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The Bhajana Sampradaya is, strictly speaking, Pan-Indian
in character. It is a common ground for many a stream of devotional music in many a language
representing many a region.Sri Chaithanya Mahaprabhu,who was believed to be the avathara of
Lord Krishna himself, who took birth only to enjoy the Sankeerthana of his own Nama. He travelled
all over India chanting the name of Radha & Krishna. The Varakaris of Maharashtra
were quite active in propagating the name of Lord Panduranga.Sri Bodhendra Swamigal is considered
as the first Guru of the Guruthrayam of this Sampradaya. Bodhendra Swamigal was the peetadhipathi
of Kumbakonam Matt. He was very instrumental in propagating the Rama Nama.Samadhi in Govindapuram
It is believed that devotees can hear even now, the Rama Nama being chanted
by Bodhendra Swamigal at his Jeeva Samadhi in Govindapuram, near Kumbakonam.
At the same time, Bodhendra's counterpart,Sridhara Venkatesa Ayyaval was propagating Siva Nama. Ayyaval
is considered as the second Guru of the Guruthrayam. It is very significant to note
that it was Ayyaval who recommended Sadasiva Brahmendra to Ayyaval's guru
Sri Paramasivendra Saraswathi, for the gurukulavasam. On one occasion
Ayyaval's Guru asked Sadasiva (who became Sadasiva Brahmendra later) to
shut his mouth since he was causing troubles to the visiting Pundits.
Sadasiva took his Guru's word as the Jnana upadesa and took to Mounam
(abstain from talking) from then on. It is believed that it was Sri Ayyaval
who requested Sadasiva Brahmendra to sing on the Lord during his last
days. The result was the magnificient compositions of Brahmendra which
are sung in almost every concert or bhajan.Sri Sadguru Swamigal lived in Maruthanallur, near Kumbakonam ,
about 250 years ago. He is considered as the third guru of the Guruthrayam. Sadguru Swamigal is the
one who gave a format for the bhajana sampradaya. It is significant to mention
that Sri Thyagaraja received the Rama Nama Suthra from Sadguru Swamigal.
Sadguru Swamigal put forward the sequence of songs to be sung in a typical
bhajana. This tradition has not changed a bit in the last 200 years. The
tradition has been kept alive due to relentless effort of Bhagavathas
like Pudukottai Gopalakrishna Bhagavathar, Sri Krishna Premi to name a few
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