Sadhana

At the outset we have tell the following: Some learned men say that being a reincarnation of Chidambara, Ranganna had no necessity to practise any Sadhana.

But there is a wise advice: follow the footsteps of Guru. Therefore although was no necessity, Ranganna did try to achieve Jnana to guide his followers, After the death of his father Ranganna stayed for sometime at Anaji. Then the family came back to Nulenur and resided in a cottage by the side of Sri Anjaneya Temple there. The villagers of Nulenur undertook to fulfill the needs of the family as the deceased head (Krishnappa)had safeguarded the interest of all the residents of the village without claiming any reward.

Ranganna went to Arasanaghatta and worked there as a clerk to the Shanubhogs there for about two years . then he worked at Hireguntanur and later moved to Sokke. There he worked as a clerk to the shanubhog. All this time he used to send his earnings to his mother at Nulenur. At Sokke he built a small temple for Anjaneya. He was the sculptor of the statue. There he joined garadi(Indian gym) of chamansab.

After he came to Bharamasagara (Chitradurga dist.) as a clerk of Sdhanubhog Nanjundappa who was a remarkable person. He had the knowledge of music, adwaitha philosophy, Yoga and interpretation of Kumaravyasa Bharatha. Although not a much-studied man he could vanquished great scholars in a debate, just like Anaji Yallappa.

At Bharamasagara Ranganna befriended one Mahadeva Sastry who was an adept in yoga, Kumaravyasa and Jaimini Bharathas and Anubhwaavamritha, a famous Prakarana Grantha of Advaitha philosophy.

Ranganna practiced hata yoga and deeply engaged himself in Atmavichara which is Nirguna bhakthi ie., Parabhakthi. He became a very efficient shanubhog, who could keep the village accounts for many Shanubhogs who were at the villages. While on trips to villages he cooked a simple meal for himself and engaged himself for hours in dhyana. He also performed dhyana in Anjaneya temple which was newly built by Thammaiah sastry.

His fame as an interpreter of Kumaravyasa bharatha spread all around. Kumaravyasa calls his epics as yogeshwarara tatwa vichara. Ranganna discussed this with Nanjundappa and Mahadeva sastry.

Within three or four years he achieved Astasiddhis but never talked about it to anyone nor used them even once against anyone. However he used a siddhi once. His mother at Nulenur once prepared dose and fondly said 'Ranganna, Ranga, Rangaiah, I will give you dose, please come quickly.' Ranganna who was at Bharamasagara writing village accounts, heard this went to Nulenur, ate dish, while all along he was sitting at Bharamasagara.

The most revered Mysore Vedanta Shivarama Shastry who was praised by swami Vivekananada as a "He Advaithin" was a cousin of Thammaiah Sastry. Vedanta Shivarama Shastry who was experiencing Akanda Thurya came to Bharamasagara. When Ranganna went to see him he stoodup, danced, embraced Ranganna and said 'I came here to see you. I am filling you and you are filling me. You will live like any ordinary man for sometime and then you will become a Guru and uplift many in this world.'' The Light of your Jnana will illuminate the horizon.

People were drumstruck at this incident and Ranganna was treated with utmost respect afterwards.

When Ranganna was twenty four years of age, he married Parvathamma, daughter of Shankara Jois of Anaji. This gave him an opportunity to visit Anaji, where he with Thumbigere Chidambarappa, learnt many lessons of Adhyatma from Yallappa.

Some sadhakas gathered at Thumbigere at Chidambarappa's home and discussed Adhyatma many a day together.

Days passed and plague struck Bharamasagara. And Vrindamma wife of Nanjundappa breathed her last. because of plague. Ranganna arranged the last rites but he himself was attacked by the plague. He went to Nulenur stayed there for twenty one days and got cured .

His wife Parvathamma worshipped Gowri Devi for Sixteen days. At night Gauri gave darshan in dream and assured of her Sowmangalya. Ranganna also gave darshan in the dream and said 'Don't be afraid if anything. Do you think that I am man to die of Palgue.

Rangappa returned to Bharamasagara. The Government issued an order to Rangappa to assume the charge of Shanbhog of Nulenur firka within a certain date of forefight the right. Nanjundappa offered to keep Rangappa at his own expense at Bharamasagara. But Subbamma refused to move out of Nulenur.

Rangappa was reluctantly allowed by Nanjundappa to go to Nulenur. During the stay at Bharamasagara, Rangappa had saved five thousand rupees (which was a fabulous amount at that time). But more than anything he took away priceless Adhyatma dhana (riches) with him .

Shankaralinga used to say 'I started the quest of self at Bharamasagara'.