The article is based on the Auto-biography of Raghavendra swamiji, ‘Jolige pawada’. This book is available at Anatha sevashrama, Malladihalli. People can avail the book, by sending the money order or D/D to the Ashram. The author visited the Ashram, recently, and had discussion with his old collegues, and purchased the book, “Joligeya Pawada, ” This Autobiography was published in 1993, by Sri . Sri. Raghavendra Swamiji, when he was alive.

Malladihalli Raghavendra swamiji, was a profound, Yogacharya, and Ayurveda ratna, who gave life to thousands of patients who came to him. His yoga demonstrations were well cited in the ‘Internet blogs,’ of his devotees who are running Yoga centers in Malaysia, USA, Australia, and England. Some of them, have settled in Bengaluru, Maisuru, and other cities of our country. Swamiji, was a scholar, in Kannada literature, studied Sanskrit, and knew Hindi, Konkani, English, and Tulu languages. “Brihad Yogadarshana” Is the reference book, on all aspects of Yoga, for the promising students of Yoga. This book deals all the fundamental aspects of Yoga, including ‘Angamardana kriya,’ as well ! He was an excellent organizer, prolific Speaker, Writer, Actor, and Singer. More than any thing, he was a great human being! He loved the poor, oppressed and downtrodden, and spent his entire life in the upliftment of their lives. Gandhiji’s teachings had a great influence on him.

The temple was far away at Kolluru. Although it was a few hundred kilometers away, there were no buses or motorcars then. There were no roads, and one has to walk all the distance amidst jungles, rivers, and some times wild beasts. Nambudaries determined to visit Kollur. They took their 14 year old son, in their arms, and back and travelled all the way by bullock carts, and most of the times by walk. Finally, they landed at a place called ‘Barakur’. It was already night, and they sought the shelter in a house of a Brahmin. His name was Sri. Narasimhaiah, a Gamaki, Scholar, and a Yakshagana specialist; and his wife Smt. Puthalibai ; both were very ‘satvik’ people, and offered a place in the corner of their coconut garden.

Nambudari, was an Astrologer, a Priest, and a great scholar of Sanskrit. He was advising the village folks, and helping in their Ceremonies, rituals, pujas etc; in the process he was getting some money as ‘dakshina.’

Once, the acting Swamiji of ‘Mantralayam math’, then, came to the village of ‘Barakur’ and had his camp, in the sourrounding villages. Padmambal, was very keen to meet Swamiji in connection of her child, Kumaraswami, and get the blessings from the seer. Manthralayam Swamiji, saw the boy , and blessed the child, with ‘Mantrakshate’. He said that, all the ailments would be cured by the grace of God, and he would be a great man one day, and would help to uplift the lives of poor and needy.

Swamiji from Mantralayam , christened him as Raghavendra. These words some how made Padmabal , immensely happy; with out her senses, she was repeating the lines that Guruji said, ‘My son will become a great person one day, and will help the poor and the needy’ ! She was suffering from body pain, and temperature was rising on her forehead. She died leaving her beloved child, on the lap of her husband.

Ananth Padmanabha Nambudari, was bewildered. How to look after this grown up child ?Kumara svami was already 15 years old, then. Nambudari begged Narasimhaiah, and wife Puthalibai, to help him to take care of his child. But they had their own children .How to take care of a boy , who is so sick and not able to look after himself. One scholarly person from Bhirthi, Pandit Ramachandrashastry advised Puthali bai, to take care of the orphan child. He advised Puthalibai, that a mother -less child needs a special care and only she could give that care. Since his words carried highest reverence, in their family, he convinced the couple to take care of the motherless child. The monetary help would be provided by him, and as well as by Nambudari. Puthalibai, sincerely followed the words of her guru, and adopted Kumaraswamy as her own child. That day was the auspicious Ugadi, day, in 1906.

This was the greatest turning point in the life of Kumumaraswami. Nambudari, could not stay there, he offered money all that he had, to the couple and left for Himalayas to meditate and spend rest of his life there. Some how, it was proved right. The boy started watching at the faces of the people whoever comes in contact; lips started moving a little, and there was a significant improvement in taking food. This metamorphosis happened all of a sudden, like a miracle. No one believed, including Narasimhaiah and Putlibai. Raghavendra, started walking like other boys in the neighborhood, and practically he was one among them.

All the schooling up to matriculation, was given at kundapur. He had some very good teachers like Sri. Shivaramaiah, who initiated him to study kannada literature, and provided him all the books of great of kannada lieterature.

Raghavendra was very studious, in his studies, he was very good in acting, singing and speaking on the stage. Above all, he was conducting himself with the elders, and friends, made everybody spell bound. The exemplary character he possessed. Every one wanted to talk to him and help in whatever way they can.

His Kannada teacher, Shri Shivaramaiah came in rescue of him; he told Raghava, to complete Metric exam, and afterwards any thing could be done. After the exam,Raghava started exploring the world, and started learning Yoga, Ayurveda vidya and Muscle building with Palani swamiji . He was sent to Baroda, for learing Ayurveda and Vyayama at ‘Jumma dada Vyayam shala’. Professor Manek rao, was the Guru there. Aafter successfully completing the course, he was granted B.Pc ; degree in the presence of Baba Guru Lakshmanadas, of ‘Kaivalyashram’, Lahore. All these career developments were done with the help of Swami Shivananda.

He was very much satisfied with his performance of Raghavendra. He felt the time has come to bless him, and hand over Raghavendra to the betterment of the mankind. First step was, to Inaugurate’ Maruthi Vyayamshala’ at Bhatkal, in Karnataka. Swamy Shivananda,declared that Raghava is perfectly fit to make Rashtraseva and blessed him to visit all the villages in Karnataka and give his devine knowledge of Yoga and the Ayurveda to the needy people.

1. Yama, 2. Niyama 3. Asana, 4. Pranayama, 5. Pratyahara, 6. Dharana, 7. Dhyana , 8. Samadhi.

In Ayurveda , there are 8 branches; This is known as Astanga Ayurveda.

1. Science of Surgery
2. Sciences of Eyes, Nose and Throat etc;
3. General Treatment
4. Treatment of Demonical Diseases
5. Management of Children
6. Toxicology
7. Science of Rejuvenation
8. Science of Aphrodisiac

During (Shravana masa) while observing penance, (Mauna vrata) one month, he was writing volumes of books dealing with Ayurveda, Yoga, Kannada literature, Drama, Prose, Poetry, and Novels. Raghavendra svamiji had profound knowledge in kannada literature, Sanskrit, Hindi and English. He knew Tulu, Konkani also; while traveling he learnt many languages. He was able to create so much in Kannada literature. Total books that he has written so far amounts to 8 Kavyas, 9 Novels, 12 Dramas, 2 Gita Nataka, 7 One act plays, 1 Basava sahitya, 3 Collection of stories, 5, Vyayama, 2 Others, ‘Bruhad Yogadarshana’ is a monumental work on Yoga- Svamiji’s practical experiences are elucidated there.

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