Sometimes, one may feel dejected and fail to come to terms in life. It was the feeling when I heard the demise of Sri.SS. Shri.SS, 86 year old, attained the lotus feet of Lord Shiva and was embraced by Sri.Maha PeriavA on 30th April 2014, Amavasya day. It was another usual day for him, where he got up and finished morning rituals and felt a light pain in his heart. All ended.
AnAyEsana maraNam” – one would say in Sanskrit. Death without pain to self and others”.
Doctorate in Sanskrit and having written many books in sanskrit, done research in Ashtabhadhis and other “Grandhams” and recipient of award from the President of India for his vidwat in Sansrit and many more to his credentials.- The list goes on.
(Sri.SS was conferred “Mahopadyayah” award by President of India in 2011. )
But he cherished his association with Mahaperiava as his “bhaghyam” than all his other achievements.
Sri.SS lived for Maha PeriavA. So many instances to narrate how periavA loved him. He was first to be called for any sanskrit related functions and Sadas. Sadas is the conglomeration of Sanskrit pundits to discuss many “sacred” topics in the same language.
Many times, Mahaperiava, while clarifying any issue in Sanskrit, directed the bhakta to Shri.SS to clarify. . When Periava was undergoing eye operation in Shankara Nethralaya, He called only Sri.SS to be with him. Such a great person’s passing away is a terrible loss to Vedic world and as Krishna PrEmi Swamigal puts in as “a fall of vedic tree. (Vruksham).
Few more awards like Sansrita sahitya parishad, 77 year old organization propaganding Sanskrit knowledge to so many students and conducting Sadas conferred him the award “Aharya Sarva Bhowma”. This was founded by eminent scholars and MahaperiavA always participated in all events conducted here, whenever He was in Trichy.
Recently, I attended a sadhabhishekam (80th Birthday function) of an eminent sanskrit pandit and my relative too. His invitation carried –english translated-sanskrit verse, the essence of which as follows::
Lord Krishna prostrated, everyday morning, before 5 important persons. Candidly, counterpart Rukmini was wondering who are they - He prostrating every day morning - Lord replied that he would love to do “namaskram” to five great people viz.,
Nitya anna dhata - Who is religiously doing “anna dhanam” every day.
Taruna Agnihotri Who is doing “daily homam” in Agni (fire)
mAsa upavAsasheesha- Who is “fasting” in Ekadashi
PathivratAcha - Lady who thinks her husband as God and lives as his shadow
vEdAntavidh - who is laureate in Vedha and always keep Vedha as soul
Chandra sahasra Darshi - Who has witnessed 1000 full noon (Octogenerian)
Shad Jeeva lokE - The above said “six People
Mama vandnEEyAh. – I prostrate.
Sri.SS was Taruna Agnihotri and VedAntavidh. Besides this, his wife was a “Pativratah” in real terms. Unfortunately, she passed away two years back.
No wonder Lord prostrates this couple when they lived and still Does the same in Vaikuntam.
He was expert in yajurveda, Bhasya and Daramashastra. Krishna PrEmi Swamigal, in his speech, after the demise of Sri. SS wondered who should one meet for clarifying doubts in Sankrit related issues ?
Experience of my family with Shri.SS
My father was a great admirer of Shri.SS. He recalls those days, where he was the principal of SRC college and Shri SS was the Sanskrit teacher. My father’s respect augmented every time he talked to Mr.SS which had a fairy tale ending of exchanging the horoscope of my brother to his daughter. Sow.Aparna. Thus, he came closer to our family.
The Hindu in his Trichy edition recalled the greatness of this genius on the next day of his demise.
Interestingly, Mahaperiava after anointed as the pontiff of Kachi Mutt, visited Tiruvanaikkoil first, to be blessed by Akillandeshwari and Jambukeshwarar, the main deities of Tiruvanaikkaval. Mahaperiava always blessed Shri.SS by saying that he was fortunate to be in the abode of Akhilandeswari. True to this, he lived his life in the abode of Sister (AmbaL) and Brother (Srirangam renganathar)
Former Principal of Shankara Mutt, Sri. SS had been staying in the Shankara Mutt to the right side of the Temple and lived with his family. Always abuzz with “Shishyas” and chanting of Sanskrit “mantras’ were part of the routine in that house.
His Wife:
While narrating dharama, Bhishma, the pitamaha, gives importance to Stree Dharama (Dharma for ladies). He did not discuss any dharma for purusha (men). This was because, without lady, men are nothing. It is even true today and will be the same on any day.
Anantharama Dikshitar, in his discourse, explains that without the help of lady (wife), men (husband) cannot commit to offer even a coffee to a friend/relative. Sri.SS’s wife till her demise ,two years back, was a shadow of him.
My mother always cherishes the fact that Sri.SS’s wife had taken food after only he finised and had been waiting for him to come and also in the same leaf (plantain leaf) after he finished taking food. This may be a matter of humour now-a-days and difficult to practice and almost extinct. Yesteryears in a typical Brahmin family, this was followed. It was such a greatness of his wife to follow the tradition.
I interacted many times with that lady. So humble., always cheerful and her demise left a void in the life of Sri.SS, naturally. His kids ably supported him in distress and carried on his life later.
Tragedies stuck his life also and with the blessings of Mahaperiava, he was able to overcome this.
Having been so great in his vidwat, upasana and such rich knowledge in Sanskrit, he had been incredibly humble even to an ordinary person like me. That will come only through the “blessings” of guru. One must watch his speech on Maha periava and his life in “youtube” to know how he lived his life.
To recall another interesting even will be worthy of a tribute…
We had a Golden opportunity to have sapthagam (Srimadh bhagavatha Upanyasam) in our house in Srirangam some 4 years back and Sri.Sengalipuram Subtramanya Dikshitar was giving his “Upanyasam” for 7 days. On that day, he was about to complete “Mahabali” charitram (vAmana avatharam of Mahavishnu), Sri SS came at the end of the upanyasam and listened till the completion..
Dikshtiar was so happy and informed that it was like “God” had come on this occasion to listen to this upanyasam. A presence of God was assured when at the end of Upanyasam, someone appeared as Shri. SS, who was a genius and epitome of bhakti and vidwat.
So, it was God who came in the form of Shri. SS to bless us” Dikshitar added.
Shri SS was asked to give a speech for 5 minutes. He started to tell his inability to attend this function for all the 7 days owing to some other commitment and quoted “Ananda Rama Dikshitar’s anecdote of mahAbali.
It was interesting and it goes like this. “When Mahavishnu, in the form of VAmana Avatara is asking for 3 “adi” nilam- “ (3 feet bhoomi). Mahabali decided to give without even thinking. If he had applied his mind, he would have realized and said no. That is because if a beggar is asking Re 1, it is only Re.1. If a business man is asking for Re.1, it is one lakh. If any one applies for loan for Re. 1, it is Rs. 10 lakhs. If the Government is quoting Re.1, it must be 100 crores. So, mahabali could not differentiate the meaning of Re. 1
A Raja like mahabali is not that much a fool, to be asked 1 foot land. He is Raja, like a Government. If that is the case of only mere 3 feet land , Mahabali’s peon must have given this , (implying that he must have thought something fishy when Vamana asked three feet land)- Shri SS ended amidst laugh from the raskias.
Words are not enough to describe the demise of such a great person and console the bereaved family.
We are fortunate to have had association with him after we became part of his family. On any occasion, we go and take his Ahirwadham. Shri. SS and my father had great respect each other.
Shri.SS’ love to his daughter Sow, Aparna (my Sister in law) was immeasurable, though he had equal love and concern for other members of his family.
He has reached the abode of God, We are sure he blesses us all from vaikuntam. Normally, we always wish not to have one more “Janmam” (birth). But, I strongly recommend God that Shri.SS, like maha periava, has to come back to this world to preach and preserve Vedha, the only source of salvation.
AnAyEsana maraNam” – one would say in Sanskrit. Death without pain to self and others”.
Doctorate in Sanskrit and having written many books in sanskrit, done research in Ashtabhadhis and other “Grandhams” and recipient of award from the President of India for his vidwat in Sansrit and many more to his credentials.- The list goes on.
(Sri.SS was conferred “Mahopadyayah” award by President of India in 2011. )
But he cherished his association with Mahaperiava as his “bhaghyam” than all his other achievements.
Sri.SS lived for Maha PeriavA. So many instances to narrate how periavA loved him. He was first to be called for any sanskrit related functions and Sadas. Sadas is the conglomeration of Sanskrit pundits to discuss many “sacred” topics in the same language.
Many times, Mahaperiava, while clarifying any issue in Sanskrit, directed the bhakta to Shri.SS to clarify. . When Periava was undergoing eye operation in Shankara Nethralaya, He called only Sri.SS to be with him. Such a great person’s passing away is a terrible loss to Vedic world and as Krishna PrEmi Swamigal puts in as “a fall of vedic tree. (Vruksham).
Few more awards like Sansrita sahitya parishad, 77 year old organization propaganding Sanskrit knowledge to so many students and conducting Sadas conferred him the award “Aharya Sarva Bhowma”. This was founded by eminent scholars and MahaperiavA always participated in all events conducted here, whenever He was in Trichy.
Recently, I attended a sadhabhishekam (80th Birthday function) of an eminent sanskrit pandit and my relative too. His invitation carried –english translated-sanskrit verse, the essence of which as follows::
Lord Krishna prostrated, everyday morning, before 5 important persons. Candidly, counterpart Rukmini was wondering who are they - He prostrating every day morning - Lord replied that he would love to do “namaskram” to five great people viz.,
Nitya anna dhata - Who is religiously doing “anna dhanam” every day.
Taruna Agnihotri Who is doing “daily homam” in Agni (fire)
mAsa upavAsasheesha- Who is “fasting” in Ekadashi
PathivratAcha - Lady who thinks her husband as God and lives as his shadow
vEdAntavidh - who is laureate in Vedha and always keep Vedha as soul
Chandra sahasra Darshi - Who has witnessed 1000 full noon (Octogenerian)
Shad Jeeva lokE - The above said “six People
Mama vandnEEyAh. – I prostrate.
Sri.SS was Taruna Agnihotri and VedAntavidh. Besides this, his wife was a “Pativratah” in real terms. Unfortunately, she passed away two years back.
No wonder Lord prostrates this couple when they lived and still Does the same in Vaikuntam.
He was expert in yajurveda, Bhasya and Daramashastra. Krishna PrEmi Swamigal, in his speech, after the demise of Sri. SS wondered who should one meet for clarifying doubts in Sankrit related issues ?
Experience of my family with Shri.SS
My father was a great admirer of Shri.SS. He recalls those days, where he was the principal of SRC college and Shri SS was the Sanskrit teacher. My father’s respect augmented every time he talked to Mr.SS which had a fairy tale ending of exchanging the horoscope of my brother to his daughter. Sow.Aparna. Thus, he came closer to our family.
The Hindu in his Trichy edition recalled the greatness of this genius on the next day of his demise.
Interestingly, Mahaperiava after anointed as the pontiff of Kachi Mutt, visited Tiruvanaikkoil first, to be blessed by Akillandeshwari and Jambukeshwarar, the main deities of Tiruvanaikkaval. Mahaperiava always blessed Shri.SS by saying that he was fortunate to be in the abode of Akhilandeswari. True to this, he lived his life in the abode of Sister (AmbaL) and Brother (Srirangam renganathar)
Former Principal of Shankara Mutt, Sri. SS had been staying in the Shankara Mutt to the right side of the Temple and lived with his family. Always abuzz with “Shishyas” and chanting of Sanskrit “mantras’ were part of the routine in that house.
His Wife:
While narrating dharama, Bhishma, the pitamaha, gives importance to Stree Dharama (Dharma for ladies). He did not discuss any dharma for purusha (men). This was because, without lady, men are nothing. It is even true today and will be the same on any day.
Anantharama Dikshitar, in his discourse, explains that without the help of lady (wife), men (husband) cannot commit to offer even a coffee to a friend/relative. Sri.SS’s wife till her demise ,two years back, was a shadow of him.
My mother always cherishes the fact that Sri.SS’s wife had taken food after only he finised and had been waiting for him to come and also in the same leaf (plantain leaf) after he finished taking food. This may be a matter of humour now-a-days and difficult to practice and almost extinct. Yesteryears in a typical Brahmin family, this was followed. It was such a greatness of his wife to follow the tradition.
I interacted many times with that lady. So humble., always cheerful and her demise left a void in the life of Sri.SS, naturally. His kids ably supported him in distress and carried on his life later.
Tragedies stuck his life also and with the blessings of Mahaperiava, he was able to overcome this.
Having been so great in his vidwat, upasana and such rich knowledge in Sanskrit, he had been incredibly humble even to an ordinary person like me. That will come only through the “blessings” of guru. One must watch his speech on Maha periava and his life in “youtube” to know how he lived his life.
To recall another interesting even will be worthy of a tribute…
We had a Golden opportunity to have sapthagam (Srimadh bhagavatha Upanyasam) in our house in Srirangam some 4 years back and Sri.Sengalipuram Subtramanya Dikshitar was giving his “Upanyasam” for 7 days. On that day, he was about to complete “Mahabali” charitram (vAmana avatharam of Mahavishnu), Sri SS came at the end of the upanyasam and listened till the completion..
Dikshtiar was so happy and informed that it was like “God” had come on this occasion to listen to this upanyasam. A presence of God was assured when at the end of Upanyasam, someone appeared as Shri. SS, who was a genius and epitome of bhakti and vidwat.
So, it was God who came in the form of Shri. SS to bless us” Dikshitar added.
Shri SS was asked to give a speech for 5 minutes. He started to tell his inability to attend this function for all the 7 days owing to some other commitment and quoted “Ananda Rama Dikshitar’s anecdote of mahAbali.
It was interesting and it goes like this. “When Mahavishnu, in the form of VAmana Avatara is asking for 3 “adi” nilam- “ (3 feet bhoomi). Mahabali decided to give without even thinking. If he had applied his mind, he would have realized and said no. That is because if a beggar is asking Re 1, it is only Re.1. If a business man is asking for Re.1, it is one lakh. If any one applies for loan for Re. 1, it is Rs. 10 lakhs. If the Government is quoting Re.1, it must be 100 crores. So, mahabali could not differentiate the meaning of Re. 1
A Raja like mahabali is not that much a fool, to be asked 1 foot land. He is Raja, like a Government. If that is the case of only mere 3 feet land , Mahabali’s peon must have given this , (implying that he must have thought something fishy when Vamana asked three feet land)- Shri SS ended amidst laugh from the raskias.
Words are not enough to describe the demise of such a great person and console the bereaved family.
We are fortunate to have had association with him after we became part of his family. On any occasion, we go and take his Ahirwadham. Shri. SS and my father had great respect each other.
Shri.SS’ love to his daughter Sow, Aparna (my Sister in law) was immeasurable, though he had equal love and concern for other members of his family.
He has reached the abode of God, We are sure he blesses us all from vaikuntam. Normally, we always wish not to have one more “Janmam” (birth). But, I strongly recommend God that Shri.SS, like maha periava, has to come back to this world to preach and preserve Vedha, the only source of salvation.
1 comment:
Radhe krishna 🙏
Pranams 🙏
Very nice to hear about Brumhashri Shivaramakrishna Sastrigal. Actually I was not aware of your family background. Our Pranams to Sri S.S, and to all of you , your family, who had close acquaintance with Sri. S.S., Deivam Manusha roopena, but many times we fail to understand. Thanks for sending me this.
Pranams again 🙏
Radhe Krishna 🙏
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