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BNS IYENGAR BIOGRAPHY

Hemmige Agrahara is a small village situated on the banks of the Sacred River Cauvery, to the western side of Srirangapattana (first and former capital of the Wodiyar Kings) before the River turns eastwards. This stretch of the river is called ‘Paschima Vahini’ (western flow). Hemmige Agrahara is a holy place as it is considered an abode of, with magnificently beautiful temples dedicated to, Lord Varadaraja Swamy and his consort Poornadevi. Hemmige Agrahara is also a learned hamlet, as its residents there devote all their time and energy to preserving the long traditions of devotion, knowledge and above all, to the value of education.

It is in this holy place that Sri B.N.Sundaraja Iyengar was born, the second son of Sri L. Narasimha Iyengar and Smt Chokkamma, on the 19th of September 1927, on Kaarteeka Bahula Dwadashshi day of Pravhava Naama Samvatsara. (The twelfth day of ascendancy of the moon in Kartheeka, month of Prabhava Sumvatsara) His education began in the village of Balladere. Balladere Narasimha Sundaraja (BNS) Iyengar has brought fame to his Holy Birthplace by reaching the pinnacle of glory in Yoga.

An exponent of Yoga

When he was just entering his teens Sundaraja Iyengar happened to meet a Yoga expert of renown who recognised a growing talent in the young boy and took him under his tutelage. Here he drank the ocean of Yoga knowledge in twelve years of hard and rigorous practice and came to understand the wealth of Divine Education.

By the age of twenty five BNS Iyengar was a Master of Yoga. He also passed his Degree Examination in Science (B.Sc. 1951) at Mysore University.

Vidwan P. Jois. Under their watchful eyes and with devoted study he attained mastery in not only Yoga but also in Veda, Upanishad, Patanjali Yoga shastra and sutras. After completing his yoga studies he educated himself in the Bahgvad Gita and especially in Saanga Saahitya (formal education in Sanskrit literature). He has travelled across India and has been invited to seminars in Italy and UK to spread the knowledge of yoga.

On the 18th of April 1984, BNS Iyengar started a School of Yoga at the Parakala Mutt in Mysore. Sri Patanjala Yogashala was inaugurated by Vidwan Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In 1985 the head of the Mutt Sri Sri Swamy Ramunuja, conferred on him the title of Yogavisharada in the presence of Sri Srikantadatta Narasimaraja Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile and ancient Royal Wadiyan Dynasty of Mysore .

The yoga shala was running under the grace and blessings of the swamyjis. Sundaraja Iyengar is well versed in yoga related ayurveda, astrology and musicology. He has also mastered vinyasa vidya (astanga yoga knowledge) and nyasa nidya (philosophical knowledge) which are considered the path to Moksha (Liberation).

Inspired by BNS Iyenga, his students have established yogashalas in many countries. He has been acclaimed for his knowledge and contributions in various books and articles, especially for his teachings in Yoga Philosophy

Disciples of Shree Patanjala Yogashala have competed and earned many trophies in intrastate, interstate & international competitions. Recently, Hemmige Sri Vaishnava Sabha has conferred upon BNS Iyengar the title of Yogaratnakara, Pearl of Yoga.

As we all know yoga is philosophy in practice, science in training and above all, a divine art in demonstration. Sundaraja Iyengar is an embodiment of all the virtues of yoga. A true Master in demonstrating the delicate balance and comfort, grace and poise and the charm and beauty of Divine Knowledge.

BNS Iyengar currently conducts Yoga Research and a daily practice in Asana, Pranayama, Yogamudra and Philosophy at Kanchen Home.