Ganapati Muni

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GANAPATI MUNI

 

When I entered Maharshi’s hut early the next morning and bowed to him, there were many devotees seated before him. But my attention was particularly gripped by a radiant personality amidst that group. He was, I learned, Kavyakanta Ganapati Sastri. He had the face-cut of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore and from the light that shone on his face, I found how mistaken I had been in my hitherto impression that he was only one of the learned pandits. His broad forehead, gracefully bright eyes, aquiline nose, charming face and beard, and the melodious ring in his voice — all these proclaimed that he was a genius, a great poet, a rishi. Everything about him reminded me of the Vedic seers, especially Vasistha, and it is interesting to note that he was of the line of Vasishta. There was authority, dignity and sweetness in his talks and his

eyes sparkled as he spoke.

He had just composed on the occasion of the Maharshi’s forty-third birthday the following verse in Sanskrit:“It is effulgent Devi Uma shining in your eyes dispelling the ignorance of devotees. It is Lakshmi Devi, the consort of lotus-eyed Vishnu, in your lotus-face. It is Para-Vak (inspired Word) Saraswati, the consort of Brahma, dancing in your talk. Great Seer Ramana, the Teacher of the whole world, how can mortal man praise you adequately.”

Those who have come in contact with Ganapati Muni would find this verse well-suited to describe him also. He was then living in the Mango Tree Cave on the eastern slope of Arunachala. Adjoining it and a little above it is the perennial spring,Tiru-Mullaipal-Thertham. This cave has often served as the Maharshi’s summer abode when he lived at Virupaksha Cave. It was here, in the Mango Tree Cave, that Ganapati Muni composed extempore the last quarter of a ‘Thousand Verses in Praise of Uma’ (Uma Sahasram) within a few hours one night, in the presence of the Maharshi.

One evening I went to that cave to see him. I waited for him a few minutes in the room next to the cave before Ganapati Muni emerged from the cave. There was the fragrance of tapas in the person of the Muni and about his residence. I sat down before him after paying my respects to him. He silently looked at me for a few minutes. Then I had a talk with him about spiritual sadhana and the details of discipline needed for it. After a few days I expressed to the Maharshi my desire to go through the principal Upanishads. Maharshi directed me to go to ‘Nayana’*, saying that he was the man who could elucidate anything concerning sacred lore. So I went to Nayana and placed before him a passage from

the Taitiriya Upanishad for explanation. He dilated upon its profound significance with clarity and ease. After hearing him for an hour, I came to the conclusion that I need not make a study of the Upanishads under him, as whatever he uttered was Upanishadic. Though Nayana was himself a man of wisdom and tapas, he used to direct aspirants coming to him to the Maharshi. He knew that there was a special effect in hearing the truth of Atman from the Maharshi himself. And Maharshi would send to Nayana devotees who sought light upon upasana (methods of worship) or details pertaining to various sastras. Thus their mutual appreciative relationship was beautiful.

 

· ‘Nayana’ was the name which the Maharshi and all intimate devotees used to refer to and address Ganapati Muni. It is a Telugu word of endearment, meaning father as well as son.

 

BY SWAMI VISWANATHAN

 

 

 

 

THE MAHARSHI

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March/April 2004Vol. 14 - No. 2

 

 

 

Produced & Edited byDennis HartelDr. Anil K. Sharma

 

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