The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
23. Choula (First Haircut) and Aksharabhyasa (Introduction to Education)
In the year Shaka 1520, Hevilambi Samvatsara, on an auspicious day in the month of Vaishakha, the morning sun had just risen. Surya Deva, with his golden rays, bathed the world in magnificent light. Observing this, it felt as if Surya Deva, a devotee of Sri Ramachandra, was gazing in admiration at young Venkatanatha—the radiant child destined to illuminate the world with the light of knowledge as Sri Raghavendra—and signaling the start of the Jnana Yajna (sacred pursuit of knowledge) he would one day perform.
The Acharya’s grand residence was decorated with fresh mango-leaf garlands. Townswomen, scholars, and citizens, adorned in colorful attire, gathered at the house, creating a lively atmosphere. The melodious sounds of auspicious instruments filled the air. Relatives from distant towns like Srirangam, along with Timmannacharya’s in-laws and friends, had arrived. From Kumbakonam, Pandit Ramachandra Acharya, a relative of Sri Vijayendra, along with other scholars from the monastery, had also joined the celebration. The entire place radiated an air of festivity.
Venkatanamba and Gururaja bustled around, assisting the priests and joyfully preparing for their younger brother's Choula (first haircut) ceremony. Seated with young Venkatanatha on a green mat facing east, Timmannacharya and his wife conducted the ritual. Following all the prescribed Vedic procedures for the Choula, Venkatanatha’s hair was ceremoniously shaved. The priests performed Chandika offerings, and the boy was given a ritualistic Mangala Snana (auspicious bath).
Venkatanamba and Gururaja then adorned their younger brother with a golden serpent-shaped bracelet, bangles, rings, necklaces, and a silk garment, placing a sacred tilaka on his forehead. Overjoyed, they brought Venkatanatha to the Hase Mane (ceremonial platform) and seated him there.
In front of the platform, the priests spread white sand and decorated the surrounding area with colorful patterns of kembannu (red vermillion). Using sacred cow dung, they prepared a base for the Aksharabhyasa ritual. Venkatanatha, along with his parents, performed the ritualistic worship, offerings, and the Mangalarati (auspicious light ritual), marking the beginning of his formal education.
Pandit Timmannacharya, on a bed of sand, wrote the sacred symbol Om. He adorned it with turmeric, kumkum, sacred rice (mantrakshata), and flowers. Then, guiding his son Venkatanatha, he had him perform a puja to the symbol. Holding his son close, Timmannacharya pointed to the Om and said, “My son, this is called Om. Say it aloud and trace it.”
Following his father’s instructions, Venkatanatha repeated “Om” while tracing the sacred symbol. Afterward, looking at his father, he said, “Appa, can I ask you something?” Amused, Timmannacharya replied, “Of course, my son. Ask whatever you wish.”
Venkatanatha then asked, “Father, how can the completeness of Lord Hari’s attributes be understood through this tiny symbol?” His question astonished everyone present. Surprised by his son’s inquiry, Timmannacharya asked, “Why do you ask that, my child?”
Venkatanatha replied, “It seems difficult to comprehend Lord Hari’s completeness through this small symbol. However, I believe that upon reflection, its meaning can become clear.”
Hearing this, Timmannacharya, though capable of explaining, decided to test his son and said, “Venkatanatha, you said it could be clarified through reflection. Can you, my child, explain it?”
The scholars, priests, and family members gathered there eagerly leaned in to hear what the young boy would say.
Venkatanatha, with humility, said, “Respected father, I am just a child, but I will share what has sparked in my mind as per your command. If I make a mistake, please forgive me.” Then, in his sweet, innocent voice, he began explaining the meaning of Om:
“Om or Pranava consists of eight components: A, U, M, Nada, Bindu, Ghosha, Shanta, and Atishanta. Isn’t that right, father?”
Hearing this, Timmannacharya, thrilled, responded, “Yes, my son!”
Venkatanatha continued:
“These eight components of Om represent eight forms of the Supreme Being: Vishwa, Taijasa, Prajna, Turiya, Antaratma, Paramatma, Jnanatma, and the ultimate essence. Whether it is called Om or Pranava, it is one and the same, and it is profoundly significant.”
“This meaning of Om is explained through the Vyahritis—Bhu, Bhuvah, and Svah. The Vyahritis themselves are elaborated upon in the Rig Veda and other Vedas. The collective meaning of the Vedas is succinctly conveyed in the Purusha Sukta. Thus, the Purusha Sukta is regarded as the essence of all Vedas.”
All the Vedas, with their supreme intent, emphasize the infinite auspicious attributes of Lord Narayana: His freedom from defects, His role as the cause of the creation, sustenance, and dissolution of the universe, His inconceivable and wondrous power, His unparalleled greatness, His supremacy over all beings including Lakshmi, Brahma, Rudra, Indra, and all divine hosts, His ultimate nature as the Parabrahma, His omnipresence, His accessibility to seekers of liberation, His role as the universal teacher, His impeccable character, and His knowability solely through the Vedas. All these attributes affirm the infinite auspicious qualities of the Supreme Being.
Thus, the Pranava, or Omkara, which is the root of all these truths, shines in its form as a simple symbol representing the completeness of Vishnu's attributes. Omkara, which encapsulates the essence of all the Vedas and represents the complete nature of the Parabrahma, Sri Hari, is the foundation of all scriptures. Therefore, it is prescribed as the primary chant for enlightened sages like the Paramahamsas. This is what I believe,” Venkatanatha concluded.
Hearing this profound explanation of the essence of all philosophy from the mouth of a three-year-old, all the scholars were astonished and overwhelmed with joy. They exclaimed, “Ah! What knowledge, what brilliance! This is no ordinary boy! To hear such philosophical truth, steeped in scripture, from one so young is a blessing to our ears. Our eyes are truly fulfilled in witnessing such an enlightened child.”
As the scholars praised Venkatanatha and looked at him with admiration and wonder, all the women and men gathered in the assembly focused their attention on the child. Gopamma, though filled with boundless joy, feared that the excessive admiration might cast the evil eye on her son. She gently picked up Venkatanatha and took him to her private chamber, where she warded off the evil eye from him.
Meanwhile, in the assembly, the discussion of Venkatanatha’s brilliance and philosophical prowess continued with great enthusiasm.
A scholar remarked, “This child is no ordinary boy. He must be a great soul.” The elder scholars affirmed this, saying, “Indeed, Acharya, how could such knowledge and brilliance be possible for an ordinary child? He must surely be born of a divine essence.”
Another scholar asked, “Learned ones, can what you are saying be substantiated with evidence?” The elder scholars confidently replied, “Absolutely! Listen to this scriptural reference:
‘Ashruta-pratibhayasya Shruti-smrity virodhini |
Vismatam narajatam cha tam vidyat devasamhitam’.
This means that anyone who exhibits extraordinary, unparalleled brilliance and intuition in accordance with the Vedas and Smritis, though born as a human, should be recognized as a divine incarnation. Based on this authoritative scripture, we, being adherents of scriptural truths, can confidently declare that this boy, Venkatanatha, is a divine being who has incarnated to uplift humanity with the teachings of knowledge.”
Hearing this, everyone exclaimed in agreement, “Yes, indeed!” They turned to Timmannacharya and said, “Acharya, you are truly blessed to have such a noble son.”
Timmannacharya was overwhelmed with joy, his body trembling with emotion. Memories of Lord Venkatesha’s promise in his dream and the divine blessings returned to his mind. He also recalled the prophecy of Sri Vijayendra Guru. Bowing in his heart to Lord Hari and his Guru, Timmannacharya prayed that his son might be blessed with a long and virtuous life.
Pandit Ramachandra Acharya, who had been silently marveling at the extraordinary event, finally spoke, “The prophecy of Sri Guru is indeed coming true. Acharya, you are supremely fortunate!” He continued, “Now, it is time to present the gifts sent by the Guru. Please call the child and your wife.”
Timmannacharya sent his eldest son, Gururaja, to bring his mother and younger brother.
Gururaja entered his mother’s room, where Gopamma was holding Venkatanatha close, kissing him lovingly. While feeding him milk from a silver cup, she asked, “My child, during the Aksharabhyasa ceremony, you shared such profound thoughts. Who taught you all that?”
Venkatanatha replied, “Amma, no one taught me that. When Appa said, ‘Trace Om and recite it,’ I started doing so, and suddenly, I felt a strange energy flow through my body. A kind of enthusiasm and excitement arose within me, and many thoughts began to emerge in my mind. From the depths of my heart, I felt a powerful inner voice urging me, ‘Speak, speak.’ Without even realizing it, I began to speak. That’s all I know!”
Hearing this, Gopamma, amazed, said, “You are the blessed child gifted by Srinivasa. May you live for a hundred years, my dear.”
Venkatanatha smiled and asked, “Amma, is living a hundred years enough?”
Overwhelmed, Gopamma replied, “Venkanna, may you live a long and eternal life!”
Venkatanatha, smiling, said, “Ah, now that’s better. With the strength of your blessings, Amma, I can achieve anything!”
Hearing this conversation, Gururaja embraced his younger brother with joy and said, “Venkatanatha, you are truly the light of our family.” He then carried Venkatanatha and brought him to their father at the ceremonial platform, where the family gathered.
Pandit Ramachandra Acharya presented the gifts sent by the Gurus and blessed Venkatanatha. Following this, many others presented various gifts. Then, as part of the Phala Puja ceremony, fruits and betel leaves were distributed to everyone.
Later, the women performed the Arati ritual, and the priests blessed Venkatanatha with Vedic chants.
When the family returned inside, Venkatanamba said, “Tamma (younger brother) seems to have attracted the evil eye. Let me remove it.” She lit some coconut sticks, circled them three times around Venkatanatha’s face and body, and placed them in a corner, where they burned with a loud crackling sound, turning to ashes.
The eight-year-old Venkatanamba exclaimed, “Amma, did you see? So many people cast the evil eye on my precious brother!” She then applied the protective raksha paste to Venkatanatha’s forehead and cheeks.
The joy experienced by the family that day was indescribable.
In the afternoon, after the Deva Puja (worship of the deities), meals were served to Brahmins and married women (Suvasinis), along with offerings of betel leaves and dakshina. The Vedic scholars present chanted Vedic mantras and blessed young Venkatanatha, showering him with sacred rice (mantrakshata).
While the family and guests enjoyed their meal and chewed betel leaves afterward, Ramachandra Acharya handed over a letter (Shrimukha) sent by Sri Vijayindra Tirtha to Timmannacharya. Receiving it with reverence, Timmannacharya held it to his head and began reading it silently. As he read, his body trembled, tears of joy streamed down his face, and he was overwhelmed with divine bliss.
Gopamma asked, “What instructions have the Guru given?”
Timmannacharya, without sharing the letter’s deeper content, simply said, “The Guru has blessed Chiranjeevi Venkatanatha and sent gifts. He has also mentioned that it has been a long time since we visited the Matha and has instructed us to attend the grand Samaradhana of Sri Surendra Tirtha with the entire family.”
Everyone rejoiced at the grace and blessings bestowed upon their family by the Guru.
A few days after the ceremony, the relatives and well-wishers, who had come to celebrate, sought the blessings and permission of Timmannacharya and his wife before departing for their respective homes.