Kumara Swamy Desikar

Kumara Swamy Desikar Biography

Kumara Swamy Desikar was a spiritual leader from Tamil Nadu who was a principle believer of Saivism. He lived in the 18^th century and lived for long 99 years. He belonged to Desikar family in Kanchipuram, which later converted to Christianity with Swaminatha Desikar who lived in Valavanoor in the late 19^th century. His family is known for many scholars and artists who have made several literal contributions to Tamil. His descendants include Velaiyar, Siva Prakasar, Karunai Prakasar, Sundaresanar, S.V.S. Rathinam and Swaminatha Desikar and the latest descendants being Thomas Rathnam and Vincent Therraisnathan. Kumara Swamy Desikar is known as the composer of three books.

Kumara Swamy was born on 8 October 1711 in Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu. He was born in a Desikar family and was a reputed and well respected spiritual leader in those days. He was an Archaka and Dikshithar of Thondai mandalam and a great devotee of Lord Siva. He left home to Thiruvannamalai to become a sage, but got married. The couple had three sons and a daughter. All his three sons - Siva Prakasar, Velaiyar and Karunai prakasar turned to great spiritual leaders, writers and believers of Saivism and have contributed a lot to Tamil culture. His single daughter Gnambikai ammal got married to Perur Santhalinga Swamigal, a Saiva spiritual writer in Perur.

There were no children for Siva Prakasar, Karunai Prakasar, Gnambikai ammal and the lineage was passed over by Velaiyar, whose son Swaminatha Desikar got converted to Christianity in 1884. Later his descendants became followers of Christianity. Kumara Swamy died on 5 December 1810, aged 99 at his hometown.

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Updated: June 30, 2014