SWAMI SRI VEERABRAHMENDRA

A Monograph on Pothuluru Veerabrahmendra Swamy

True reformance comes from within. Self realization and self reformance are the basic traits of real reformer. Reformers need not necessarily be Sanyasis who totally renounce the world. Such reformers may, at times, be not fit to be reformers, as they have little faith cr no. faith in the world. For them, the whole world which is mundance is an illusion by itself. A Sanyasi of this sort fless from the world, breaking all relationship with his kith and kin, wife and children.

But a Rajayogi has a reconciliation at this point. He is a true householder and at the same time a true yogi also. In this sense, Veerabrahmam was a true Rajayogi. He believed that reformance should emerge from within like charity that begins at home. Unless one’s wife is a true follower of her husband, it is difficult for the external society to follow him.

Vemana who not a householder (Grihastha) complained against bad wives.

“Wives who disobey their lords

Are as death, as poison snakes”

(C.E. Gover’s translation of Vemana.)

Veerabrahmam also made a similar observation. He questioned thus:

“What is the use of having a stupid wife who is no less than an envoy of Yama, the killer of all beings?”

His complaint is not only against bad wife but also against a bad husband. In a narrative song he questions thus:

“Yes, she too has her husband –

A husband who has no love for his wife.

Then, what for is that husband?

No way is he better than a thorn-edged leaf”

(This author’s translation)

The sum and substance of all these observations are that an ideal family consists of good wife and husband.

Such householders have a natural right to lead the society on the right path. Veerabrahmam and his wife Govindamma were such a noble couple that they led an exemplary life.

Even after Brahmam entered “Sajeeva Samadhi, Govindamma did not rub off kumkum (The Hindu wife’s sectarian mark) from her forehead, nor did she remove he? bangles. She knew very well that her husband was still alive prosecuting his penance in Samadhi.