Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal alias Sri Bodhendral (c. 1638–1692):
He was born as the son of Kesava Panduranga, a distinguished
scholar of the Shandilya tradition. He later became the 59th pontiff of Sri
Kamakoti Peetham. Sri Bodendral’s earlier (pre-monastic) name was Purushottama.
In the Kali Yuga, he demonstrated that devotion (bhakti) itself is the supreme
spiritual discipline. For this reason, he undertook the great task known as Nama
Siddhanta (the doctrine of the Divine Name). In many of his works, he explained
the supreme importance of chanting and contemplation of the Bhagavan’s Name.
The essence of Nama Siddhanta, as well as the inner meaning
of Nama Amrita Rasayana and Sri Bodendral’s teachings on the Divine Name, were
later systematically explained and developed by Sridhara Venkatesa of Nallur
(also known as Advaita Varshi) and by Sadguru Swamigal of Marudanallur.
Sri Bodendral’s Nama Siddhanta played a major role in
shaping the devotional life of the Hindu community of South India, giving the
bhajana tradition a well-defined and organized form.
Sri Bodendral’s performed the ritual of atanka pravritti at
Sri Akhilandesvari in Jambukesvaram. Later, while returning via Shandilya
Matha, on the auspicious day of the Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha Pratipada, he
attained videha mukti (liberation after leaving the body) at Govindapuram (c.
1692).
It is said that even today his spiritual presence remains
active at his adhisthana (samadhi shrine) in Govindapuram. According to popular
belief, during the late-night hours one can hear a sweet and gentle voice
chanting the Divine Name—beginning softly, gradually rising to a powerful
pitch, and finally dissolving into deep silence.
This is described in works such as Nama Amrita Rasodaya.