The Carefree Years
My eyes well up in tears when I recall the sacrifices my parents had to make in order to bring up their brood of six. Whatever I am today and whatever I’ve been able to do in my life so far are all owing to their blessings.
Swaminatha Sarma: A Life Shaped by Tradition, Hard Work, and Ideals
Swaminatha Sarma, affectionately known as Chamu, was born in 1949 in the historic town of Kumbakonam to Brahmasri Srinivasa Sastrigal and Smt. Subhalakshmi. He was the third of six children, with an elder brother, an elder sister, and three younger sisters. Raised in a traditional household, his upbringing was deeply influenced by the values of education, discipline, and devotion.
His father, a man of great dedication, was committed to ensuring that all his children received a quality education. Despite his long working hours and modest income, he prioritized their schooling and encouraged higher studies. However, academic excellence was an expectation that came with a sense of personal responsibility.
The family led a simple life, moving from Kumbakonam to Renigunta and eventually settling in Chennai. His mother went to a nearby temple every day as part of her daily routine, drawing strength from her faith as she managed the household with limited means. Her unwavering devotion and resilience left a profound impact on young Swaminatha Sarma.
After his upanayanam, his father personally initiated him into Veda adhyayanam, teaching him scriptures for several years. While a career in the vaideeka tradition may have been an initial consideration, his father ultimately decided to enrol him in the formal education system, setting him on a different path.
Despite his academic commitments, Swaminatha Sarma’s early years were filled with activities that shaped his character and outlook on life. His time outside school was dedicated to three key pursuits:
- Learning the Vedas under his father’s guidance
- Attending the RSS shakha, which instilled discipline and patriotism
- Selling newspapers and magazines at Renigunta Railway Station
The railway station played a particularly significant role in his formative years. It was here that he encountered the works of Swami Vivekananda, introduced to him by the stall manager. Swamiji’s powerful words resonated deeply, igniting a sense of purpose and self-discipline. One quote, in particular, became a guiding principle in his life:
“Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life; dream of it; think of it; live on that idea. Let the brain, the body, muscles, nerves, every part of your body be full of that idea. Leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success, and this is the way great spiritual giants are produced.” ~ Swami Vivekananda
These words became a source of strength and direction for Swaminatha Sarma, influencing every major decision he made in life. His journey, from a humble childhood to a life driven by ideals and perseverance, stands as a testament to the values he embraced from an early age.
Sarma Sastrigal’s parents had great respect for poojas and rituals. His father performed every ceremony, karma, and form of worship required by the Sastras with diligence and punctuality. Sarma Sastrigal instinctively absorbed these practices, as his father never lectured about the importance of prayer or the necessity of nitya karmas. Looking back, Sarma Sastrigal recognizes what a great teacher his father was — imparting lessons through action and demonstration rather than words.
My upbringing gave me another priceless gift: unshakable faith in religious practices
One of the greatest blessings Sarma Sastrigal and his five siblings received from their parents was an unusual one for those times — INDEPENDENCE. His caring and loving parents granted each of them full liberty to think for themselves and make their own decisions. They merely showed the way, allowing their children the choice to follow that path or forge a new one. There would of course be the word of caution coming from their experience, when any of them sought to do something different, something that had not been done before.
This laissez-faire approach extended to all aspects of their lives, including career choices. Sarma Sastrigal and his brother were not compelled to take up their father’s profession. This was extraordinary for their generation, in which sons traditionally followed their fathers’ footsteps without question. Defying this norm could even result in being labelled a vagabond.
Reflecting on how his father guided him in shaping his career, Sarma Sastrigal sees the beauty in his father’s role as a coach and guide rather than a dictator. Now, as a mentor on the spiritual path, Sarma Sastrigal realizes that some of his father’s qualities have naturally influenced his own approach. He never insists that his students follow a particular practice but instead points out the benefits of doing so. The decision is left to them, and if they choose not to take his advice, he remains at peace. This attitude of gentle persuasion endears him to his students and brings him immense satisfaction. He silently thanks his father for instilling this trait in him.
Sarma Sastrigal believes his parents embodied this philosophy perfectly. He and his siblings were raised to think with feeling before taking action. He remains forever grateful for the values they instilled in him, shaping the person he has become today.