Malladihalli Raghavendra Swamiji : (1895- 1996 )



Malladihalli Raghavendra svamiji, was a profound, Yogacharya, and Ayurveda ratna, who gave life to thousands of patients who came to him. His yoga demonstrations were well cited in most of his devotees who are running Yoga centers in Malaysia, USA, Australia, and England. Some of them have settled in Bengaluru, Maisuru, and other cities of our country. Svamiji, was a scholar, in Kannada literature, studied Sanskrit, and knew Hindi, Konkani, English, and Tulu languages. “Brihad Yogadarshana” Is the reference book, on all aspects of Yoga, for the promising students of Yoga. This book deals all the fundamental aspects of Yoga, including ‘Angamardana kriya,’ as well ! He was an excellent organizer, prolific Speaker, Writer, Actor, and Singer. More than any thing, he was a great human being! He loved the poor, oppressed and downtrodden, and spent his entire life in the upliftment of their lives. Gandhiji’s teachings had a great influence on him.

Raghavendra Swamiji was not like the other Swamijis’ who belong to particular sect or group. He did not belong to any cult or section of a particular cast, or sect. His universal message of Service and love for the entire mankind, has become self evident. Svamiji was born like that and practiced the same till his end. He was a self made man, who brought the divine bliss to an obscure village, called Malladihalli- which was unknown to some of the people of Karnataka even. The sleepy hamlet had the major share of Devanga community, and next in the order is Kurubas- farming community, and the rest are Dalits, Muslims and others.







Kumara swami, as he was named by his parents, Shri. Anantha padmanabha nambudari, and his wife Padmambal, born in the state of Kerala, during 1891. The baby boy, was terribly sick, suffering from “Balagraha pide “and was unable to cry or smile, and recognize his own parents, Leave alone Nambudaris, he was not responding to any one. He was like a piece of flesh, just opening and closing his eye- lids occasionally. Nambudaris were old., they were not keeping good health either. They approached all Ayurvedic pandits and Yogis for help. English medicines were unknown then ; even the medical science had not developed. But nothing helped them. Mother was very much disturbed with the child and went to several Gods and Goddesses, to get the ‘Anugraha’. Finally some one suggested that, ‘Devi Mukambika’ is the goddess of ‘wakshakti’ , and hence to go to her mercy.

The temple was far away at Kolluru. Although it was a few hundred kilometers away, there were no buses or motorcars then. There were no roads, and one has to walk all the distance amidst jungles, rivers, and some times wild beasts. Nambudaries determined to visit Kollur. They took their 14 year old son, in their arms, and back and traveled all the way by bullock carts, and most of the times by walk. Finally they landed at a place called ‘Barakur’. It was already night, and they sought the shelter in a house of a Brahmin. His name was Sri. Narasimhaiah, a Gamaki, Scholar, and a Yakshagana specialist; and his wife were Smt. Puthalibai. Both were very ‘satvik’ people, and offered a place in the corner of their coconut garden.

Nambudari, was an Astrologer, Priest and a great scholar of Sanskrit. He was advising the village folks, and helping in their Ceremonies, rituals, pujas etc; in the process he was getting some money as Dakshina.

Once, the acting Swamiji of ‘Mantralayam math’, came to the village of Barakur and had his camp, in the sourrounding villages. Padmambal, was very keen to meet Svamiji and show her child, Kumarasvami, and get the blessings from the seer. Manthralayam Swamiji, saw the boy and blessed the child, with ‘Mantrakshate’. He said that, all the ailments would be cured by the grace of God, and he would be a great man one day, and will help to uplift the lives of poor and needy.