The Master of Sri Vidya

Sri Ananthanantha Nathar.(C.V.Swami Sastrigal

There is a radiant energy in every life. It is universal. It is not related to or restricted

by place or time. This energy powers action, Realization of this energy in a life which
makes one a real guru. Pujya Sri Ananthananda Nathar (Sri C.V. Swamy Sastrigal) of
Guhananda mandali, the famous Srividhya Mandali, was one such guru who possessed
that quality. My attempt in the article is to relate briefly the life he lead which did not
deviate, even a bit, into forbidden path; when I say his life did not deviate into
forbidden paths, let me discuss also what led one become a real guru. The following is
taken from Sootha Samhithai, Chapter on Mukti (Salvation)

A real Guru (Sadhguru) is one- 

- Who has realized that the world seen by us all is the creation of Maya (illusion), like
the many different ornaments made by a goldsmith out of one real, gold; 
- Who has identified his own self with the all pervading divine radiant energy which is
the only real thing and so permanent;

- Who has become one with that divine energy by hearing vedas and vedanthas; and 
- Who has realized karmas (religious rites and sacrifices) as prescribed by religion
(Dharma) will not lead one to merge with the divine energy; and
- known that all karmas are immersed in the supreme knowledge of the power of divine
energy, but manifests itself in the different temporary creations, visible to the naked
eyes, which are like shells under water which glitter like silver.

Only he who has reached this understanding of the real divine power is capable of being
a guru who can lead one to final realization of God.

There are several such great gurus, even in the present age of economic struggle, in our
land. Most of them are,” like the gem of purest ray serene”, unknown. But my Guru was
different. He traveled all over the length and breadth of our great country, Himalayas
to Kanyakumari. He was well versed in Srividya, mantras,Tantras and Sanky shastras.

His mastery of Sankrit language and prosody was superb, in fact equal to that of
Kalidasa. His compositions were numerous, very captivating and without any grammatical
aberrations which, at times, unnoticed, creep in the works of even great scholars.
Now let me go into his life in brief

PARENTAGE

1. About 300 years ago, a Tamil Brahmin couple, in Kerala, 45 and 40 years, went on
a pilgrimage to all sacred spots in Kerala, praying for a child. They did not have a
child till then. Finally, they reached Mangala about 12 miles from Olavakkod.
“Bharatapuza” (means River Bharati) flows along “Mangala” and on its bank
stands “Pudukkottappan”. They settled at this temple to spend their time in
worship and performing daily religious rites. 
2. The Chief Executive of this temple, observing their religious practices,
discipline and learning, allowed them to stay as long as they wanted.
3. Rice cooked in cow’s urine was their principal food. In six month’s time, by the
grace of “ Pudukkottappan” the lady became pregnant and gave birth to a male
issue. They named him Venkatesan. It is this Sri Venkatesan from whom the
family tree of my guru grew up.
4. In the generations that followed, Shri Venkatesan (grand son of Sri Venkatesan)
was born. I am unable to get the name of Shri Venkatesan - (Junior’s Father)
and so it has not been given. Venkatesan Junior was known as Ayyakutti. So I will
also refer to him as Sri Ayyakutti hereafter. Sri Ayyakutti lost his mother at a
young age. His father married a second time, and he also died when Ayyakutti
was very young. Ayyakutti’s stepmother ill-treated him. Unable to bear her
treatment and behavior he ran away from home and joined the service of the
local zamindar. The family of the zaminder were known as “Thousand mile
Rulers”. Sri Ayyakutti stayed in the palace. He was devoted to Sun God”
5. Sri Ayyakutti knew by heart “Mayura Satakam” composed by Mayura Kavi. He
performed Suryanamaskaram on a rock at the temple of Bhagavati. The dent
created by this by Sri Ayyakkutti on the rock, by this daily ritual, can be seen
even today.
6. Sri Ayyakutti married the daughter of Shri Appu Jyotishar of Kundanur named
Shrimati Thailamba. To Thailamba and Ayyukutti were born three children,
namely Shrimati Subbalakshmi Ammal, known as Ammani and a son named Shri
Krishna Shastri and thirdly a son named Shri Venkateswara Swami later known
as “Shri Swami Sastriji”. This article deals with the life of Shri Swami Sastriji,
my Guru.

CHILDHOOD
7. When Sri Swamy was born, his parents and relatives were very happy. His bright
eye appeared to foretell his fame in later years; He lost his father at the very
early age of four. Sri. Krishna Jyotishar, his maternal uncle and his mother
looked after his upbringing. Shri Krishna Jyotishar did not have children. So he
 performed Shri Swami’s “Upanayanam” (giving of the sared thread)

Shri Swami learned astrology from “Jyotisham Ramayyar” and Kavyas from Shri
Venkatesa Sastrigal Dandakam, Aparadha Kshamapana Sthoram, Mantramatruka
Pushpamala. He was repeating any one of them always, and even in his sleep.

Later, He was taken care of by his sister and brother-in-law. They had a son
named Venkataraman. He was very wise, could sing well and Sri Swami loved hid
very much. He died suddenly one day. From then on Sri Swami was grief stricken
and lost his power to listen and lost his hearing. His limbs became very weak
even to walk and work, and day by day he was loosing his vision also. But Sri
Lalitha Sahasranamam, Sri Devi Mahathmiyam, etc. were never forgotten. They
still ran in his mind always. Some days passed off like that. One night he had a
strange dream. An old man appeared and said “Day after tomorrow at 12 noon,
you will die.”

On hearing of the strange dream his uncle and mother were perturbed. His
mother sat by his side and repeated Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam continuously even
without taking water also day and night. Exactly at 12 noon on the day announced
by the old man of the dream, he went into a coma but his mother putting all
faith in the Holy mother Sri Lalitha, went on with her recitation. At 3 O’ clock
he woke up without any sign of illness and sat up, and began speaking. He was
normal thereafter Sri Lalitha Devi had a role for him to play in this world.

ADULTHOOD
8. Shri Swami who was devoted to philosophical thinking, was married to Shrimati
Mahalakshmi Ammal in 1929. His wife cooperated with him in his rituals and
practices in all manner. They were, naturally, devoted to Sri Lalita Devi and
always calm.

In 1930, due to necessity to search for economic resources to carry on his

house holder’s duties, he shifted to Madras, and took his abode at 313 Mint
Street, Sowcarpet. Sri Kanchi Jagathguru Sri Paramacharyal (MahaPeriyava)
was well-known this address which mentioned to a devotee. It was from Madras
that he became famous and the “gem” gave out its luster. 

GURU DEEKSHA
9. Shri Swami realized that to attain divine knowledge, only Sri vidya upasana was
the route. He began his search for a guru him in Sri Vidya he was able to
discover Sri Chidanandanatha, known as Shri Sir. Sri Chidanandanatha was
mitiated at Prayaga by Sri Guhananda Natha Avaduta of Badrikasramam on the
year 1911 Thai Amavasai. His popularity became wide in the country by his
 teachings and advaita related Srividya research. He has compiled a Saparya
Paddathi for devi upasakas which is extracted from Kalpasutra and other Kalpas.
And also he written a lot of books about Srividya and Vedanta. He was
established one Sabha named Sri Brahmavidya Vimarsini Sabha, known as
Guhananda Mandali. Many sishyas were blessed and initiated by him.

10. On full moon day on the third month Mithuna (June-July 1936) Shri Lalitha
Trisati Yagya was arranged at Kamakoti Matam, Kanchipuram. This was arranged
to be directed by Shri Sir, Several scholars and Shri Vidya upasakas from
different parts of India gathered in Kanchipuram. Shri Sir, instructed his
disciple- Shri Swami to conduct the “Kalasapratishta”. Shri Swami was very
pleased with opportunity, but Shri Sir had not said anything about giving him
initiation in Shri Vidya upasana. This apparent indifference of Shri Sir was
present in Shri Swami”s mind always.

Shri Swami began his pujas. On this day, Shri Sir gave Shri Swami “Shakta
Diksha”. This is initiation on Shakti Upasana. It removed the thrist for guru’s
initiation which was in Shri Swami. Shri Swami was given the Dikshanama as Sri
Ananthananda Natha. Hereafter I will refer to Shri Swami as Guruji.

11. GURUJI’S TRAVELS Sri Guruji did not confine his religious ceremonies only to
Madras. His activities and travels spread over Kanyakumari to Himachala. In his
travels he initiated so many individuals in Srividya Upasana. He visited Kamakya
Temple on 1.4.1958 where he got Yoni Kunda Darshan and did puja with
Sapthasati parayana.

Sri Guruji’s principles in life were:- 

12. -There must be a goal for everything one does –

13. One should always speak the truth

14. -He Saw the universe as Sivasakthi Mayam

15. -He researched and understood that the lord of the universe, as described by
Vedas and Upanishads, is the same as retold in Tantra Shastras.

16. In 1942 due to the evacuation of Madras and other coastal cities, my Guruji
shifted to Kanchipuram at Rajaveethi. For two years Kanchipuram kept my Guruji
and raised its stature by his presence.
 17. In the middle of his sadhana he stayed at Vidayal Karuppur, one of the ancient
villages situated on the bank of the river Kaveri (Kudamurutti) Thanjavur
District. In the year of 1974, he showered his blessings on me by doing Saktha
Diksha at this village. From that time I have maintained the Guruji’s sayings and
upadesams by doing sadhana, puja, and homa etc.

18. TITLES AND AWARDS

Kanchi Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal

presented my Guru with a medal in recognition of his learning and devotion to

Shakti

worship.

Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya of Puri gave him the title of “Shri Vidya
Marthanda”.

Dwaraka Sharada Peethadhipati Shri Abhinava Sachidananda Theertha Swami gave

him the title of “Shri Vidya Vachaspati”.

Sri Guruji’s Sadabishekam was celebrated at Kanchipuram by his sishyas and

bhaktas gathered in large numbers on 11.6.1980. The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
garlanded him on that day.

MAHA NIRVANAM

On 6th September 1980. i.e. Shravana month. Thirteenth day after full moon, year
Rowdri according to kali varsha my guru reached the sacred feet of Sri Lalitha
Mahatirupurasundari the Holy mother, whom he served all his life and propagated
her worship. My guru Sri Ananthananda Natha relinquished his mortal body and
became one with the Paramjyothi. I would like to point out to my readers that this
the same thithi on which Sri Ramana Maharishi also attained samadhi.

Thus ended the worldly life of 

 A great Guru, 

 An illustrious scholar,

 A great poet,

 A well-known yanthra – prathishtapakacharya

 A Compiler of SriMahaganapathi Saparya Paddhati,

 A gem of Guhanandamandali
 A Dheergadharis

 A great writer of Thathwa

 A numaralagist in Katapayathi Sankya sastra, and also

 An ardent Srividya Upasaka who left behind him many mourning admirers and
disciples.

CONCLUSION

Thus we got a very good Guru by the grace of Maheswari and by his grace we
praying the welfare to the mankind in everywhere. He is showering his blessings
today itself also. 

To propagate the Srividya Tatwas, to adopt his sayings and to publish his articles,
We have founded a Sabha named ‘The Rithanbhara Jnana Sabha’ on the 91st
Birthday of our Guruji, in the year 1998 Sri Guruji’s life history, in the detailed
manner named Sri Guru Prakasam was written by me in Tamil language and published
by the said Rithanbhara Jnana Sabha in his auspicious 98th Jayanthi Day.