in 1970s
Sri. Vidyadhiraja Theertha present pontiff
Ashrama Guru: Shri Dwarakanatha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya: Shri Vidhyadheesh Theertha
Poorvashrama Name: Raghavendra Acharya
Ashrama Period: from 23 Feb 1967
Attained Haripada on 19 July 2021 ashada shukla dashami
Vrundavana: Parthgali Mutt, Canacona, Goa
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info from mutt website:
Place of Birth : Shri Damodar Nilaya, Nayakankatte Baindur taluka Udupi district.
Birth Name : Senapur Raghavendra Laxminarayan Acharya
Date of Birth : Sri Saka 1867 Parthiva Sam. Shravana Shukla 14shi Wednesday (22/08/1945)
Sannyasadiksha : Sri Saka 1888 Parabhava Sam. Magha Krishna 2ya Sunday (26/02/1967)
Sannyasa Initiation: Age 21 years 06 months 04 days
Place of Initiation: Shri Ram Mandir Wadala, Mumbai
DFeekshaGuru : Sri Dwarkanath Tirtha (22)
Gurupeetharohan : Sri Saka 1895 Pramathich Sam. Chaitra Shukla 2ya (05/04/1973)
Shishya sweekar: Sri Vidyadhish Tirtha (24)
Mahanirvana : Sri Saka 1943 Plava Sam. Ashadh Shukla Dashami Monday (19/07/2021)
Vrindavan at : Parthagali Matha
As a shishya : 06 years 01 month 10 days
On Gurupeetha: 48 years 03 months 14 days
In sanyasahrama: 54 years 04 months 23 days
Age at Vrinadana: 75 years 10 months 27 days
Establishment of Mathas: 1. Kayankulam (Kerala)
2. Badrikashram 28/06/1
3. Belgaum 18/05/1
4. Dandeli 26/03/1
5. Madgaon 19/11/1
6. Hubli 30/11/1996
7. Parvari 18/11/2
8. Kandalur 03/03/2002
9. Nashik 04/04/2002
10 Bhadravati 14/11/2
Establishment of new Matha architecture by relocation
1. Yallapur 08/04/1983
2. Manki Math 01/06/1983
द्वारकानाथ तीर्थानां अनुग्रह समुद्भवम् ।
विद्याधिराज योगीशं वंदे विद्याभिवृद्धये॥
Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha, a disciple of the 22nd Acharya Shrimad Dwarakanath Teertha Swamiji , was was born to Gangolli, Senapur Sri Laxminarayanacharya from Gangoli and his wife Smt. Shrimati Bai as second son. The purvashrama name is Raghavendra Acharya. He was taken to Samsthan's Wadala Math in Mumbai in 1888, Magha Krishna Dwiteeya. Initiated in to sanyasa on 26th February 1967 with great pomp.
There is a traditional method of choosing a disciple. The selection was made according to that method. The first Guruswami selected five possible Vatus for the sanyasa and collected their janmapatrikas and handed them over to astrologers. These astrologers were brought to the Math by Sri Swamiji. Only Patrikas were given to them. The pundits were not told about the names of the Vatus.
After studying all the five horoscopes, the astrologers selected the one that was most suitable for the Sanyasa Ashram and handed it over to Srimad Dwarakanath Teertha Swamiji, who then said that it belonged to Raghavendra Acharya. Many devotees of the Math were present on this occasion. All welcomed the decision. Later, a delegation of some well-wishers was sent to Vatu's parents and the matter was reported to Sri Laxminarayan Acharya. He and his wife agreed to the decision by Sri Guru Swamiji. The news then spread everywhere and everyone expressed satisfaction over Vatu's choice. Later, as mentioned above, the Vatu was initiated in to Sanyasa ashrama in Wadala Math on the Sunday (26/02/1967) of Shri Saka 1888 Parabhava year Magh Krishna Dwiteeya and was named as Shri Vidyadhiraja Teertha
Guruswamiji's companionship lasted for a full six years. During this period, Guruswamiji paid full attention to the study of His Shishya. Not only that, to make Shishya swamij’s horizon to be wider, socially oriented, to have knowledge of modern sciences as well as to be proficient in spirituality, philosophy, Veda Vedanta etc, Guru Swamiji always looked after it Himself. In purvashrama Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha was proficient in Kannada and English education
Konkani was the mother tongue. Shishya Swamiji also acquired knowledge of Marathi and Hindi languages. Due to the study of these different languages, Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha Swamiji could speak in many languages. Not only sound education but His alertness and dedication were remarkable. His Ashirvachana after the Pattabhisheka was His first public speech. But in that speech, many claimed that this Swamiji had the qualities of eloquence and it was truth.
Sri Dwaranatha Teertha Swami attained Haripada unexpectedly on March 25, 1973. Twelve days later, on Sri Saka 1895 Chaitra Shuddha Dwiteeya, Shi Swamiji’s Pattabhisheka was done on April 5, 1973. Numerous disciples from all over Goa, Mumbai and both the Canara districts had gathered at the Partagali Matha on that day. It was at this time that Sri Swamiji's first Ashirvachana took place. Even though Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha swamiji’s health was not good, Swamiji paid full attention to the management of the Math like His Guru. He had the art of developing rapport with people. Swamiji initiated many social works. After the Pattabhisheka, His public function was the inauguration of the auditorium of the Sri Ganapati temple at Khandola. At the same time, His attitude towards the people was evident. The common devotees could talk with Swamiji as well as the late Chief Minister of Goa, Dayanand Bandodkar.
Coincidentally, the day Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha came to Sri Gurupeetha in the year 1973 was the day of foundation of Sree Samsthan Gokarna Patagali Jeevottam Matha which happened in Badari. It was was on the verge of completing five centuries, had inherited an unbroken tradition of twenty-two pious Swamijis. Sri Vidyadhiraja teertha is the twenty-third Swamiji in the lineage.
As soon as He came to Shri Gurupeetha, He announced His resolve to celebrate the Panchashatabdi Mahotsav of Shrimath Samsthapana. But He started His career by renovating the first Matha of Sri Samsthan in the Varanasi. Also in the Silver jubilee year of the ascension as Guru (1998) Swamiji visited Gandaki River (Damodarkund) and on returning built a magnificent new Matha at Vasco (Goa).
On March 19, 1999 (Chaitra Shukla II, Shake 1921), the majestic Matha at Partagali was formally inaugurated renovated and new structures built in three phases. It would not be an exaggeration to say that what Swamiji did in the last 48 years could not have been done in the previous five hundred years. ,All the resolutions made by Sriswamiji were fulfilled. Such works include restoration and expansion of old Mathas, construction of new Mathas amidst of Saraswat community, renovation of temples in the orbit of Shrimatha and installation of new idols in those temples, expansion of religion and religiosity through sacrifices and rituals.
By performing Chaturmasya Vratacharan in various places, Swamiji strengthened the faith of Kuldev and Gurupeeths in the social circles of those areas. Towards the end of the twentieth century, Sri Swamiji came to Shri Gurupitha and developed the power to meet the potential challenges of the twenty-first century by strengthening and broadening the foundation of Shri Matha, making the society more organized and advanced. History will take a detailed look at the work Swamiji has done without letting the tradition break with the link between the two centuries.
Since coming to the Peetha, the scope of social and cultural as well as religious activities has been expanding, but Pujya Swamiji continued his Swadhyay Sadhana. The culmination of this is the successful completion of the Sriman Nyayasudha Patha started at Kalyanpur in 1998 and completed at the same place.
By enhancing the quality of the best Vedic schools in Partagali Matha, Vidyarthis are given systematic education in Vedas, Sanskrit, Dharmashastra, Jyotish etc. through disciplined courses. About fifty students complete the course from this school every year. The Gurukul of the five-year course gained fame all over the country. Going beyond the Matha circle, two charitable trust boards have been set up to address the problems and grievances of the society. Swami Dwarkanath Board of Trustees and Shri Vidyadhiraj Charity Board of Trustees. These institutions are helping the society in the field of education, health, social rites etc.
- In the last 48 years, the religious Homahavan was performed by the Brahmanas in the presence of Pujya Swamiji in the presence of local deities. These include Sahasrakumbh, Mahavishnu, Ativishnu, Mahasudarshan, Atirudra, Shatkoti Ramnam, Maharudra, Shatachandi, Rakshatraya Havan etc.
Restoration of the monastery by Shri Vidyadhirajatirtha
1. Varanasi (1975),
2. Basrur, Karwar, Venkatapur (1979),
3. Gokarna (1981),
4. Bhatkal (1981),
5. Monastery of Portugal (1999)
6. Ankola (1988),
7. Mangalore (Navagraha Pratishtha) (1991)
8. Gangolli (1988)
9. Conversion of a small monastery at Bangalore into a grand monument (1985),
Construction of welfare pavilions in the old monastery
(1) Bhatkal (Srinarayantirtha Kalyan Mandap) - 1981,
(2) Mangalore (Sri Dwarkanath Bhavan) -1982,
(3) Rivan (Shri Ramachandratirtha Mandap) - 1984,
(4) Gangolli (Sri Dwarkanathtirtha Sabha Ghar) - 1984,
(5) Bangalore (Sri Vidyadhiraj Sabha Ghar) - 1985,
(6) Ankola (Sri Vidyadhiraj Sabha Ghar)- 1989,
(7) Dicholi (Sri Anujivottamatirtha Mandap)- 1996,
(8) Karwar (Shri Indira Kant Sabha Ghar)-2001
During his reign, Shri Vidyadhirajatirtha Swamiji renovated most of the Vrindavanas of the Yativaryas in the Math tradition. Pujya Vidyadhiraja teertha Swamiji inaugurated new Vigraha Pratishtha in many temples.
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info from wikipedia--->
Shrimat Vidyadhiraja Swamiji (Poorvashram Name: Shri Raghavendra Acharya, Native Place: Gangulli, in the Present Udupi District), 23rd in the pontifical lineage was given Sanyas Deeksha on 26th Feb.,1967 in Shri Ram Mandir Wadala, Mumbai by his illustrious preceptor, Shrimat Dwarakanath Tirth Swamiji, who brought Shri Gokarn Math to Mumbai as earlier there was no branch of the math in the city. Shri Swamiji ascended to gurupeetha on 5 April 1973 and thereafter tirelessly working for the spiritual upliftment of the followers, the prime duty cast on the maths. Under his leadership quite a few old temples and math branches were renovated and rebuilt and Shri Swamiji revived in a big way the ancient-most mode of worship by yagas and yajnas and also by undertaking pilgrimages to holy places, including the ones in the remote part of the Himalayas.
In 1997, during Dasara in Shri Ram Mandir, Mumbai, in the year of Golden Jubilee of India's Independence, for the welfare of the Indian nation in particular and humanity in general, Shri Swamiji organised a series of Maha Yagnas when thousands from all over the country participated. Although a particular yajna is performed in a particular place, Shri Swamiji organises in such a way that the young and the school going tiny tots as well as the old can participate sitting in their own home. For instance, in 1997, for "Koti" (one crore) likhita (written) Shri Rama Nama Japa Yajna, hundreds of note books in which thousands have chanted and written in their own handwriting the mantra, Shri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama, arrived at the venue. The enthusiasm of the devotees was so great that as against the targeted one crore, 23 crore mantras arrived at the scene! This year, April, 2000 for the mammoth Shatakoti (one hundred crores - one billion) Shri Rama Nama Japa Yajna, organised in commemoration of the 525th Foundation Day of the Samsthan and Shri Swamiji's Silver Jubilee of ascending the gurupeetha, a devotee could chant any number at home, keep a daily record in a card supplied by the math and send it over to Partagali where the yajna took place. "Among all the yajnas, japa yajna is the greatest," so declares Gita and Shri Swamiji actually propagates it by word and spirit.
Among many pilgrimages Shri Swamiji has undertaken, the most difficult was virtually an expedition to Shri Damodar Kund in the Himalayas about 20,000 feet above the sea level. Some 500 years ago the third Swamiji of the math, Shrimat Jeevottam Tirth Swamiji by whose name the math is called on account of his great many feats, had gone on a pilgrimage and Shrimat Vidyadhiraj is the second one to repeat this in the year 1998 traversing and climbing the snow clad peaks. The followers were deeply impressed by this accomplishment of their beloved guru and so they gave him the title of Abhinav (new) Jeevottam Swamiji! This year Shri Swamiji is undertaking another difficult pilgrimage, from Gangotri, the source of Ganga to Gangasagar where Ganga meets the sea.
Shri Swamiji is a great Sanskrit scholar and all the GSBs can be proud of his accomplishments. He has mastered all the books on Madhwa Philosophy, Kavyas like Raghuvamsh, Kumar Sambhav, Kirartarjuneey and Nasishadh and also Jyotishya, Agama and Dhramashastras. He likes self-study and is fond of linking auspicious moments and stars to all his religious programmes. He is a lover of GSB History and Culture and always states that Gowda Saraswats are generous leaders with the spirit of service to all. Shri Swamiji has maintained a good two way communication with shishya varga and also friendly ties with other mathadhipatis. His greatest success is in making Shri Gokarn Math a vibrant and dynamic religious institution answering to the religious needs of the modern society especially popularising that great mantra of mantras, Shri Rama Nama, taking it to every home and heart.
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'ಸಾರಸ್ವತ ಸಾನ್ನಿಧ್ಯ' ಲೇಖನ ಮಾಲಿಕೆಯ ಅರವತ್ತಾರನೆಯ ಲೇಖನ - ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧಿರಾಜತೀರ್ಥರು (ಶ್ರೀ ಗೋಕರ್ಣ ಪರ್ತಗಾಳಿ ಜೀವೋತ್ತಮ ಮಠ)
ಶ್ರೀಮನ್ಮಧ್ವಾಚಾರ್ಯರ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತವನ್ನು ಅನುಸರಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಗೌಡಸಾರಸ್ವತ ಬ್ರಾಹ್ಮಣ ಸಮಾಜದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಪೀಠಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಗೋಕರ್ಣ ಪರ್ತಗಾಳೀ ಜೀವೋತ್ತಮ ಮಠವು ಶ್ರೀನಾರಾಯಣತೀರ್ಥರಿಂದ ಪ್ರವರ್ತಿತವಾದಂತಹ ಮಠ. ಶ್ರೀರಾಮ ಹಾಗೂ ಶ್ರೀವೀರವಿಠ್ಠಲದೇವರನ್ನು ಮಠದ ಪ್ರಧಾನ ದೇವರಾಗಿ ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತಾ ಬಂದಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಜೀವೋತ್ತಮಮಠವನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀಜೀವೋತ್ತಮ ತೀರ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೀಇಂದಿರಾಕಾಂತತೀರ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೀದ್ವಾರಕಾನಾಥ ತೀರ್ಥರೆ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಮಹಾಯತಿಗಳು ಅಲಂಕರಿಸಿದ್ಧಾರೆ. ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧಿರಾಜ ತೀರ್ಥರು ಅಧುನಾ ಶ್ರೀಗೋಕರ್ಣಪರ್ತಗಾಳಿ ಮಠದ ಪೀಠಾಧೀಶರು. ಶ್ರೀಜೀವೋತ್ತಮತೀರ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೀಪೂರ್ಣಪ್ರಜ್ಞತೀರ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೀಪದ್ಮನಾಭತೀರ್ಥರು, ಶ್ರೀಇಂದಿರಾಕಾಂತತೀರ್ಥರ ತರುವಾಯ ಶ್ರೀಮಠದ ಪರಂಪರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಐವತ್ತಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸಗಳನ್ನು ಆಚರಿಸಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧಿರಾಜತೀರ್ಥರದು ಶ್ರೀಮಠದ ಪರಂಪರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟವಾದಂತಹ ಸಾಧನೆ. ಶ್ರೀಸೇನಾಪುರ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣಾಚಾರ್ಯ ದಂಪತಿಗಳ ಸುಪುತ್ರರಾಗಿ ಉಡುಪಿಯ ಸಮೀಪದ ಗಂಗೊಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಿಸಿದ ಶ್ರೀಗಳ ಪೂರ್ವಾಶ್ರಮದ ಹೆಸರು ಶ್ರೀರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರಾಚಾರ್ಯರು. ಶ್ರೀದ್ವಾರಕಾನಾಥ ತೀರ್ಥರಿಂದ 1967ರ ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿ 26ರಂದು ಸಂನ್ಯಾಸದೀಕ್ಷೆಯನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದ ಶ್ರೀರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧಿರಾಜತೀರ್ಥರಾದರು. 1973ರಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀದ್ವಾರಕಾನಾಥತೀರ್ಥರು ಪರಂಧಾಮವನ್ನು ಸೇರುವವರೆಗೂ ತಮ್ಮಗುರುಗಳ ಬಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧಿರಾಜರು 1973ರ ಏಪ್ರಿಲ್ 5ರಂದು ಶ್ರೀಮಠದ ಅಧಿಕಾರವನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಿದರು. ಪೀಠಾರೋಹಣದ ನಂತರ ಶಾಖಾಮಠಗಳ ಜೀರ್ಣೋದ್ಧಾರ, ದೇಗುಲಗಳ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ, ಮೂಲಮಠದ ನವೀಕರಣ, ದಾಮೋದರ ಕುಂಡವೂ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಅನೇಕ ಹಿಮಾಲಯದ ದುರ್ಗಮ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ, ಗಂಗೋತ್ರಿಯಿಂದ ಗಂಗಾಸಾಗರ ಸಂಗಮದವರೆಗಿನ ಯಾತ್ರೆ, ಗಂಡಕೀ ಯಾತ್ರೆಯೂ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ ಅಷ್ಟೋತ್ಕೃಷ್ಟ ವೈಷ್ಣವಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ (ಪಾದಯಾತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ) ಯಜ್ಞ, ಕೋಟಿ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮನಾಮ ಯಜ್ಞ, ಶತಕೋಟಿ ರಾಮನಾಮ ಯಜ್ಞ,ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುಯಾಗ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಯಾಗಗಳ ನೇತೃತ್ವ, ಅಯೋಧ್ಯ, ಮಥುರಾ, ಕಂಚಿ ಮೊದಲಾದ ಸಪ್ತ ಮೋಕ್ಷದಾಯಕ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳ ಸಂದರ್ಶನ, ಬದರೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಚಾತುರ್ಮಾಸ ಹೀಗೆ ಹಲವು ಹತ್ತು ವೈಷ್ಣವಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸದಾ ತತ್ಪರರಾದ ಶ್ರೀಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳು ಆಸೇತು ಹಿಮಾಲಯ (ನೇಪಾಳದೇಶವೂ ಸೇರಿದಂತೆ) ಭಾರತವನ್ನು ಸಂಚರಿಸಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಗಳು 4-7-1998ರಲ್ಲಿ ಉಡುಪಿಯ ಸಮೀಪದ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಪುರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಧ್ವ ತತ್ತ್ವಜ್ಞಾನದ ಮೇರುಕೃತಿ ಶ್ರೀಜಯತೀರ್ಥರ 'ಶ್ರೀಮನ್ನ್ಯಾಯಸುಧಾ'ಮಂಗಳಮಹೋತ್ಸವವನ್ನು ನೆರವೇರಿಸಿದರು. ಪಲಿಮಾರು,ಭಂಡಾರಕೇರಿ ಮಠಾಧೀಶರಾದ, ಮಾಧ್ವ ತತ್ತ್ವಜ್ಞಾನದ ಮಹಾವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರಾದ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಮಾನ್ಯತೀರ್ಥ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದಂಗಳವರು ಈ ಮಂಗಳಮಹೋತ್ಸವದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅದ್ವಿತೀಯ ಪಾಂಡಿತ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಗಳು ಮಾಧ್ವ ತತ್ತ್ವಜ್ಞಾನದ ಬಹುತೇಕ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಮಹತ್ತ್ವದ ಕೃತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಆಳವಾಗಿ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡಿರುವುದರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಕಾವ್ಯಗಳಾದ ಕುಮಾರಸಂಭವ, ಕೀರಾತಾರ್ಜುನೀಯ, ರಘುವಂಶ ಮೊದಲಾದವುಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಹಾ ಅಸಾಧಾರಣವೈದುಷ್ಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷ್ಯ,ಧರ್ಮಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಆಗಮಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಶ್ರೀಗಳ ಪಾಂಡಿತ್ಯ ಅಪೂರ್ವವಾದದ್ದು. ಬಹುತೇಕ ಮಾಧ್ವಮಠಾಧೀಶರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಸೌಹಾರ್ದಸಂಬಂಧವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಗಳು ಶ್ರೀಜೀವೋತ್ತಮ ಮಠದ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಗ್ರಂಥಗಳನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹಳೆಯ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳ, ಗ್ರಂಥಗಳ ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಾಮಿಗಳಿಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷವಾದಂತಹ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ. 2017ರಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀಉದಯಭಟ್ ಶರ್ಮ ಎಂಬ ವಟುವಿಗೆ ಶ್ರೀವಿದ್ಯಾಧೀಶತೀರ್ಥರೆಂಬ ಆಶ್ರಮನಾಮದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಂನ್ಯಾಸದೀಕ್ಷೆ ನೀಡಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಉತ್ತರಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಾಗಿ ನೇಮಿಸಿ ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಗಳು ಸಮಗ್ರಸಮಾಜದ ಒಂದು ಬಹುದೊಡ್ಡ ಆಸ್ತಿಯೆಂದರೆ ಅತಿಶಯೋಕ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲ, -- ಶ್ರೀಆಶುತೋಷ ಪ್ರಭು Ashutosh Prabhu ರವರಿಗೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.
ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ,ಮಧ್ವರು ಪ್ರೀತರಾಗಲಿ-ವೇಣುಗೋಪಾಲ ಬಿ.ಎನ್.
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Srimad Vidyadhiraja Teertha Swamiji was born on 3rd Aug 1945 at Gangulli, in Udupi District. His birth name was Raghavendra Acharya. He was given Sanyas Deeksha on 26th Feb.,1967 at Shri Ram Mandir Wadala, Mumbai by his guru and predecessor, Shrimad Dwarakanath Teertha Swamiji. He succeeded as the head of the math following the demise of his guru on 5 April 1973 and thereafter tirelessly working for the spiritual upliftment of the followers, the prime duty cast on the maths. Under his leadership numerous old temples and math branches were renovated and rebuilt. He is also credited with reviving the ancient modes of worship like yagas and yajnas and undertaking pilgrimages to holy places, including in the remote part of the Himalayas. He has also headed the numerous charitable and educational endeavours of the Math.
He adopted Uday Bhat Sharma as his disciple and successor on 9th Feb 2017 and gave him the pontifical name Shri Vidhyadheesh Theertha .
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Born in the family of the Acharyas, known for their authority on the dharma shastra and related matters in Gangoli, in Udupi district of Karnataka, Shripad Vader Swami’s birth name was Raghavendra Acharya. He was initiated into the sanyasi order and conferred the sanyas deeksha by his predecessor, Dwarkanath Teerth Swami, at Shri Ram Mandir, Wadala, Mumbai.
Upon the mahaparinirvan of his guru on March 25, 1973, Shripad Wader Swami ascended the Gurupeetha on April 5, 1973 and at the age of 29, became the 23rd pontiff of the guru parampara of Shree Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Mutt, guiding his followers scattered across the country and abroad.
Known for his erudition, discipline and devotion, Shripad Vader Swami’s pilgrimages took him far and wide — from the snow-capped Himalayas to the serene shores of Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari.
Shripad Vader Swami has been hailed among his devotees as an exceptional pathfinder and credited with several distinctions in his spiritual endeavours.
During his Chaturmas at Badarika Ashram in 1986, the swami observed ‘mouna vrita’ (complete silence for all 24 hours) for 30 days, and on the concluding day undertook ‘kashta mouna vrita’ (not even making signs or gestures). Thereafter, he undertook numerous pilgrimages including the Ashta Maha Khetra, Chaturdham, Shatapuri, Varanasi, Kaipavasgat Prayas, etc.
However, the seer’s Gandaki Yatra is considered to be the most noteworthy of all, a reference to which was made by Karnataka MLA R V Deshpande in his condolence message.
“The Gandaki yatra of Swamiji is a milestone in the community for centuries together and would act as a deepstambha for the younger generation,” Deshpande said. Located in the Himalayan range amidst snow-covered peaks, Gandaki lies 23,000 feet above sea level.
Writing in a booklet containing the biographical sketch of the Swami, the late Chandrakant Keni said that the achievements of the swami since he assumed the seat of the Gurupeeth were “multitude in number and diverse in quality and nature.”
“Renovation and reconstruction of the temples falling within the jurisdiction of the Mutt, installation of new idols wherever necessary, revival and rejuvenation of the traditional feats and festivals were undertaken. Yagyas, anushtanas were performed to strengthen the faith of the common man and to infuse devotion to family deities and Gurupeethas. Observing Chaturmas Vrita at far and near places, accessible to the followers settled in remote areas and spending the entire period with them was another annual activity,” Keni wrote in the booklet published in 2005.
Speaking to TOI in August 2017, the Swami, exuding pride in the four centuries-long history of Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam mutt that saw an unhindered lineage of 23 mathadhipatis, said that the mutt was the “emblem of Saraswat identity” and had “proved to be a rallying point for the unification of the Vaishnav community” where they regularly turn to for solace and advice in matters, both worldly and spiritual.
In September 2017, Shripad Vader Swami anointed Uday Bhat Sharma to be his successor and named him Vidyadheesh Teerth Shripad Vader Swami.
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19 July 2021
His Holiness Srimad Vidyadhiraja Teertha Sripad Wader Swamiji, the spiritual and administrative head of the Shree Samsthan Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Math passed away on Monday July 19. The end came peacefully at about 1.00 pm while the swamiji was engaged in study at the math’s headquarters in Partagali, a small town in south Goa. He was 76 and cardiac arrest is suspected to be the cause of death. His disciple and designated successor is Shri Vidhyadheesh Theertha.
PM Narendra Modi, CM Pramod Sawant, opposition leader Digambar Kamat paid rich tributes to the seer.
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