mounaswami: July 2011

A human being is part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separate from the rest. A kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from the prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. The true value of a human being is determined by the measure and the sense in which they have obtained liberation from the self. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive. (Albert Einstein, 1954)

The most beautiful and most profound experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the sower of all true science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead. To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive forms - this knowledge, this feeling is at the center of true religiousness.
( Albert Einstein - The Merging of Spirit and Science)

Jagadguru Sri Sri Mounananda Theertha Swamigal of Ambattur
(19?? - 1991)

Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu Guru Devo Maheswaraha

Guru Sakshath para bramha thasmai Sri Mouna Gurave namaha

Our Holiness, has had the grace and Siddhi of the Dathareya Avatharam of the Trinity, transmitted from His Holiness Thirukutralam Mounanandha Swamigal, who was famous for attaining Siddhi in Dhathathreya Mantra. To add to this power of grace, this transformation of the Siddhi from His Holiness Thirukutralam Mounanandha Swamigal has descended on our Ambattur Swamigal in the holy presence and under the guidance of Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi at Thiruvannamalai, almost 50 years back. ( it could be around 1930s- Kumar)

His Holiness Ambattur Swamigal, a great,simple and unostentatious Sanyasi, observing mouna vratha for for a great number of years, has been moving admist us, with a radiating personality and with a cheerful and smiling face, and with a child-like temperament, ready to give His blessings to persons who approach him. Perhaps, if my experience is not to be misunderstood as "Athmashuthi", it will be more apt to describe that like a cow going to its calf or a mother going to her child to fulfill its needs. His Holiness goes to sishyas and in fact knocks at their doors and wakes them to give His grace and blessings.

He has a deep knowledge of astrology, a good insight in Ayurvedic Vaidhya and with the spiritual powers he preserves and posesses, he conferes grace and peace on the devotees. He is able to make persons who come to Him crestfallen, to stand erect and go with a happy and cheerful face with a feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction.

Let me now describe the auspicious nature of the birth of our Swamiji, almost 68 years back(this was written in 1976) in the small town of Chittor of the former Cochin State (now Kerala State) in the month of Karthikai, with the star Swathi. It was a monday evening;the time of birth was made much more auspicious being the time o pradosham, and it was said at that time, the panchamoorthis of the temple were taken in procession with fanfare of music etc. Thus, with this divine background, was ushered into the world our Swamiji, in order to help the afflicted souls, even from his early age.

The child who was given the name of Sri Subramaniam, had a handicap of speech till its 7th year, but looking back,possible this was the very reason for this child becoming spiritually great.

He had the blessings of the then His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Sringeri Saradha Peetam Sri Sachidananda Sivabhinava Sri Narasimha Bharathi Swamigal, at whose instance, upanayanam was performed at the child's 11th year and had later initiation into"Tharakamanthra".

From then onwards, this young boy, had spent plenty of time in doing Gayathri and Ramanama Japas and did everything possible for further advancement in the spiritual realm.

He went to Palani, Rameswaram,Kasi etc. and in each place, the respective presiding deity,gave him the necessary grace and blessings for further development.

Sri Subramaniam reamained as a Bramachari till his 23rd year. When he went to Calcutta to visit Ramakrishna Math and the Kali temple,the Divine Grace further helped him in the form of His Holiness Guru Nirgunanandha, initiating him into the Paramahamsa Sanyasa order.Then there were further wanderings in quest of spiritual enlightenment. When he returned to the South after the above experience, he had again , in 1943, the blessings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Sringeri Saradha Peetam Sri Sachidananda Sivabhinava Sri Chandrasekara Bharathi Swamigal, who enlightened him on the greatness of Mowna and the consequent attainment of peace. From that time onwards, our Swamiji, started to observe Mouna Vratha.

Then well known Seshadri Swamigal also had his share of transmission of divine grace to our Swamiji, as it was Seshadri Swamiji, who inspired our Mouna Swamiji to establish a Matam, which he did in 1946 at Ambalpuri,Ambattur. Since establishing the Matam, Swamiji has installed a number of deities in the shrine. Though small,the power of vibration can be felt in the following manifestations of the Supreme installed in the small temple in 1947.

1.Sri Viswamangala Vinayagar

2.Sri Yoga Anjaneyar

3.Sri Balasubramania Swami

4.The Navagrahams.

The temple is open for worship by the devotees for doing abhishekams, archanas and poojas.

He has in his pooja room the priceless posession of Dhathareya Swami,Sri Chandramouliswara and Sri Bhuvaneswari. For these deities abishekams,aradhanas and poojas are done by Swamiji himself.At the time of worship,disciples are allowed to recite the necessary Archana Mantras,Veda Vakyams etc., thus giving them full sense of participation in the pooja and the devotees get the feeling that they are receiving the Divine grace.

To create a spiritual vibration Swamiji has also made arrangements to conduct festivals in honour of the deities, which represent the various manifestations of the Supreme being like,

1.Chathurthi

2.Dhatta Jayanthi

3.Skandhashashti

4.Radha Kalyanam

5.The four Navarathris etc.

Each occasion may be celebrated from 1 to 10 days.During this periods, encouragement is given to Vedhaparayanam,Rudrabishekam,Sahasranama Archanai, Discourses, Music performance,Divine Dance performance,bajans etc. are given encouragement to performances and get into the limelight. In fact, I know many of the persons, who are at the top today, in muic, religious discourse etc., had started their career and had made their maiden attempt at this Ashram. The divine blessings and grace of Swamiji had been given to them. No wonder,naturally such people vie with each other in doing Kaingaryam, during festival occasions and also on other days when they go to Ambattur.

Note:

This article was written by Prof.Sitapathi in the year 1983. His Holiness Swamiji attained Mahasamadhi on Tuesday, 16th July,1991. The exact year of his Avatar in not known. From his descriptions and various references, we could guess that it could be between 1900 to 1910. His 20th Aradhana was performed at the Ashram recently. Swamiji continues to shower His Grace and Blessings on all those come into contact with Him from His Adhistanam (Samadhi Mandir) and from the Shrine. Om Shanthi Ashram is located in Mounaswami Matam Street, Near Old Terminus Bus Stand Ambattur Chennai-600 053, India.