About
Sri U.Ve. Elayavilli Satakopachariar Swami
Sri U.Ve.Satakopachariar Swami was born at Melukote (Thirunarayanapuram – Karnataka State) as the scion of the illustrious Anandalwan, the devoted disciple of Sri Ramanuja. His father was by name Sri U.Ve T.A. Tiruvenkatachariar Swami, the mother being Smt. Alamelu Ammal. His paternal Uncle was Sri U.Ve. Govindappangar Swami, a renowned Scholar of four Shastras and the Principal of Melukote Sanskrit College who subsequently became His Holiness Sriranganarayana Jeeyar at Srirangam.
Sri Swami during his childhood days joined the above said Sanskrit College for his primary education. When he was about six years old, he was seen by His Holiness Chinna Kaliyan Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami, the highly reputed 25th pontiff of Sri Vanamamalai Mutt at Nanguneri. The young boy with his charming smiling face and golden bangles adorning his frearms and the curly locks of hair tied up to form a tuft and his forehead being adorned by beautiful and erect thiruman-kaappu (Srivaishnava caste mark), and pure white dhoti with an angavastra embellishing his thin waist, attracted the attention of His Holiness who in turn made kind enquiries about the young charming boy. When he came to know about the boy’s birth and parentage, he drew him with his hands and put him on his lap embracing him tightly. This rare and strange behaviour of His Holiness caused astonishment to all devotees who were assembled there. As his holiness was an expert astrologer, he summoned for the horoscope of the boy and after going through the horoscope, he directe-
-d the parents to give the boy in adoption to Sri U.Ve. Elayavilli Srinivasachariar Swami of Alwarthirunagari, who was childless even after having two wives and was in search of a boy for adoption. His Holiness also made necessary arrangements for the adoption. So Sri U.Ve. Satakopachariar Swami became the son of Sri U.Ve. Elayavilli Srinivasachariar Swami. But owing to ill luck, the Swami (Elayavilli Srinivasachariar Swami) could live with his adopted son only for about three years.
Even before the adoption, Sri U.Ve. Srinivasachariar Swami had to fight in the court of law for temple honors at the Alwar Sannidhi, Alwarthirunagari. Finally though he was successful in this attempt, it fetched him several enemies in his village, as a result of which no one was ready to give his son for Sri Swami’s adoption. Finally this culminated into the adoption of a son from Melkote.
Sri Satakopachariar Swami after the demise of his adopted father had to live in the hostile atmosphere. His Holiness Sri U.Ve. Chinna Kaliyan Swami understanding the prevailling condition at Alwarthirunagari, took the boy to his Vanamamalai Math at Nanguneri and under his personal supervision brought him up bestowing on him lavishing love and affection and showering his choicest blessings. He also taught him all texts pertaining to SriVaishnavism. Later on Sri U.Ve. Satakopachariar Swami moved to Thirunarayanapuram and under the able guidance and tutorship of Sri U.Ve. Govinda Appangar Swami, the Principal of Melkote Sanskrit College and his paternal uncle, learnt all Shastras. He also studied Sribhashyam under Sri U.Ve. Mahavidwan Asoori Periya Ramanujachariar Swami, Prinicipal of Sanskrit College at Sriperumbudur. He also started a school at Alwarthirunagari to teach Nalayira Divya Prabhandam and Sanskrit. He married Mrs. Sriranga Nacchiyar and the couple was blessed with five sons and four daughters. Sri Swami was highly reputed for his scholarship in our Sri Vaishnava Sampradayam. His deep knowledge of Sampradayam and his very attractive appearance drew the attention of Jagadacharya Simhasanadipathi, Sri U.Ve.Kanchi Prativadi Bhayankaram Annangarachariar Swami who not only conferred on him the very meaningful title “Srisookti Ratnakaram”, but also married one of his (Srisookti Ratnakaram Swami’s) daughters to his adopted son, Sri U.Ve. Ranganathachariar alias Selvamani.
Sri Swami was a versatile scholar in Vedic lore, Divya Prabhanda and Itihasa Puranas. He imbibed deep erudition in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam and Rahasya Granthas with their commentaries as a result of which his writings were saturated with powerful and meaningful expressions of Alwars and Acharyas. Even while writing personal letters, he made it a point to write the same on the model of Acharya Hrudayam. This kind of command over the religious texts filled the heart of Sri U.Ve. P.B.A. Swami with astonishment and admiration that was forced to confer the sobriquet Srisookti Ratnakaram on our Sri Swami.
Our Swami was always very gentle in his spirit. Anger was under his control. With his pious and loving qualities, he won the heart of all scholars and laymen alike. He always wore a cheerful countenance and his sense of humour was beyond description. His gigantic appearace, mode of gait, his smiling face, clothing and Dwadasha Urdvapundras (twelve tirumankappu) – all these added to the grandeur of his enslaving personality. He conducted Several Kalashepams both at Alwarthirunagari and its surroundings like Tirunelveli etc. Not being satisfied with this, he moved to the capital city of SriVaishnava realm namely Srirangam, following the path pursued by our Acharyas. There he conducted Periya Tirumozhi Kalakshepam and several Tiruppavai discourses which earned him the encomium, Tiruppavai Kadalmani.
Owing to the ill luck of Srivaishnava world, he embellished Srivaikunta Loka (passed away) after completing 60 years only. The whole Srivaishnava world was plunged in the ocean of misery on hearing his untimely demise. The only consolation was that he left behind him his scholarly son Sri U.Ve. Elayavilli Srinivasa Bhuvarahachariar Swami to contiue his service to the Lord and His devotees.
Sri Swami’s centenary celebrations took place from 26-06-2010 to 30-06-2010 at the Tirumaligai (Mansion) situated at Alwarthirunagari where he lived for several years. Erudite scholars and learned vidwans, arrived at Alwarthirunagari during this period to pay rich and glowing tributes to our Swami.
“Ramanujarya Divya Aagnya Vardhatam Abhi Vardhatam”.
Thaniyan
Srinivasa Gurosoonum
Anantharya Kulothbhavam
Baladhanvi Kulothvasham
Satakopa Gurumbhaje
