Mannargudi Periyava (Brahmasri Raju Sastrigal)

Mannargudi Periyava

In ‘Deivathin Kural,’ Paramacharya says this of Mannargudi Periyava: 

“In normal practice a Sanyasi or a head of Mutt is addressed as ‘Periyava.’ But the only family man to be accorded that respect is ‘Mannargudi Periyava.’ He earned that regard due to his vast knowledge which he imparted to numerous students including sanyasis and his great qualities such as bhakti, strict adherence to our ancient scriptures, humbleness and simple lifestyle.” 

Raju Sastrigal was the ninth in the line of the direct descendants of Appayya Dikshitar and was born on May 28, 1815 (Yuva, Vaikhasi 17, Sunday) to Maragathavalli and Margasagayar. His immediate ancestors had lived in a village called Koothambadi near Tiruvarur having acquired it by a grant at about the beginning of the 18th century; but the original home of the family was Adayapalam near Arani in the North Arcot District.

Raju Sastrigal learnt Sama Veda under his grandfather and had his early education in kavyas, natakas etc., under his father. At fifteen years of age he could speak and compose beautifully in Sanskrit. His higher studies were under Sri Narayana Saraswathi and also under Svayamprakasa Yati for vedanta, Chinanna Dikshitanar of Mela Kaveri for Maha Bhasya and Sri Raghunatha Sastrigal of Kumbakonam for Mimamsa.

He trained a number of disciples including sanyasis, noted among them being Mahamahopadyaya Painganadu Ganapathi Sastri, Tirukotiyur Harihara Sastri, Palamaneri Sundara Sastri, Yajnasvami Sastri (grandson of Mannargudi Periyava) Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri, Nadukaveri Srinivasa Sastri, Kasi Brahmanandha Swami, Ramakrishnananda Swami, Mahadeva Swami, Dhakshinamoorthy Swami, Maharashtra Swami, Sachithananda Swami, Tirupathi Venkatasubramania Sastri and a host of Vaishnavite scholars from Senamkulam.

Even judges and lawyers sometimes took expert advice from Raju Sastrigal on points relating to Hindu law. Authors and Publishers considered it a great honour to have a few lines of commendation by “Periyava” to their books and he gave away scores of Abhinandana Patrikas to those who approached him.

In commemoration of the golden jubilee of the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1887, Raju Sastrigal was selected from south for the title, ‘Mahamahopadyaya’ and was invited to Delhi for the award ceremony. The Sastrigal, who would not give up his daily rituals and teaching schedule did not attend the function and the then Governor General directed the Collector of Thanjavur to confer the title on him at his residence.

This picture, of the inauguration of the Advaitha Sabha in 1895, has a galaxy of Sanskrit stalwarts. Presiding over the meeting is Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi (66th pontiff of Kanchi Mutt and Paramaguru of Paramacharya) and the picture on the dais is that of Adi Sankara.

01) Mahamahopadhyaya Brahmasri Raju Sastrigal,

02) Mahamahopadhyaya Brahmasri Balakrishna Sastrigal,

03)Mahamahopadhyaya Brahmasri Harihara Sastrigal,

04) Mimamsa Brahmasri Kuppuswami Sastrigal,

05) Brahmasri Mahalinga Sastrigal,

06) Brahmasri Nilakanta Dikshitendral,

07) Brahmasri Narayana Dikshitendral,

08) Brahmasri Sundara Vajapayee,

09) Sir A. Seshayya Sastrigal, K.C.I.E, 

10) Ayyaswami Sastrigal, 

11) V. Krishna Iyer, 

12) S. Vaidhyanatha Iyer, 

13) Sambasiva Iyer, 

14) S. Appu Sastrigal and 

15) Rayalu Kuppuswami Iyer.

It was at the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt in Kumbakonam, on the banks of the Cauvery, that the Advaitha Sabha was born in November 1895 with the benediction of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati (66th pontiff of Kanchi Mutt), Paramaguru of Paramacharya. Brahmasri Mahamahopadhyaya Raju Sastrigal of Mannargudi was the Chief Pandit who presided over the proceedings of the inaugural session and also the following few years’ sessions of the Advaitha Sabha.

It is the endeavour of the Periyava Samiti to identify the pandits and give a note about each of the pandit whether marked or otherwise in the picture shown above and place it in prominent places including Kalavai adishtanam of the 66th pontiff who started the Advita Sabha, Kanchi Mutt, Villupuram Patasala (Mahaswami’s birth place) and Mannargudi Sankara Mutt (where Mannargudi periyava lived). The descendants or sishya parampara who can give information may kindly contact S.V. Jayaraman, Chennai (044-24892132, 09444401693/ svjayarman@yahoo.com)

Courtesy: 

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/fountainhead-of-vedic-knowledge/article658883.ece