Childhood

The family of Gunderi Shanubhogs was one of the richest families in Holalkere taluk but its fortunes took a nosedive just before the birth of Ranganatha. Hence Krishnappa's family had to live at Basapur a very small village near Nulenur. Krishnappa was downcast by the change in his fortune and devoted his whole time to Dhyana of Ranganatha. Once in a while he would getup and teach Amarakosha and multiplication tables to Ranganatha. Ranganatha was instructed by his mother Subbamma to worship Ganapathi and Anjaneya. While young his only play to worship God. He would build a small house of bricks or stones and install a stone as a God. His friends would bring fruits or jaggery for offering it to God. Ranganatha would return it to the boy who had brought it. Ranganatha had a photostatic memory. He would remember any prayer by hearing it once.(Ekasandhigrahi)

Basajji was a neighbour of Krishnappa family. She noticed that the cream and butter was missing in her cottage. One day she waited to see how it was possible for someone to steal the cream and butter. She saw her ishtadaiva. Malenahalli Ranganatha creeping into hut and stealing butter. Latter she realized that it was Ranganatha the neighbourhood boy. Throughout her life she believed that Ranganatha was the very God in the human form. Shankaraling honoured her later at Malenahalli.

When he was a little older Ranganna, as he was fondly called by his companions, went to graze the cattle in Amritmahal reserve forest. There also he either played the flute or worshipped God. But here the boys would milk a cow offer it to God and drink the milk as prasad.

The experience of Basajji, who saw him as Halli Ranga (as he was affectionately called by the villagers, influenced all the villagers). They considered Ranganatha as the guardian angel of their cattle. Whenever the cattle fell ill they would vow to reserve milk, butter or ghee extracted when the cattle was cured. This worked as a magic and cattle would be cured immediately.

Meanwhile the poverty of his parents reached a zenith. Krishnappa would perform his duty as shanubhogs meticulously but would not claim any renumeration. Subbamma never asked for any help from others.

When their relatives invited them, the family visit them and stay there for quite sometime.

When Ranganatha was about two years old the family went to Anaji. Chidambaramma mother of Krishnappa lived there. It was Shivarathri. Chidambaramma asked all the family members to go along with her to the yard of Anaji tank. She sat beneath a bilwa tree there and called every member of her family she said 'today is Shivarathri, there is a big gathering in kailasa. I am going to kailasa to see Shiva.

After blessing every member of family, she asked Subbamma to give Ranganatha to her. She sat him on her lap, passed her hands on the boy and said ''Subbamma your son is not an ordinary boy. He is here to do the work of Chidambara. Take special care of him''. So saying she breathed her last. This was how he was blessed by his grandmother a Varaputhri (daughter, given as a boon) of Chidambara.

One day when Ranganatha was playing, some carpenters asked him to hold a piece of wood, while they were sawing if. By chance the tip of his left forefinger was caught between two pieces and cut. Sri Shankaraling used to say later that Goddess Kali took it as an offering.

While Ranganatha was running his eighth year, Krishnappa went with his family to Anaji. There his Upanayana took place. On the day of his upanayana an extraordinary and very sublime and significant occurrence happened. Yellappa, a chief disciple of Thumbigere Brahmananda took Ranganatha to the Bilva tree in the tank yard. He told Ranganatha ''Ranganna, come here and sit on my lap''. Ranganna acted accordingly Wallpaper said ''Rangayya'' my Guru asked me to give upadesha of Mahavakyas and explain their meaning to you on the day of your Upanayanam.'

He there gave upadesha

(1) Prajnanam Brahman (Rigveda)

(2) Aham Brahmasmi (yagurveda)

(3) Thathvamasi (Samaveda)

(4) Ayamatma Brahma (Atharvanaveda) That (which is inside outside of everything seen) This Atma (whose nature is sathya, jnana and Ananda) is Parabrahmani.

1. Brahma is Prajnana (is above the jurisdiction of buddhi)

2. I (whom am the sakshi(witness) Buddhi) am Brahma

3. (Leavingout upadhis of maya and ajnana) you are Brahman.

After upanayana Ranganna stayed at Anaji for about three months. There, along with Chidambarappa(son of Thumbigere Krishnappa) he learnt vedic mantras and studied the recital and interpretations of Kumaravyasa Bharatha. Yallappa instilled deeply in their hearts the greatness of Guru and the importance of Guruseva (service to Guru).

On pushya suddha ekadasi of Jayanama samvatsara (1894 AD) Krishnappa who had gone to Anaji fell ill. He called his wife Subbamma and told her ''you are put to utter poverty. Putup withit for somemore time. As Ranganna becomes a youth your miseries will end.' He called Ranganna and said ''You are a Jnani. You are a Karana purusha. Your fame will spread to all horizon. I have nothing to tell you. I am sure that you will become very famous.''

So saying, Krishnappa breathed his last.