders came to take out the sand mound, they were instructed not to disturb that as the Swamigal had attained Jiva Samadhi. He assured them that he would always guide the sincere devotees in their spiritual path.
Glory to the Holy Feet of Shri Bhodendra Swamigal and Nama Japa. Let us all recite the name of Rama and attain His grace.
Source: Sri Bhodendra Swamigal Divya Charitram in Tamil compiled by
Mahatma Sri Krishnapremi Swamigal
