Sri Sri Vishwesha Theertha Sreepadaru, 32nd pontiff of the renowned Pejawar Adokshaja Mutt, one of the eight Mutts founded by Madhwacharya here was a rare religious personality in comparison to the present day run of mill Swamijis’. In that way it’s no exaggeration if one comes to the conclusion that the state and nation has lost a true son in the demise of the great Seer.
 |
| Vishwesha Theertha Sreepadaru |
The Pejawar Mutt Swamiji was truly a multifaceted personality who dared to transgress the physical boundaries of his Mutt and travelled across the country to spread Lord Krishna’s teachings of love and brotherhood among fellow beings.
He had multiple titles to his credit including like the ones’, “Maha Santha(Great Saint), Madhwa Mata Pracharaka(Madhwa Philosophy Propagator), Hindu Kula Tilaka(The Ornament of Hindus), Apratima Jnani(Amazingly knowledgeable person) among many a other.By the passing away of the 88 years old Seer it looks like a glorious chapter in the annals of one of the eight Udupi Mutts and a prolonged lifeline link to several thousand disciples, followers and admirers has ceased to exist to enter the history books.
The original name was Venktramana, but Kamalamma, his loving mother used to call him Venkatramu. Venkataramana was one of three and eldest sons of Kamalamma-Narayanacharya couple based at Ramakunja under the purview of Putturu Taluk. He also had three sisters and was born on 27 April 1931.
Narayanacharya’s younger brother was a Manager in Pejawar Mutt during a juncture when finding means for a livelihood itself was a big struggle. He had a practice of visiting Talacauvery, birthplace of River Cauvery during a particular period of the year.Then if one were to visit other places it used to happen with the entire family! So this way Venkatramu, as a child kept on moving to different places along with his parents. And during those days, schooling also meant going to schools wherever you happen to be!
He had multiple titles to his credit including like the ones’, “Maha Santha(Great Saint), Madhwa Mata Pracharaka(Madhwa Philosophy Propagator), Hindu Kula Tilaka(The Ornament of Hindus), Apratima Jnani(Amazingly knowledgeable person) among many a other.By the passing away of the 88 years old Seer it looks like a glorious chapter in the annals of one of the eight Udupi Mutts and a prolonged lifeline link to several thousand disciples, followers and admirers has ceased to exist to enter the history books.
The original name was Venktramana, but Kamalamma, his loving mother used to call him Venkatramu. Venkataramana was one of three and eldest sons of Kamalamma-Narayanacharya couple based at Ramakunja under the purview of Putturu Taluk. He also had three sisters and was born on 27 April 1931.
Narayanacharya’s younger brother was a Manager in Pejawar Mutt during a juncture when finding means for a livelihood itself was a big struggle. He had a practice of visiting Talacauvery, birthplace of River Cauvery during a particular period of the year.Then if one were to visit other places it used to happen with the entire family! So this way Venkatramu, as a child kept on moving to different places along with his parents. And during those days, schooling also meant going to schools wherever you happen to be!
This way Venkatramu went to four schools within a couple of years. He went to Belanduru School while in mother’s village, Neranki School during his days in Ramakunja. He even went to the Sanskrit school at Ramakunja and while in Udupi to the Mahatma Gandhi Government Higher Primary School before the City Municipality.
Interestingly the same Venkatramu with this sort of humble educational background, after becoming a Sanyasi at a tender age of eight years over a period of time grew up to become beacon of light to lakhs of poor, needy and helpless children to cherish their dreams of getting educated.Had Sri Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji remained confined to the religious activities of the Mutt, probably he would have become one more in the big list of Ashtamutt Swamijis’. But he preferred to be different in any number of ways possible.He created a flutter among conservative religious elements and at the same time also carved history by resolving to visit the colonies of the untouchables in order to prevent the missionary zeal of converting Hindus to Christianity.
The move sent shocking waves among blindfolded religious people while it paved way for public debates about the pros and cons of religious conversions. Many Dalit writers and activists made use of the occasion to hammer the stance of the Swamiji decrying it like shedding ‘Crocodile tears” on the apathy meted out to the out casted community.The debate still continues and opinions in favour and against still continue to loom at large but no one has questioned the sincere commitment of the Swamiji in his attempts to bring the depressed class people to the mainstream of the society.
In that way Sri Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji has a series of laurels to his credit unlike his contemporaries or predecessors. His mission of reaching to the tribal community juxtaposed between statutory stipulations of being evicted from their homeland for generations and the fear of being lost in the name of rehabilitation is well known.
He also took active part in leading agitations against so called development projects undermining the echo system and environmental concerns. Thanks to his enthusiasm in engaging himself, many a developmental project was shelved due to the public pressure created as a result.
Rama Janma Bhoomi movement: The Seer’s proactive role as a functionary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishat and thereby leading the Rama Janma Bhomi national wide agitation to take it to altogether a different perspective continues to be remembered by all those involved in the movement.Of late he had started a practice of hosting Iftar parties in the Mutt premises much to the ire of traditional dissidents within the Mutts and community people. However, he braved all such criticism and went ahead in continuing the new tradition.
-Manohar Yadavatti
Interestingly the same Venkatramu with this sort of humble educational background, after becoming a Sanyasi at a tender age of eight years over a period of time grew up to become beacon of light to lakhs of poor, needy and helpless children to cherish their dreams of getting educated.Had Sri Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji remained confined to the religious activities of the Mutt, probably he would have become one more in the big list of Ashtamutt Swamijis’. But he preferred to be different in any number of ways possible.He created a flutter among conservative religious elements and at the same time also carved history by resolving to visit the colonies of the untouchables in order to prevent the missionary zeal of converting Hindus to Christianity.
The move sent shocking waves among blindfolded religious people while it paved way for public debates about the pros and cons of religious conversions. Many Dalit writers and activists made use of the occasion to hammer the stance of the Swamiji decrying it like shedding ‘Crocodile tears” on the apathy meted out to the out casted community.The debate still continues and opinions in favour and against still continue to loom at large but no one has questioned the sincere commitment of the Swamiji in his attempts to bring the depressed class people to the mainstream of the society.
In that way Sri Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji has a series of laurels to his credit unlike his contemporaries or predecessors. His mission of reaching to the tribal community juxtaposed between statutory stipulations of being evicted from their homeland for generations and the fear of being lost in the name of rehabilitation is well known.
He also took active part in leading agitations against so called development projects undermining the echo system and environmental concerns. Thanks to his enthusiasm in engaging himself, many a developmental project was shelved due to the public pressure created as a result.
Rama Janma Bhoomi movement: The Seer’s proactive role as a functionary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishat and thereby leading the Rama Janma Bhomi national wide agitation to take it to altogether a different perspective continues to be remembered by all those involved in the movement.Of late he had started a practice of hosting Iftar parties in the Mutt premises much to the ire of traditional dissidents within the Mutts and community people. However, he braved all such criticism and went ahead in continuing the new tradition.
-Manohar Yadavatti
A very informative article.
ReplyDeleteR D Hakari
Very informative article.
ReplyDelete