A Tribute to Sri. U.Ve. Kannan Swamigal

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavtottamas

A few minutes ago, we heard through our dear friend, Sri Nadadur Madhavan the

shocking news of the passing away of our esteemed colleague, Sri Kannan

Swamigal. We had the Bhagyam of listening to him at the 600 th Anniversary

celebrations of Ahobila matam held in New Jersey. His leading in the Veda

gosham and Prabandha patanam can never be forgotten. Personally I had

occasion to have several of my doubts cleared over phone. He was ever ready to

offer explanations of many hard to understand pieces in our Sampradayam and

Sadacharam and none could be more specific than this great Mahan in clarifying

the doubts. It is great and irreparable loss to the entire Srivaishnava

community here in USA and in India. There can be no doubt in the Mahan

attaining the lotus feet of the Lord. All we can do is to pray to the Divya

Dhampathis to give the needed strength to the family members and his admirers

to withstand this loss.

Sarvam Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

Dasoham

Anbil Ramaswamy

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavathas:

 

Sri U. Ve. Puducheri, Thattai Kannan Iyyangar has attained SRI VAIKUNDAM.

He has joined the select band of Nithyasuris in performing ever-permanent

kainkaryam to Sriman Narayana and Goddess Mahalakshmi at Sri Vaikundam. He

is survived by his mother, wife, a son, three daughters and seven grand

children.

 

Following are the excerpts from the tribute that was paid to him at the time

of offering his physical remains to Agni, a ceremony that was fulfilled at

MD today (March 29, 1999):

 

Born in 1930 in a large family of three brothers and six sisters Sri Kannan

Iyyangar eventually married Srimathi Sulochana in 1954. Their forty-four

years of happily married life transformed into a wondrous family. After

serving as a CPA Sri Kannan Iyyangar retired from the government of India.

During the course of his professional career he managed simultaneously to

pursue his religious values. His dedication was reflected by the fact that

he attended several discourses and kalakshebham under the most authentic

religious leaders of Sri Vaishnavism. Having acquired this invaluable

knowledge through Sathacharyas, Sri Kannan Iyyangar earned the title Upaya

Vedanthin, meaning a Vedic scholar both in Tamil and Sanskrit languages.

 

After retirement when he had the choice of staying in India or joining his

son in the U.S., he chose to migrate to the U.S., a great honor for both

Kesavan and Mythili. Kesavan had the rare distinction of being Sri Kannan

Swamigal's son as well as his disciple. Sri Kannan Swamigal has transferred

his knowledge to his son Kesavan and his grand son Chiranjevi Bhadri

Narayanan. Since 1990 he dedicated all his time and efforts to serving the

cause of Sri Vaishnavism in the U.S. He inspired many of us here through

his great achievements, which include:

 

1. Co founder and the President of Sri Ramanuja Mission Inc. of Srirangam

Srimad Andavan Asramam. He provided invaluable guidance in the production

of audiotapes and CDs on the works of Sri Alavandar, Sri Ramanujar and Sri

Vedantha Mahadesika.

 

2. Served as a Priest in several temples – Sri Ranganatha Temple in NY,

Murugan Temple in MD, and the Hindu Center in Richmond.

 

3. He participated in the activities of organizations such as Sri Ahobila

Muth Inc, NAMA, the Association of Sri Vaishnavas, Sri Desika Dharasana

Sabha (SDDS), and several others.

 

4. Contributed several articles and presented discourses and thus served

the community and God.

 

The ultimate goal of any Sri Vaishnava is to aspire for and attain Moksha.

Sri Kannan Iyyangar had his Bharanyasam, an act of self-surrender, performed

to him by HH Srirangam Srimad Thirukudandai Andavan. It is more than a

coincidence that Sri Kannan Iyyangar passed away on March 28, 1999, the day

after the Thiru-Nakshathiram of HH Srirangam Srimad Thirukudandai Andavan.

 

Sri Kannan Iyyangar’s simple life and great achievements will continue to

inspire all of us in the years to come. He was fully content and satisfied

when he left us. We should carry forward the mission he left behind. This

is the most sincere tribute we can do to honor and cherish the memory of

such a great man.

 

PS: Sri Kesavan and family will be in India for the next four weeks to

fulfill their obligations of completing Sri Kannan Swamigal’s karyam.

Tributes and/or personal communication in this regard may be sent to his

son: Sri Kesavan at: kannank Their postal address is given below:

 

14433 SETTLERS LANDING WAY

NORTH POTOMAC, MD 20878-4304

 

Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanamasthu

 

For Sri Ramanuja Mission, Inc.

of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Periyashramam

 

Nadadur Mathava Dasan