Life History of Srilasri Vellaiyananda Swamigal

In the fertile Tamil land, amidst the five elements, standing as the center and appearing as the form of Fire, giving liberation just by thinking of it, is Tiruvannamalai where Unnamalai Amman resides with Lord Annamalaiyar. 20 km northeast of this holy place, near Mangalam (3 km), lies a small village called Karumarapatti, inhabited by many poor farmers. Here, to the simple farming couple Thiru. Chinnathambi and Thirumathi. Kullammaiyar, the child Vellaiyan, who is today's Vellaiyananda Swamigal, was born as the 3rd child on 17.8.1927.

Born as the fruit of his parents' penance, the divine child Srilasri Vellaiyananda Swamigal, affectionately called Karumarapatti Sami by devotees, performed severe penance for 47 years, sitting in the same place without eating food or drinking water for 15 years. He attained Siddhis and blessed those who sought him, understanding their grievances and offering holy ash (Vibhuti) and divine words.

From the day he knew himself, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva filled his heart and showered grace. As a result, even as a 7 or 8-year-old boy, his daily duty was to perform puja at the Krishna Bhajan temple in his village every morning and then worship Lord Arunachala visible in the southwest with a melting heart.

He grew up playing village games like Sadugudu, Gillidanda, and thigh-tapping with children of his age, gathering good youth, singing Thiruppugazh Bhajan songs at the Nadutheru Vinayagar temple in the evenings, and telling wonderful stories related to God's divine plays with great taste.

Kuppagounder was 15 years older than him. He was deeply involved with Poondi Mahan. He made many efforts to take Vellaiyanandar to this Mahan. Vellaiyanandar, whose heart was full of thoughts of Shiva and Vishnu, had no interest in any other swamis except Tiruvannamalai and Tirupati Venkatachalapathy. He would circumambulate (Girivalam) Tiruvannamalai without fail. His routine was puja at Krishna temple daily, Arunachala darshan, and Bhajan in the evening. Apart from this, he had no desire to see or think of anyone else.

Age was increasing. Even at thirty, he had no interest in family life due to his immense devotion to God. He lived with his farming work, his puja, and bhajan. His education was only 2 or 3 years in a pial school.

Vellaiyanandar's maternal uncle had a daughter named Amirthammal, aged 15. To prevent the relationship from breaking, they married her to him in 1956 when he was 30. Two years later, Raghunandan was born.

One morning, a Mahan appeared to Vellaiyanandar in the fields. The Swami asked, 'Are you that Kuppan's Guru Poondi Mahan?' He said, 'Yes, come to me today itself' and disappeared. Without delaying even a second, he came home, took his wife Amirthammal, went to Tiruvannamalai Girivalam, took permission from Annamalaiyar, and went to meet Poondi Mahan. Huge crowd! Even in that crowd, Poondi Mahan called Vellaiyanandar, placed betel leaves, fruits, coconut, flowers, and jaggery in Amirthammal's lap, applied holy ash to both, and sent them saying, 'You will come one step higher than me and live a long life!'

The thirst for God in his mind grew day by day. It overflowed in his heart. Poondi Mahan's blessings became like lighting a lamp with oil and wick. His mind greatly desired to be alone and meditate. In 1962, his house was a small hut, so he sat and meditated in the Nadutheru Pillaiyar temple for a while, but the situation was not right.

Appugounder of the tea shop in Mangalam, 3 km away, was a very pious man. He had great affection for him. Since there was a room behind his shop, he asked him to go there and meditate. He would sit in meditation daily from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. On his way back, he would drink tea and come home. Thus, a few years passed at Appugounder's place. Later, the situation there also did not work out.

His second son Thavaraji was born in 1969. With his unquenchable spiritual thirst, he called his wife Amirthamma. He said, 'I want to sit in meditation permanently in one place with crossed legs. I think I might stay like this for the rest of my life. The Shiva and Vishnu deities in my heart will protect you, do not fear.'

His wife built a small cement platform and made the Swami sit on it. The eldest son was 10 years old and studying in 5th standard. He stopped his studies and took care of the Swami along with his farming. This intense meditation, which started in 1970, continued for 25 years.

Gradually reducing his food, by 1972 he completely stopped even drinking water. Always in Nirvikalpa Samadhi, conversing with many Siddhas, all this seemed like a madman's babble to others.

In 1979, on a Friday, Poondi Mahan Swamigal attained Samadhi. Our Vellaiyananda Swamigal called his wife Amirthammal and said that he would end his fasting from the next day, Saturday, and asked her to bring pearl millet porridge water with salt.

From then on, he started eating a little food. However, he continued to give darshan to devotees, give holy ash, and bless them. Poor, rich, young, old, officials, professionals, and many others came to seek his blessings and find solace for their difficulties and sorrows. Swami, who kept his mind on Shiva and was in Nirvikalpa Samadhi, was not affected by any ailments.

His matted hair was in two sections, 12 feet long, and his beard was 5 feet long. They tied all three like a rope, rolled it, and kept it on a wooden stool. Devotees would touch this, worship, get blessings, and receive holy ash. He helped remove the karma of devotees by giving them the lemons they brought to drink as juice and asking them to tie them at the entrance of their homes. He asked devotees to worship the Vel (spear) he had installed outside with the coconut, fruits, camphor, incense sticks, and flowers they brought, and he tirelessly listened to the grievances of every devotee and showered his grace upon them.

Once, a poor farmer who had land but was living a very difficult life had a long-time desire to see Swami. One day he went to Swami and complained, 'Swami, I am in poverty. Can I dig a well and do farming?' Swami blessed him saying, 'Hey, desilt and fix the well in your land itself. Plenty of water will come in it.' Currently, that farmer is farming well, has recovered from poverty, and is living happily with his family.

Another time, a devotee brought Payasam (sweet pudding) made from his cow's milk for Swami. Swami's wife called Swami saying, 'Sir, come to eat.' Swami said, 'A devotee is coming with Payasam for me. I will eat his Payasam as soon as he comes,' mentioning it before he arrived. Everyone was amazed to see this happen. Swami performed many such miraculous events daily.

Thus, Swami attained Jeeva Samadhi on the day of Punarpoosam star in the month of Aippasi (5.11.2012) and is blessing us in the form of a Lingam.

Swami's Samadhi in Karumarapatti can be reached by auto from Mangalam village between Tiruvannamalai and Avalurpet.

He is worthy of being praised in the line of recent Seshadri Swamigal, Poondi Mahan, Thiruvalam Mounaguru Swamigal, Palani Maharishi Eswaraya Gurudevar, and Punjaipuliampatti Venugopal Swamigal. He is blessing everyone who seeks him in the form of a Lingam, removing their grievances.

One can attain spiritual elevation by visiting and worshipping Karumarapatti Swamigal's Samadhi to remove karma.

Om Namah Shivaya!!! Guruve Saranam!!!
Surrender at the holy feet of Karumarapatti Srilasri Vellaiyananda Swamigal!!!