Shivakumara Swami

Shivakumara Swamigalu
Shivakumara Swamiji, Siddaganga Matha, Tumkuru, Karnataka.
Born	(1907-04-01)1 April 1907 Veerapura near Magadi Taluk, Ramanagara District, British India
Died	21 January 2019(2019-01-21) (aged 111) Tumkur, Karnataka, India
Occupation	Indian humanitarian

Sri Sri Sri Shivakumara Swamigalu (1 April 1907 – 21 January 2019)^[1] better known as Shivakumara Swami, was a Hindu religious figure and humanitarian. He was the head of Sree Siddaganga Matha who provided education to many people.^[2] in Tumkur District, Karnataka, South India and founder of the Sri Siddaganga Education Society.^[3]

Shivakumara Swami dedicated his life to serving humanity through the twin pillars of education and food security. Under his leadership, the Matha established numerous educational institutions ranging from primary schools to engineering colleges, providing free education food, and shelter to thousands of underprivileged children, regardless of caste, religion, or background. He was affectionately referred to as the "Walking God" and was widely respected for his discipline, simplicity and lifelong service to society.

In 2015 the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan. He became a supercentenarian on 1 April 2017.^[1]

Shivakumara Swami believed that education and helping others were very important. He made sure that children from poor families could go to school for free and receive food and shelter. He taught people to live simply and respect everyone, no matter their background. Because of his kindness and service, many people loved and respected him.

Ardent follower of Basava Principles, Sree Sree Swamiji was popularly called as Walking God from all sects and religions. His Holiness was known for the triple sacraments; food, shelter and education. His Holiness belongs to the distinct tradition established by Sree Gosala Channabasava, Sree Tontada Siddalingeshwara, Sree Sree Atavee Mahaswamigalu and his predecessor and Guruji Sree Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu. For the un-matching period of 88 years His Holiness headed this holy place. Even at the age of 100+, he was very active, agile, with unfailing sight and stable movements. In all probability in the religious history of any country, he may be the only one, who has been a head of a holy place which is secular in act, for such a long and continuous period.^[4]

Born on April 1, 1908, in Veerapura, a tiny Village in Magadi Taluk, Bangalore District, Karnataka, India. The village in fact is surrounded by all holy places, sacred hills & caves, and an enchanting environment. Born to a very religious and devotional parent, Sri. Honnegowda and Smt. Gangamma. Youngest of the 13 children, named Shivanna was the one who later became, Sri Sivakumara Swamigalu, who took reins of Sree Siddaganga Math.

He imbibed his father's qualities and always desired to follow them with devotion. His mother in fact had identified in his childhood, the characteristics of a shining persona and a human being who would be a cause for a total change and would be considered one day a deity. He would often accompany his parents to the Shivagnage and make curious observations regarding the surroundings and make inquisitive queries with parents. Since he used to visit Shivagange Kshetra almost every week, the place made a long lasting impact on him. He also desired to know about Siddaganga Kshetra, and Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu, the Siddlingeshwara deity, and the caves around Siddaganga. His mother promised to take him to Siddaganga during Shivaratri festival when Sree Uddana Swamiji would hold a Car Festival.^[5]

The person who also made a personal impact on him was one of his elder brothers, Sri Kempananjappa, who lived a life of brahmachari. At the age of 8 years, the cruel destiny snatched away his beloved mother and that was partially a reason for some transformation in his mind set and behaviour. Once a very naughty and mercurially active Shivanna, became calm and composed and gradually attracted towards studies.

His Holiness had primary schooling in his native place Veerapura Koolimath, Palanahalli Koolimath and middle School Education in Nagavalli, Tumkur district. He joined Government High School in Tumkur. In 1926, he completed his Matriculation. For a short period of 4 months, he was a resident student of Sree Siddaganga Math and received spiritual blessings of Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu. In the same year, he passed Entrance Examination and joined Central College, Bangalore and completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1930 with Physics and Mathematics as Major Subjects. He stayed at Sree Gubbi Thotadappa Hostel when he was a student of Central College.

In the year 1965, he was conferred with Honorary "Doctor of Letters" Degree by Karnatak University, Dharwad.

Shivanna to Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu

While he was studying at the Central College, Bangalore, another tragedy struck him. On 16^th January, 1930, he heard the tragic news of death of his close friend, Sri Marularadhya at Siddaganga Math, who would have been the next head of the Math. With a heavy heart, he completed the last rites of Sree Marularadhya.

In the meantime, Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu went to the Caves and immersed in deep thoughts and contemplated for an able successor who would be a replacement to the departed seer Marularadhya. People in and around Math started discussing among themselves about Sri Shivanna as an able person to occupy the coveted peetha. The discussions drew the attention of Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu. When Sri Shivanna was performing the last rites at the samadhi of Sri Marularadhya, Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu announced "Shivanna", you should shoulder the responsibility of the successor of the Math and be a representative of Sree Siddalingeshwara to carry forward the work of the this Punya (Sacred) Kshetra and blessed him by touching his head. Sri Shivanna accepted the divine role offered to him by his Guru, attiring in the Saffron costume of a Virakta in the true spirit and tradition of Veerasaivism. He was renamed as "Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu". He returned to Central College, to complete his study. After returning to Central College, he wrote a letter to Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu that the formalities of his succession should be completed as early as possible so that he would be free from pressures from his parents and relatives. The suggestion was accepted and he was formally initiated into the holy order as a successor on 3^rd March 1930 and thus he joined the generation of sages in the tradition set in 1300 A.D. by Sree Gosala Siddeshwaraprabhu Swamigalu. On hearing this sacred news, of Sri Shivanna being made as the successor to head Sree Siddaganga Math, his teachers and classmates were excited and showered their wishes to get success in his chosen path. However, it was a rude shock to his father, who had chalked out a life of a high ranked official, but the destiny had something in store for him as his son would never return to that subjective world, which every parent had wished for their children. He tried to persuade his son to change his decision, but he was rock firm in his decision and he would never change the Almighty's wish that one day he would enter into a life of a sage towards a new path that is not for one family, but the whole world as his family as said in Sanskrit it is said; "Vasudaiva Kutumbakam".

The Early years of his long journey

"Sree Sivakumara Swamiji of Siddhaganga Math, Tumkur is a name to conjure with" said Dr. R.R.Diwakar, the then Governer of Bihar. It is not praise or aprreciation, in truth that quality traits, creativity, the motto Work is Worship, love and compassion that day by day increasing in him. It started spreading throughout the length and breadth of the state, and donations started pouring in, the balance sheet of income and expenditure started bulging. He expanded the Dasoha, Sanskrit College and the construction of new hostels for the inmates. There are hundreds of incidents that have been narrated about how poor and rich alike thronged to the Math and made their contributions without expectations in return. Under the able and watchful eyes of Sree Uddana Shivayogi, Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu perpetuated the work of the Math as he was destined to bring it to new heights, once a depleting financing conditions started improving as his inner self confidence was his unfailing and a faithful great treasure.

In the year 1937, the Sree Siddalingeshwara Sanskrit School established in 1917 by Sree Uddana Shivayogi, was upgraded to Sanskrit College. It started offering a degree course in Tarka Shastra (Logic & Reasoning), Vyakarana Shastra (Grammar), Shakti - Vishisthadvaita and Literatures and admitted students from all castes and communities. And along the "Dasoha" continued to grow with his student wealth-increasing day in day out.

The last journey of Sree Uddana Shivayogi began. He was suffering from the old age and bed ridden. Despite this he was confident that his disciple has now shaped well to continue the tradition of the Math without any difficulty. He stayed in the old Math during his last days and Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu would visit him often along with visitors and Swamiji's from other Maths. Sree Uddana Shivayogi was content that, he has emplanted a "Kalpa Vruksha" in the sacred garden of Sree Gosala Siddeshwara and Sree Tontada Siddalingeshwara, and has reared a "Kamadhenu" to look after the Math. On Saturday, the January 11, 1941, at 11:45 p.m., in the presence of Sree Sivakumara Swamigalu who was in all agony and tears in his eyes, Sree Uddana Shivayogigalu attained the heavenly adobe.

His work and Mission

As the head of the Math, his responsibilities increased by many folds. There was a serious dearth of financial resources, and what he had in hand was just Rs. 300/-, even though some amount that had been deposited in the Bank was in the name of his Guru, and the latter had not nominated him to withdraw the amount. It was such a testing time for him. The time was such that the last rites of his departed guru have to be performed in the true tradition of the Math. Miraculously, devotees thronged in with enough material that was needed for the occasion. Such hundreds of miracles have happened, and whenever there was a slight indication that the Math is in need of something, as though heaven has bestowed, things would pour into the Math from somewhere.

Hard work and Work is Worship were the daily mantras of His Holiness. His mission was to help the poor and needy children and to derive happiness in giving.

His social life & other activities:

In the Math Swamiji created a cosmopolitan atmosphere as people belonging to all religions and creeds can work together for the welfare of all. Sree Swamiji ardently attended many religious, cultural, social and educational and other functions and meetings. He was always punctual in attendance and gives spiritual, instructive and inspiring talks and instils a spirit of righteousness and brotherly love among the people. On the whole, he was an institution by himself and working towards welfare of all in the cause of humanity. It is among this ceaseless and tireless work that he has to find time to rest and one will have to really wonder about his unmatching capacity to devote himself in the service of the mankind.

In the true spirit of a "JANGAMA", Sree Sree Swamiji was attending the pada puja from every corner of the society, whether the caller is the poorest of the poor or a highly rich and affluent individual in the society. His social contacts in his office or elsewhere was well witnessed by receiving and scrutinising personally every application and / or a request for an official commitment. The applicant might be a child or an adult or even an older man coming to him personally and receiving the fullest attention to his letter from Sree Sree Swamiji.

The Secret of His health and his Food Intake

Even at the age of 110 years people say though he has shed tears for the world, but has not affected his eyes, which are brightest and with sharp vision. He meticulously maintains his routine and attends programme on schedule.

His intake of meal was very scientific. Foods with sour, spicy or was hot chilli powder, and fried items are not to his likings. He was taking the two idlies with curry made out of Green Gram dal with a pinch of salt. This would his wholesome item for the rest of his meals accompanied with coconut chatny without chilli and saindhava lavana (Himalayan rock salt) for the breakfast. He was consuming half a cup of milk, and always keeps away fatty foods but fond of ghee. In the afternoon, Ragi Mudde with curry made of Green gram or Thur dal and a glass of butter milk. Nights one or two rotis or uppittu without onions and chillis. He considerd the food as sacred prasad, and it is for maintaining the body functions only and advocates that we should eat to live and not live to eat. He had never suffered from indigestion in his lifetime.

He was walking without support and very agile and brisk in his steps. One is struck, at first sight itself, by Sree Swamiji's graceful humility and blissful simplicity of life. Incessant and hard work was the way of his divine life. He was climbing floors without an iota of tiredness in his body or legs. His hearing is sharp and talks in low tone and people are accustomed to his exceedingly poised gestures. His face highly photogenic and no surprise that people called him as the walking God.

Even after his death, the schools and charities he started continue to help thousands of people. His life is an example of how one person’s hard work and care can make a big difference in the world. Many people remember him as a great leader who always put others first.

Swami died on 21 January 2019 in Tumkur, Karnataka from a lung infection at the age of 111.^[6] His death was widely mourned across India and the Government of Karnataka declared a three-day state mourning and a public holiday on the day of his funeral.

• A true Karma Yogi Archived 2010-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
• Spiritual Holy Place - Sree Siddaganga Mutt Archived 2011-09-05 at the Wayback Machine