A saint-poet ahead of his times

Sri Veerabrahmam is a revolutionary saint -poet of 17th century. He lost his parents in his childhood and he was brought up by Veerabhojacharya and Veerapapamma.

As a boy of twelve, he passed through the holy places such as Srirangam, Rameswaram and preached Yoga Vedanta to many devotees.He declared that there is no difference between Saivam and Vaishnavism.

After a year of penance, he visited some holy places in India and reached Banganapalli where he joined the household of Garimireddy Achamma and Venkatareddi, as a cow-herd. He used to look after the cattle in the nearly fields and as the cattle were grazing he would enter a cave and write the Kalajnanam verses and vedantic lyrics on palm- leaves.

After 25 years of stay at Banaganapalli, he went to Kandimallyapallem where he made his living as a carpenter and black-smith. Veerabrahmam was the embodiment of Upanishadic spirit. He preached communal harmony, social equality. He condemned superstitions and ritualism.

He had given refuge to a muslim boy, Siddayya. Brahmam’s initiation to Kakkayya, a Harijan was another remarkable event.

In order to take the essence of Vedanta to the masses, he composed philosophical songs in simple language. Vemana, another people’s poet, was contemporary of Veerabrahmam. Both of them saved mankind from social crisis by their teachings in simple language of the people.

The Kalajnana maxims of Veerabrahmam and the miracles performed by him in the courts of the contemporary nawabs exercised great influence on them, irrespective of the religion. Mohamad Beg Khan of Banaganapalli estate, Mirjumla and Mohamad Raja Ali, Nawab of Siddhout and Nawab of Kurnool had great respect for Swami Veerabrahmendra.

Mohammad Siddi Masood Khan (1672-1686 AD) strove hard to bring about harmony between Islam and Hinduism. He granted site for the present Veerabrahmendra Mutt in Kandimallyapalle of Cuddapah District.

The ‘Kalajnanam’ of Swamy contains revelations and prophecies. The following predictions are popular among the people even today.

“Foreign rule will be established in India. During the regime of the foreigners the ancient culture and learning will be replaced by modern civilization and modern education”.

“Carts will move without being pulled by bullocks” (The modern methods of transportation are indicated in this prediction.)

“Lamps will be lighted with water” (Production of electricity is indicated here.)

He could foretell the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Uttaradhana Vysya Kulamunandu Uttam Gandhokadu Puttenina”.

In another stanza of ‘Kalajnanam’, Sri Veerabrahmam could easily visualise the day when all distinctions based on caste, creed and religion would be wiped out and oneness of mankind is realized. Most of his prophecies are written on the aspects of society, religion and culture in the language of the people.

Swami’s married life was message to all house-holders. He was a true Rajayogi and a secular saint. He pleaded for universal brother hood. There is unison in his thought, word and deed. The life of Sri Veerabrahmendra Swamy is a lesson for excellence to the posterity. His attitude towards women is worthy of mention. He condemned the custom of child marriages. He condemned animal sacrifice also.

Sri Veerabrahmendra Swamy attained Sajiva Samadhi on Suddha Dasami of Vaisakha. The day is celebrated all over South India with profound veneration. At present, Sri Veerabhoga Vasantha Venkateswara Swami is the principal pontiff of Sri Brahmamgari Matam. During Karthika Masam, special festive activities like Aradhana and Magha Maha Gurupuja festival are conducted at the matham.