March 28, 2024

Know About the “Walking God” amidst us from this Pictorial Biography

Bengaluru June 6th 2017. The life and works of Sri Sri Sri

, J.S. Somasekhar

Shivakumara Swamiji, the pontiff of Siddaganga Math in Tumakuru is like a revelation from the God above. The Swamiji’s ardent devotee and fan, J.S. Somasekhar, has taken an excellent initiative of bringing out a pictorial biography called Kuncha Torana.

As the Editor of this pictorial biography, J.S. Somasekhar masterminded this initiative as truly unique since the pictorial biography has been put together with the help of paintings & portraits by 109 hand-picked artists who spent a good time at the Siddaganga Math to get a first-hand experience of the various social service activities at the Math, get a personal perspective on the daily life of His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, understand the extraordinary connect the Swamiji enjoys with his millions of devotees, etc.

“Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, as the Senior Pontiff of the Siddaganga Math, is affectionately called as the “Walking God” by his devotees,” said Somasekhar who has closely studied the life and times of the Swamiji. “Swamiji runs as many as 128 educational institutions which caters to students from every section of society, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion, and provides free education and livelihood to thousands of people. A passionate follower of Lord Basava, Swamiji believes in his ‘Kaayaka Daasoha’ philosophy and has fought caste and every other kind of discrimination in society throughout his life.”

“Swamiji has won several laurels such as Padma Vibhushan and Karnataka Ratna Awards, in addition to being voted as the ‘Best Hindu of the Year’ in 2016 by a US-based group. But for all of us and his legions of devotees, Swamiji is simply the Walking God,” signs off Somasekhar.

Social worker and activist, Gursharan Singh lauded Somasekhar’s initiative to come out with a unique pictorial biography of the Senior Pontiff of the Siddaganga Math, saying that it was one of the most simplest ways to convey the profound message of the Swamiji’s life and works, to an ordinary man, devoid of any frills.

Excerpts from the Pictorial Biography of Sri Sri Sri Sivakumara Mahaswamiji:

1: A beautifully evocative portrait of the birth of His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Sivakumara Mahaswamiji with his overjoyed Mother Smt. Gangamma and the Blessings of Lord Shiva as depicted in the background (portrait by artist Matte Ramachandra Rao). Swamiji was born April 1, 1907 in Veerapura near Magadi Taluk.

2: H.H. Sri Sri Sivakumara Mahaswamiji in all his resplendent simplicity, typically dressed in his saffron robes. His stern gaze is ironically a fountain of boundless kindness for his millions of devotees. ((portrait by Gandhadhara Murthy)

3. The Swamiji has hosted heads of state and prime ministers just like his legion of fans and admirers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too called on him and has expressed himself as an ardent fan and devotee. ((portrait by artist D.H. Vasanthkumar)

4: Swamiji is an avid learner even at his current age of 110 years and devotes nearly 3 to 4 hours every day in studying various philosophies. Here the portrait captures him writing a mantra on a copper slate. (portrait by artist T. Dinakar)

5: Swamiji’s presence especially in Karnataka given his spiritual background and the humongous social service he continues to render for nearly 9 decades, is like a magnet that attracts him to people in public life. Here veteran BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa, also a self-confessed devotee, is seen receiving blessings from the Swamiji. ((portrait by artist Matte Rangaswamaiah)

6: Not just people, even cows await to seek the Swamiji’s blessings! Here Swamiji is seen tending to a cow, in an evocative portrait by S.V. Anand. Somehow, you get the impression that the Saint enjoys a mystical connect with animals.

7: Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji was initiated into the holy order by his Guru, His Holiness Sri Uddanashivayogi in the year 1930 (portrait by artist Sanjeeva Y. Kale)

8: Portrait of Gyan Kalpavruksha (The Tree of Knowledge) by artist T.S. Jayadevanna. You can relate this to Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji’s social service in the field of education, as his Math runs 128 educational institutions right from LKG to professional degree colleges.

9: Another evocative portrait of Swamiji involved in Linga Puja by artist Uma Mahesh. Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji is extremely pious and spends more than half of his day performing Pooja and joining his Students in the Prayer Sessions.

10: Despite being a Centenarian entering his second decade after completing 100 years, Swamiji is a sprightly figure even engaging in collecting firewood for a community fair. (portrait by artist B.S. Desai)

11: Swamiji lent great store in participating in religious and cultural festivals with the devotees. The Rathotsava ceremony observed in his Math enjoys greater fervour amongst devotees because of the presence and involvement of the Swamiji. ((portrait by artist Mahesh Kumar D. Talavar)

12: Despite his age and seemingly frail appearance, Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji never missed out on performing Puja. This portrait by Rupa Mahesh depicts Swamiji doing a Linga Puja.

13: Swamiji was an avid believer of the Guru-Shishya tradition that has been carried on for ages in our Indian culture. Having been initiated into the holy order by his Guru, His Holiness Sri Uddanashivayogi, Swamiji always remembered to pay his respects to his Guru. This portrait by artist H.R. Bharatraj depicts Guruvandana by the Saint who is celebrated as the “Walking God” by his devotees.

14: Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamiji was truly a compassionate soul whose kindness and concern for all living beings including animals knew no bounds. This portrait by artist T.H. Ravi captures one such poignant moment of Swamiji feeding a deer.

Gurshran Singh, Vice-Chairman, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, State Minority Department, congratulated Mr. J.S. Somasekhar for his commendable effort in bringing out the Pictorial Biography of the Walking God. Sri. Sir. Sri. Shivakumara Swamji.

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