Smt. Vijaya Nagaraj was born on 8th May 1971 in Cholavandan, Madurai, and grew up with her two elder brothers, Giridaran and Shekar. In 1981, the family moved to Chennai. As their means were modest, Vijaya assisted her mother in preparing food items for the neighbours, contributing to the household from a young age.

In time, a well-wisher suggested Vijaya as a suitable match for Sri Nagaraj, the youngest son of Appichi Mama, the revered head priest of Sri Ramanasramam. The couple were married on 11th February 1996, after which Nagaraj took up employment in a chocolate factory in Chittoor. In March 1997, their son was born, and the following year the family moved to Tiruvannamalai, where Nagaraj began his service at Sri Ramanasramam. Their daughter was born in 2002.

Having known hardship in her early years and having been denied the chance for higher studies, Vijaya was determined that her children should receive a good education. She managed the household near the Ashram with devotion and discipline and was often seen performing her daily prayers at the various shrines in and around Ramanasramam.

In later years, Vijaya developed diabetes, which became more severe in recent months. In mid-September,

she suffered acute abdominal pain and was hospitalised. When gallbladder disease was finally diagnosed and emergency surgery performed, complications had already affected her pancreas and kidneys. Despite all efforts, her condition worsened, and she peacefully merged at the Feet of Bhagavan on the evening of 18th September. Vijaya is survived by her husband, Nagaraj and her son, Ramanaganesh and her daughter, Jayalakshmi. —