Sri Sadguru Bodendra Swamigal - Profile

SRI SADGURU BODENDRA SWAMIGAL OF BHAGAVATHA TRINITY ............. (1610-1692)

Nature has showered her bounteous gifts on the small village of Govindapuram near Tiruvidaimarudur so that the immortal Bhagavathotama Sri Sadguru Bodendra Swamigal could attain bliss there amidst natural beauty and serenity after a life of hectic spiritual mission and exercise. The sacred place where his Samadhi is situated witnesses the annual celebration of the day of his Mahanirvan.

This contemporary of Sri Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Tiruvisanallur and Sri Sadasiva Brahemndral was born at Kanchipuram, of Kesava Panduranga Yogi and Suguna and was called, while young, Purushotaman. He had his education in the midst of scholars and set out to Benaras with a friend. Losing his friend en route, he desired to end his life. Destiny took him to Sri Viswadikendra Saraswathi, the 58th Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt sojourning there. Finding the fittest person and scholar in Purushottaman to succeed him, the learned Pontiff ordained him a sanyas and gave him the name of Bodendra Saraswathi. The young sanyasi was intructed to return to Kanchipuram via Jagannath to secure the great work 'Nama Kaumudi' of Lakshmidhara Kavi. Accordingly, Bodendra reached Jagannath and got the book from the author's son, Lakshmikantha Kavi and his mother.

The unique character of this trip lay in Lakshmidhara Kavi leaving instructions with his son to deliver the book to 'the sanyasi from the South who comes seeking it' and the Sankaracharya instructing his ward to trek all the way to Jagannath and obtain the book. This was about 360 years back. Further, on the day of his visit, Bodendra witnessed an incident extolling the spiritual glory of 'Ram Nam' and the enormity of the gifts of Devotion.

Bodendra accompanied his guru in his pilgrimage to Rameswaram on the Southern tip of the country on his return from Benares. The Sankaracharya attained eternity on the way and Sadguru Bodendra Swamigal became the 59th Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in the year 1638. Bodendra later stayed at Tiruvidaimarudur and this helped in another Great Bhagavatha, Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval of Thiruvisainallur (just north of Tiruvidaimarudur) joining him in spiritual anmd devotional pursuits. It may be mentioned that they together with Sadguru Swamgal of Marudhanallur form the Bhagavatha Trinity and with Sri Sadasiva Brahmendral and Swami Narayana Tirtha constitute the Founders of the Bhakthi Renaissance and Bhajan in the South. Singing in chorus according to procedure in praise of God at festivals and on auspicious days became common and widespread.

Sri Sadguru Bodendra, on the basis of the Nama Kaumudi, wrote the 'Nama Siddanta Granthas' comprising - Namamritha Rasodayam Nama Rasayanam Nama Suryodhayam Nama Tarangini Namarnavam Harihara Bheda Dikkaram Hariharadvaita Bhushanam Murta Brahma Vivekam Advaita Bhushanam and Atma Bodha Teeka.

Sri Bodendra's guru was delighted to see these scholarly works of his ward on his return from Benares and these works have since been published. 'Nama Kaumidi' was reported to be available at the Marudhanallur Mutt of Sridhara Swamigal till 1966 though in poor condition. Now it is not there.

Sri Sadguru Bodendra Swamigal is remembered not only at the annual celebrations at Govindapuram but at each and every bhajan wherever it is done. The learned and respected scholar, Ki.Vaa. Jagannathan made the profound statement that Bharath had undergone political, economic and social upheavals with its hours of glory and shame but at no time it had lacked in the presence of eminent men of devotion and sacrifice.