120th Thirunakshatram of Sri Kozhialam Swami

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Homage to a religious scholar

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/03/29/stories/2002032901150400.htm

 

 

THE 120TH Thirunakshatram (birthday) of a

distinguished Vaishnavite religious leader, Sri

Kozhialam Swami, which falls on April 2, 2002, will be

celebrated at Srirangam, Kanchipuram and Chennai, by

disciples who follow his tradition.

 

The philosophy of Visishtadwaita propagated by Sri

Ramanuja has seen different traditions, subsequent to

his passing away, one of them being the ``Munithraya

Sampradayam.'' Many illustrious Sanyasis and spiritual

leaders, have followed this tradition, , distinguished

themselves by their ceremonial purity, rigorous

discipline, contribution of literary works and

commentaries, all to substantiate the arguments of

their forbears. One of these saints, Sri Vazhuthoor

Swami, founded three schools and one of his disciples

became preceptor for several students, chief among

them being Sri Kethandapatti Swami under whom five

Sanyasis and innumerable exponents derived benefit. Of

the five Sanyasis who received training, one was

Tirupati Swami. His direct disciple was Sri Kozhialam

Swami whose second Sashtiabdapoorthi is being

celebrated.

 

Sri Kozhialam Swami mastered vedic knowledge, logic,

grammar and other tough allied subjects and finally

served at the feet of Sri Tirupati Swami. At the age

of 38, he took to ascetic order and was engaged in

popularising Visishtadwaita and twice on foot toured

pilgrim centres from Tirumalai to Sethu. Known for his

detachment and total indifference to worldly

activities, he authored 32 major philosophic works

(some are yet to see the print). The Swami trained

several luminaries, the chief among them being Sri

Uthamur Veeraraghavachariar Swami who had written

nearly 300 works connected with Ramanuja Darsanam. For

nearly 40 years, Sri Kozhialam Swami strove to expound

Ramanuja's system, trained numerous disciples and

administered the ``oath of Religious secrecy'' (Pancha

Samskaram) to thousands. As an exemplar of the Sanyasa

Dharma, Sri Kozhialam Swami was never concerned about

money or fame. He attained the Lord's feet in 1961

(Karthigai Ekadasi).

 

The 120th birthday celebrations have been specially

arranged on this occasion by Sri

Ananthanarasimhachariar at the Poundarikapuram Andavan

Asramam in Srirangam, at Kethandapatti Swami Asramam

in Kanchipuram and at ``Siddhasramam'' in Nadamuni

Street, T. Nagar.

 

V. SRIVATSANKACHARIAR

 

 

 

 

 

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