Source: Hindu Press International
KOPAY, SRI LANKA, February 7, 2002: Friends and relatives in this village near Jaffna, Sri Lanka, announced today the passing on of Tiru A. V. Mylvaganam on January 19, 2002, at age 89. His passing is especially noted by Hinduism Today. The association of Tiru A.V. Mylvaganam and our late publisher, Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, which endured for over fifty-two years, was certainly a most remarkable one. As a close devotee of Jnanaguru Yogaswami, Tiru Mylvaganam was present when Gurudeva visited the famed thatched hut in Columbuthurai and received the potent initiation with the slap on the back in May of 1949. It was Tiru Mylvaganam who first comprehended the significance of that initiatory moment and insightfully described it as a “coronation.” Yogaswami’s instructions to him to read, recite and reflect upon the Tirukural daily combined with his study of English at Oxford University provided an excellent background for translating Gurudeva’s modern English version of Tirukural into modern Tamil, which he worked at daily for many years. He was the first person from Sri Lanka to attend Oxford University in England. Gurudeva regarded his work of putting the archaic Tamil verses into accessible modern Tamil as a key to the continuing use of the classic gem in Tamil-speaking communities throughout the world. It could not have been accomplished except for Tiru Mylvaganam’s steadfast, one can say, historic efforts, made in the twilight of his life in service to two great satgurus who loved the Tirukural and understood its important place in Tamil homes and hearts. In 1985 Tiru Mylvaganam made a gift and garland of praises for his Gurudeva, composing in Sanskrit the Ashtotra, 108 names of Gurudeva, which is still chanted today whenever a Pada Puja is done in Gurudeva’s honor. This list describes in a traditional manner the many accomplishments of Gurudeva, his cherished ideals, his establishment of Hindu institutions, and much more. Tiru Mylvaganam loved children and understood the great importance of passing along the Saiva culture and faith to them, that they would be the ones to carry it into the future. He also knew that Sri Lankan children were empowered by knowing English. In both these arenas he worked hard for many years at the Subramuniya Kopay Kottam as an elder, inspirer and teacher of English, thus helping the children better understand Gurudeva’s written works. All those who knew this great soul may take pride in his vision, his loyalty to Saiva Neri and dedication to our Kailasa Paramparai, and hopefully they will be inspired to follow his noble example.