Mahamatrusri Tangirala Anantalakshmamma attains the Lotus Feet of God
Mahamatrusri Tangirala Anantalakshmamma, wife of late Vedic scholar Vedabrahmasri Venkateshwara Avadhani attained the Lotus Feed of the Lord in the early hours of 11th April 2013. Reverentially referred to as “Amma” by one and all, she had been living a life of simplicity and exuded compassion and affection on everyone.
The 88 year old pious lady had been awaiting the completion of the 13-month Jagadguru’s Vijaya Yatra. The Jagadguru had completed the Yatra and returned to Sringeri on 5th April 2013. On 8th April, she had the joy and satisfaction of the Darshan of the Jagadguru. Devotees noting this fact remembered how Sri Adi Shankaracharya had given the final Darshan to his elderly mother Aryamba in her last moments.
On 24th April, a Shraddhanjali Sabha was organized by the devotees in memory of Mahamatrusri Anantalakshmamma in the Guru Nivas Hall, in Narasimha Vanam. Held in the presence of the Jagadguru, the Sabha began with Veda Ghosha and Prarthana. Sri Tangirala Shivakumara Sharma recited the Charama Shlokas composed on Mahamatrusri Anantalakshmamma. Elderly scholar, Asthana Vidwan Vedabrahmasri Vinayaka Udupa, the former Prinicipal of the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala spoke on the occasion of Amma’s devotion to God and her compassion. Sri Tangirala Dakshinamoorthy gave a heartfelt speech on his mother describing many instances in her life where she shone as an ideal. Tangirala Subrahmanya Sharma, Dr. Mohan Nadiger of Davangere, Sri C Krishna Bhat, the Superintendent of the Sringeri Pathashala and Sri S N Krishnamoorthy also spoke on the occasion and remembered Amma.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that one’s mother is worthy of the highest respect in this world. Such is the importance given to the mother that the Shastras state that even a Sannyasi, who has cut off all relations and who need never prostrate to anyone, should prostrate to his mother. Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself showed by example the respect and honour to be shown towards one’s mother. Acting in accordance to the promise that He had given to His mother, Aryamba, He returned to Kalady to see His ailing mother, blessed her to attain Vaikuntha and then when she passed away, performed her last rites.
The Jagadguru said that Mahamatrusri Anantalakshmamma had striven hard to ensure that her children were brought up with the best of Samskaras. She used to completely dissuade her children from watching cinema as she believed that it would only lead them away from the Dharmic path. She had great affection on her elder son. When he left home without informing her or his father, she was plunged in grief. She had wondered if she had committed any mistake in his upbringing. But when she realized that her elder son had gone to study under the Sringeri Jagadguru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji), she felt that her son had indeed chosen the right path. She was a dutiful wife to her husband, Sri Tangirala Venkateshwara Avadhani, a simple and pious soul.
When the Jagadguru had expressed His wish to give their elder son Sannyasa, the devout couple had replied that the Jagadguru had greater right on their son, who had become a scholar and also developed humility under the Jagadguru’s tutelage. The couple consented to the Jagadguru’s wish expressing that it was their duty to carry out the Jagadguru’s direction.
When the elder son came to Sri Avadhani and said he was about to take Sannyasa, Sri Avadhani had said, “We have no objection in your embracing Sannyasa. However one should have the necessary mental strength and dispassion.” Sri Avadhani also told his son, “Just as it is extremely difficult to keep awake after midnight when observing Mahashivaratri, it would be a difficult task to uphold the Brahmacharya Vrata for all of one’s life. You are setting out with this difficult task. Never allow even a single lapse to occur”. The elder son had replied that he had full faith in His Guru and that he would be able to carry out His Guru’s wishes with the Guru’s Blessings.
Sri Avadhani was such a Sthitaprajna. He was always detached in every activity. After his passing in January 2006, Mahamatrusri Anantalakshmamma who had performed innumerable Vratas ordained for women in the Shastras, was in great grief. However, with support from the Jagadguru (her son in His Poorvashrama), she resolved that it was an opportunity to spread the rest of her life in contemplation of God. Accordingly she led a contented simple devout and secluded life. The Jagadguru ended the Anugraha Bhashanam with a prayer for her soul.
The event ended with the chanting of Shanti Mantras.