Acharyas of Ahobilam - Editorial

[Guest guest]

Continuing the second in the series of articles, I am posting the

editorial by the Publishers of the Telegu/English edition of Nrsimha

Priya.

 

There is rarely an instance in the history of religions and religious

denominations when God Himself summoned a devotee to His side and mandated

him to go from village to village and propogate His glory and promote the

spiritual well being of the people. But, Srivaishnavism, in particular,

Sri Ahobila Muth, its protector, preserver and propagator, has had His

privilege.

 

Lord Narasimha of Ahobilam appeared in the dream of Srinivasacharya,

ayoung Srivaishnavite scholar and Brahmachari of Melkote, 20 years old and

summoned him to Ahobilam. With the permission of his guru, young

Srinivasacharya went all the way to Ahobilam more than 300 miles away, on

foot and reached the hill-top, bathed in Bhavanashini and prayed to the

Lord. Lord Narasimha appeared before him in the form of a Sannyasi, gave

the saffron robes together with the Presha Mantra to Srinivasacharya,

initiated him as an ascetic and also named him as 'Adivan Sathakopa'. The

Lord then ordained him thus: 'Go from door to door taking me with you and

minister to the well being of the disciples'. The Lord also gave him the

Malola Icon, one of the nine manifestations of Narasimha at Ahobilam, for

his worship. This young Sannyasin thus became the founder Acharya of

Ahobila Muth, an unbroken line of successive Acharyas for 600 years. This

was no ordinary incident in the annals of the history of this great Guru

Parampara and Srivaishnavites of the country are legitimately proud of

this special grace and benediction of the Lord on the community. We bow

in all humility to this order of illustrious Azhagiya Singers and feel

privileged that we have been able topresent this brief outline of the

history and achievements of this great Muth.

 

The Guru or Acharya occupies a unique position in India's spiritual

tradition and more so in Srivaishnavism, to the extent of giving the

preceptor a higher status than even God who is accessible to the humans

onlyu through the grace of the Acharya. The Acharya accepts the burden of

his disciples and presents them to God for His kindness and accompanying

Moksha. It is, therefore, necessary that devout people know the story of

the accomplishments of their spiritual gurus.

 

An authentic record of the glorious history of this great Muth serving our

Sampradaya for 600 long years is not found in great detail except in the

Sannidhi Guru Parampara in Tamil, even where the historical authenticity

is not clear. Sr S.N. Venkatesha Iyer, an advocate of Coimbatore,

attempted an outline of "The History of the Ahobila Muth" which was

published by the All India City Guide Publishers of Coimbatore around

forties. In the Preface to the publication he promised to deal with

'general sketch of the social, political and economic conditions of the

long period from 1398 together with the expectations of the founder of the

Muth and the extent to which they were realised. The promised publication

has not come to our notice. Dr. Madabhooshini Narasimhacharia of Warangal

gives a brief account of the Muth in his book on "The cult of Narasimha in

Andhra Pradesh". To our knowledge, there is no recorded history of the

Muth in Telegu. This Special Issue in two editions _English and Telegu_

is the a humble attempt in that direction, in response to the wishes of

our readers and within the limitations of the material we have been able

to lay our hands on. We place this publication as a 'Kanikkai' (tribute)

at the feet of Lord Ahobilesha with the blessings of our two revered

Azhagiya Singars.

 

We offer our Sashtanga Pranamas to our Azhagiya Singars for their gracious

messages. We are thankful to our writers who have contributed their

learned aritcles to this publication. Many an individual and institution

has helped us in its publication, financially, by insertion of

advertisements and in other ways. We are grateful to them. - Special

mentions deleted.

 

We hope our readers will benefit by this Special Issue. Their suggestions

for improvement are very welcome. May Lord Malola and the Azhagiya

Singars shower their blessings on all of us.

 

Emd of Editorial.