Distinguished scholar remembered

WHILE INNUMERABLE religious books have been bequeathed to us by versatile scholars, the contents require elaboration and valid explanation for laymen who may be eager to learn the esoteric meaning of the statements made therein.

The epics, the Upanishads and the puranas need detailed exposition of the hidden secrets embedded in them.

There were days when religious institutions trained several scholars who later took on the task of propagating the philosophy and the rules of dharma, interspersed in religious texts. One such scholar was Thirukkallam Narasimharaghavachariar who however passed away when he was 58.

His disciples and beneficiaries who cherish his memory have now planned to celebrate his 75th birth anniversary on December 14, 2000, at a function held at Desika Bhavanam, Mylapore, in Chennai, and also in Hyderabad.

He was at the height of his career rendering discourses when destiny acted.

Thirukkalam Swami was educated in various fields of Vaishnavite theology and Sastras through various institutions such as the patasala and attained proficiency in all branches.

He was a disciple at the Sri Ahobila Math and had the privilege of learning at the feet of the 42nd, 43rd and 44th Jeeyar Swamis, along with Sri Purisai Krishnamachariar and Sri Villivalam Krishnamachariar (present 45th Jeeyar Swami of Ahobila Math), who spread spiritual values.

He was made the asthana vidwan of the Math and was given the title, ``Saara Saaragnar.'' He edited the ``Nrisimha Priya'' for 15 years.

His discourses on the Bhagawad Gita were scintillating. His discourses on ``Rahasya Irayasaram were stimulating.

What distinguished the Swami was his humility, the inoffensive manner in which he used to deal with other schools and point out the differences, and his punctuality.

He would not wait for anyone if the scheduled time for commencing his lectures was up and would stop his discourse on the dot, irrespective of the passage with which he was dealing. He was gentle and would clear all doubts of disciples without getting annoyed.

One of the projects proposed to keep the memory of Thirukkalam Swami always alive is to complete the ``Karanji'' shrine, one of the nine ``Narasimhars'' at Ahobilam.

DVV

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