Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra Swamiji
Encyclopedia
Sri Raghavendra Swamiji of Malladihalli ( Kannada: ಮಲ್ಲಾಡಿಹಳ್ಳಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ) (1890–1996), popularly known as "Malladihalli Swamiji", was a founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli. He taught Yoga
to more than 4.5 million people all over the world keeping his base as Malladihalli Chitradurga
District, a tiny village in Karnataka
, India
, approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore
, India
.
Raghavendra Swamiji was born in Kerala.This Yoga
and Ayurvedic Guru treated more than 3 million people for various diseases through his Ayurvedic medicines, and Yoga without any operations. He constructed an Ayurvedic hospital at Malladihalli and Vishwa Yoga
Mandir (World Yoga Trust) and various Educational institutions, on a non-profit basis. His main concern was to educate the poor people and teach Yoga to all cross sections of the society for maintaining good health. He always says "You should not exhibit Yoga", in other words, Yoga is not for exhibition purposes or competition purposes. Based on his 70 years of experience in Yoga and Ayurveda, and his various theories in Yoga
teaching, as per him, the number of Yoga
postures is equal to the number of animals and birds living in the world.
The State Government of Karnataka and Central Government of India awarded him several awards for his outstanding achievements to the society, but he declined to accept any awards, because his aim was not awards, but to collect funds for his various projects for poor and needy. He called himself "Thiruka" (Beggar) and urged the people to donate freely to his projects, and thus succeeded in collecting funds and implementing his projects effectively during his tenure. He was an author of various Yoga and Ayurvedic books, Literature, Dramas, Bhajans etc., published in his pen name Thiruka. Some of his writings included in the text books as a syllabus for high school students in Karnataka
.
, to parents Anantha Padmanabha and mother Padmambal, happens to be only ailing child to his parents, even he is not conscious till the age of fifteen. His original name was Kumaraswamy.
The majority of the Kerala Hindu
community are the devotees of Sri Mookambika
of Kollur
. So his parents decided to undertake a pilgrimage to Kollur to pray to the Goddess for the speedy recovery of their ailing son. The swamiji of temple assured his mother that she need not to worry herself for the ailing boy, who had every chance of being a very famous person in the days to come. The very words of swamiji's blessings had filled every drop of her blood with new enthusiasm and fresh life. But after a few days of joy and emotions, his mother, died. Later, this ailing boy was adopted by the family of Smt. Puthali Bai and Shri. Narasimhaiah when Bhirthi Shri. Ramachandra Shastry advised the couple. Shri. Anantha Padmanabha, later went on a pilgrimage to Himalayas. Due to the blessings of the God, Raghavendrs's health gradually improved both physically and mentally and later, he was admitted to a primary school. He performed well in every subject except English. He was very fond of music, and learnt Carnatic music
till Varna
and Kirtan
and singing Bhajans and devotional songs. As a school boy he participated and acted in many dramas, Yakshagana
and Thala Maddale.
When the boy was in high school at kundapur, the incident which brought about a metamorphosis in boy's life, was the blessings of Sri Nityanand Swamiji with Taraka Yoga
(Shakthipatha Yoga). After this rare incident, his life entirely bent on spiritualism. So, he started meditating in lonely places like forests, hillocks and temples, to have the vision of God.
. As he explained his mission to have a vision of God to Swamiji, he said, I was too young to accomplish this mission. After staying some days at Siddharudha mutt he left for Tumkur
, as swamiji told to look after some other Guru to accomplish his mission.
He started his association with K. Shivaram Karanth
, when he met him at a Drama company called Amba Prasaditha Nataka company, at Tumkur. Shri Karantha, took Raghavendra to Shri Ranganatha Thamankar and introduced him. Shri Thamankar offered a job as a clerk at this drama company and he was entrusted with the sales of tickets and disbursement of salaries and wages to the staff of the drama company. Later during this period, he received Yoga instruction from Sri Palani Swamy, a great Hathayogi. Again at this juncture he left his job, to accomplish his mission, to have a vision of God and went barefoot from place to place but no result! He reminded the words of Sri Siddharudha Swami, as I was too young to accomplish this mission.
to save our motherland from external forces. When he met this swamiji and repeatedly asking his mission of searching a God, swamiji 'astonished!' and asked "have you understood the pain of hungry and ailing people?" You should try to wipe out the tears of those hungry and ailing, from your inner most heart, there you will find your true God.
So, he decided to wield his strong bond with this swamiji, as he brings major metamorphosis in his mind and personality. Later swamiji introduced to a Baroda professor Manekrao, a great Guru, where this Swamiji learnt physical exercises and using of military weapons, as a disciple. So, he decided me to join this professor to undergo the physical training at Baroda. Manekrao (1878–1954) had acquired knowledge and virtues of power from his preceptor Sri Jumma Dada, lived up to the age of one hundred and thirty six years. So, I learnt various arts of fighting: Lathi, Katti, Wrestling
, Mallakambh, Hatyaronka, rope climbing and horse riding under the guidance of Manekrao. He also taught the art of recognising/solving the problem without seeing the object, and curing the ailments of patients by oral checking called Shabdavedi.
to learn Ayurveda
from Baba Lakshman Das, a versatile genius and an adept for both Yoga
and Ayurveda
and highly disciplined Ayurvedic practitioner. He was taught anatomy
and metabolism
on the basis of ancient scriptures written by Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Bhavamishra, Sharangadhara, Madhavacharya and so on. Baba's instructions are on the lines of basic science and medicine are quite classical with strict lectures and practicals. He was taught medicinal herbs and natural vegetation
and preparations of medicines in the workshop and the same medicines are used to cure the ailing patients visited to his ashram. As per the instructions of the Baba, Raghavendra has a chance to visit the hospital run by Germans, at Lahore
, where Leprosy
patients are serving with utmost care and love by German nurses and Doctors. All these work experiences with Baba, made Raghavendra strong, his skills were strengthened; this was later translated while administering Ayurvedic medicines at Malladihalli.
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
to more than 4.5 million people all over the world keeping his base as Malladihalli Chitradurga
Chitradurga
Chitradurga is a town in the southern part of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is also the headquarters of Chitradurga district. Chitradurga was also known by the names Chitradurg, Chitrakaladurga, Chittaldurg. Chittaldrug was the name officially used by the British Govt.-Geography:Chitradurga is...
District, a tiny village in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
Raghavendra Swamiji was born in Kerala.This Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and Ayurvedic Guru treated more than 3 million people for various diseases through his Ayurvedic medicines, and Yoga without any operations. He constructed an Ayurvedic hospital at Malladihalli and Vishwa Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
Mandir (World Yoga Trust) and various Educational institutions, on a non-profit basis. His main concern was to educate the poor people and teach Yoga to all cross sections of the society for maintaining good health. He always says "You should not exhibit Yoga", in other words, Yoga is not for exhibition purposes or competition purposes. Based on his 70 years of experience in Yoga and Ayurveda, and his various theories in Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
teaching, as per him, the number of Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
postures is equal to the number of animals and birds living in the world.
The State Government of Karnataka and Central Government of India awarded him several awards for his outstanding achievements to the society, but he declined to accept any awards, because his aim was not awards, but to collect funds for his various projects for poor and needy. He called himself "Thiruka" (Beggar) and urged the people to donate freely to his projects, and thus succeeded in collecting funds and implementing his projects effectively during his tenure. He was an author of various Yoga and Ayurvedic books, Literature, Dramas, Bhajans etc., published in his pen name Thiruka. Some of his writings included in the text books as a syllabus for high school students in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
.
Early life
Raghavendra Swamiji was born in KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, to parents Anantha Padmanabha and mother Padmambal, happens to be only ailing child to his parents, even he is not conscious till the age of fifteen. His original name was Kumaraswamy.
The majority of the Kerala Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
community are the devotees of Sri Mookambika
Mookambika
The Mookambika Devi Temple of Kollur, dedicated to Mookambika Devi, is one of the most prominent shrines for people in the state of Karnataka and Kerala, India. Located at a distance of 147 km from Mangalore in the picturesque surroundings presented by the banks of the river Sauparnika and...
of Kollur
Kollur
Kolluru is a tiny hamlet situated about from Kundapur Town, about away from Mangalore City in Karnataka state in the southern part of India...
. So his parents decided to undertake a pilgrimage to Kollur to pray to the Goddess for the speedy recovery of their ailing son. The swamiji of temple assured his mother that she need not to worry herself for the ailing boy, who had every chance of being a very famous person in the days to come. The very words of swamiji's blessings had filled every drop of her blood with new enthusiasm and fresh life. But after a few days of joy and emotions, his mother, died. Later, this ailing boy was adopted by the family of Smt. Puthali Bai and Shri. Narasimhaiah when Bhirthi Shri. Ramachandra Shastry advised the couple. Shri. Anantha Padmanabha, later went on a pilgrimage to Himalayas. Due to the blessings of the God, Raghavendrs's health gradually improved both physically and mentally and later, he was admitted to a primary school. He performed well in every subject except English. He was very fond of music, and learnt Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
till Varna
Varna
Varna is the largest city and seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast and third-largest in Bulgaria after Sofia and Plovdiv, with a population of 334,870 inhabitants according to Census 2011...
and Kirtan
Kirtan
Kirtan or Kirtana is call-and-response chanting or "responsory" performed in India's devotional traditions. A person performing kirtan is known as a kirtankar. Kirtan practice involves chanting hymns or mantras to the accompaniment of instruments such as the harmonium, tablas, the two-headed...
and singing Bhajans and devotional songs. As a school boy he participated and acted in many dramas, Yakshagana
Yakshagana
Yakshagana is a musical theater popular in the coastal and Malenadu regions of Karnataka, India. Yakshagana is the recent scholastic name for what are known as kēḷike, āṭa, bayalāṭa, bayalāṭa, daśāvatāra . It is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre during Bhakti movement...
and Thala Maddale.
When the boy was in high school at kundapur, the incident which brought about a metamorphosis in boy's life, was the blessings of Sri Nityanand Swamiji with Taraka Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
(Shakthipatha Yoga). After this rare incident, his life entirely bent on spiritualism. So, he started meditating in lonely places like forests, hillocks and temples, to have the vision of God.
Association with Siddharudha Swamiji of Hubli, and Shri Shivarama Karantha
Sri Siddharudha Swamiji was a famous saint, running several educational institutions and hostels for the poor and weaker sections of the society in Hubli, KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
. As he explained his mission to have a vision of God to Swamiji, he said, I was too young to accomplish this mission. After staying some days at Siddharudha mutt he left for Tumkur
Tumkur
Tumkur is one of the busiest industrial towns located in the state of Karnataka. Since 28 August 2010, Tumkur has been accorded the status of a Corporation city. It is situated at a distance of 70 kilometers north west of the city of Bangalore along National Highway 4...
, as swamiji told to look after some other Guru to accomplish his mission.
He started his association with K. Shivaram Karanth
K. Shivaram Karanth
Kota Shivaram Karanth was a major Kannada writer, social activist, environmentalist, Yakshagana artist, film maker and thinker. He was described as the "Rabindranath Tagore of Modern India who has been one of the finest novelists-activists since independence" by Ramachandra Guha...
, when he met him at a Drama company called Amba Prasaditha Nataka company, at Tumkur. Shri Karantha, took Raghavendra to Shri Ranganatha Thamankar and introduced him. Shri Thamankar offered a job as a clerk at this drama company and he was entrusted with the sales of tickets and disbursement of salaries and wages to the staff of the drama company. Later during this period, he received Yoga instruction from Sri Palani Swamy, a great Hathayogi. Again at this juncture he left his job, to accomplish his mission, to have a vision of God and went barefoot from place to place but no result! He reminded the words of Sri Siddharudha Swami, as I was too young to accomplish this mission.
Association with Swami Shivananda and Baba Lakshman Das of Lahore a Break through
He decided to meet Sri Swami Shivananda, a great seer, patriot, orator. This swami always infuriate the young minds with a burning desire to serve the motherland, irrespective of caste, creed, language and religion and says "heroes of our Nation should show their strength and prowess through their feats" by practising physical exercises and YogaYoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
to save our motherland from external forces. When he met this swamiji and repeatedly asking his mission of searching a God, swamiji 'astonished!' and asked "have you understood the pain of hungry and ailing people?" You should try to wipe out the tears of those hungry and ailing, from your inner most heart, there you will find your true God.
So, he decided to wield his strong bond with this swamiji, as he brings major metamorphosis in his mind and personality. Later swamiji introduced to a Baroda professor Manekrao, a great Guru, where this Swamiji learnt physical exercises and using of military weapons, as a disciple. So, he decided me to join this professor to undergo the physical training at Baroda. Manekrao (1878–1954) had acquired knowledge and virtues of power from his preceptor Sri Jumma Dada, lived up to the age of one hundred and thirty six years. So, I learnt various arts of fighting: Lathi, Katti, Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
, Mallakambh, Hatyaronka, rope climbing and horse riding under the guidance of Manekrao. He also taught the art of recognising/solving the problem without seeing the object, and curing the ailments of patients by oral checking called Shabdavedi.
His Ayurvedic Guru Baba Lakshman Das of Lahore
Manekrao and Sri Shivanand Swamiji, decided to send Rghavendra to LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
to learn Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
from Baba Lakshman Das, a versatile genius and an adept for both Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
and highly disciplined Ayurvedic practitioner. He was taught anatomy
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
and metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
on the basis of ancient scriptures written by Charaka, Sushruta, Vagbhata, Bhavamishra, Sharangadhara, Madhavacharya and so on. Baba's instructions are on the lines of basic science and medicine are quite classical with strict lectures and practicals. He was taught medicinal herbs and natural vegetation
Vegetation
Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants. It is a general term, without specific reference to particular taxa, life forms, structure, spatial extent, or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader...
and preparations of medicines in the workshop and the same medicines are used to cure the ailing patients visited to his ashram. As per the instructions of the Baba, Raghavendra has a chance to visit the hospital run by Germans, at Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, where Leprosy
Leprosy
Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Named after physician Gerhard Armauer Hansen, leprosy is primarily a granulomatous disease of the peripheral nerves and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract; skin lesions...
patients are serving with utmost care and love by German nurses and Doctors. All these work experiences with Baba, made Raghavendra strong, his skills were strengthened; this was later translated while administering Ayurvedic medicines at Malladihalli.
Yogasana
- Surya Namaskara (ಸೂರ್ಯ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ)
- Surya Namaskara (Salutations to Sun -English)
- Surya Namaskara (Photo pictures chart)
- Pranayama (ಪ್ರಾಣಾಯಾಮ)
- Pranayama (English)
- Angamardhana (ಅಂಗಮರ್ದನ)
- Dehaswasthyakkagi Yogasanagalu (ದೆಹ ಸ್ವಸ್ಥ್ಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಯೋಗಾಸನಗಳು)
- Dehaswasthyakkagi Yogasanagalu (Yogasanas for good health- English)
- Katharoopaka Yogasana (ಕಥಾರೂಪಕ ಯೋಗಾಸನ)
- Shatkarmavidhi (ಶಟ್ಕರ್ಮವಿಧಿ)
- Sarvangasundara Vyayama (Kannada)
- Gurunamaskara (ಗುರುನಮಸ್ಕಾರ)
- Gurunamaskara (English)
- Pranayama for body and soul (English) 1988. XIV, 90 S.: Ill
- Bruhad Yoga Darshana (ಬೃಹದ್ ಯೋಗದರ್ಶನ)
Ayurveda
- Swayum VaidhyaVaidhyaVaidya or Vaidraj or Kabiraj is a term used in India to refer to a person or Doctor practicing Ayurveda Senior practitioners or teachers were called Vaidhraj, as a mark of respect. The royal families of India, used to have their personal Vaidhya, who attended to Kings and the royal families. They...
(Ayurvedic Encyclopedia) (ಸ್ವಯಂ ವೈದ್ಯ) - Aushadhi Ayurveda chikitsa sangraha (ಔಷಧಿ ಆಯುರ್ವೇದ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಸಂಗ್ರಹ)
- Gruha vaidhya Kaipidi (ಗೃಹ ವೈದ್ಯ ಕೈಪಿಡಿ)
- Vanaushadhigala Gunadharma (ವನೌಷಧಿಗಳ ಗುಣಧರ್ಮ)
Kadambari (Novels)
- Koneya Gutuku (ಕೊನೆಯ ಗುಟುಕು)
- Mooleya Handara (ಮೂಳೆಯ ಹಂದರ)
- Chiteyo Samaadiyo (ಚಿತೆಯೋ ಸಮಾಧಿಯೋ)
- Udayastha (ಉದಯಾಸ್ಥ)
- Soothrada Bombe (ಸೂತ್ರದ ಬೊಂಬೆ)
- Rasarushi (ರಸಋಷಿ)
- Thyagajeevi (ತ್ಯಾಗಜೀವಿ)
- Changaoli Cheluva (ಚಂಗೋಳಿ ಚೆಲುವ)
Plays
- Ranachandi (ರಣಚಂಡಿ)
- Mahakavi Bharavi (ಮಹಾಕವಿ ಭಾರವಿ)
- Nyayamantri (ನ್ಯಾಯಮಂತ್ರಿ)
- Usha Swayumvara (ಉಶಾ ಸ್ವಯಂವರ)
- Vanamahotsava (ವನಮಹೋತ್ಸವ)
- Thirunama (ತಿರುನಾಮ)
- Sukhee Raajya (ಸುಖೀ ರಾಜ್ಯ)
- KarmaYogi (ಕರ್ಮ ಯೋಗಿ)
- Uddara (ಉದ್ಧಾರ)
- Bhakta Shabari (ಭಕ್ತ ಶಬರಿ)
Other important writings
- Joligeya Pavada(ಜೋಳಿಗೆಯ ಪವಾಡ)
- Athma Nivedane (ಆತ್ಮ ನಿವೇದನೆ)
- Athma Nivedane (English)
- Bhava Bindu (ಭಾವ ಬಿಂದು)
- Bruhadyoga Darshana (Collections from expert saints) (ಬೃಹದ್ ಯೋಗ ದರ್ಶನ)
- Devaru Yaaru? (ದೇವರು ಯಾರು)