Sri Veerabrahmendra Swami

That the foundations of Indian culture were deeply embedded in Dravidian culture is now an incontrovertible fact. Dravidian culture is one of the most ancient culture of the world. Those cultures, slightly contemporaneous to one another, slowly started fading out. However, the primordial Dravidian culture continues to thrive without losing its quintessence despite the apparent changes in systems of dress and address.

Dravidian University established in 1997 to mirror the real and rich picture of Dravidian culture not only in its linguistic, literary, cultural and philosophical facets but in science and technological angles also.

The main objectives of Dravidian University are to augment the common weal and social well being of the communities of marginal languages and to build bridges among the Southern states. While working on each language separately in varied areas, it aims at a synthesis and a discovery of the common heritage through Comparative Studies.

PrasGranga (Publications wing) and Anusrjana (Translation Bureau) are the two most significant wings of the University from out of its several on going progressive activities.

Every culture, at present moment is digging its own past and asserting its identity in every aspect. Telugus are not lagging behind in this regard. They have a vibrant culture which is enriched by many a men of letters, thinkers and reformers. Verabrahmendra Swami is one among such pioneers who dedicated their whole life in pursuit of knowledge and in anticipation of future. Everyone seems to know at least something about Verabrahmendra Swami’s prophecies, although this knowledge is often hazy, frequently second-hand and never fully based on the evidence. It is heartening to note that Dr.V.V.L.Narasimha Rao, a reputed scholar has come up with wonderful monograph on Verabrahmendra Swami.

Dr.V.V.L.Narasimha Rao has done us all a favour by re-examining all the sources available about Verabrahmendra Swami’s prophecies and offering what must surely rank as a definitive biography of Verabrahmendra Swami. Dr. V.V.L.Narasimha Rao has provided a short biographical sketch of Verabrahmendra Swami’s life and times, which not only establishes his place in society but also firmly helps to dispel some of the myths about his person. The author is able to draw out references and meaning between as much as within — the prophecies. Dr. V.V.L.Narasimha Rao declared that ‘the real history of any country is the history of her spiritual personalities with human characteristics’. I endorse his insightful observation and I congratulate the him for tracing out the life and times of the great prophet Verabrahmendram and for giving us the text for publication. I strongly believe that monographs of this type will certainly create awareness about our own past and about its spiritual leaders.

As amatter of fact, Vemana and Veerabrahmendra Swami do not require any special introduction nowadays. They are almost contemporaries and gained popularity as saint-poets and social reformers.

Since this monograph is intended to bring out the biographical details of potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swami in particular, concentreation is made on his achievements as a Kalajndni, the prophet and a philosopher of common brotherhood.

It is true that people found in his preachings the traces of the teachings of a Buddha, a Christ, a Mohammed, a Shankara and a Mahatma.

He did not run away from life, nor did he renounce the world, calling it merely mundane, but lived like a true Indian householder and became an ideal Rajayogi. He tried his best to save this part of the country from the evils of untouchability and inequality.

A sincere attempt is made in these pages to bring out rather authoritatively- the multifaceted personality of Sri Potuluri Veerabrahmendra Swami.

This work has been examined by renouned scholars like Dr. Kothapalli Veerabhadra Rao, Sri I.V. Chalapati Rao and Sri Sarvari. Their opinions are also enclosed to this text.

It is a privilege that this monograph is published by the established Dravidian Univeristy of Kuppam. Chittoor district- a brilliant ray of hope of the Dravidian Culture.

The author conveys hearty thanks to Prof. R. Srihari and Prof. C. Ramanaiah, the former and present Vice-Chancellors respectively of the Dravidian University who are scholars of great repute.

The author will be happy if the monography caters to the needs of all the enlightened readers.