|| Om Sri Gurubyo Namaha ||

|| Srimadhaandha theertha bagavth paadhcharyebyo namaha ||

|| Sri Sankarshana Wodaya yatheendra guruve namaha ||
BRIEF LIFE HISTORY OF SRI SANKARSHANA WODEYARU

Introduction :
River Cheyyar, also known as Baahudha nadhi has a lot of great temples on its banks. On the
banks of this river lies a beautiful small village named Karapoondi. Three kilometers to the east
of Polur on the Vandavasi-Polur road lies this village surrounded by bountiful green fields well
nourished by the river Cheyyar. In the middle of the village, in the brahmin street, at the northern
end is a house with tiled roof; it can be described as a choultry rather than a house. This place
was sanctified by the presence of Sri Sankarshanaru who lived here. A great sanyasi, who had
food just to sustain life and was a kalpavriksha in the true sense. Sri Venkataramanachar who
had composed Mangalashtaka and Kavacha on Sri Sankarshanaru, describes Him in his
Navarathna Malika as the glorious 'full moon' which is shining on the Madhwa sagara of Sri
Madhwacharya. He also emphasizes that His brundavana darshan would definetly relieve a
persons graha peeta and would cure any incurable diseases.
This yathishreshtaru had written a great commentary on Sri Harikathamruthasara of Sri
Jagannatha Dasaru. He entered brundavana at Karapoondi in 1862 on Margashirsha
Suklapaksha Panchami. After his brundavan pravesha, he appeared in the swapna of his
disciple and pointed out that his brundavana has not been prepared as per his wishes. When his
brundavana was dismantled, people were surprised to see Sri Sankarshanaru as jatadhari with
fresh dwadasa naamas. He gave darshan to Sri Venkataramana achar, in his Rudramsha.
Poorvashrama and Childhood :
Sri Sankarshanaru in his poorvashrama was known as Thammanna Nayak. His ancestors hailed
from Kurla Hosur, a village on the banks of river Malaprabha. Earlier this villlage was in the
Barasath taluk, in Belgaum district which has now been changed to Saravathi taluk. Nayak family
was engaged in the trade of silver, gold, diamond and pearl and shifted to Dharwar to pursue
their business. As per the available and gathered information, His vamsavali are given below :

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

Sri Lakshmappa Nayak

|
Sri Govindappa Nayak
|

__________________________________________________
|
Sri Ananthappa Nayak

|
Sri Venkappa Nayak
|
Sri Ramanna Nayak

|
Sri Dhumappa Nayak
|
Sri Thammanna Nayak

Sri Dhumappa Nayak had two wives and his first wife had five children. Thammanna Nayak was
born in the year 1810 as the second child to Sri Dhumappa Nayak's second wife. It is also said
that he was born due to the blessings of Sri Satyadharma Theertharu of Holehonnur to whom
Thammanna's mother did a dedicated seve in Dharwad. When Thammanna attained the right
age, his parents performed his upanayana on a very sacred day. Thammanna learnt all the
granthas from Sri Beemavarahachar who was also living in their house. Thammanna was keenly
observing panchbeda gnana, taratamya and also observing without fail ekdashi and harivasara.
Observing Thammanna's disciplined life according to the scriptures and his quest for gnana, Sri
Beemavarahachar used to call him as 'Rishi'. Thammanna got married at the right age and had
two children. His wife died when he was twenty two years old and he was not interested in
marrying for the second time.
Udupi Yatra :
With the desire to learn and master Sri Madhwacharya's granthas, Thammanna reached Udupi.
Under the tutelege of Sri Sodhe Matha yathigalu, Sri Vishwapriya Theertharu, Thammanna
mastered the 37 granthas of Sri Madhacharya and did Mangala. Srigalu praised his dedicated
disciple, Thammanna, who till the age of thirty years had controlled all his senses, without any
iccha in samsara and was always in the dhyana of paramatma.
Meanwhile, Sri Satyasanthushta Theertharu and Sri Satyasankalpa Theertharu, unable to do
sanchara were doing Sri Rama Vedavyasara pooje at the same place for years. Due to this the
Matha landed in debt and no money was left even for the normal expenses. So, they pledged the
priceless navarathna mantapa of Sri Rama Vedavyasa devaru, and the golden gangala (gifted by
Srimathi Raji Bai of Arani Jagir samasthana) to Ramanna Nayak, brother of Thammanna.
Ramanna gave enough money to the matha without any hesitation.

Cheyyar River

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

Sampathgiri mountain of Polur

Sanchara with Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu :

Ramanna Nayaks monetary help had restored the mathas activities to a great extent. As the
years rolled by, Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu took over the reins of the matha after Sri
Satyasanthushta Theertharu. Srigalu during his sanchara camped at Ramanna Nayaks house
and performed Sri Rama Vedavyasara puje with great shraddha for nearly two months. Though
the wealthy Ramanna had taken care of the mathas all needs with great respect, Srigalus mind
was not at rest as he could not bear the sight of Rama devaru without the rathna mantapa which
had been pledged with Ramanna. Finally, one day, he opened up with Ramanna and said,
Ramanna, my puje seems to be incomplete, my mind wanders away in seeing Rama without the
rathna mantapa. I want to see Him in his past glory. I will do sanchara and will repay from the
contributions I receive thus towards the pledged items. You may send your trustworthy
representative along with me with whom the money will be deposited. Ramanna also thought this
being a wise way and agreed to send his person. Thammanna having learnt the above plan,
came forward and agreed to go along with Srigalu for collecting the dues.
Thammanna joined the entourage of the Srigalu for collection of dues; but his main intention was
theertha yatra with Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu, which he utilized. The sanchara progressed
from place to place. Thammannas mind was in search of more gnana. Instead of whiling away
his pastimes, he approached Srigalu and put forward his desire to learn further. He started
learning again all the granthas, bashyas of Sri Madhwacharyaru under the tutelage of Sri
Satyaparayana Theertharu. The enlightened soul he is, Thammanna was at a blissful state and
thus spent his time. After completion of the studies, he conveyed his intention to do mangala and
bore the expenses of a days puje.
Having found a great sishya in Thammanna, who with vairagya and devotion had mastered all the
shastras and granthas with guru bhakti, Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu, called Thammanna to his
side; Thammanna, you have learnt all what you wanted to. Why dont you consider the
navarathna mantapa and the goldern gangala as the guru dakshine which have been pledged
with your brother.

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

A Rudramsha and a vairagyaseelaru, a great saint to be, Thammanna without hesitation and with
detached mind gave up the navarathna mantapa and the golden gangala as guru dakshine to
Rama Vedavyasaru by saying krishnarpanamasthu. When the days puje and theertha
prasada were over, Srigalu ordained Thammanna to send message to his brother. As per his
guidance, Thammanna drafted two letters to his brother Ramanna, one letter certifying that all
dues have been received from the matha and the second one requesting that the navarathna
mantapa and the goldern gangala be delivered to the mathas messenger. Ramanna who
received the letters, delivered the pledged items of the matha to the messenger.
The mathas debt was cleared and the pledged items were restored, seeing his Rama in his
gloriest past and having found a great sishya in Thammanna, Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu was
very happy and continued his sanchara to propagate madhwa philosophy.
Back home, Ramanna spent good time in waiting for the money collected from the matha which
was not forthcoming; days passed and nothing was received. Ramanna dispatched a letter to
Thammanna ; for this also there was no response. Unable to bear the suspense and to know the
truth, Ramanna went in search of Thammanna. When he reached Srigalus camp, Ramanna
learnt with dismay what had happened and returned home with heavy heart along with
Thammanna.
Though detached in worldly possessions, Thammanna understood the loss he has brought to his
brother. He relieved his brother of his disturbed mind by declaring that the amount of loss may be
recovered from his share of the family wealth and whatever remains thereafter may be enjoyed
by his brother Ramanna. Thus Ramannas loss was made good; but Thammanna could not stay
in his house for long as his search was somewhere else.
Thammanna becomes Sankarshana Wodeyaru :
Thammanna was a great gnani and a saint in the true sense, who had the gnana that Sri Hari is
the Sarvothama and everything moves as per His wish laid all his karma phala at Sri Haris
lotus feet. Thus nearing his prime time to attain sanyasa, Thammanna at the age of 32 years left
samsara and headed for Udupi. He was determined to follow sanyashrama as per the shastras
after taking bath at the Dhanda Theertha, he walked for three days without food in search of Sri
Satyaparayana Theertharu to get Guru upadesha and sanyasa ashrama from him. Srigalu tried to
convince Thammanna that time is not ripe for him to take sanyasa and that he should remain a
grahastha. Ramanna who was informed of this development at Udupi, reached there and
pleaded with Thammanna to reconsider his decision but all his efforts failed such was
Thammannas vairagya, who was a Rudramsha and had born in this world to lead many a
devotees in the path of Sri Madhacharyaru.
Thammanna stood his ground and declared that if sanyasa was not given to him, he may
sacrifice his life.
Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu understood Thammannas determination and gave him Sanyasa
ashrama and named in as Sri Sankarshana Wodeyar and gave him a silver Sri Venugopala
vigraha for his daily puje. Sri Sankarshanaru stayed in his house for two months and found that
the place does not suit his austerities. He shifted to Sri Vittala Swamy temple in the agrahara and
lived on bikshe offered to him.
Yatra to Tirupathi :
Sri Sankarshanaru proceeded towards Tirupathi via Hole Narasimapur and stayed for tapas on
the banks of river Sur there it occurred to him that he should discard all his worldly possessions
i.e., whatever is left with him in person. On reaching Tirupathi, he gave away his things made of
gold and silver to worthy Brahmins and retained only the bare minimum only those what is
needed for a sanyasi. He did tapas for two months at the sannidhana of Sri Varaha Murthy.
The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

During his stay there, one day, lord of Tirumala, Sri Venkateswara appeared in his swapna and
directed him to go to Sholingur (Gatikachalam) and have darshan of Sri Yoga Narasimha Swamy
and Sri Yoga Anjaneya Swamy. Before his departure to Sholingur, once again Sri Venkateswara
ordered him to go to Vellore and solve the problem at the matha there where one Satyabodha
Samachar is creating problem by obstructing the puja activities at Sri Satyajirayaru Theerthara
brundavana.
After his Sholingur yatre, Sri Sankarshanaru proceeded to Vellore and stayed there for nine years
he organized the matha activities and restored the puje and seva to Sri Satyajirayara
Theertharu.

Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru Brundavana in alankara

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

Sri Sankarshanaru was imparting his vast knowledge on shastras to his devotees. He was a great
example of a sanyasi who had preached the tenets of madhwa philosophy to each and everyone
who approached him. He had dedicated sishyas who learnt madhva granthas and
harikathamruthasara from Sri Sankarshanaru. The notable among them were Sri Arani
Hanumantha Rao, Sama Rao, Madhwa Rao, Sanjeevi Rao, Aadyam Srinivasa Rao.
Sri Satyaparayana Theertharu who visited Vellore during his sanchara was quite happy to find
that the matha administration had been very well organized and the puje and seva to Sri
Satyajiraya Theerharu had been restored.
Sri Sankarshanaru continued his teertha yatre to various places along with his sishyas. While on
his sanchara, as per the desire of his disciple, Sri Sankarshanaru decided to stay in Karapoondi
near Polur. The village is so sanctified by the shadow of Sampathgiri hill nearby, the right place
Sri Wodeyaru had chosen has his resting place. A matha was contructed for his stay and Sri
Wodeyaru continued his puje punashkaras and sashtra patha there.
Brundavana Pravesha :
In 1862, Margasirsha maasa, suddha panchami, Dundhubi varsha, Sri Sankarshanaru entered
brundavana at Karapoondi. Since then regular puje and aradhana continues without fail.
The vamshavali of Sri Wodeyarus sishyaru are taking great efforts that the daily puje and
aradhana are conducted regularly, even with great financial difficulty. I still remember the author
of the book, Sri N.S.Lakshmana Rao, even after his retirement used to walk long distances for
Rs.5/- contribution for the aradhana in those days. Such was the devotion and dedication of the
sishya parampara of Sri Sankarshanaru. No doubt their families are very well blessed by this
great yathigalu.
Brundavana Mahime :
An eyewitness account of the brundavana pravesha of Sri Wodeyaru gives us a clear picture of
the event. Sri Sankarshanaru instructed his disciple Sanjeevi Rao to make necessary
arrangements for the brundavana pravesha suitable for a yathi. Sanjeevi Rao along with others
prepared the placed, cleaned and made all arrangements.

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

After some months Sri Sankarshanaru appeared in the swapna of Sanjeevi Rao and said that his
instructions have not been carried out properly. While examining the site the next day, Sanjeevi
Rao and other devotees were surprised to see that Sri Wodeyaru as jadadhari and all the
gopichandana mudras were as fresh as on the day of internment. Eight months after this incident,
a brundavana was raised at the site.
The above event and his appearance in the swapna of Venkataramana achar has proved without
doubt that Sri Wodeyaru is very much a Rudramsharu. Venkataramana achar who was thus
blessed by Sri Sankarshanaru had composed Sri Sankarshana kavacham, Kalpadharu Stotra,
Mangalashtakam and Navarathna Malika.
Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru was a parama bhakta gnani, and a great expert in shasthras. A yathi
varenyaru who had written a commentary on harikathamrutasara his dyana and darshana will
guide us towards the right path.
Sri Jagannatha Dasaru and Harikathamruthasara :
Many saints have come into this world who had preached madwa siddhanta and sashtras to the
learned and illiterate alike. Along with them there were also Haridasaru, who had given
knowledge thru bakthi in the form of kirthanas.
In the early part of 18th century, Sri Jagannatha Dasaru, who was a aproksha gnani, gave a
wonderful masterpiece of madhwa philosophy named Harikathamruthasara. Our great yathigalu,
Sri Vyasararajaru, Sri Sripadarajaru, Sri Vadhirajaru, Sri Purandara dasaru, appeared in the
swapna of Sri Jagannatha Dasaru and asked him to bring all the saramsa of the dvaita
philosophy in the form of Harikathamruthasara which vividely explains that to attain moksha one
needs Sri Haris kataksha.
In 33 sandhis, in different raga and different thala, Harikathamruthasara gives the nector of dvaita
philosophy on madaasarana paddati, panchbeda tharatamya, paramathmas mahime, vyaapthi,
rasavibagam, vibuti rupaas, etc.,
The anushtana of Harikathamruthasara relieves one of the samsara dukkha, give pure bakthi. It
has more phala than ganga snana.
Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru has written a great commentary on Harikathamruthasara. Let us all
do sravana of Harikathamruthasara and strive towards attaining Hari bakthi and moksha.
I pray at the lotus feet of the great yathi, Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru to bless us with Hari bakti,
devotion to our guru Sri Madhwacharyaru and follow his teachings.

- A.L.G. Rao

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

TRAVEL RELATED DETAILS TO KARAPOONDI VILLAGE (POLUR)

KARAPOONDI - POLUR
Karapoondi village near Polur has the Moola Brundavana of Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru, a
yathivarenyaru, who wrote a great commentary on Harikathamruthasara of Sri Jagannatha
Dasaru.
Location : On the banks of river Cheyyar also known as Baahudha nadhi lies Karapoondi
village, three kilometers to the east of Polur on the Vadavasi Polur road. This place is situated
in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu. Its geographical coordinates are 12 30' 0" North, 79 8'
0" East.
Sthala Mahime ;. Polur has a huge mountain temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. This
mountain temple was historically referred to as "Sampatgiri", which in Sanskrit means "Mountain
of Wealth". From the top of the hill, one can have a clear view of the Tiruvannamalai Arunachala
Hill. A small hill named "Kunnathur Hill" is also seen on the outskirts of Polur. The same term was
referred in Tamil as "PORULUR" literally translating to PORUL OOR (Place of Wealth) now
referred as POLUR.
How to reach Karapoondi Village (Polur Town) :
Air : Vellore approximately 45 kms. Chennai approximately 130 kms.
Train : Polur Railway Station is on the Vellore-Thiruvannamalai rail route. The station is served
by the Southern Railway. The station is located about 35 km from Thiruvannamalai. Going north,
Vellore Cantonment Railway Station is the main station next to Polur. Traveling south,
Thiruvannamalai Railway Station is the nearest major station.
Road : It is well connected by road from all important places of the district and SH-9 passes
through it.
Driving distances from various cities to Polur :
From Vellore : 48.6 km about 51 minutes.
From Arani : 25.7 kms. about 26 minutes.
From Tiruvannamalai : 33.0 kms. about 34 minutes.
From Tirukkoyilur : 68. kms. about 1 hour.
From Chennai : Via Ranipet (NH-4) Arani (NH133) 169 kms. about 3 hours.
From Bengalore : Via Krishnagiri (NH-7) 220 kms. about 3.30 hours.
There are frequent buses from Vellore (DHQ) and Arani.
Accommodation at Karapoondi Village ;
Karapoondi is a small village without any good facilities. Yatris can stay in the choultry (where Sri
Sankarshanarus brundavana is there). But prior intimation is must for stay. There is no
arrangement for teerthaprasada. After darshana, yatri has to come to Vellore Shenbakkam matha
for theertha prasada. There is no contact nos. for the Poojaru.

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.

Contact details :
Yatris may please contact the Secretary of Seva Samiti and his address is :
Sri N.L. Tirumal Rao
1/38A, 12th East Cross Road
Gandhi Nagar
Vellore 632006, Tamilnadu.
Mobile no : 09486464637 for any arrangements and seva at Karapoondi.
Sevas :
The Seva Samiti has instituted Saswatha Seva Fund wherein a minimum of Rs.500/- is accepted
towards this seva and the interest thereupon is utilized for the puja expenses on specific days as
per the donors request. The cheques may be sent in favour of Sri Sankarshana Wodeyaru Moola
Brundavana Seva Samiti, payable at Polur to the address given above.
Nearby places :
Apart from many temples nearby, situated in the Tiruvannamalai District, Polur is very near to
Arunachala Hills of Tiruvannamalai. It takes around 1 hr to reach Vellore. One can reach the silk
town of Arani by local buses. About 20 kms. east of Polur is the remote town of Devikapuram, the
site of Periyanayaki Amman Temple. Some 20 kms. off Polur is the Parvathamalai with a temple
of Lord Shiva on its top.
Apart from above, the Madhva related places near Karapoondi (Polur) are:

1. Vellore Shenbakkam Matha where there are nine brundavanas of madhwa yathigalu.
2. Arani Five kms. from Arani is Satyavijaya Nagaram Moola Brundavana of Sri Satya
Vijaya Theertharu.

3. Tirukkoyilur The famous temple of Trivikrama Devaru. One of 108 divya desams.
4. Manampoondi Moola brundavana of Sri Raghothama Theertharu and Sri
Satyapromoda Theertharu.

5. Veera Cholapuram Moola brundavana of Sri Satyanatha Theertharu.

6. Srimushnam One of sacred places for madhwas.
Since the transport facilities are good, one can easily cover all the above places in two days time.

The above is the brief translation from the tamil book, Sri Sankarshana Vijayam authored by
Late Sri N.S. Lakshmana Rao of Arani.