SWAMI SRI VEERABRAHMENDRA

A Monograph on Pothuluru Veerabrahmendra Swamy

At one stage they became adamant, setting aside the principles of religious discipline laid down by the great Adisankara. Mulim rule liberally contributed to the deterioration of the Hindu Peethams. The result was that these Peethams required a sort of reformation on sound lines of religious discipline and tolerance.

Veerabrahman had an occasion to reform the Pushpagiri Peetham. Almost all the books and articles written on his biography describe this incident in detail. Mahavadi Venkataratnam, in his poem “Veerabrahma Puranam.” Kodali Lakshminarayana in his research work on Veerabrahmendraswamy, Marupuru Kodandarami Reddy in his article “Viplava mata pravakta – Veerabrahmam” and a dozen other writers gave a detailed account of Veerabrahmam’s endeavour to reform the Pushpagiri Peetham which was not distant to his mutt at Kandimallayapalle.

Dr. K. Raghavacharya in his book “Mana Gurudevudu” records thus:

“One day Veerabrahmam along with the members of his family and a few disciples of his was passing through Pushpagiri enroute to Cuddapah. Walking before him Siddappa was reciting Isavasyopanishad. The chanting of the sacred scripture by a Muslim roused the anger of the trustees of the Peetham. Siddappa, after being enquired into his caste and religion, was interrogated by the Brahmin trustees. He gave answers to all the questions with authority from the Scriptures. The residents of Pushpagiri who grew impatient went to the extent of Blaming and reproaching his revered Guru, Veerabrahmam. The Guru tried to pacify his disciples as well as the other party by putting forth, most eloquently, the argument that the characteristics of an individual had practically nothing to do with his caste and religion and wherever knowledge and wisdom were found they should be respected. The Pushpagiri scholars, having been ruffied up by the argument began to pelt stones at Veerabrahmam and his followers. While Brahmam was still smiling, Siddappa’s eyes turned red and sparks of fire began to spread over the Agraharam. The whole of Agraharam arranged a car festival for the swamy who was reluctant to receive the honour, for he believed that such processions were of no unless there was a total change in the attitude of the people. His exhortations enlightened not only the common man but also the scholars of the pushpagiri Peetham who realised the need for religious tolerance and common brotherhood of people with no distinction of caste and creed.