The Star ‘Swathi’ was on the ascent. It was ‘Pilava varuda’ (year in the Indian calendar) - 1961, and the month was ‘Ippasi’ (Tamizh month). The day was ‘Amãvãsya’ (New Moon). Fireworks lit up the earth and the sky on this day of Deepavali. Amidst this celebration of destruction of Narakãsura by Lord Krishna, was born our Sri Muralidhara Swamiji to the pious couple Sri Rajagopalan and Smt. Savitri, in Cuddalore.

Cuddalore is situated between (River) Pennaiãru and (River) Garudanadi and on the shores of Bay of Bengal. This is the ‘Kshetra’ (Holy place) where Lord Siva took Thirunãvukarasar (also known as Appar - one of Lord Siva’s four main devotees (Nãyanmãrs) out of the prominent 63) unto Himself. This Kshetra is called Thirupãdiripuliyur. Here, Lord Siva bears the name Pãdalishwara and His consort is Periyanãyaki.

3 kilometres away is the Vaishanva Kshetra Thiruvaheendrapuram, where Sri Nigamãnta Desikan (founder Ãchãrya of the ‘Vadagalai’ sect of the Vaishnava tradition) lived for a long time. In the temple here, Lord Vishnu bears the name Devanãta and His consort is Hemãmbujavalli. It is a very wonderful temple situated on the banks of (river) Gadilanadi. Mãrkandeya Maharishi was blessed with a direct darshan of this Lord. Lord Devanãta showed the Maharishi that He (the Lord) was all the three Murtis (Lord Siva, Vishnu and Brahma). The Lord wears a half-moon on His head and holds Shanka, Chakra, and Lotus in His hands. It is also believed that ‘Tirupathi’ Srinivasa Perumal, ‘Thiruvinnagaram’ Uppiliyappan and Devanãta swami here are brothers.

Just across the street is a small hillock where Lord Lakshmi Hayagreeva (with a face of a horse), the support for all Vidya (Learning) is found. It was on this hillock that Sri Desikan performed Garuda japa and received direct darshan of Garuda. It is in this town that Sri Desikan took ‘unchavruti’ and also wrote innumerable ‘Grantãs’. It is here that Sri Desikan chanted Sri Stuti that brought rain of gold! And it is while living here that Sri Desikan sowed the seed for the easiest of all paths, viz ‘Sharanãgati’ (Surrender to the Lord). The Avatara utsava of Sri Desikan, on Purattãsi (Tamizh month) Sravana (star) is spectacular.

Sri Rama deity in this town is very beautiful. Sri Desikan has written ‘Raghuveera Gatya’ on this Rama. The Hayagreeva (idol) that Sri Desikan had worshipped is to be found in Devanãta swami Sannidhi here, even today.

“ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare !"

Click here for an audio clipping of Sri Swamiji's 'Hare Rama....' Kirtan.