When I write this, I am filled with reverence, Love, affection and a mixed bag of all divine feelings. Sri Dayanidhi Tirtha Swamiji, of Sripadaraja Mutt, Mulbagal, was my father's Vidya Guru. He selected him as a Shishya, imparted all Shastra Knowledge to him, liked him, called him ಮೇಷ್ಟ್ರೇ I never understood the conversation between the Guru & Shishya, many times.
He came to our poor abode, most of the mornings to take my Anna, for a Divine Walk. They went up to the small Hill, near the Town, behind my House. Some times, I was woken up by his arrival exactly at 5.30 AM.
He was always very punctual, smiling like a Child, very rarely, clad in a Kasmiri Shawl. He had a golden complexion, sweet smile, never frowned with any one like other of his contemporaries.
In fact I was afraid of all Swamijis except him, as a boy. Most often, he was dressed in rough Cotton, one piece Cotton Safron cloth. He was a Mathadhipati, a Great Scholar of repute of his times, a retired Sub Registrar of Madras Presidency, studied at Presidency College, did his BA.BL., and was an erudite scholar in English literature. I have a Book note written in his hand, where he wrote in Pencil, the famous quote of Churchill or some one,.. This too will go away...
He studied Madhva Siddhanta, under his revered scholarly father, Sri Sudhinidhi teertha Swamiji. His life was extremely simple. As I remember, he would wake up at 3AM, did his ahnikam, Japa & other Sanyasa rituals, went out for a walk with my father, or some trusted shishya.
Some times, he went towards Narasimha Tirtha, have Darshan of Sripadaraja Brindavanam, return by 8 Am. Later, Patha, Japa & Pooja till 12.30. Then he would have some Prasada, offered to Gopinatha Devaru and Ranga Vitthala. He would never sleep in the afternoon. Again Shastra Patha to another group of Students.
How my father came to his fold is also very interesting. My father had completed his SSLC, Kannada Vidvat, and was working as a Teacher in a nearby Village. In fact, his family had migrated from a nearby village, Tayalur, might be due to plague or Cholera. He used to carry water each morning from a Pond near the Mutt, as Agrodkam, for Pooja. Whenever he saw the Swamiji, he prostrated to him.
This turned out to a close bond one day. He sent word for my father, asked him to come to Shanti Patha, the next Day. Then,he was taught each day, Swamiji hardly toured except to Srirangam or Erode. He did not make Mutt rich by money. He made it Spiritually Rich. He was like a Philosopher's stone. Whatever he gave as Prasadam would become more & more....
He was like a child divine, loved children, accessible to one & all in the Town. We took His blessings whenever we went to write our Exams, even in Primary School. Sripadangalu was like a walking God to our family. He inquired about each Shishya who approached him for Shastra Learning, took care of his maintenance till he completed his learning. It was an informal Gurukulam, without any Income. He used to get Pension, which he spent on such things.
He blessed a gardner, farmer, why even a menial, whom he called Chinnabidda. He had conducted many Sudhamangalams to students from other states also. He read The Hindu Newspaper regularly, had an excellent English and so on.. He had knowledge of Modern Science, Law, Mathematics, my brother learnt Geometry from him. etc.... . In fact once I asked my father, Why not we change our Mutt? What is the use of UM, which never helps any of the disciples, any way? He just smiled at me. He never insulted poor & middle class Madhvas, he never used to get angry on his helps, Edabalasevakas.
I was too small to recollect about him. But never forget what he taught me as a child. I was crying bitterly. I wanted to do pooja at home. I was given a small Hanuman Idol for my Worship. I knew only one Shloka, i was afraid whether I can recite it or not !! Those are the days when we weren't supposed to recite all Mantras, without Guru's Upadesham, after Upanayanam. He called me, Magoo, why are you crying? I said some thing. He thrusted some dry grapes & Sugar candy into my hand, and gave me a small Mukhyaprana Idol. I was overjoyed!!! I got what all I needed at that time. The Mukhya Prana idol with smiling face, eyes half closed even now reminds me of our great Guru, when I sit for Pooja.
He called me to his side, very hesitatingly I approached him. He made me to sit on his lap, closed a shawl, as it was a cold morning, taught me
त्वमेव माता च पिता त्वमेव त्वमेव बन्धुश्च सखा त्वमेव |
त्वमेव विद्या द्रविणं त्वमेव त्वमेव sarvaM मम देव देव ||
- ಓ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮ! ನೀನೆ ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ ತಂದೆ, ನೀನೆ ಬಂಧು, ಬಳಗ, ಗೆಳೆಯ, ವಿದ್ಯೆ, ಹಣ, ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ನೀನೆ ಆಗೀದ್ದೀಯೇ.
..and asked me to repeat it. . More I repeated, more Drakshi, Kharjoora & Kallusakkare were given to me. I was wonder struck!!! Some elderly men were waiting for their Daily Patha. He made gestures to them to wait ! He called me Mari, I will give you more, when you come next to Mutt. Be coming to Mutt, whenever you feel like, he added with a divine Smile.
His another favourite Shloka was
अयम् सर्वेष्ट दाता मे सर्वारिष्टनिवारक:।
सर्वोत्कृष्टोयमेवैक: तदीयोहम् स मे पति: ॥
(विष्णुरहस्यम्) - which he made me repeat again and again
One day, he made me to read some letter written by some shishya to clear a doubt of his. I read it clearly, as my language command was very good in those days. I was just a literate in Kannada, knew bit of Kannada & Rama shabdam, in full. My Math knowledge was zero. By his Grace, I learnt many stotras, shlokas very rarely known to all. He blessed me. If I live on... I shall teach you Madhva Shastra, are you interested? he asked me one day. I had heard of Acharya Madhva, never knew what this Shastra was !! I nodded my head, as I hoped for some reading, sugar candies, dry grapes, Rupee Coins, and might be some small idols of Krishna or Mukhyaprana. . I was given a Prana idol with a peta on head. I used to call Maravadi devaru, in ignorance.
Alas! one day, my father was in tears. I have never seen him in tears even when my mother passed away. He said, Namma Swamiji is no more. He attained God's abode early in the morning. He took me to see his mortal remains for the last time. I also cried, without any effort, as I liked him. I was unfortunate to miss such a great Soul, Guru, Philosopher and walking God to me. He lived for 97 years. He shed his mortal coil on 25.12.1961.
When I rarely visit Mulbagal, I bow to his Brindavanam,( now its Shila is changed to a polished granite one) remember his glowing, smiling face radiant with Brilliance of His yogic Power. I remember Him always. Many remember him each morning. He is a Pratahsmaraniya Yati. A great soul.
