CM, Stalin, Tamil scholars condole demise of Dharmapuram mutt pontiff

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Thursday paid rich tributes to Sri la Sri Shamuga Desiga Gnanasambandar Paramacharya Swamigal, pontiff of the Dharmapuram Aadheenam (mutt) who attained 'siddhi' on Wednesday.  

An accomplished Tamil scholar and well versed in the 'Thirumurai' (Shaiva Siddanthatic hymns), Desiga Gnanasambandar Swamigal took up the responsibility of discharging the Mutt's obligations in Chennai and was known for his religious discourses, said Palaniswami in a condolence message here on Friday. “My heartfelt condolences to all his spiritual followers and sympathizers,” he said.

The Opposition leader and DMK president M K Stalin in his condolence message said he was deeply pained to hear of the demise of Shanmuga Desiga Gnanasambandar Paramacharya Swamigal who headed one of the oldest pontifical seats in the country, the 'Dharmapuram Aadheenam'. The pontiff had not only undertaken spiritual-oriented activities, but also reached out to the people with health care services, scholarships for poor students and other constructive social welfare initiatives, said Mr. Stalin in a message here.  

GREAT LOSS TO SHAIVA SIDDANTHA:

In a moving, poetic condolence message, eminent Tamil scholar and former vice-chancellor of Tamil University, Dr Avvai Natarajan said though the nonagenarian Swamigal attaining the feet of the Lord, showed the “culmination of the temporal process”, the spiritual legacy left behind by Sri Shanmuga Desiga Gnanasambandar Paramacharya Swamigal as the 26th pontiff of the 'Aadheenam' will be valuable for all times to come. His passing away was a loss to the world of 'Shaiva Siddantha', he underscored.

Recalling his association with the Swamigal for nearly 50 years, Dr Avvai Natarajan said nobody could forget the former rising to the occasion when his predecessor, the 25th pontiff of the Dharmapuram Aadhenam had suddenly passed away in Varanasi. “The entire Tamil world was shaken at that point of time, but Arutselvar fondly known as 'Erottu Appa' had stood up to that occasion,” recalled Dr Avvai.

Succeeding his Guru as the 26th pontiff, Gnanasambandar Swamigal had also played an active part in other spiritual forums like 'Ramalingar Pani Mandram', Dr Avvai said, adding, he had sought to give the Mutt a larger profile and presence in Chennai and had been frequently visiting here. Swamigal's discourses were suffused with the uniqueness of 'Shaiva Siddantha', Dr Avvai Natarajan said, and recalled the many evenings in Chennai they had discussed Tamil and spirituality.