by M. K. Sudarshan
September 10, 2026: Chennai, India
Wednesday, September 9
What happened at Mattapalli?
On the banks of the Krishna River, in a village in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Mukkur Swami experienced a profound spiritual revelation concerning an idol of Sri Narasimha believed to be buried deep within a cave.
The idol was eventually unearthed.
In the years that followed, a magnificent temple arose at the site, and Mattapalli grew into an important pilgrimage centre for devotees from Andhra Pradesh and across India.
The story of this extraordinary episode—and the life behind it—forms an important part of the forthcoming biography.
The journey begins in faith.
It culminates in sacred service.
वेदम् परम प्रमाणम् – Vedam Parama Pramaanam* Part 3 -*
The word ‘ *Veda* ‘ is a Sanskrit term. What does Vedah signify? ‘ *Vedayati iti Vedah* ‘—that which reveals or makes known is called the Veda. It reveals the Parabrahman (the Supreme Absolute).
What is its name in Tamil? It is called ‘ *Marai* ‘ (மறை). Marai means to hide or conceal. It gets this name precisely because it conceals.
But to whom does it reveal..? And from whom does it conceal..?
Observe this carefully. It conceals its truths from those who lack the kataksham (divine grace or compassionate glance) of the Acharya.
But what about those who have received that Acharya kataksham..?
Imagine a divine mansion built entirely of pristine crystal. If you light lamps on all four sides and pour the Navanidhi (nine cosmic treasures such as _navarathnams_) right in the center, imagine how brilliantly and dazzlingly it would shine! In that exact manner, the profound esoteric meanings hidden deep within the texts become crystal clear. It is understood by the great Jnanis, but through the grace of the Acharya, these profound truths are made easily accessible and comprehensible even to ordinary people.
One cannot understand these truths simply by looking at a book. Furthermore, one _should not_ attempt to learn them that way. One must surrender at the feet of great Mahans and learn the subject by listening to them.
If a person reads and acquires knowledge entirely on their own, what is the nature of their scholarship? The Shastras declare, ” _Jaara garbha iva striyah_ ” (Like the child of an adulterous woman). Just as such a child receives no honor in a dignified assembly, a person who acquires knowledge merely by reading books will never be respected in a Sabha (assembly) filled with learned pandits. He will never be able to speak with majesty or authority.
Swami Desikan strictly questions this: “_*स्वयं तर्तुमक्षमः किमपरान् संतारयेत्?*_- S_wayam tartum akshamah kimaparaan santaarayet?_” (When one is incapable of crossing the ocean of samsara oneself, how can one help others cross?). He compared this bookish knowledge to “*_kalavu kondu aabharanam poondaa pole_*” (wearing stolen jewelry).
Consider this scenario: A grand wedding is taking place, and everyone is busily engaged in various tasks. A woman goes to the bathing quarters. Someone who had bathed before her had forgotten a beautiful _kantha haaram_ (necklace) and left it hanging there. Seeing the necklace, this woman immediately takes it and goes straight back to her home.
Once home, she beautifully adorns herself with the stolen necklace. She looks in the mirror and admires how lovely it looks. For two whole days, she stays inside her house, repeatedly wearing it, admiring herself, and feeling deeply satisfied.
Four days later, she has to attend another wedding. She decides to wear this necklace to the event. However, all the guests from the previous wedding are also present here. The moment she arrives wearing it, she realizes she cannot show it off openly. She constantly pulls at her saree to conceal it.
Not only that, but she is utterly terrified of everyone she looks at. She lives in constant fear: “Will someone grab my hand and question me?” She is afraid of whoever stands opposite her. She cannot converse freely with anyone. She finds no real joy in wearing the necklace, yet she cannot display it to the outside world either.
Whose state is this..? This is the exact state of the one who has acquired knowledge only by reading books..! Without an Acharya’s grace, if a man simply memorizes texts from books and climbs onto the speaker’s seat, he will be terrified of everyone in the audience. “What will he ask? What will this person ask? If they ask a question, will I know the answer? Is what I am saying even correct?” If the speaker himself harbors such doubts, how can he impart matters to others? How can he convince or satisfy them with his explanations?
Therefore, such knowledge will never shine. It is precisely “like wearing stolen jewelry.”
Instead, one must surrender at the feet of Mahans and listen to their teachings over a long period. “*_बहुधा श्रोतव्यम् बहुभ्यः श्रोतव्यम् – Bahudha shrotavyam, bahubhyah shrotavyam_*” (One must listen in many ways, and from many preceptors). One must repeatedly listen and carefully retain those teachings. Therefore, since the Veda is the supreme authority (Parama Pramaanam) in revealing the glories of Emperuman, one must sit humbly beside the Acharyas and study it flawlessly with immense dedication and effort.
(Reproduced in English translation by Mukkur Sri Srinivasachariar (MLS Swami, ‘Tiru Kumarar’ of Mukkur Sri Lakshminarasimhachariar).
Sudarshan Madabushi
