About Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi Swami

His Holiness, Courtallam Sankaracharya, Jagadguru, Sri Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi Mahaswami, is the present Chief Pontiff of the ancient Aadishankaracharya traditional peetam, Sri Siddheswari Peetam (Mouna Swami Mutt) in Courtallam (which is most famous for its medicinal waterfalls), Tamil Nadu and is the founder of Sri Sakthi Peetham, Tirupathi with the mission ‘Naree Eva Narayanee’.

His Holiness is one of the eldest Shankaracharyas belongs to a highly esteemed line of Sankaracharya lineage. His ardent followers, disciples and devotees across the globe revere him as the “Walking God”. Many Dhayana yogis, Avadhuthas revealed that a great Siddha from Siddhasramam descended as Sri Swamiji on divine’s plan for virtuous deeds and to protect Sanatana Hindu dharma and mankind from evil forces. Hence he is popularly known as “Mahimaanvitha Yogi” (The Mystic Seer of Courtallam).

Early life and background

Paramahamsa, Parivraajakaacharya, Jagadguru Sri Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi swami, also well known as Dr. Prasada Raya Kulapathi was born as Venkata Lakshmi Vara Prasad Rao on January 23rd 1937 in the Elchur village ( 22km from Narsaraopet), Prakasam District, in the state of Andhra Pradesh in south India. His mother was Smt. Swarajya Lakshmi and father, Sri Potharaju Purushotthama Rao was a celebrated poet. Dr. Kulapathi’s great grandfather Sri Rama Kavi was the guru to the exemplary Kopparapu poets.

Sri Swamiji inherited wrestling and his astute poetic talents from his grandfather. In his growing up years, Dr.Kulapathi had a robust physique and had served as a referee at the Indian wrestling championship. As the Head of the Telugu Department, He won the hearts and respect of the committee members, staff and the students of the Hindu College, Guntur and proved his able administrative capabilities during his tenure as the principal of the college.

Literary accomplishments

He was a great orator and made immense contributions in enhancing the glory of Telugu literature as Avadhani, Aasukavi. He organized literary dramas like Bhuvanavijayam in India and overseas. He was honored with many distinguished literary titles such as ‘Avadhana Saraswathi’, ‘Sahithi Sarvabhauma’, ‘Saraswatahi Kantaabharana’, ‘Rupaka Samrat’, ‘Kavitha Sudhakara’ by different literary societies. He contributed several poetic works like Siva Sahasri, Ambica Sahasri, and many more. He has to his credit, many acclaimed literary works under the title ‘Sri Kulapathi Saahithi’ like Kavi Brahma, Kavya Kanta, and dramas like Ramani, Priya Dhoothika, Vande Matharam, and novels like Andhra Bhagavatha Vimarsa, Tantrica Prapamcham, Vraja Bhagavatham, and many books on Siddhasramam, Saivam, Vaishnavam, Saaktheyam, and ancient scriptures. He is an extraordinary translator of the Vedas and Mantra Sastra into a simple language that is benefitting many devotees.

The road to Spirituality

Self-transformation is possible with Guru’s Grace, one’s discipline, perseverance, and persistence. Through intense and rigorous sadhana, Sri Kulapathi attained spirituality. He practiced yoga, pranayama, and did Lambica Sadhana by cutting the lower part of his tongue. During his penance, he survived on cow milk and meager food. He was initiated by the Dattatreya mantra Upaasaka Sri Pasumamula Subbaraya Sastry and obtained Naaga mantra siddhi. He then started chanting the Chinna Masta (Vajravairochani) mantra. After completing one crore chanting, He was blessed with Prachandachandi’s darshan. Lord Shiva appeared before him and graced Sri Kulapathi with Pranava Panchaakshari.

During this period, he met the great yogi, Sri Radhika Prasad Maharaj (Sri Raallabandi Veerabhadra Rao) who influenced him greatly. With his guidance, Sri Kulapathi started Radha Mantra Sadhana. Radha Devi, the goddess of Brindavan blessed Dr. Kulapathi with her Darshan and initiated him with her Astakshari Mantra. He received a boon from the divine and was bestowed with a protective shield by Chinna Masta (Vajra Virochani) in the form of Bhadra. During his meditation, the goddess Matangi-Syamala Devi and Lord Krishna showered their blessings with their divine music. Many deities like Hanuman, Tara, Tripura Sundari, Renuka gave their darshan and showered their grace on him.

Pre-Birth blessings

It is believed 600 years ago, during His penance in the Himalayas, Mother Kali appeared before Dr.Kulapathi in His previous birth and turned into an idol before blessing Him. The idol is believed to have come through the cosmic realm. A separate peetham was dedicated to goddess Kaali which was called the Swayam Siddha Kali Peetham – which means ‘the temple of the self-manifested Kali. Graced by goddess Kaalidevi, Sri Kulapathi was initiated with Kaala Bhairava Mantra. He traveled to Kaasi and started chanting this powerful Bhairava mantra. There the Lord Kaala Bhairava along with Kaali Devi appeared and graced Poojya Sri Swamiji after which he became a very powerful mystic.

The anointment of Sanyasa Deeksha

One day when Sri Kulapathi was meditating in front of the Kaali idol, an immortal saint, Swamy Sraddhaananda brought a message from the Siddhashrama yogis that Dr. Kulapathi should enter the order of sannyasa. On September 8th, 2002, Dr. Kulapathi was given sannyasa Deeksha by H.H. Sri Siva Chidananda Bharathi Swamiji, the Pontiff of Sri Siddheswari Peetam, Courtallam and gave him a new name as Sri Siddheswarananda Bharathi Swami, and declared him as his successor. H.H. Sri Siddheswarananda.

Bharathi ascended the throne of Courtallam Peetham on December 19th, 2002 on Datta Jayanthi day. A new golden era has started in the history of Peetam. The ancient way of attaining anything and everything by mantra sadhana and mantra homam has come into vogue. Millions of people began to rush to Poojya Swamiji for Mantropadesam to solve their problems and to attain the grace of deities.

Multi-faceted Mystic Seer
  • His Holiness is one of the oldest Shankaracharyas who has been propagating Sanatana Bharateeya Aarsha Hindu Dharma all around the world.
  • He has been ceaselessly working to spread ‘Advaitha’ philosophy, spirituality, and his immense knowledge and wisdom through his mesmerizing discourses in many countries – which has earned him worldwide respect and resulted in the establishment of many dharmic centers in different parts of the world.
  • His refined way of speech, the love and affection with which Sri Swamiji addresses people in his lilting voice; potency in Sri Swamiji’s speeches can uproot ignorance in one’s mind and advance them to a peaceful and blissful state.
  • ‘Maha Mantramurthy’ Sri Swamiji is an erudite scholar and an indisputable authority on Mantra Sasthra and has initiated millions of people into Mantra Deeksha and thus proving the power of mantra, Vedic sciences, and Sanatana Dharma in this modern era.
  • For two decades, His Holiness is the only Sankaracharya who has been conducting ‘Hindu Dharma Rakshana Yagnas’ in India and abroad with many ‘Prajaa Homa Kundams’ where lakhs of people have been participating to restore the glory of Hindu Dharma.
  • Innumerable devotees from all walks of life ranging from layman to Heads of States and Government follow His Holiness who is a great spiritual and humanitarian leader and look forward to Sri Swamiji’s spiritual guidance and blessings.