Skandhashramam

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Parameshti Guru H.H.Sadasiva Bhremendra Saraswathi [Sri Sri Judge Swamigal] of Pudukkottai	Guru Sri Sri Swami Santhananda	Parama Guru H.H.Sri Swayamprakasha Bhremendra Saraswathi of Chenthamangalam

Life of Swami Santhananda

Birth and Childhood

Swamiji was born in a small village near Madurai. His parents were orthodox Brahmins who were great worshippers of Madurai Meenakshi. They had nine children. Mayandi yogi a famous ascetic of that time visited them one day. He predicted that they would have one more child their tenth. He said

“A son would be born. He would be a votary of the Vedas, a supporter of Yagnas, a repository of knowledge, an ideal disciple, a man of action for the welfare of the world and a devotee of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. Call him Subrahmanyam. He will be yours only during his formative years. Then the world gets the monopoly over him. Like Adi Sankara who left his house and village when he was barely eight, your would be son also would leave you behind. As you would be instrumental in causing his birth, you would get salvation automatically. Therefore from now onward you should cultivate detachment towards your would be son so that you would not obstruct him when the tome came for him to renounce worldly life.”

The Ascetic's prophecy was fulfilled and a son was born in 1920 to the pious couple. They called him Subrahmanyam. At the appropriate time the boy was admitted in a school. He had phenomenal memory. Whatever he learnt in school he was able to retain it. Whenever he had leisure he spent his time at the Meenakshi temple.

Mayandi Yogi made another visit to the boy's house. He was thrilled to see the boy. He suggested that the boy be admitted in a Sanskrit school to learn the Vedas and be sent to him after his studies were over. Accordingly the boy was admitted in the Naganathapuram Veda Patasala. In course of time Subrahmanyam became well versed in the Vedas.

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