vidyavallabha teertharu matha kaniyooru mutt yati 31 present pontiff ವಿದ್ಯಾವಲ್ಲಭ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha (present pontiff)

Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha is the 30th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : Sri Krishnaraja

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha

Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha is the thirtieth pontiff in the lineage of Sri Kaniyoor Mutt. He was born as the second son of the blessed couple Vidwan Raghupati Acharya and Smt. Malathi Acharya on October 30th 1977 at Udupi. He was named as Krishnaraja Acharya by his parents. Krishnaraja underwent early schooling at Sri Madhwa Siddhanta Prabhodini Samskritha Mahapaatashaala at Udupi.

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha Swamiji, then pontiff of Kaniyoor Mutt identified Krishnaraja Acharya as his successor and ordained him for Sanyasa on May 8th 1992 at Pajaka Kshethra, the holy place where Sri Madhwacharya was born and named as Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha.

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vidyavarinidhi teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 30 pushya shukla ekadashi ವಿದ್ಯವಾರಿನಿಧಿ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha is the 29th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : Sri Narahari

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha

Aradhana : Pushya Shudha ekadashi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 36 years. He was born as the second son of Sri Ananthakrishna Acharya and Ratnavathimma and was named as Narahari in his Poorvashrama. He was born on 9th September, 1931 (Wednesday) at his maternal grandfather’s house at Chitpady, near Udupi. He spent majority of his childhood at his maternal grandfather’s house as the favorite grandson. His father was from Budeya village near Kaniyoor of Puttur taluk. But since 8 people from the family were Swamijis in the Kaniyoor mutt lineage, his father was staying in Udupi. Narahari had his primary education at Anantheswara school and then at Sanskrit patashala.

During that time the health of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha was failing, and the astrologers had warned that there would be a threat to the life of Swamiji in his 52nd year. Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha

decided that his younger brother Ananthakrishna Acharyas son Narahari as his successor after seeking the astrologers opinion. On 5th May 1942 Narahari, in his 11th year was initiated into the sanyasa ashrama as per Madhwa traditions and was named as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha.

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha had his initial Sanskrit learning at the Kaniyoor Mutt from Vid. Subramanya Puranik and Vid. Inna Vasudeva Acharya. He learnt Vedanta under the Madhwa philosophy from Sri Sugnanendra Theertha of Puttige Mutt and Sri Lakshmeendra Theertha of Shiroor Mutt.

Since Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha was always at Kaniyoor Mutt in Udupi, he would assist the Paryaya Swamiji with the daily pooja of Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana taking the small throne (sanna patta). Till his last breath he chanted the Hari Vayu stuti in the Punascharana way (prefatory rite) at the Mukhyaprana

Sannidhi. The Centenarian Swamiji of Sri Puttige Mutt Sri Sudhindra Theertha honored Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha by saying that no other Swamiji would have done the Krishna Mukhyaprana pooja as much as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha.

Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha in his last days used to call his disciple and successor and instruct him on

the most intrinsic qualities and rules of Sanyasa dharma, chanting of not less than 1000 pranava mantra,

parayana of Sri Bhagavadgeetha and Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, and all other duties. He also touched his head and blessed him to conduct a successful Sri Krishna Paryaya. The words of the master had a great effect on the disciple’s mind and increased his devotion towards his Guru. It was because of this blessing

that Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha was able to conduct his first Paryaya with great glory. Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha attributed this success to the blessings of his illustrious Guru. In 1970, Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha took over the administration of a higher primary school at Kidiyoor and named it after his Guru as Vidyasamudra higher primary school. With the help of the Municipal authorities of Udupi he renamed

an important road in Udupi as Vidyasamudra Road. In 1995 he constructed a choultry and named it as

Vidyasamudra Choultry. During his Paryaya he constructed a Goshala, named it as Sri Vidyasamudra

Smaraka Goshala in fond remembrance of his guru and offered it to Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana. This showed the steadfast devotion of Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha towards his illustrious Guru.

When Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha found signs that he was growing old, he chose his successor in his younger brother Sri Raghupati Acharyas second son, Krishnaraja. On 8th May 1992 (Friday) he gave him the Sanyasa Deekshe with all mantropadesha, coronated him and named him as Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha at Pajaka, the birth place of Sri Madhwacharya.

Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha, with his disciple Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha jointly took over the Sri Krishna Pooja Paryaya for the 4th term (1998-2000) and conducted the Pooja of Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana. When the Paryaya was into the 11th month, Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha left the material world on the auspicious evening of Vaikunta Ekadashi towards the heavenly abode

After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.

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vidyasamudra teertharu udupi 1964 matha kaniyooru mutt yati 29 magha shukla dwadashi ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಮುದ್ರ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha

Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha is the 28th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : Sri Narayana

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha

Aradhana : Magha Shudha Dwadashi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 61 years. He was born as the eldest son of a highly devoted and religious couple Narasimha Acharya and Rukmini Devi on 09th April 1890 at a village named Budeya, near Puttur of Dakshina Kannada District. He was named as Narayana by his parents. He was taught all the basic rituals at home by his father and his Brahmopadesham was performed at the age of 8 years. His devotion and detachment impressed the then pontiff of Kaniyoor mutt, Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha, who was also their close relative before accepting Sanyasa. This led Swamiji to declare him as his successor in the year 1902 and was initiated into sanyasa with the Ashrama name as Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha.

He had initial coaching in Sanskrit from Sri Belle Gururaja Acharya. Further he learnt all Sarva moola granthas and other Madhwa shastra granthas from the then pontiff of Admar Mutt, Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha.

Every morning, Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha Swamiji used to wake up at Arunodaya (about 2 hours before Sunrise), perform daily ablutions and then would prostate before his mother (who used to take rest in one of the rooms at the Mutt). Then he would pray before Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, and follow it by the reading of the day’s panchanga (calendar). Then in the company of the students of the Mutt he would visit temples’ around. He would start with the visit of Lord Sri Chandramouleswara and then proceed to Lord Sri Anantheswara.

Swamiji’s way of honoring the scholars was unique. He would give them handsome remuneration based on their ability and qualification. Beyond that he made arrangements for regular Ganahoma every Chathurthi, Durga pooja every full moon day, and Chandika homa during Navaratri. Also during the period of eclipse he would donate cows. Then during Ellamavasye (New moon day in the month of Margashira) he would take bath in the sea (Samudra Snana) and while returning from the bath he would visit Sri Shankara Narayan Temple at Kodavoor and Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple at Bannanje. Also during Krishna Angaraka Chaturdashi (14th Day after full moon but falling on Tuesday) he would take bath in the Swarna river. (During this day if one takes bath in the Swarna River he would hear sounds of burning, this is like all the sins burning away).

He renovated mutts in Udupi and Mallampalli. He took pilgrimage tour to Badari, Kashi etc.

Declaring the successor and travelling to the heavenly abode Swamiji declared his Poorvashrama brothers’ son Narahari as his successor and gave him Sanyasa deekshe in the year 1963 and named him as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha. He then kept the disciple with him in the Mutt and gave him all the required basic education in Sanskrit. Then he also made the disciple study advanced works of Madhwa philosophy under Sri Suprajnendra Theertha of Puttige Mutt and Sri Lakshmeendra Theertha of Shiroor Mutt, and he himself would also instruct him of the austerities of the ascetic (sanyasa) life.

On 26th Jan 1964 Swamiji (12th day of the Hindu Magha month), as usual Sri performed his daily pooja and japa. Then in the evening he paid a visit to Sri Chandramouleswara temple, Anantheswara temple and Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana, offered his daily prayers and returned to his Mutt. Every time before travel swamiji used to visit all the temples. Similarly, before his final travel swamiji visited all the temples and then came back to his own Mutt and leaned on the deerskin seat and left the worldly body and moved towards the heavenly abode of the Lord. The next day headlines of all Udupi newspaper read “The knowledge lamp of Udupi douses”. This shows the knowledge level of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha.

The Vrundavana of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha is at the backyard of Sri Krishna Mutt where all prominent Vrundavanas of the Swamiji’s of Ashta mutts are.

He handed over Peeta to Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.

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vidyanidhi teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 28 shravana bahula chaturthi ವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಧಿ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha

Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha is the 27th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name :

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vamana Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha

Aradhana : Sravana Bahula Chathurthi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vamana Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He renovated the mutts in Udupi, Kasaragod and Thalebailu (near Kaniyoor). He got specially honoured by the King of Travancore. He offered the small chariot to Lord Krishna for the purpose of daily utsava.

His Aradhana is observed on the 4th day of Sravana Bahula.

After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.

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vamana teertharu kaniyoor matha kaniyooru mutt yati 27 ashada bahula chaturthi ವಾಮನ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vamana Theertha

Sri Vamana Theertha is the 26th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name :

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyapati Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha

Aradhana : Ashada Bahula Chathurthi

Vrundavana : Kaniyoor

Sri Vamana Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyapati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He constructed a Mutt at Kaniyoor and consecrated there the Narasimha idol that was worshipped hitherto by Rishi Kanva, also he made arrangements there for the daily pooja. He also renovated mutt in Pajaka. His Aradhana is observed on the 4th day of Ashada Bahula.

After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Kaniyoor.

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vidyapati teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 26 vaishakha shukla dwadashi ವಿದ್ಯಾಪತಿ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyapati Theertha

Sri Vidyapati Theertha is the 25th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vasudeva Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vamana Theertha

Aradhana : Vaishakha Shudha Dwadashi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vidyapati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vasudeva Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He was a very good scholar,he taught his contemporary pontiff of the Vyasaraja Mutt and got showered with 2000 gold coins. During his paryaya, the then King of Mysore, Krishnarja Wodeyar visited the temple, he was highly impressed with Swamiji’s scholarly talents and gifted him his horse as offering. Swamiji knew that his death would be by serpent bite, He handed over Peeta to Sri Vamana Theertha. When he was bitten by a serpent went into meditation and left his mortal body on the 12th day of Vaishakha Shudha at Udupi.

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vasudeva teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 25 ashada bahula chaturthi ವಾಸುದೇವ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vasudeva Theertha

Sri Vasudeva Theertha is the 24th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyasagara Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyapati Theertha

Aradhana : Ashada Bahula Chathurthi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vasudeva Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyasagara Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. The King of Kodagu and Nizam of Hyderabad were his great devotees and were blessed immensely by the swamiji. As per the request of the Nizam of Hyderabad he stayed for some period at Bhagyanagar and blessed the devotees there. After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyapati Theertha he entered the Vrundavana on the 4th day of Ashada Bahula at Sri Krishna Sannidhana at Udupi.

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vidyasagara teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 24 pushya shukla saptami ವಿದ್ಯಾಸಾಗರ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyasagara Theertha

Sri Vidyasagara Theertha is the 23rd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name :

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vasudeva Theertha

Aradhana : Pushya Shudha Saptami

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vidyasagara Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He was very famous and when he was travelling through Kodagu (Coorg), there he was honoured by the kings of that province. He also got done in silver, idols of Keshava and other forms which decorate the western window of the inner sanctum of Lord Krishna. The kings of Hyderabad had lot of faith and respect towards Swamiji. When swamiji was in Hyderabad, someone poisoned a fruit and offered it to him. He came to know about this with his divine sight and he detoxified it to the surprise of his enemies. He handed over the Samsthana to his disciple Sri Vasudeva Theertha and

reached the heavenly abode on the 7th day of Pushya Shudha at Udupi.

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vibudhapriya teertharu udupi matha kaniyooru mutt yati 23 ashada shukla dwadashi ವಿಬುಧಪ್ರಿಯ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha

Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha is the 22nd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyaraja Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyasagara Theertha

Aradhana : Ashada Shudha Dwadashi

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyaraja Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 54 years. He was a great scholar of Madhwa Shastras and a great ascetic. During one of his pilgrimages he was at the banks of river Godavari. At that time, pleased with swamiji’s devotion and austerities, the Ganga came in the form of a stone in his hands. People who were there observed this and then the King of that province honoured swamiji learning about his greatness. Also, he gave a Gomedhe (Hessonite) box to keep the stone idol of Bhagirathi Devi. All devotees in the area around the banks of Godavari insisted that such a great swami to stay in that place forever. Swamiji told them that since the Krishna Pooja deekshe (Paryaya) was approaching fast he was unable to stay in that place. He came back to Udupi after being immensely honoured by the locals of that place. He made arrangements for daily pooja of Bhagirathi Devi along with Lord Narasimha. Even now, one could see the Gomedhe boxed Bhagirathi Devi getting worshipped with Lord Narasimha. Later he transferred the reins of the Mutt to his disciple Sri Vidyasagara Theertha and left for the heavenly abode on the 12th day of Ashada Shudha at Udupi.

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vidyaraja teertharu kaniyoor matha kaniyooru mutt yati 22 marghashira bahula shashit ವಿದ್ಯರಾಜ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vidyaraja Theertha

Sri Vidyaraja Theertha is the 21st saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha

Aradhana : Margashira Bahula Shashti

Vrundavana : Kaniyoor

Sri Vidyaraja Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 50 years. He went on pilgrimage to great places like Kashi, Prayaga and also taught many people all the granthas of Madhwa philosophy. He participated in many scholarly conferences and won over many

scholars of opposite schools of thought. He was well honoured and respected by all. There is a sloka available about him which says

yO&sau raMjitabhAjanaiH sulasadgAMgeyabhAShAgaNaiH

vajrEMdOpala padmarAgakhachitaiH nAnAnudAnaiScha yaH | kaaverImagamaddishaM…………………………………..

vidyArAjapadAMkitO mama gururdEyAdalaM maMgalaM ||

Mostly this could be a part of the Mangalashtaka created on Sri Vidyaraja Theertha. If we could get the full work probably lot more information on him could be collected. He entered Vrundavana on 6th day of the Margashira Bahula, after handing over Peeta to Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha.

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vibudhadhiraja teertharu kaniyoor matha kaniyooru mutt yati 21 chaitra bahula oanchami ವಿಬುಧಾಧಿರಾಜ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha

Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha is the 20th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyaraja Theertha

Aradhana : Chaitra Bahula Panchami

Vrundavana : Kaniyoor

Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 24 years. He was a great tapasvi and used to give great discourses on all Shastras like his Guru. He went on pilgrimage tour in regular basis. He handed over the samsthana to his disciple Sri Vidyaraja Theertha and entered Vrundavana on 5th day of Chaitra Shudha at Kaniyoor.

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vibudhavandya teertharu kaniyoor matha kaniyooru mutt yati 20 magha shukla pratipada ವಿಬುಧವಂದ್ಯ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha

Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha is the 19th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name : —

Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswendra Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha

Aradhana : Magha Shudha Padya

Vrundavana : Kaniyoor

Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Viswendra Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 17 years. He was well versed and performed all austerities befitting his ashram. He defeated many scholars belonging to opposite schools of thought and was well known as the conqueror in debates. He handed over the samsthana to his disciple Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha and entered the Vrundavana near his guru in Kaniyoor on the 1st day of Magha Shudha.

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vishwendra teertharu kaniyoor matha kaniyooru mutt yati 19 magha bahula dashami ವಿಶ್ವೇಂದ್ರ ತೀರ್ಥರು

Sri Viswendra Theertha

Sri Viswendra Theertha is the 18th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

Poorvashrama Name :

Ashrama Guru : Sri Varijaksha Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha

Aradhana : Magha Bahula Dashami

Vrundavana : Kaniyoor

Sri Viswendra Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Varijaksha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 23 years.

He was a great scholar, undertook pilgrimage tour. He was performing all related activities as per his ashrama, including all the japa, tapa. He was a scholar par excellence in Shastras and he taught his disciples various works of Madhwacharya. He travelled from Himalaya to Kanyakumari and then passed over the reins to his disciple Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha and entered Vrundavana at Muni Kanva’s place of penance in Kaniyoor on the 10th day of Magha Bahula.

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varijaksha teertharu matha kaniyooru mutt yati 18 vaishakha shukla panchami ವಾರಿಜಾಕ್ಷ ತೀರ್ಥರು

vaishAka shudda panchami is the ArAdhane of shri vArijAksha tIrtharu of kANiyUr maTa.

Sri Varijaksha Theertha

Sri Varijaksha Theertha is the 17th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.

parampare: kANiyUr maTa, #17

Poorvashrama Name :

Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhesha Theertha

Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswendra Theertha

Aradhana : Vaishakha Shudha Panchami

Vrundavana : Udupi

Sri Varijaksha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhesha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 23 years. He was famous as an austere person, with profound knowledge of philosophy and giving discourses. He passed on the responsibility of Samsthana to his disciple Sri Vishwendra Theertha and left the mortal world on the 5th day of Vaishakha Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswendra Theertha,

He was famous for being austere and for having profound knowledge of philosophy and in giving discourses.

He was also a contemporary of bhAvi samIra shri vAdirAja gurusArvabhowmaru. During his period shri vAdirAja swAmi consecrated the idol of shri madhwAchArya at his birth place, Pajaka.

shri vArijAksha tIrtha guruvAntargata, shri maharudradeva guruvAntargata, bhArathiramaNa mukhyaprANantargata lakshmi pate yoga narasimha dEvara pAdAravindakke gOvindA gOvindA....

shri krishnArpaNamastu...

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