Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao

Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao (7 February 1921 – 16 October 1991) was a Telugu poet, novelist, literary critic, philosophical journalist, writer of English prose and an exponent of Mantra Shastra and tradition. His works covered a wide range of subjects like history, sociology, literature, philosophy, religion and spiritualism. His popular works include Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Stotra Bhashyamu, Sri Chakra Vilasanamu, Sri Chakra Pooja Vidhanam (Mantra Sastra, philosophy and spiritualism), Dharmanirnayam (social novel), Tikkana Somayaji (Historical novel), Sivanugrahamu Pitruyagnamu (Poetry) and Sringeri Revisited (Musings in Philosophy and mysticism).[1]

Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao
Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao
Personal
Born7 February 1921
Gudivada, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh
Died16 October 1991
Hyderabad, Telangana State
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
SpouseVisalakshi
Children4
Parent(s)Tummalapalli Jwalapati, Mahalakshmamma
Notable work(s)Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Stotra Bhashyamu, Srichakra Vilasanamu, Srichakra Pooja Vidhaanam, Dharmanirnayam, Tikkana Somayaji.
Pen nameSadasivananda natha
OccupationLitterateur
Organization
PhilosophyAdvaita Vedanta
Senior posting
GuruJagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami, the 34th Pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Websitehttps://tummalapalliramalingeswararao.com
HonoursAarsha Vidya Vaachaspati, Srividya Ratnakara, Sarvatantra Swatantra

Personal life

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Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao was born on 7 February 1921 to the Telugu family of Tummalapalli Jwalapati and Mahalakshmamma in Gudivada, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. After completing his school education in Gudivada, he went on to study at the Government Arts College, Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh and received his bachelor's degree in science. Ramalingeswara Rao married Visalakshi from Telaprolu in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh and with her had three daughters (Uma Devi, Janaki, Lakshmi Savitri) and a son (Dr. Jwalaprakasa Vidyapati). He worked in Revenue Department of West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. He resigned the government job to join a mining company in Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh and worked as a business executive. He shifted to Madras in 1961 and retreated into solitude of meditation and probe into the rationality of Indian spiritual and religious thought. He shed his mortal coil on the day of Durgashtami (16 October 1991) during Navaratri.[2][3][4][5]

 
Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao with his wife Visalakshi

Spirituality

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Ramalingeswara Rao secured the grace of Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami, the 34th Pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetham and he was initiated into Sri Vidya by the Mahaswami. Guru’s grace made Rao's tongue the seat of the myriad faced literary muse. He authored several books on Mantra Sastra. With the divine blessings of Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswami (35th Pontiff of Sringeri Sarada Peetham) and Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami (36th Pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetham), he served as Editor of Sri Sankara Krupa (a philosophical and spiritual Telugu monthly magazine of Sringeri Sharada Peetham) for more than two decades. After the demise of his wife, he embraced Sanyasa in 1988 at Sringeri. He was given the yogapatta (monastic name) Sri Adwayananda Bharati.[6]

Literary career

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Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami

Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao’s works include Social and historical novels, poems, books on Mantra Sastra and Darsana Sastra, books on literary criticism, essays, translations from English to Telugu, introductions and forewords, editing, short stories for children and radio talks. His books on Mantra Sastra got appreciation from Saints of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Siddheswari Peetham,Courtallam and other scholars.[7] His novels and literary criticism made landmarks in the history of Telugu literature. His social novel Dharmanirnayam was considered as one of the best ten novels in Telugu.[8] Two of his works - Dharmanirnayam and Sringeri Revisited - were translated into Kannada language. His novels were the subject of study for doctoral level research in the field of Telugu literature.[9]

Bibliography

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Following works of Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao (Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami in his Turiyashrama) have been published.[10][11][12]

  • Sivanugrahamu – Pitruyagnamu
  • Hasyagaadha Dwisathi
  • Preyonuvakamu
  • Godavari Garbhamu
  • Agnishtomamu

Social and historical novels

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Mantra Sastra

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Literary criticism

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  • Sri Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao Sahitya Vimarsalu

Vedic commentary

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Philosophy and religion

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  • Manamu Mana Mathamu

English books

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Translations

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Awards and honors[4]

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  • He was given the honorifics Aarsha Vidya Vachaspati, Sri Vidya Ratnakara and Sarvatantra Swatantra.[7]
  • In 1974 he was honored by a felicitations Committee in Madras.[16]
  • In 1979 he was felicitated by Kalabharati, Madras.
  • In 1980 he was honored with Sri Yarlagadda Rajyalakshmi Venkanna Chowdary Kalapeetham Award.[17]
  • In 1981 he was honored on the occasion of his Shasti Poorthi in Madras.[18][19][20]
  • In 1989 Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami (Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao in his poorvashrama) was honored in Hyderabad on his completion of first Chaturmasya Vratha Deeksha.[21]

Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami Trust[22]

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With a view to preserve and maintain the traditional, cultural and spiritual values and heritage of India, Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami Trust was established in 1989 in honor of Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami.

References

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  1. ^ "Brahmasri Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao garu". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  2. ^ Biography. "శ్రీ అద్వయానంద భారతీ స్వామి జీవనరేఖలు". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  3. ^ Who's Who in India 1986. Business Press Private Limited. 1986. p. 384.
  4. ^ a b "తుమ్మలపల్లి రామలింగేశ్వర రావు". Telugu Rachayita.
  5. ^ "రచయిత పరిచయం (Introducing the Author)". Andhra Prabha (Telugu daily). January 29, 1989.
  6. ^ HH Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami (4 December 2012). "Anugraha Bhashanam in Telugu (Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sri Sankara Krupa, Hyderabad)". YouTube.
  7. ^ a b శ్రీ లలితా సహస్రనామ స్తోత్ర భాష్యము - View More, శ్రీచక్ర విలసనము - View More. "Books Authored by Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  8. ^ Poranki, Dakshina Murthy (1975). తెలుగు నవల (Telugu Navala). Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academy. pp. 39–40.
  9. ^ Muttevi Srinivas (1998). Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao Navalalu - Pariseelana. Sangareddi: Radha Madhav Publications.
  10. ^ Literary works. "శ్రీ అద్వయానంద భారతీ స్వామి సాహితీ ప్రస్థానం". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  11. ^ "Adwayananda Bharati Swami". worldcat.org.
  12. ^ Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami. 1989 – via Library. wisc.edu.
  13. ^ Dr. Vani Kumari, Tummalapalli. "Brahmasri Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao gari Padya Kavitvam". Sanchika (February 2022).
  14. ^ Raman, A S. "Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao". Triveni. October - December 1977.
  15. ^ N C Ramanujachary (November 11, 2003). "Book Review - Commentary on a Hymn". The Hindu.
  16. ^ Sri T Ramalingeswara Rao Felicitations Souvenir (View More). "Gallery - Souvenirs, in Telugu & English". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  17. ^ "Past/Upcoming Events". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  18. ^ Staff reporter (6 February 1981). "A Telugu Scholar Forgotten". The Indian Express. Madras city edition.
  19. ^ Staff reporter (8 February 1981). "మరుగున పడిన మహాకవి". Andhra Prabha. Bangalore.
  20. ^ "Gallery - Photos, page 2". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
  21. ^ శ్రీ అద్వయానంద భారతీ స్వామి ప్రస్తుతి మాల (View More). "Gallery-Souvenirs". tummalapalliramalingeswararao.com.
  22. ^ "Sri Adwayananda Bharati Swami Trust". Tummalapalli Ramalingeswara Rao.
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