Founder

Sri Malayalaswalayalaswami (1885-1962), was born in Kerala, mastered Sanskrit scriptures of Hinduism, toured all over India on barefoot to visit several important shrines and ashrams from Kanyakumari in the south to Brahmakapala in Himalayas during 1905-14, did severe penance, preaching and book-writing in Gogarbham of Tirumala during 1914-26 and established Sri Vyasashram in 1926 at Yerpedu between Tirupati and Srikalahasti to spread spiritual knowledge to Telugu-knowing people all over India and abroad. He made a thorough study of the ideas expressed by various religious leaders, including Buddha, Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhvacharya, Christ, Mohammad, Guru Nanak, Narayana Guru, Raja Rammohanroy, Dayananda, Ramakrishna, Ramathirtha, Vivekananda and Chinmyananda. He became most popular with the publication of his book in Telugu on "Sushka Vedanta Tamo Bhaskaramu" (The sunlight of truth, dispelling the darkness of empty metaphysics) in December 1919. According to him, India's degradation started from the day caste and sex gained importance over individual's traits and actions and denial of education based on one's aptitude and capacity to learn. He categorically stated that India could regain its lost glory only when its people carry out duties appropriate to their physical and mental capacities. As a great social reformer, Malayalaswami took up the task to destroy the evil customs and superstitions which had entrenched themselves in the Hindu society over many generations. He attempted to bring social awakening in the common man, who was sinking under the burden of slavery of thought.

He became most popular with the publication of his book in Telugu on "Sushka Vedanta Tamo Bhaskaramu" (The sunlight of truth, dispelling the darkness of empty metaphysics) in December 1919. According to him, India's degradation started from the day caste and sex gained importance over individual's traits and actions and denial of education based on one's aptitude and capacity to learn. He categorically stated that India could regain its lost glory only when its people carry out duties appropriate to their physical and mental capacities.

As a great social reformer, Malayalaswami took up the task to destroy the evil customs and superstitions which had entrenched themselves in the Hindu society over many generations. He attempted to bring social awakening in the common man, who was sinking under the burden of slavery of thought.

Malayalaswami and the later Heads of Sri Vyasashram travelled extensively in and outside Andhra Pradesh where there is a concentration of Telugu-speaking people and conducted Sanatana Vedanta Jnana Sabhas, Omkara Satra Yagas lasting for a week, Chaturmasya Vratas lasting for four months at a stretch, installed idols at temples; established hermitages (ashrams), laid foundations to various constructions, opened monasteries, inaugurated ashrams and gita mandirs, performed commemorative rites for seers; attended religious feasts and annual meets and thus worked tirelessly in the service of God.

Malayalaswami launched his monthly magazine in Telugu "Yadartha Bharati" in February 1927 to propagate spiritual knowledge imparted by our Vedic Rishis, which bestows on all people unalloyed happiness and relief from sorrow and pain. Sri Vyasashram has published over 150 philosophical books written by either Malayalaswami or others, or translated from other languages. There is no other institution in the world, which has rendered such great service for the spread of Vedic books in Telugu.

After the demise of Malayalaswami on the night of 12th July 1962, Vimalananda Swami served as the Head of Sri Vyasashram until his death in 1973. Vidyananda Swami, who succeeded as the Head of Sri Vyasashram, is also the present Pithadhipati. Besides touring extensively in and around Andhra Pradesh, he has spread the message of Malayalaswami beyond India along with Paripurnanda Swami, designated as his successor, by visiting England and USA in 1995 and 1997.

Devotees of Malayalaswami believe that He is an incarnation of God and His Atman is alive at Sri Vyasashram to bless all inmates and devotees to have pure thoughts and peace of mind.

Malayalaswami's name became a household name among most of the spiritually inclined Telugu-speaking people of Andhra Pradesh and other parts of India and other countries. The purpose of this website, created on the eve of the Platinum jubilee celebrations of Sri Vyasashram, is to spread the teachings of Malayalaswami among the English-knowing people all over the world and to encourage establishment of Malayalaswami Ashrams all over the world.