Sri Sadhasiva Brahmendral

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The Indian soil is sanctified by the innumerable saints whose feet tread over it thereby enlightening the sons of its soil. Observing their life and absorbing the true import of their teaching are the reins that pull in the mind and the senses from the outward clutches of illusion to an inward journey towards imperturbable peace. They are in fact luminous sparks from the effulgence of the eternal Brahman capable enough to banish the darkness of delusion from the hearts of a million just by a mere look. One such spark that illumined a countless souls in South India was Sadha Shiva Brahmendral.

Over three hundred years ago a couple named Somanath Avadhani and Parvati migrated from Andhra Pradesh and settled down in Madurai. Somanath led an austere life and was acclaimed a yogi. He consented to marriage in deference to his parent's wishes, however his mind was with God. His noble wife understanding her husband gave way for his spiritual practices, however wished to have a son.

Somanath thus giving in to Parvati's entreaty, initiated her into the 'Rama Japa' and commissioned her repeatedly to utter it until all her cells were charged with it. Parvati followed her husband's instructions sincerely. When they went on a pilgrimage to Rameswaram, they had a dream that a divine child would be born of them. So was the child born and named Sivaramakrishnan on account of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram where Lord Rama had worshipped Lord Shiva.

Sivaramakrishnan showed traits of spiritualism at an early age. He mastered the scriptures and hence was soon sent to Thiruvisanallur to study under Sridhara Venkatesa Aiyaval. His wisdom and spirituality astounded his teacher. Sivaramakrishnan was married to a girl of five when He was twelve. It is also said that when He asked for food on the day of His wedding, His mother asked Him to wait. It immediately struck Him that if He had to wait for food on the first day of marriage, what more misery He will have to endure for the rest of His life. Hence He renounced His worldly life then and there!

A great scholar, Paramasivendral of Yogendra recognized His knowledge and spiritual experience and took Him into his fold. His scholarship earned him the title of 'Asthana Vidhwan' in the court of the Maharaja of Mysore

In the court of the Maharaja, he out beat all the other scholars . It is said that a jealous scholar, reported to Paramasivendral that Sivaramakrishnan was gloating with the pride due to His knowledge. His Guru admonished Him for not having a control over His tongue. These words went straight home, that He considered it as a lesson from His Guru, decided to take up the vow of silence. He was then initiated into sanyasa and conferred the title 'Sadasiva'.