Tribute to Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami
In Remembrance of My Beloved Acharya
Sri U. Ve. Prof. M. A. Lakshmithathacharya Swami
By Andrew Eppler
Sri Lakshmithathachar was my spiritual teacher, a guiding light who gave me a new perspective on life and touched my heart profoundly.
I first met him in 2016 while filming my documentary, Mysore Yoga Traditions. At the suggestion of his son, Dr. M. A. Alwar, my friends and I traveled to Melkote to meet him. We didn’t know what to expect, but when I first saw Sri Lakshmithathachar, I got chills. He reminded me of my great-grandfather in some way. He opened the door, looked at us with piercing eyes, and asked, "What is your education?" Taken aback, I replied with all the honesty I could muster: "Sir, we really don’t know much of anything." He smiled warmly and said, "That is a good answer."
Swami Ji graciously invited us in, and soon we felt at ease. He took us to the Samskriti Foundation, where he gave a deeply insightful and profound interview. We captured it on film, and his wisdom became a cornerstone of our documentary. I was struck by his immense depth of knowledge and his passion for preserving ancient Indian traditions.
While editing the film, I listened repeatedly to his words, which echoed in my mind. I found myself thinking about him constantly and staring at his phone number on my mobile. After much deliberation, I summoned the courage to call and ask if he would teach me. I feared rejection but decided to take the chance.
To my surprise and joy, Swami Ji agreed! He offered to teach me Gitartha Sangraha, a summary of the Bhagavad Gita composed by the sage Yamanacharya. Thus began a beautiful period of study.
Swami Ji was a kind and patient teacher. Despite my limited knowledge of Sanskrit, he met me where I was. He would recite verses, correct my pronunciation, and encourage me until I got it right. His belief in me gave me the confidence to persist. Speaking with him uplifted me, and our weekly calls became the highlight of my life. I recited the verses he taught me daily, and as he saw my dedication, he shared even more.
Our relationship grew with time. He spoke not only of the verses of Gitartha Sangraha but about many philosophical concepts according to his mood each day. His humility, sincerity, and compassion touched my heart. During a particularly difficult time when my father was gravely ill and close to passing, I confided in Swami Ji. His words of wisdom and support were a great source of strength, reminding me to serve my parents as divine beings while trusting in the Supreme. His calmness and spirituality were a source of immense comfort.
For three and a half years, I studied with him. While I initially thought I’d learn the 32 verses of Gitartha Sangraha in a few months, the journey became about much more than completing the text. Each verse was a world unto itself, and I cherished every conversation with Swami Ji.
One day I called and he said he wasn’t feeling up to a lecture that day. He mentioned feeling unwell and he said some very kind words I’ll never forget. It turned out to be his goodbye, even though I didn’t want to think so at the time. Three days later, I learned of his sudden passing.
I was heartbroken. I had lost a guiding light and a link to something profound and pure. Yet, even in my grief, I realized how blessed I was to have known him. To honor his memory, I decided to create a tribute page on my website, compiling videos of him for others to study his teachings.
Dr. Alwar kindly helped me by sharing files about Swami Ji, including an 80th birthday tribute. It was only then that I fully grasped the magnitude of his contributions and who he truly was. I realized that he was an Acharya, or spiritual leader, in the same lineage as Sri T. Krishnamacharya who is known as the father of modern yoga. I came to understand that Swami Ji came from an unbroken tradition called Nathamuni Sampradaya that went back over a thousand years to the time of the sage Ramanuja who founded Vishishtadvaita philosophy. I learned about the legacy of the Iyengars and that Sri Krishnamacharya was an Iyengar as well as many of the great scholars in Mysore today. I realized that Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga and many other styles of yoga came into the world through the backdrop of the Nathamuni Sampradaya tradition and that this was in fact the ancient Parampara behind at least half of all modern styles of yoga worldwide.
Swami Ji was not just a scholar but a visionary, devoted to preserving and sharing ancient wisdom. His work spanned many fields and was so vast! Some of his fields of interest included Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, Sanskrit and preservation of ancient palm leaf manuscripts, Organic Farming, Floriculture and Horticulture, Animal Care and Husbandry, and many others. Rather than being stuck in the past, Swami Ji was a man who embraced technology and understood its impact on the world.
Swami Ji created speech to text programs designed to preserve ancient Indian texts. He conducted many experiments in agriculture and animal husbandry using ancient texts as the basis of his research. He had his own breeds of cows which he developed. He authored more than 20 books. He created what he called “The Knowledge Tree” which was a vast computer program that cataloged all Indian texts and knowledge systems. He was truly a genius.
He was also a flutist and vocalist. I recall him telling me that in the very quiet hours of the night he would often sing the poems of Namalvar and enjoy the trance of those sacred hymns which come from deep within his tradition. Swami Ji spoke often about samadhi and considered it a normal thing for a yogi.
Reflecting on his kindness, I was deeply humbled. Despite his busy schedule and numerous responsibilities, Swami Ji made time for me, an awkward foreigner with little knowledge. He treated me with respect and generosity, embodying the true spirit of a teacher.
I recall a particularly important lesson when Swami Ji explained a verse from the thousand year old text Gitartha Sangraha which states that a yogi should habitually practice four kinds of yoga. He explained each one to me carefully and made sure I understood. First was Samadhi. Second was to arrange one’s life and mentality to stay in that transcendental state in daily life. Third was to understand the interconnected nature of all living beings. And the fourth was to serve humanity and try to relieve the suffering of all creatures to the extent possible. I remember him saying “You can’t just close your nose and do pranayama. You have to be of service.”
Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami raised the bar for me. What I had thought might be the yoga tradition of Mysore looked very trivial and insignificant in light of the kind of contributions that Swami Ji made and the person he was. It was no surprise that he thought western yoga students were largely misguided and often have a very shallow and incomplete understanding of what yoga means. Asana and physical practice were only the first rungs on the ladder for him. They are essential and not to be downplayed he always insisted. But what are we doing with this ability? Are we using it for selfish purposes such as the acquisition of money, sex and fame? Swami Ji was adamant that a true yogi will feel the suffering of humanity and try to do something to help. He embodied those principles in the way he lived. There was a consistent message in his every word and action of love, service and compassion.
Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami was a true saint in every sense of the word — a deeply spiritual yogi who radiated love and devotion. His authenticity, humility, and profound wisdom were unmatched. He taught with endless patience, whether to children, top scholars, or someone like me.
His greatest legacy, I believe, is his son, Dr. M. A. Alwar, who continues his work with the same passion and dedication. I am honored to learn from Dr. Alwar and collaborate with him, especially through the Mysore Yoga Conference and the Melkote Yoga Immersion.
The legacy of Sri Lakshmithathacharya Swami lives on in the countless lives he touched. His teachings, research, and compassion are gifts to humanity. I am eternally grateful for the time I spent with him and strive to honor his memory by living his teachings as best I am able to.
Swami Ji was a brilliant light in this world, and knowing him was a great privilege and his influence in my life continues to this day.
