Biography of Guru Mama

"Bharatavarsha", India as it was known in its earlier days, is the Spiritual Capital of the world, and is embellished by sacred rivers,sacred mountain ranges and sacred cities. Bharatavarsha has nourished many great souls, whose name and fame still echo through its people's ears. We are fortunate enough to have been born in this revered land.


Birth:

The River Paalaru, originating from Mysore confluences along with the rivers Cheyyaaru and Vegavati. Such a confluence is referred to as "Triveni Sangamam". The confluence flows through the Seevaram Hill and the sacred Pinaayur Hill. The village Pinaayur lies in the southern bank of Paalaru.Pinaayur has sizeable population as well as abundant natural resources that make it quite prosperous.

Our guru Sri Narayana Sastrigal was born into the most illustrious family of the place. Sri Narayana Sastrigal was the third son of Sri Nageswara Sastrigal and Srimati Gnanambal, the grandson of Sri Subramanya Sastrigal and great grandson of Sri Kicchu Vadhyar.

Childhood:

He completed his formal education till standard twelve in the local school and the high school in the nearby town. Since he couldn't afford higher education, he took efforts to have his upanayanam performed and then joined the Veda Paatashala in the Lingappaiyyar Street in Kanchipuram, he continued his study in Kalahasti and thus his study of the Vedas was completed.

Education:

He had also learnt Sanskrit from Sri Thiruvenkatachari, the village sanskrit scholar. He also learnt the various Shastras, Jyotisham, Dharma Shastram et al from many illustrious people like Sengalipuram Sri Anantharama Dikshithar, Kallidaikurichi Sri Phutarjuna Sarma,Pinaayur Sri Sheshagiri Dikshithar, Kandamangalam Sri Balasubramaniam, Mahamahopadhyaya Noorani Sri Ananthakrishna Sastrigal.

He was intiated into Mantra Shastram by Postmaster Sri Viswanatha Iyer, Ujjain Sri Ramachandra Swamigal, Sri P.N.Ramanatha Shastrigal also known as Sri Karunananda.

Thus by Amba's grace, he became adept in various Shastras.
He worked as Shastra Upadhyaya in various Veda Patashalas in Chengalpattu, Vizhupuram, and West Mambalam in Chennai. Possibly it was during this period that he attained purascharana of all the mantras into which he was initiated.

An account of some Divine Experiences in Sri Guru's Life:

1) More than half a century ago, when Guru Mama was about 40 years of age, he went to Badrinath with four of his disciples. Badrinath did not have a commutable road in those days and devotees had to walk a strenously long and difficult path full of rocks. At many places , enroute to the shrine, there were valleys that were about 400 feet deep . These paths were so tricky that if one slipped, one can be sure that he won't survive. And, Guru Mama abstained from the use of foot wear also. Guru Mama wanted to have a dip in the holy river Alakananda at Badrinath . The water was supposed to be icy cold and the river was very rough. Some people advised Guru Mama to not enter into the river. He paid no heed and proceeded with his plan, and finally when he was out of the water, it took about thirty minutes for him to return back to normal health conditions.Guru Mama and his four disciples started coming down to the plains through the rugged path. Generally speaking, as one climbs down frm the hill, the tendency to slip is greater and as guru mama didn't resort to cover his feet he had to be more careful. So he requested all his disciples to walk down together with him. However they all seperated as they preferred walking down by themselves. When only one of the disciples was left, he requested the disciple to accompany him, but that was also not to happen as after sometime, he also proceeded down fast and left Sri Guru behind.

Apparently soon after, Guru Mama slipped, and found that his head was hanging down below with his two feet on the top. He also could feel that someone was holding his feet, preventing him from going down into the valley.

After a few minutues, he found himself sitting in a road, trying to recover from the shock. He could also hear a voice coming from within, which said, " COME ON, GET UP, GO AHEAD".

Guru Mama summed up the Miracle, telling,"When none is by my side, Ambaal comes to my rescue".

2)Guru Mama himself mentioned another event. Once he was drowned while taking bath in the village tank. None was nearby him to get him out to safety. However he found that someone had rescued him and brought him back to the shore. After recovering from the shock, when he searched for the person who saved him, he could not find any body nearby.

( will be updated..)