Present Mathadhipati of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan

|| श्रीमत् परमहंस परिव्राजकाचार्य कुलतिलक यम नियमाध्यष्ठांग योग संपन्न
पद वाक्य प्रमाण पारावार पारंगत सर्वतंत्र स्वतंत्र श्रीमद्वैष्णव सिद्धांत प्रतिष्ठापनाचार्य
श्रीमद्व्यास रघुपति देव दिव्य श्रीपाद पद्मारधक श्रीमत् वरदेंद्र तीर्थ श्रीपाद
करकमल संजात श्रीमत् सुक्रतींद्र तीर्थ श्रीपाद वर कुमारक
श्रीमत् श्री सुधींद्र तीर्थ स्वामी श्रीपादाः ||

|| ಶ್ರೀಮತ್ ಪರಮಹಂಸ ಪರಿವ್ರಾಜಕಾಚಾರ್ಯ ಕುಲತಿಲಕ ಯಮ ನಿಯಮಾಧ್ಯಷ್ಟಾಂಗ ಯೋಗ ಸಂಪನ್ನ
ಪದ ವಾಕ್ಯ ಪ್ರಮಾಣ ಪಾರಾವಾರ ಪಾರಂಗತ ಸರ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ವೈಷ್ಣವ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾಪನಾಚಾರ್ಯ
ಶ್ರೀ ಮದ್ವ್ಯಾಸ ರಘುಪತಿ ದೇವ ದಿವ್ಯ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದ ಪದ್ಮಾರಾಧಕ ಶ್ರೀಮತ್ ವರದೇಂದ್ರ ತೀರ್ಥ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದ
ಕರಕಮಲ ಸಂಜಾತ ಶ್ರೀಮತ್ ಸುಕೃತೀಂದ್ರ ತೀರ್ಥ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದ ವರ ಕುಮಾರಕ
ಶ್ರೀಮತ್ ಶ್ರೀ ಸುಧೀಂದ್ರ ತೀರ್ಥ ಸ್ವಾಮೀ ಶ್ರೀಪಾದಂಗಳವರು ||

Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the present Mathadhipati of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, is the twentieth Swamiji in the Guru Parampara. In the Poorvashram (before being initiated into sanyasa by the previous Swamiji), he was known as Shri Sadashiva Shenoy, son of Shri Ramadas Shenoy, a trustee of Shri Venkataramana Temple in Ernakulam. He was born at Ernakulam on 31st March, 1926. He completed his Pre-University education in Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam and selected Natural Science, Physics and Chemistry as his main subjects. From an early age he had shown inclination towards a religious life. The noble traits of his character, his devotion to God, his desire to serve his fellow men, his honesty, his integrity and his love for Hindu Dharma were remarkable. When Shrimath Sukrateendra Thirtha Swamiji was camping at Ernakulam, this young boy attracted his attention. H.H Shri Swamiji had the intuition to choose the right man and was divinely inspired to select this boy to be his fittest successor, later to head Shree Kashi Math Samsthan. The father’s consent was obtained for the transformation of the college student into a Sanyasi, eventually to lead a sizeable portion of Vaishnava Goud Saraswath Brahmin community in the righteous path of Vaishnava Dharma.

The Guru-Swami took him to Mulki and on Wednesday, 24th May 1944 (Karka Lagna, Jeshta Shuddha Dwitiya of Tarana Samvatsara, Shalivahana Shaka 1866) initiated him into Sanyas in the divine presence of Lord Sri Venkataramana, Sri Ugra Narasimha and Sri Bindu Madhava in Mulki (KA IN) and renamed him as SHRIMATH SUDHINDRA THIRTHA, who then severed the family connections and took to his new duties earnestly and enthusiastically and led an austere life. He felt the need of equipping himself with all the knowledge of the Dharma Shastras. He mastered Sanskrit at the Bhuvanendra Sanskrit College, Karkala. The scholarly teachers of the college were appointed to impart the necessary education in Dharma Shastras. He was camping in Shrinivasa Ashrama in the College premises. In those days he was very fond of animals. There were many pets including a deer and a tiger cub in Shrinivasa Ashrama.

After taking the vow of celibacy in 1944 and preserving it since then, H.H Shri Swamiji strives day in and day out for the welfare and uplift of the community as a whole. Endowed with excellent grasping power, wonderful memory and extraordinary intelligence and plenty of God’s grace and Guru’s blessings, he completed his study in a short time. The Brahma Sutra, The Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads (Prasthana Traya) and other works were studied in great detail. He became a great scholar in Dwaita philosophy, as propounded by Shri Madhvacharya. He learnt the methods of worshipping God according to Agama Shastra. He travelled with the Guru to various places and picked up his duties well. He sat at the feet of the Guru and learnt the traditions of Shree Kashi Math.

His Holiness had taken charge of the Samsthan in 1949 after the Mukti of his Guru Shrimath Sukrathindra Thirtha Swamiji in Kochi. He bore the loss of his Guru with courage and took over the reigns of the spiritual chariot of the followers of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan in his able hands and has been leading the chariot since then.

He traveled widely from Kanya Kumari to Badrinath, meeting his disciples, exhorting them to lead a life of morality and religion, conducting the pujas to Shri Vyasa-Raghupati with unbounded devotion and single-pointed concentration and praying at all times for the welfare of the community. Kindness, compassion, generosity and breadth of vision are the strong traits of his way of work. He visited many places of pilgrimage including Nashik, Ujjain, Kurukshetra, Mathura, Ayodhya, Prayag, Kashi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badri, Tirupati, Srirangam, Madurai, Palani, Kumbhakonam, Rameshwaram and Kanya Kumari.

Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, like his predecessor Swamijis, performed many installation and re-installation ceremonies in various temples. Thus he performed the third renovation/ reinstallation ceremony of Shri Venkataramana Temple, Kundapura on Vaishakha Shuddha Trayodashi of Vikari Samvatsara, Sh. Sh. 1881 (Wednesday, 20-5-1959). The reinstallation ceremony at Shri Lakshmi Venkatesha Temple at Hosdurg was performed by him on Chaitra Shuddha Navami, Sharvari Samvatsara, Sh. Sh. 1882 (Monday, 4th April, 1960). The installation of idol of Shri Venkataramana in Balaji Mandir, Kurla, Mumbai was performed by him on Tuesday, 20th March, 1973. Among the temples renovated and the idols reinstalled by H.H Shri Swamiji are :

Shri Venkataramana Temple, Kasaragod, Shri Varadaraja Venkataramana Temple, Gurupura, Shri Venkataramana Temple, Mangalore, Sri Krishna Mandir, Mangalore etc. In addition, he installed various idols at different temples, such as Shri Venkataramana and Mahalasa Temples at Konchady Shri Kashi Math, Shri Muralidhara Krishna at Kota, Shri Narasimha at Shri Ramanjaneya Temple, Vile Parle (Mumbai), Shri Narasimha at Shri Venkataramana Temple, Uppinangadi and Shri Lakshmi Venkatesha Temple at Mudabidri.

In order to mark the Golden Jubilee of the annual Bhajana Saptaha at Shri Lakshmi Venkatesha Temple, Kasaragod, it was decided to conduct a Yajna by writing Shri Ramo fai Rama fai fai Rama, 52 crore times. Special books were prepared for the purpose and members of the community residing in different parts of the country contributed their share by writing the divine name as many times as they could. The Yajna was conducted in a grand manner under the able direction of H.H Shri Swamiji.

On another memorable occasion H.H Shri Swamiji was responsible for conducting a Utsava in which the Lord of Tirupati was seated on golden Garuda. H.H Shri Swamiji also participated in the divine procession, with the accompaniment of recitation of Vedas, instrumental music, singing of Bhajans etc.

The year 1963 was a red letter day not only in the history of Karkala but also in the history of Goud Saraswath Brahmin community. It was in that year that the heads of the three Maths Shrimath Dwarakanatha Thirtha Swamiji (Gokarna Partagali Jeevottam Math), Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji (Kashi Math) and Shrimath Sachhidananda Sarasvati Swamiji (Kavale Math) observed their annual Chaturmas Vrita in Shri Venkataramana Temple, Karkala. Perhaps such an event had never occurred in the history of these Maths earlier.

Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji performed the Sahasra Kumbhabhisheka in Shri Venkataramana Temple, Karkala, in March 1969 and in Shri Lakshmi Venkatesh Temple, Udupi in May 1971.

H.H Shri Swamiji founded two Math Bhavans, one at Bhagamandala on the banks of the river Kaveri (in 1960) and another at Bandora in Goa (in 1972). Shri Bhuvanendra Balakashrama, Basrur will long be remembered as a worthy monument. Founded in 1965 under the auspices of Shree Kashi Math, this institution is a bold venture, where some of our boys are trained to lead an ideal life. It started functioning by admitting fifteen students to whom Dharmic education is being imparted. Though the Math had decided to bear all the expenses in connection with the running of the institution many donors from the community have come forward to defray part of the expenses. An executive committee has been formed under the overall guidance of H.H Shri Swamiji to look after the affairs of the institution.

One of the major achievements of H.H Shri Swamiji is the founding of Shri Kashi Math Welfare Fund in Udupi. This concept was thought of in 1956, when H.H Shri Swamiji was camping in Shri Lakshmi Venkatesha Temple, Udupi, for observing the Chaturmas Vrita. With the noble idea of founding an organization, which would try to banish the social and economic ills afflicting the community, a meeting of the leaders of the community residing in South Kanara was convened in the temple on 26th August 1956. Three years later a draft constitution was approved by the community members, blessed by H.H Shri Swamiji and the institution was registered on 6th June, 1959. This provided for a Direction Committee, consisting of twenty members (all nominated by H.H Shri Swamiji) to implement the various activities outlined in the constitution. A few of the sixteen objectives listed in the constitution are given below :

1. To build up spiritual, religious, moral, educational, physical, cultural, social and economic life of the members of the Samaj.
2. To help deserving students in prosecuting their studies in Vedic religion or Shastras or in Arts, Commerce, Science and professional courses in school and colleges by giving them loans or scholarships, refundable with or without interest.
3. To provide homes for the poor and deserving children of the community, giving them free boarding at suitable centers.
4. To start, establish, construct, maintain or take over maternity homes, orphanages, relief centers etc. for helping and rehabilitating the sick for the eradication of beggary.
5. To publish and print booklets, books, pamphlets, magazines and other works on religious, social, economic or other subjects useful to the community members.
6. To renovate old temples of the community and to build or construct and manage new temples.
7. To give monetary help for the expenses of the marriages of the girls and the upanayanas of the boys of the absolutely poor members of the community and for cremation of the dead bodies and obsequies of the absolutely poor members of the community.

Among the various objectives adopted in the constitution, educational benefits to the youths of the community was chosen as the first field for implementing as advised by H.H Shri Swamiji. The others would be taken up when the organization is able to have large resources at its disposal.

Under this scheme, each member of a household is expected to pay Rs.50 towards the membership fee either in a lump sum or in installments and execute a Nirdhara Patra (a sort of an oath). H.H Shri Swamiji felt that a spiritually healthy, economically sound and educationally advanced community could be surest guarantee for the entire community.

The mode of contribution to the fund has been slightly modified since April 1967. According to the modified scheme, annual subscription would be collected from the members (classified as A, Band C classes or ordinary members) besides donors, life members and patrons.

H.H Shri Swamiji was responsible for the setting up of a publishing house, Bharatiya Samskritika Prakatanalaya, Mumbai in 197] with a suitable constitution with the aims and objects of publishing books and leaflets on the Vedic and Bharatiya culture and other allied activities. The management of the Prakashanalaya is being looked after by a committee of eleven members (all nominated by H.H Shri Swamiji). The capital required for the publication of books is raised by donations. One book Shri Hanumad Ramayana in Kannada has been published in ]972.

Shrimath Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji was given a sanad by the Government of Mysore in 1953. A copy of the same is reproduced below:

TRUE Copy

Court Stamp

Eight Annas

12-12-53 PROCEEDINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MYSORE Read:

1. O. No. 1336 – 7/Muz. 246-36-4 Dated 30th March 1938 sanctioning the ordinary honors of Pallakki, Nagari, Patakaru and Tala to the Sri Swamigalu of Sri Kashi Math, Banaras.
2. O. No. 17-24/Muz. 1-38-88 dated 5th June 1939 sanctioning the honors of Swethachatri, Ubhayasana and Talagalu to the Sri Swamigalu of Kashi Math, Banaras.

Srimukhams dated 23rd December 1952 and 12th March 1953 from Sri Swamigalu of Kashi Math, Banaras, requesting that a Rahadari permitting the Sri Swamigalu to use certain Royal, Special and Ordinary Honors and First Day’s Bhiksha of Rs. 50, when he visits Bangalore city, may be granted.

Correspondence ending with letter No. M.I.M. 2. 625/52-53 dated 7-4-1953 from the Muzrai Commissioner in Mysore, recommending sanction to the grant of Royal and Special Honors and a first day’s Bhiksha of Rs.50/- asked for by Sri Swamigalu of Sri Kashi Math, Banaras.

ORDER NO. R. 13052-65/MUZ. 249-52-4 Dated THE 10/1211-1953, BANGALORE

Sri Kashi Math, Banaras, is an ancient Math having its branches in more than 13 important places like Allahabad, Rameshwaram and Travancore with a good number of disciples all over India. In view of the reverence and high esteem in which the Sri Swamigalu is held by the Sarasvata Brahmana community all over India and as the Math has already been granted certain honors by this Government, sanction is accorded to the grant of the following

Royal and Special Honors to the Sri Swamigalu of the Math, in addition to those already enjoyed by the Math, and a First Day’s Bhiksha of Rs.50/- on the occasion of the visit of the Sri Swamigalu to Bangalore. Royal Honors Special Honors

• 1 Hagalu Deevatige
• 5 Ubhaya Chamara
• 2 Makara Torana
• 6 Kavi Nishanigalu
• 3 Dhavala Shankha
• 4 Surepan

The Muzrai Commissioner is requested to issue the necessary Rahadari to the Sri Swamigalu, a copy of the same being sent to the Government for reference and record.

Sd/-

(D,R. Chennarudrayya)

For Secretary to Government

Revenue Department

“COPY”

Sd/-

(D,R. Chennarudrayya)

For Secretary to Government

Revenue Department

(P.T.O.)

(Page 2)

Date of application 12-12-53

Number of words 368

Copying fees 0-8-0

Comparing fees 0-2-0

Copied by Sd/- (N. Narayana Shetty) 14-12-’53

Compared by Sd/ – (T. S. Ramachandran)

Copy read on 14-12-’53

Copy delivered on 14-12-’53

Necessary orders were issued (partly in Kannada and partly in English) to all the Taluk Amaldars in Mysore State by the Muzrai Commissioner in accordance with Order No. R-13052-651 Muz. 249- 52-4 of 10/12-11-1953, mentioned in the above Sanad. A free rendering of a copy of the orders is as follows –

No. R. Dis. M.I M.2 625-52-53.

From

The Office of Muzrai Commissioner, Mysore State.

For the information of the Amaldars of all Taluks in the Mysore State.

Whereas, Shree Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, bearing the titles such as Shrimath Paramahamsa Parivrajakacharya etc. and the head of Shri Kashi (Banaras) Math is traveling in Mysore State with the intention of propagating Dharma and to guide the Goud Saraswath Brahmin community members on various religious matters, whenever the said Swamiji crosses the boundary and enters the area under your jurisdiction, do not prevent him from doing so. Arrangements should be made for supplying the provisions required by H.H Shri Swamiji and his retinue, from whom the cost of the provisions should be recovered and paid to the merchants concerned. Further, H.H Shri Swamiji and his retinue should be provided with a safe place and arrangements should be made to see that there is no danger from thieves and bandits during the nights. Due respect should be given to H.H Shri Swamiji and his retinue.

The following honors are sanctioned by the Government of Mysore as per Order No. 13052-65-Muz. 249-52-4 dated 10th day of November 1953.

Royal Honors Special Honors

• 1 Hagalu Deevatige
• 1 Ubhaya Chamara
• 2 Makara Torana
• 2 Kavi Nishanigalu
• 3 Dhavala Shankha
• 3 Shweta Chatri
• 4 Surepan

Ordinary Honors

1. Ordinary Pallakki
2. 8 Sepoys
3. Ubhayasana
4. Camels
5. Nagari
6. Pipers
7. Pathakaru
8. Veda Ghoshakas
9. Talagala
10. Motor Car 1
11. Elephants
12. Bus 1
13. Horses

N.B. The Arms and Weapons, viz. one revolver, one pistol and two muzzle loading guns, one sword shown in the Rahadari granted to the head of (he Math in March 1941 (No. C 1894-38 39 of the Muzrai Commissioner’s Office) have been deleted, as per letter No. H. A. 3002-1 I-Pol. 63-53-4, dated 8th August 1953 of the Under Secretary to the Government of Mysore, Home Department, Bangalore. This Rahadari is issued under the authority of :

1. G. O. No. 1336-37-Muz. 246-36-4, dated 30-3-1938
2. G. O. No. 17-28-Muz. 1-38-88, dated 5-6-1939.
3. G. O. No. R 13052 Muz. 249-52-4, dated 10-11-1953.

Bangalore Sd/-

Dated 15-1-1954 G. N. Nagaraja Ran

Muzrai Commissioner

WD 1596-GpB-200-31-1-54