U.Ve Prof. MAL Swāmī – My reflection

I seek refuge in the revered Guru Lakshmithathacharya, who shines like a jewel in the lineage of Seshaarya …. The descendant of the Anantaarya family.

(With his blessing) I start this reflection, with a sense of gratitude, humility and honor to write few lines on our Guru…Acharya U.Ve Dr. M.A Lakshmithathacharya Swāmīgal. I congratulate and pray to Śrīman Nārāyaṇa to shower his blessings for the success of the seminar titled Thatharya-Vaibhavam, which aptly showcases the contributions of U.Ve Prof M.A. Lakshmithathacharya Swāmīgal to Indian knowledge Systems.

Reflecting on the life of U.Ve Prof. MAL Swāmī for me is both an emotional and inspiring journey. U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī who was not just an accomplished professor of Sanskrit but a beacon to the Śrīvaiṣṇava Sampradāya, Prof. MAL Swāmī is firstly a human par excellence, before an expert in Navya Nyaya Philosophy, Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, an expert who participated in several National and International Vidvād Ghoṣṭī / Seminars related to Philosophy, Science & Technology. Swāmī was a multitalented individual who has many scholarly publications to his credits. U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī has not only guided people on their path towards higher knowledge aka spirituality, also he has guided many students in their Master's and Doctoral pursuits, successfully!

As I write, Prof. MAL Swāmī was a towering figure, celebrated nationally for his contributions to Sanskrit and Indian thoughts-&-ethos. His legacy was honoured at the highest levels, with recognition from none other than the Late President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Beyond his academic brilliance, Prof. MAL Swami's mission was deeply rooted in integrating the timeless essence of Indian culture and way of life into the modern world, be his initiatives near Śrīrangapatna or the Samskrithi foundations. All of us from Tirunārāyaṇapuram (Melukote) cannot forget U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī's yeoman service in establishing the Sanskrit Academy. In our family we used to say he looks, acts and contributes like Bhagavat Rāmānuja, sacrificing many personal things on the way for the betterment of the society; as we witnessed the growth of the Melukote's Sanskrit Academy on to the global map.

For our family, U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī was not just a scholar; he was a guide, a mentor, and a spiritual teacher. This connection runs deep, as it intertwines with both our family's history, basically we are the śiṣyaḥs and they are our ācāryāḥs. Thus U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī came from a lineage of spiritual leaders, a tradition that lent his life a profound gravitas. It was his (late) father Paṇḍita Rāja U.Ve. Tirumala Iyengar Swāmī who played an instrumental role in uniting my grandparents in marriage—a union that set the foundation my family's journey.

Our family over the generations has always revered and cherished the long association with the Tiru-mālai. I pray to Śrīman Nārāyaṇa to grace both the families to continue this śiṣyaḥ- ācāryāḥ bond for eons to come. If we are blessed that we are part of the only surviving Svayam Ācārya Puruṣa Paramparā of the Śrīvaiṣṇava Sampradāyam, this is because of the spiritual strength, courage, compassion, and sacrifices made by our successive Ācāryas'. More so in the case of U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī, his wife Ammaṅgar Godha, who was the embodiment of Sri Yādigīri Tāyaṟ. It will not be wrong on my part to say that Ammaṅgar Godha played a pivotal role in the continuation of the Svayam Ācārya Puruṣa Paramparā, in supporting her husband and grooming both their sons U.Ve. Dr Sri M.A. Alwar Swāmī and Dr Sri M.A. Ananth in the traditions of the Anantaarya family. My family often says that their daughter-in-law Smt. Vidya brings the same warmth and radiance of (late) Ammaṅgar Godha.

U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī persona was as magnetic as his intellect. Like many, my (late) mother too often reminisced about his younger (student) days in Mysore, where his charm and striking good looks captivated many. Handsome and graceful, he was not just admired for his appearance but for the depth of his character and the authenticity of his pursuits. We have always heard that, as a student, he carried the aura of someone destined for greatness, blending his scholarly endeavors with an intrinsic understanding of life's spiritual dimensions. Our family always felt blessed on those occasions, to see both Ācārya–n-Ammaṅgar, radiating energy, warmth and the divinity as if off the Divya Daṃpatī's.

In his professional life, Prof. MAL Swāmī achieved numerous laurels. His mastery of Sanskrit (especially Visistadwaita Vedanta) was unparalleled, but what set him apart was his ability to transcend the academic and make it relevant to contemporary life, which is amply illustrate by he and his team championing the development of numerous software packages. He was a bridge between tradition and modernity, an interpreter of ancient wisdom for the challenges of today.

What stood out most about U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī was his humility and approachability. Despite his national acclaim and the honors he received, he remained deeply grounded. He carried forward the values of his lineage, emphasizing service, selflessness, and the pursuit of higher knowledge. To have known him, even tangentially, was to feel the warmth of his commitment to uplifting those around him.

For me, U.Ve. Prof. MAL Swāmī's life is a reminder of the importance of staying rooted in one's heritage while embracing the demands of modernity. His legacy inspires me to seek balance, to honor the wisdom of the past while shaping a future that aligns with enduring values. He was a light not just to his students and śiṣyaḥ, but to everyone privileged to cross paths with him. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit continues to guide, comfort, and inspire.

Ādyān Madhura Kavi dāsan