Remembering A Very Fortunate Devotee

Sri Swamiji (HH Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji) was discoursing in Premika Bhavanam (his place of satsang in Chennai). It was the scene of Bheeshmacharya leaving his physical body in the divine presence of Lord Krishna.

Sri Swamiji said, “It is a rare fortune, indeed, to witness a bhakta leave the world. Bhagavan comes there with all His attendants to take away the jiva. Is it then not your fortune that you are there when Bhagavan and His servitors visit the home to take away the bhakta?”

As Sri Swamiji spoke these words, the garland on Smt. Jayanthi Janakiraman’s picture on the wall, dropped down!

A 108 Bhagavata Saptaham series had commenced in Premika Bhavanam on June 25, 2006, in lieu of Smt. Jayanthi Janakiraman’s ‘Goloka vijayam’ (entry into the Abode of Lord Krishna) earlier that month.  And this incident happened as Sri Swamiji was speaking, on the 7^th day of the 5^th Bhagavata Saptaham.

Sri Shuka, in Srimad Bhagavatam, says, “Even the demoness Putana, murderer of infants, attained Mukti because she fed Krishna at her breast, even though with murderous intent. What then to speak of those who offer unto the Supreme Lord Krishna what is dearest to them, with faith and devotion, just like his loving mothers did!” (10:6:35-36)

Jayanthiji was a tall, majestic, beautiful devotee with sparkling eyes and ears attentive to the Master.

Great energy is required to be the servitor of a great spiritual Master. And this great energy comes out of deep affection and respect for the Master, and fervor to serve him. A ball of energy that only great bhaktas like Jayanthiji can be, she served her Master with motherly affection all through her life from the day – May 6, 1991 – that she had her first darshan of her spiritual Master.

The love and affection of Jayanthiji and her husband Janakiramanji for the Master turned their home into ‘Premika Bhavanam’ (abode of divine love) with their invitation to the Master to come and dwell there. Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Premika Varadan-Madhuri Sakhi (Lord Krishna-Sri Radha Devi) followed suit. As the Master once pointed out, in keeping with the times when people live in apartments, the Lord too, out of sheer compassion had come to live on the first floor of ‘Premika Bhavanam’ sans the traditional design and style of a Temple!

Just as bees rush to the lotus in bloom, so too did Premika Bhavanam see the rush of people from all walks of life – Vedic scholars, bhagavatas, sadhaks, sadhus, musicians, householders seeking solace from life’s tribulations, and many others. Apart from the daily worship of Lord Srinivasa Perumal how many Vedic chants, discussions, debates, Bhajans, divyanama sankirtans have taken place here at Premika Bhavanam! The number of Vedic scholars, bhagavatas, sadhus, and other lay devotees that Jayanthiji has fed lovingly is countless. It is mind boggling to even think how Jayanthiji managed it all – not for a day or a month or even a year but for years on end!

Jayanthiji was an exemplary Bhakta. She would expertly listen and jot down the divine hymns flowing out of the Master, and render his divine hymns in her melodious voice. She also had deep knowledge of Divya prabandam (the divine hymns of the Azhwars). She was an excellent cook who would cook enthusiastically for Lord Srinivasa Perumal and her Master. With great enthusiasm she would prepare a variety of sweets and savories for the Lord on every festive occasion. Her kolams drawn in front of Srinivasa Perumal’s sanctum at Premika Bhavanam were perfect lines drawn so artistically. The dresses tailored by her for Sri Premika Varadan-Madhuri Sakhi reflected her deep care and love for the Divine Couple, and so did the decorative hangings, sannidhi curtains, etc. In her magic fingers, loose flowers came together to form beautiful garlands for the Lord. She was also a dedicated teacher training other lady devotees in singing the Master’s hymns and also traditional bhajans and hymns of other Mahans.

All this and more Jayanthiji was, even as she played the role of a mother, wife, bank officer, and more.

It was June 12, 2006 that Jayanthiji attained the Lord.  The next month’s issue of our satsang’s Tamil magazine, Madhuramurali carried a special article:

Lord Krishna suddenly disappeared from His Rasa dance.  A gopi who had gone in search of Him, found Him in Chennai as Premika Varadhan, put herself into His service and finally united in His Rasa Mandalam again this day!

In Jayanthiji’s memory, with Sri Swamiji’s blessings, a traditional patasala functions in Thirunangur near Sirgazhi in South India (a town that is home to many Divya Desams) which imparts education on Vaishnava Agama and Dravida Veda (Nalayira Divya Prabandham—works of Azhwars) to deserving children.

To see, know and recognize a great bhakta of the Master is in itself a great fortune!

Professor N.R. Krishnamurthy Iyer, a physics professor and scientist who was an ardent devotee of Sri Ramana Maharshi has said – “Whenever a great being appears, he comes with his retinue. When Bhagavan incarnated on earth, we too came to serve him. Once our service is over, we will go back to the source.”

Nirmala Giri, Chennai, India