History of SAINT MAHIPATI
Vyasa Ashram is located at Yeerpedu which is located in the way betweenAndhrapradesh
most famous pilgrimage Tirupati and Sri Kalahastri. This was founded by the great
Sri Sri Sri Malayalaswamiji .
The day of Swami set foot at Kasibugga was the day Vyasashram was born. Sage Vyasa
was the great one who categorized the holy Vedas; wrote the Mahabharata and was
considered the very incarnation of Srimannarayana. The appropriateness of the name
given after this great soul, Vyasa to the Ashram (as Vyasashram) can well be appreciated
by the readers.The Swami’s followers built a cottage north of Kasibugga to enable
him live in comfort, and this is now knows as Pujamandiram (Prayer hall). To enable
the Swami to meditate, another cottage Nishthasrama was built, which is now the
seat of the Swami’s Adhishthana Mandiram. What was a thick forest those days has
now been transformed into a beautiful Ashram. The changes that time brings in are
unimaginable indeed! If the place where the Ashram is situated was not registered
in the Swami’s name, he portended some problems might crop up and therefore as per
his desire, the then ruler of Sri Kalahasthi Sri Kumara Venkata Nayaningaru, donated
the land and got it registered in the Swami’s name.
Establishment of Sri Vyasashram Because of penance for 12 years at Gogarbham, Malayalaswami
attained self-realisation and felt the need to establish an ashram at a suitable
place near Tirupati to spread his message to the entire Telugu-knowing people. The
opposition by a dissident group for his continued stay at Tirumala helped him to
a take a quick decision in this direction and establish an ashram by name, Sri Vyasashram
near Yerpedu in Chittoor District on 3rd June 1926. It is located in between Tirupati
and Srikalahasti at the foot of the Nandi Hills and the holy spring of Kasi Bugga.
Kumara Venkata Linga Nayani, the ruler of Srikalahasti zamindar, donated the land
and registered in favour of Malayalaswami during the first week of October 1926.
In addition, Malayalaswami purchased agricultural land from the local people. The
ashram is spread over an area of 115 acres, of which buildings of the ashram occupy
30 acres.
Malayalaswami started separate Sanskrit schools, residential schools for boys and
girls, orphanages for boys and girls, separate Brahmavidya Pathasalas (Schools of
the Knowledge of Self) for boys and girls, free boarding and lodging facilities
for children and aged, free clinic, old-age home and a printing press to publish
spiritual books and magazines on a large scale. Without consideration of race, religion,
sex, caste etc., he gave an opportunity for anybody to learn Sanskrit and acquire
spiritual knowledge.
Malayalaswami had succeeded in tackling many social problems such as child marriages,
dowry system, untouchability, equality of men and women, and equality of men of
different castes.
He started 'Yadartha Bharati (Real India), a monthly magazine in Telugu from February
1927. He conducted many spiritual congregations and religious gatherings known as
Sanatana Jnana Sabhas, Omkarasatra Yagas, Chaturmasa Vratas, Mukti Sopana Yagnams,
Sadhu Mandali Saptahams and Jnana Yagnas to spread the message of Sanatana Dharma
for realisation of the Self among the Telugu-speaking people of Andhra Pradesh and
bordering states. He started giving intensive training in spiritual practices, higher
learning of Indian scriptures and service to humanity to Brahmacharis of either
sex. Most of his devotees became famous for their penance, scholarship and spreading
the message of Sanatana Dharma. Some of them continued to live in the ashram itself
by constructing their own homes.
Thousands of devotees used to visit the ashram to have his glimpse. His concern
was to remove the then prevailing misconception that women and people of lower castes
had no right to learn Sanskrit or study Vedas, Vedantic books or Bhagawadgita. He
strived to bring religious enlightenment and social reformation in all the classes
of people. He travelled extensively all over Andhra Pradesh and the border areas
of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to spread his message that there was divinity in all
people and they could realise self through certain spiritual practices.
Although he practised sanyas since childhood, he felt the need to assume sanyas
in February 1936 and wear ochre clothes only to confer sanyas to his deserving devotees.
In answer to the prayers of the devotees, Malayalaswami conceded to group-worship
of his person under the name "Akhanda Guru Puja Mahotsavam" since 1937. Despite
acquiring the name of 'Asangananda' after taking sanyas, he preferred to be called
only as 'Malayalaswami'. He conferred sanyas only to around six disciples, including
the founder Peethadhipathi of Sukhabrahmashram and the present Peethadhipathi of
Sri Vyasashram.
After establishing Sri Vyasashram, Malayalaswami took greater interest in social-service
activities. In keeping with the ancient tradition, he believed that ashrams have
to be established for the benefit of the young people who want to observe celibacy,
where Sanskrit as well as other languages required for daily use has to be taught.
Ashrams should be established for the renunciate men and women, desirous of doing
social service. Facilities to feed them and to impart religious education to them
should be provided.
Sri Vyasashram established by Malayalaswami has become an important seat for spiritual
knowledge attracting thousands of spiritual practitioners, aspirants and devotees.
What was started with a small thatched hut, Sri Vyasashram has now grown by leaps
and bounds to the present stage with an imposing Adisthana Mandiram, kuteerams for
Swamijis, cottages for inmates, guest rooms for visitors, school buildings, orphanages,
hospital, printing press, a spacious dining hall, dhyana mandirs, cattlesheds, temples
and an impressive stupam with a height of 110 feet.