U. Ve. Sri M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami

On this monumental occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Samskriti Foundation, I would like to share my tribute and my remembrance of its founder and my Acharya U Ve Sri M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami.

Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami was the 'Acharya' for our Sampalli family. My father, grandfather and forefathers had the utmost respect for the Acharya lineage, and showed unconditional devotion to the Acharya as the true personification of God. Words cannot capture the magnanimity, the scholarliness, and the immense knowledge that were embodied by Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami. Not only did he uphold our dharmas, our shastras and our traditions, but also took every opportunity to impart that knowledge to many others through his skillful writings, discourses, lectures, and informal discussions. One could carry on an in-depth and intellectual conversation with him on anything from the ancient Vedas to modern computer science subjects such as machine learning, deep learning and artificial intelligence. The front cover of the book Jnana-Vijnana-Vicaksana, a book published in his honour on his 70th birthday, carries the picture of an ancient palm leaf manuscript on the left and a laptop on the right with Sri Lakshmithathacharya's photo in the middle. That says it all – he was able to seamlessly create such linkages and integrate modern technology with ancient knowledge systems.

Sri Lakshmithathacharya was highly energetic and indefatigable with a mind like a racehorse. He could carry on multiple projects in diverse fields from agriculture to Ayurveda to vedic discourses and applications of modern technology to the betterment of society. A visit to his garden in Melukote is just one example of his amazing workmanship – it shows the varieties of fruits and vegetables that he grew and the irrigation systems that he had constructed single-handedly. One wonders how he had the time and the energy to undertake so many tasks simultaneously. It speaks volumes to his commitment, to his devotion and his dedication to what he was passionate about.

Despite his deep knowledge and excellent talents, Sri Lakshmithathacharya was a true personification of gentleness, kindness, and nobleness. He exemplified true love and always welcomed everyone with a brilliant smile on his face. In his presence, you would feel an aura of “quiet divinity” radiating from him.

My association with Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami grew after my father's passing in 1999. Since then, during every visit to India each year I have had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Sri Acharya at his Melukote residence. I don't have words to express the immense joy that I have felt during each and every visit. Sri Acharya and Ammangar Goda welcomed me with open arms, gave me the most delicious food, and imparted spiritual knowledge. It was a feast for the body, mind, and spirit. Even after Ammangar Goda's attainment of Paramapadam, despite his personal grief, Sri Acharya continued his work with the same dedication and showed the same hospitality during my visits. Despite being an avid traveler, Sri Acharya's heart was always in Melukote. No matter where he went, he wanted to return to the divine abode. My last visit with Sri Acharya was in 2019 before the pandemic. I fondly remember that we had discussed plans to do a project in cyber-security combining ancient techniques with modern encryption algorithms. Alas – we are unlucky that his time with us has been cut short.

Sri Lakshmithathacharya's deep commitment to everything that he did - as a scholar, as an Acharya, and as an ardent devotee of Sri Ramanujacharya – these are the true hallmarks of a great soul. We are indeed blessed to have had his presence during our generation.

It is truly remarkable that the profound tradition and the invaluable legacy of Sri Lakshmithathacharya are being carried forward with such devotion and distinction by his sons, Sri Dr. M.A. Alwar and Sri Dr. M.A. Ananth, and his daughter-in-law, Smt. Vidhya. Their steadfast commitment to preserving and propagating the teachings and principles of their revered father exemplifies his enduring influence as both an Acharya and a beacon of knowledge. Through their scholarly contributions and unwavering dedication to the Samskriti Foundation, they continue to illuminate the path that Sri Lakshmithathacharya paved, ensuring that his vision and spiritual mission remain a guiding light for generations to come.