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A Guiding Light of Our Family - A Tribute to my beloved eldest brother

When I think about my brother, the revered Sri Sri U.Ve. Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami, words seem inadequate to describe his multifaceted personality. Reflecting on his life reminds me of the story of the six blind men attempting to comprehend an elephant—each perceiving only a part of the whole. My situation is much the same; his extraordinary talents and boundless ideas make it nearly impossible to capture his essence fully.

To the world, he was an eminent Sanskrit scholar, a passionate researcher of ancient manuscripts, and a visionary leader. To me, however, he was my beloved eldest brother—a guiding light in our family. While his brilliance and struggles were well-known, I must admit I only came to fully appreciate the depth of his accomplishments much later in life. My career after marriage took me to Mumbai and Nasik, leaving me with limited opportunities to interact with him.

Whenever I visited home in Melkote, I eagerly looked forward to meeting him. Yet, our interactions were often brief. He would warmly greet us, inquire about our well-being, and then return to his life's work at the Academy of Sanskrit Research. At the time, I often felt disappointed that he couldn't spend more time with us. It was only later that I realized—work was his worship, and every moment was precious to him.

During those visits, curiosity would draw us to his workplace. At the Academy, he would transform into a gracious host, passionately sharing details about the projects he was working on, walking us through the beautiful gardens, and explaining his efforts in environmental care, cattle protection, and sustainable practices. His enthusiasm was infectious, making each visit a delightful experience.

In my younger days, I held a mixture of admiration and awe for him, partly due to our 13-year age gap and his authoritative nature. After my graduation, I stayed with him in Bangalore for a few years, but our busy lives left little time for bonding. It wasn’t until I returned to Bangalore in 2014 that we began to reconnect. It was then that I truly witnessed his unwavering devotion to his vision and his tireless efforts to achieve his goals. I even had the honour of assisting him with editing his articles, newsletters, and his book Sakshathkar. He would often tell me, “We are laying the foundation for projects that will guide the next ten generations.” Such was his foresight and determination.

A Scholar and Visionary

Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami was not just a Sanskrit scholar but a visionary who dedicated his life to preserving and integrating India’s ancient knowledge systems with modern tools. A descendant of the illustrious Sri Thirumalai Anandalwar lineage, he embodied a rare blend of traditional and contemporary wisdom.

Born into a family of scholars, he received rigorous training in shastras under our father, Vidwan Sri Alwar Thirumala Iyengar. Academically, he excelled, earning gold medals in his B.A. and M.A. Sanskrit degrees from the Universities of Mysore and Madras. His deep study of the Vedas, Upanishads, Itihasas, and Puranas was always geared towards promoting human welfare.

Pioneering Contributions

His most remarkable achievement was establishing the Academy of Sanskrit Research (ASR) in Melkote, a hub for preserving India’s ancient manuscripts. Under his leadership, over 200,000 palm-leaf manuscripts were collected, and 8,500 were digitized—a groundbreaking feat in the 1980s. Collaborating with institutions like C-DOT and C-DAC, the Academy became a pioneer in computational linguistics and digital preservation.

He founded the Samskriti Foundation and Sri Ramanuja Vishwavidyapeetha to promote Sanskrit studies, Vishishtadvaita philosophy, and sustainable knowledge systems. His work extended to environmental protection, sustainable agriculture (Rishi Krishi Vidhanam), and ancient health practices.

Additionally, he worked with CFTRI and DFRL to develop specialized food for pilots and advanced Ayurvedic research. His contributions to Mysore Yoga Traditions made them renowned worldwide.

Artistic and Cultural Achievements

A talented artist, Prof. Lakshmithathacharya portrayed Ramanujacharya in G.V. Iyer’s Tamil film Ramanujar and a Telugu TV serial on Dhanurdasa. Through his performances, he brought the teachings of Bhagavad Ramanuja to life. He also delivered numerous lectures, seminars, and publications, spreading the philosophy of Vishishtadvaita.

Honours and Leadership Roles

His achievements earned him many accolades, including:

  • The President of India Award for Sanskrit Excellence.
  • The Mahamahopadhyaya title from Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati.
  • A D.Litt from S-VYASA University.
  • The Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Centenary Award.

He held numerous leadership positions, including:

  • Founder President of the Samskriti Foundation.
  • Dean of Research at Sri Ramanuja Vishwavidyapeetha.
  • Visiting Professor at VYASA University.
  • Spiritual Head of the Sri Anantarya Peetham, Melkote.

Legacy

Prof. Lakshmithathacharya’s legacy is a testament to his vision, blending ancient wisdom with modernity. He digitized India’s cultural heritage, inspired youth in Melkote, and left an indelible mark as a scholar, mentor, and humanitarian. His mantra of being “rooted in the past, living in the present, and working for the future” continues to resonate.

His love for Lord Thirunarayana, Bhagavad Ramanuja, and Lord Srinivasa defined his spiritual journey. The name “Lakshmi” in his name reflected his wealth of knowledge (gyana).

I was fortunate to spend time with him just a month before his untimely demise. Even during his last days, he blessed me with recitations from Ramanujacharya’s Gadyatrayam.

Such was the greatness of my brother, Mahamahopadhyaya Sri U.Ve. Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami. His presence will forever live in our hearts.

My humble salutations to his memory.