When
I was a student of class VII, I heard the name of Alasinga Perumal first in my
life in one of our weekly study circles. An uncommon name in our Bengali
society. I asked my senior, `who is Alasinga Perumal? `
`A
Madrasi devotee, working as a school teacher who collected funds from door to
door as the passage money for Swami Vivekananda to his trip to America to
attend the Parliament of Religion in 1893` replied my senior.
Later,
I purchased one copy of Selected Letters
of Swami Vivekananda, published by Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata. In that book,
I have found that Swamiji wrote long long inspiring letters from America
I
have seen his photograph in some books and I eagerly wanted to read the life of
Alasinga Perumal, whose life is the burning example of devotion to his guru,
Swami Vivekananda.
Recently,
in March 2012 issue of The Vedanta Kesari, published by Sri Ramakrishna Math,
Chennai, I have seen an advertisement regarding the release of a book on the
life of Alasinga Perumal. From that moment, I took a decision that I will
purchase one copy of this book and I will read the life of this great devotee.
Recently, by the God’s grace, I have purchased one copy from Advaita Ashrama
book stall at Howrah
As a
student of Swamiji`s life and teachings, we have heard the names of Dr.
Nanjunda Rao, Singaravelu Mudaliar (Kidi), Prof. M. Rangacharya, R. Balaji Rao,
K. Sundararama Iyer, Biligiri Iyengar, G.G. Narasimhacharya, Rajam Iyer. But we
have no clear idea about their lives and devotion to a great cause. In this
book, you will find their short biographies of sacrifices and devotion along
with some rare photographs. (Page 1 to 25). Moreover, you will find 43 letters
of Swami Vivekananda written to Alasinga Perumal (Page 251 to 330), one letter of
famous freedom fighter, Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, written to Alasinga
Perumal and a tribute to Alasinga Perumal by Subrahmanya Bharati, the great
Tamil poet and freedom fighter.
My
sincere respect to Swami Sunirmalananda, the author of this book. My sincere thanks
and respect to Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai for publishing this wonderful
biography of `an extraordinary individual`.
Really,
this book is an asset to everyone who respects Swami Vivekananda and his
mission.
At a
glance
Name
of the Book: Alasinga Perumal – An Illustrious Disciple of Swami Vivekananda.
Author:
Swami Sunirmalananda
Publisher:
Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai – 600 004. India
Pages:
ix + 342
Price:
Rs 75
www.chennaimath.org
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