Sengalipuram Brahmasri Anantharama Deekshitar

I recently bought an audio CD having a discourse by Sengalipuram Brahmasri Anantarama Dikshitar on “Vishnu Sahasranamam”. The voice of the Dikshitar is so divine and powerful which makes the audience immediately appreciate is way of presentation. The sloka recitation style is too good and one can realize only by hearing. I strongly recommend people to buy this CD pack. Thought of sharing info about Sri Dikshitar.

Anantarama Dikshitar was born on 2nd July 1903. He was a Srauti scholar and also was a great exponent of the art of upanyasas on various subjects in Hinduism. Born in the Thanjavur district as the first son to Sri Subramanya Dikshithar, Anantharaman was initiated into the learning of the Vedas under his father Subramanya Dikshithar, who was also known as chinna Muthannaval. His brother of Sengalipuram Vaidhyanatha Dikshithar was Periya Muthannaval. Anantharama Dikshithar had his Aksharabyasam from Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri. Then he further studied other Shastras and Vedangas from eminent scholars of repute including Kadalangudi Natesa Sastrigal who also was his father in law. He had his course on Tarka Saastra from Sri Vishnupuram Swaminatha Sastrigal who also taught it to Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal (Sri Paramacharyal) of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt. Apart from complete knowledge of Saastra, Vedas and Astrology, He mastered our Puranas. In giving discourse he utilized it mainly to propogate Vaidika Dharma and the cult of Bhakthi.

On the divine wishes and direction of Sri Guruvayurappan the presiding deity, He has performed many Srimadh Bhagavatha Saptaahams at Guruvayur. The Sringeri Sankaracharya Sri Abhinava Vidya Teertha Swamigal too eagerly participated in the Navaaham conducted at Tiruprayar (Near Guruvayoor) Sri Rama Temple at Kerala as this was performed as ordered by the presiding deity Sri Rama Himself. In fact every one was thrilled to know the personal involvement of the Lord in the Navaaham. His discourse attracted tens of thousands of apt listeners. His propogation of Srimad Narayaneeyam of Meppattur Narayana Bhattathiri and the glory of Sri Guruvayurappan continues to draw lakhs of devotees to Guruvayoor.

Sri Anantharama Dikshitar also had composed a Sanskrit sloka on Lord Guruvayurappan known as “Guruvaatapurisha Pancharatnam”. This sloka had come to Dikshitar’s mind while having darshan of the Lord and later he told to his disciples that this sloka when properly learnt and chanted will give peace of mind and eternal prosperity. There was a small boy who was born in Poongunnam in a very good and God loving family. But he was suffering from constant headache which he thought was incurable. All the medicines that he took were of no use. So his Grandfather took him to Guruvayur and both of them stayed there for three days and prayed. Everyday they recited this slokam and he was cured of the terrible headache like magic.

The available portions of the recordings of His discourses rendered in public were brought out as cassettes and CDs as per the gracious directions of Sri Kanchi Paramacharya. The proceeds are to be used for Sri Adhishtaanam of Sri Deekshithar who attained Sidhi on 30-10-1969, after taking Sanyasa. Daily poojas are performed at Sri Adhistaanam at Chinnathirupathi, Salem Town. His divine presence is still felt there where He answers the prayers of devotees.


He has been conferred the following Titles:

· Amrutha Vaakvarshi
· Upanyasa Chakravarthi
· Vaidheeka Dharma Samrakshaka
· Pravachana Dhureena
· Vedha Yaaga Paripaalaka
· Raamayana Thathvopadesaka
· Ramaayana Kesari
· Bharatha Simham
· Pravachana Vaakeesa
· Sruthi Saakaram

Available Upanyasams (Cassettes & CDs)

· Srimadh Bhagavatha Sapthaham (set of 24 CDs)
· Sri Sankara Charithram (set of 6 CDs)
· Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (set of 5 CDs)
· Srimadh Ramayanam (Set of 28 CDs)
· Sri Devi Bhagavatham (Set of 15 CDs)
· Sri Mahabharatham (Set of 90 CDs)