Shri Kanchi
Kamakoti Peetham
Website: http://www.kamakoti.org History of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
More than 2500 years ago,
an avalanche of heretic and non-Vedic sects, with horrible religious
practices threatened to wipe away the ancient Veda-Dharma. In the Bhagavad
Geeta, Lord Krishna has told Arjuna that, whenever there arises danger to
Dharma, He (Krishna) will incarnate in this world to eradicate adharma and
re-establish Dharma. In consonance with his words, the Lord has made partial
incarnations during the course of the present Kali Age. And such an
incarnation is the partial incarnation of Siva as Sankara Bhagavatpada,
which happened some twenty-five centuries ago, on the prayer of celestials
to Lord Siva to redeem Bharata-desa from the clutches of non-Vedic heretic
sects. Several sources of authentic information lead to the conclusion that
Sri Adi Sankara was born at Kaladi on the fifth day of the bright fortnight
of the Vaisaka month of the cyclic year Nandana in cyclic year Nandana -
Kali 2593 corresponding to 509 B.C.
Sri Sankara
Bhagavadpadacharya was one of the greatest philosophers and spiritualists of
the world. He was a discerning dialectician, a consummate commentator and
celebrated poet. His miraculous achievements, within a short span of life of
thirty-two years, speak of his super-human aspect. Sages and scholars, who
have shone through the centuries after his time, have regarded Him as an
incarnation of the Divine. Many a thinker and many a scholar of different
climes and times has been attracted by the philosophic discipline of Advaita
(Monism) effectively propagated by Sankara. Even modern thinkers and
scholars have paid eulogistic tributes to Sankara's genius.
Sankara's yatra to Kailasa,
the abode of Lord Siva, is one of the most notable events in the history of
the Acharya. During the course of his peregrination in the Himalayan region,
Sankaracharya desired to have darshan of Sri Paramesvara having his abode in
Kailas. Sankara managed to reach Kailas quickly because of His yogic power.
He had darshan of Lord Paramesvara and Devi Parvati. According to tradition,
Sankara adored Paramesvara by singing two hymns, known as "Sivapadadi-kesanta
stotram" and "Sivakesadi-padanta stotram". Immensely pleased with Sankara's
prayers, Paramesvara blessed Sankara, presented him with five sphatika
(crystal) lingas and instructed him to arrange for the worship of the lingas
for the sake of the welfare of the universe, indicating also the mode of
worship. Paramesvara also handed over to Sankara the palm-leaf manuscript of
Soundarya Lahari, which is noted as Siva's own hymn in praise of the
Parasakti.
From available biographical
information, it is learnt that Sankaracharya placed one of the five sphatika
lingas got at Kailas and kept the Yoga Linga for his own personal worship
and that of his successors at Kanchi.
Bhagavatpada Sankara got
Kanchi city remodeled and also caused the reconstruction of the three
principal temples of Kanchi, viz., the temples of Sri Ekamranatha, Devi
Kamakshi and Sri Varadaraja with the assistance of Rajasena, ruler of Kanchi.
Sankara consecrated the Srichakra before Devi Kamakshi and thereby secured
Her bounteous grace for devotees having Her darshan.
A significant event in the
history of Sankaracharya is his occupying the Sarvajnapeetha - the Throne of
Omniscience at Kanchi. A great ascetic one of the early Acharyas of the
Kanchi Sankaracharya Math - by name Jnanottama - has written a commentary
entitled "Chandrika", on Sureswaracharya's "Naishkarmyasiddhi". The second
sloka (at the end of the commentary) alludes to the author of the Chandrika
as the glory of the Sarvajnasrama by which term we have to understand the
Sarvajna Pitha or the Pontifical seat the Advaita Matha in Kancheepuram.
Sankara Bhagavapadacharya
retired to Kanchi, the Southern Mokshapuri, towards the end of his earthly
career and shook off his mortal coils in that sacred city. A number of works
state these facts. Verse 46 of the sixteenth chapter of the ninth section of
the voluminous Sanskrit work "Sivarahasya" (in the printed Canareese edition
No. 32), Jayachamarajendra Series of the Mysore Palace, refers to
Sankaracharya's worship of the Yoga, Bhoga, Vara, Mukti and Moksha lingas,
to his success over scholars of other faiths and to his attaining siddhi
(eternal bliss) at his own ashrama in Kanchi.
Markandeya Samhita, an
ancient puranic treatise, consists of 100 khandas, each having sub-sections
called parispandas, Sub-section 7 and 8 of the 72nd khanda of this work
narrate briefly the history of Sankara. "Sankaracaritam". A verse, in the
seventh parispanda of the 72nd khanda of this work, relates that the Mahatma
Sankara, attained the cit-svarupa, i.e. attained eternal bliss at Kanchi,
after having consecrated Kamakshi.
Anantanandagiri's biography
of Sankara (12th century A.D.) - all versions printed and manuscripts,
including the Madras University edition - says "The World Preceptor (Sankara)
desiring to leave for his own abode, sitting once in the Moskhapuri of
Kanchi, absorbed his gross body into the subtle one and getting reduced into
the size of a thumb, attained eternal bliss and remains as the all-pervading
"Cit" to this day".
Coming to modern times,
there is quite a large number of works, in different languages, written by
erudite scholars mentioning Kanchi as the last resort of Sankara.
Apart from all the
citations made above, it needs mention that, in the Srimukha-Birudavali (the
string of honorific epithets) of the Sankaracharya Math at Kanchi (existing
without change from very ancient times), the following epithet is found:
"Srimacchankara
Bhagavatpadacharyanam adhisthane Simhasanabhishiktanam"
The word "adhisthane"
points to Sankara's siddhi at Kanchi.
It may be noted that the
name of Sri Sankaracharya is found only in the official seal of Kanchi
Kamakoti Matha. The word "Kanci-divya kshetre and the phrase "Srimacchankara-Bhagavatpadacaryanam
adhisthane" in the birudavali indicate Sankara's siddhi at Kanchi.
Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada
was not merely a great philosopher and preceptor, but an adept in organising
and a conspicuous national integrator of a very early period of India's
history. For safeguarding the Veda-Dharma and restoring it to its pristine
glory and for propagating the Advaita discipline, the Great Acharya
established monastic institutions at many of the sacred and important places
of the country that he had visited during his digvijaya-yatra..
From Anantanandagiri (1119
- 1199 A.D.) whose work is the earliest biography of Sankara, down to
Mahamahopadhyaya Lakshmana Suri (Author of "Bhagavatpadabhyudayam" - 1917)
of the last century, a number of reputed historians, distinguished scholars
and researchers have candidly stated, in their works, that the Great Sankara
established monastic institutions (mathas) at many an important and sacred
places that he visited, during his digvijaya tours.
Guhya-Sahasranama
(Sanskrit) refers to five Sankaracharya Peethas (Maths), -Kamakoti Peetha as
presided over by Sankara himself, to four disciples, Suresvara, Padmapada,
Totaka and Hastamalaka, to the places of the four other peethas and to five
Sphatika lingas.
It may be interesting to
read about a Sankara Math at the sacred city of Kasi. This is known as
Sumeru Math and as Paduka Math. It is presided over by an Advaita Dandi
Sanyasi. In some authentic works, only one monastic institution is spoken
of. In the Sankaracharya Charita by Govindanatha, and the Sankarabhydaya of
Rajachudamani Deekshita, there is no mention about any Matha or Peetha
except the Sarvagna Peetha at Kanchi.
Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada
settled down at Kancheepuram (Kanchi) at the end of his peregrinations and
spent the evening years of his life in the Math at Kanchi, established on
Vaisakha Sukla Purnima of the year Sidharthi - Kali 2620 (482 B.C.) He
initiated a very young boy into the ascetic order, nominated him as his
successor in his Kanchi Matha, and placed him under the care of Sri
Suresvara, the most aged and the most erudite of His disciples. Sri Sankara
Bhagavatpada attained Videha mukti in his 32nd year - Cyclic year Raktakshi,
Adhika Rishabha Maasa, Sukla Ekadasi - Kali 2625 (477 B.C.)
After the Great Acharya,
Sri Adi Sankara, a long line of successor Acharyas distinguished for their
learning, discipline and penance has adorned the Acharya Peetham at Kanchi
Sankara Math. Sarvajnatman, the immediate successor of the Bhagavartpada was
the author of the masterly "Samkkshepa-Sareeraka" and of the "Sarvajna-Villasa".
Jnananda, the grand-disciple of Sri Sarvajnatman wrote a commentary by name
Chandrika on Sri Sureswara's Naishkarmya-Siddhi (This has been published as
No. 33 of the Bombay Sanskrit and Prakrit Series in 1925 A.D.) Sri Krpa
Sankara, the ninth pontifical head of the Kanchi Math, chose to continue and
perfect the noble work inaugurated by the Bhagavatpada. He is credited with
the re-consecration of the Srichakra in the temple of Devi Kamakshi at
Kanchi and of Tatankas (ear-ornaments) of Sri Akilandesvari at Tiruvanaikoil
(near Tiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu). Sri Muka Sankara, a deaf-mute of
Kanchi, gained the power of speech by the grace of Sri Kamakshi. He became
the twentieth Acharya of the Kanchi Math. Sri Muka Sankara has written "MukaPancasati"
(Sanskrit) which contains five hundred verses. It is a lyrical outburst of
poetry on Devi Kamakshi of Kanchi. It is said that, the beauty of diction
and mellifluence of the work is rivaled only by the Krishna-Karnamrta of
Leela Suka.
Among the Acharyas of the
medieval age, the name of Abhinava Sankara stands preeminent. He was so
great that he was confounded with the timings and deeds of the Great Adi
Sankara. He was the disciple of Sri Vidyaghana (37th Acharya). Abhinava
Sankara made extensive tours in North India. He defeated (in debate) the
famous Vakpati Bhatta, a reputed scholar of the court of the King of
Kashmir. He ascended the Sarvjna Peetha, in Kashsmir (Srinagar) after
winning over many great scholars.
Another famous Acharya of
the Kanchi Peetha was the 47th - Sri Chandracuda Sarasvati (1098 -1166 A.D.)
He traveled widely all over the country. This Acharya was held in great
esteem by erudite scholars such as Manka, author of Srikantha Charita, by
Krishna Misra, author of "Prabhoda Chandrodaya" and by Jayadeva, author of "Prasanna
Raghava", "Chandraaloka" and "Bhakti Kalpa-Latika". Jayasimha, ruler of
Kashmir, was a staunch devotee of this Acharya. The 51st preceptor, Sri
Vidyateertha (1247 - 1297 A.D) was an erudite scholar. Saayana, commentator
of the Vedas, Madhavacharya (Vidyaranya after becoming an ascetic), Bharati
Krishna Teertha (of Sringeri Math), Vedanta Desika and Sankarananda of
Kanchi Sankara Math were prominent among Vidya Teeertha's disciples. Sri
Sankarananda, the next Acharya, has written commentaries (called Deepikas)
on four of the principal Upanishads and also a gloss on the Bhagavat Geeta.
Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra
Sarasvati, the 54th preceptor wrote a biography of Adi Sankara. (This work
has been published by the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library at
Madras). Sri Paramasivendra Sarasvati (57th Acharya) was author of "Dahara-Vidya-Prakasika"
and a commentary on Siva Geeta. The 58th Acharya of the Peetha was Atma
Bodhendra, also known as Visvadhikendra, went on a tour to Varaanasi where
he stayed for some years. Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra, disciple and successor
of Sri Atma Bodha, propagated the path of devotion as means of salvation. He
wrote two works on the efficacy of chanting the names of Bhagavan, viz.
Namamrta Rasayana and Namamrta Rasodaya.
Among the later Acharyas,
Sri Chandrasekharendra (1746 - 1783 A.D.), the 62nd Acharya of Kanchi, had
to migrate to the southern districts of the Tamil region due to the
uncertain political atmosphere that prevailed in the area around
Kancheepuram, during the period of the Carnatic Wars. After prolonged camps
at Ramanathapuram, Trivandrum, Pudukkottai, etc., this Acharya stayed for
long at Udayarpalayam on the request of the Zamindar of Udayarpalayam. Later
in about 1760 A.D., the Acharya moved to Thanjavur complying with the
request of Raja Pratapa Simha, ruler of the Maratha Kingdom of Thanjavur.
About a year later, this Acharya began to reside in the new Math built on
the bank of the river Kaveri at Kumbhakonam, by Dabir Panth, Minister of
Thajavur, under the direction of Raja Pratapa Simha.
The 63rd Acharya was a
great yogi. The next preceptor, Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati was an
adept in Mantra-sastra. He got the temple of Sri Kamakshi at Kanchi,
repaired and performed Kumbhabhishekham to it in 1840 A.D. He also caused
repairing of the Tatanka (ear-ornaments) of Goddess Sri Akilandesvari, in
the Jambunatha temple at Tiruvanaikoil (near Tiruchirapalli, and
reconsecrated them on the ears of the Devi in 1848 A.D. It is to be noted
that the three Acharyas (62nd, 63rd, and 64th) attained external bliss at
Kumbhakonam and that their Brindavans (place where mortal remains of an
ascetic are interred) are in the backyard of the Sankara Math at Kumbhakonam.
The 65th Acharya of Kanchi
Sankara Math was Sri Mahadevendra Sarasvati (1851 1891 A.D.) who toured
widely throughout South India. He attained siddhi at the village of
Elayathankudi, in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The Brindavans
of the next two Acharyas, (66th and 67th) are at Kalavai about 20 miles away
from Kancheepuram.
The 68th Acharya of Kanchi,
the world-renowned Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Swami, became pontiff in
1907 when he was barely thirteen years of age. He shone as Acharya for
nearly 87 years. In 1908, He performed kumbhabhishekam of the Jambunatha and
Akilandesvari shrines at Tiruvanaikoil, near Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. In
1923, He caused the repairs to be made for the Tatanka of Sri Akilandesvari
and had them reconsecrated them on the ears of the Devi. In 1934 He reached
Allahabad and deposited in the Triveni-Sangamam, the sacred sand taken from
Rameswaram. Later He was at Banares for about six months. He was held in
great esteem by the Maharaja of Kasi, Pandit Madan Mohan Malavya, Vice
Chancellor of Banares Hindu University, and a host of reputed scholars and
ardent devotees. Later He returned to the south and established several
organisations for the study of the Veda, Sastra, etc., and some social
welfare institutions also.
His successor, on the
Kanchi seat of the Bhagavatpada, is Sri Jayendra Sarasvati Swami who was
initiated and nominated successor in 1954. In 1983, this 69th Preceptor gave
sanyasa-deeksha to a boy in his early teens, gave him the name Sankara
Vijayendra Sarasvati and nominated him as successor Acharya. The 69th
Acharya and his Disciple Acharya are adorning the Kanchi Sankara Matha at
present.
Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham
has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas till now. The
Acharyas have taken measures for the protection of Veda Dharma, for
propagating the Advaita discipline, and alleviating the sufferings of the
people.
A Keerti Sthamba (Pillar of
Fame) has been erected in the year 1978 at Kaladi, the birth place of Sri
Adi Sankara on Sankara Jayanthi day (May).
During the time of the 68th
Acharya and later, suitable memorials have been erected in commemoration of
the Bhagavatpad's visit to important places of Bharat such as Allahabad,
Tiruvidaimarudur, Rameswaram, Puri-Jagannatha, Srisailam, Tryambaka, etc.
Renovation of ancient
temples which are in need of repairs is one of the important activities of
the Math. During His life time, Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Swamigal
(68TH Acharya) on the occasion of Bhoomi Pooja in 1981, blessed the leading
citizens of Sattara for construction of a new temple on the model of the
famous Sri Nataraja temple at Chidambaram in Tamil Nadu. The kumbabhishekam
of this temple known as Uttara Chidambaram was performed in the immediate
presence of His Holiness Sri Jayendra Sarasvati Swamigal in 1984.
New temples have been
erected for Kamakshi and Subramanya at Delhi, Kamakshi temples at Coimbatore
and Salem, Subramanya temple at Secunderabad.
One of the temples that
have come up is the Ekkavan Sakthi Peet in Ambaji (Gujarat) where all the 51
Sakti Peetams have been represented.
At Guwahati (Assam), Sri
Purva Tiruapati Balaji Mandir has come up. The main deity, Sri Venkateswara,
is an eleven feet high icon - a replica of the Venkateswara at Tirumala (Tirupati)
in Andhra Pradesh. Similarly, a temple for Sri Balaji was constructed at
Ponda, Goa and Maha Kumbhabhishekam was performed on April 24, 2000 in the
presence of the Acharyas of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
Exquisite sculptures
depicting history and legend adorn the temples of Goddess Kamakshi, Lord
Balaji and Sahasra Linga at Prayag (Allahabad) near the confluence of Ganga,
Yamuna and invisible Saraswati.
The famous temple car of
Sri Varadaraja Perumal at Kanchi was completely redone at considerable cost
and was inaugurated in May 2000. Rajagopurams at the northern and southern
side of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram are being constructed with
the blessings of the Acharyas.
While activities of a
religious nature are undoubtedly within the realm of the Peetham, the social
side has not been neglected.
A good number of Veda
Patasalas have been established wherein different sakhas of Veda are being
taught.
Apart from Veda Patasalas,
seventeen Oriental schools and thirty-eight Sankara Schools are functioning
in different parts of the country under the guidance of the Math.
Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
runs hospitals at different places, which includes the Kamakoti Child Trust
Hospital in Madras, Eye Hospitals at Coimbatore and Guwahati, hospitals at
Madhubani (Bihar), Rathura for tribals (Uttranchal), Berhampur (Orissa)
Hindu Mission Hospitals in many places in Tamil Nadu.
The Acharyas sympathy for
the poor and the lower classes of society is too well known to be mentioned
here.
Charitable trusts,
established with the blessings of the Acharyas come to the aid of poor
families to enable them to perform marriages of their daughters, Homes for
the Aged and uncured for are functioning with a considerable number of
inmates in each. Also, at Kalavai (Tamil Nadu), a home for the disabled is
also functioning. Handicapped persons are provided with tricycles,
artificial limbs, etc.
Sri Chandrasekharendra
Saraswati Rural Development Trust and several such other organisations take
care of the rural and neglected areas. Unemployed youths are provided with
means for starting some craft to earn their livelihood. Likewise women are
given sewing machines as a self-employment measure.
Nithya Annadhanam (free
food) is provided to all devotees visiting Kanchi and the Math. The "Pidi
Arisi Thittam" (Handful of Rice) scheme is running successfully at many
places. Under this scheme, every household sets apart just a handful of rice
every day and this will be collected by a central agency once a week, cooked
in some temples and offered as neivedya to the deity and then distributed to
the poor and needy.
Prasadam, blessed by the
Acharyas are distributed to the patients in hospitals, inmates of jails,
orphanages, etc.
The Math runs go-salas
(shelter for the cows).
Victims of flood, famine,
earthquake and other natural calamities are being helped in various ways
under the orders of the Acharyas.
"Dharmo Rakshati Rakshita".
Go Top
History of
Shri kanchi kamakoti Peetham
Appendix I
Sri Kota Venkatachalam in his "Chronology of Nepal History",
reconstructed, assigns the following events of the life of Sri Sankara
Bhagavatpada :
| |
Kali |
B.C. |
| Birth of Sri Sankara (Cyclic year Nandana) |
2593 |
509 |
| Upanayana of Sankara |
2598 |
504 |
| Completed study of the Veda |
2601 |
501 |
| Got his mother's permission to enter the Holy Order of Sanyasa (Kartika
Sukla Ekadasi, Cyclic year Plava) |
2603 |
499 |
| Philosophical study under Govinda Bhaghavatpadacharya |
2603-2605 |
499-497 |
| Sankara, in his 16th year, met Kumarila Bhatta for the first and the
last time in Rudhapura near Prayaga at the time of self-immolation by
Kumarila Bhatta (Kumarila was older than Sankara by 48 years (Cyclic
year Kilaka) |
2609 |
493 |
| Sri Sankara founded the Dwaraka Math (Magha SuklaSapthami of the
cyclic year Sadharana with Hastamalaka as its first Acharya) |
2611 |
491 |
| Sri Sankara founded the Jyotir Math on Pusya Suddha Poumima of the
cyclic year Raksasa with Totakacharya as its first Acharya |
2616 |
486 |
| Sri Sankara founded the Govardhan Math of Purl (Jagannath) on
Vaisakha Sukla Navami of the cyclic year Nala with Padmapadacharya as
its first Acharya |
2617 |
485 |
| The Sarada Peetha at Sringeri was founded by Sri Sankara in Pusya
Purnima of the year Pingala with Sureswaracharya , as its first
Pitadhipati |
2618 |
484 |
| The Kamakoti Pieetha at Kanchi was founded in Vaisakha Sukla Purnima
of the year Siddharthi with Adi Sankara himself as the first Acharya |
2620 |
482 |
| Niryana of Sankara in his 32nd year on Sukla Ekadasi of the month of
Adhika Rishobha in the Cyclic Year Raktakshi |
2625 |
477 |
Appendix II
History of the Kanchi Sankaracharya Math and Acharaparampara
| 1 |
Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada : On reaching
Kanchi, after the digvijaya tours, Sri Sankaracharya settled down at
Kanchi, established a Math for his own residence in that city, gave
sanyasa deeksha to a very young boy of Thambaravarni valley, gave him
the name Sarvajnatman, nominated him as successor Acharya of the Kanchi
Sankaracharya Math and put him under the care of Sri Suresvaracharya. A
long line of unbroken erudite and pious Acharyas have adorned the
Kamakoti Peetham. Some of the most famous in this line of Acharyas are
Sri Krpa Sankara, Sri Muka Sankara, Sri Abhinava Sankara, Sri
Paramasivendra Saraswati, Sri Bhodhendra Saraswati and the world
renowned 68th Acharya, Pujyasri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal (Maha
Periyaval), a benign soul who illustrated to us, through His universal
tolerance, lofty nobility, profound erudition, towering spirituality and
child like simplicity, like what the great Bhagavatpada Himself
Adi Sankara took to sanyasa directly from Brahmacharya asrama. The same
order is being followed till now where the Head of the Matham is
selected from Brahmacharis only. The Acharyas of Kamakoti Peetham have
the title "lndra-Saraswati". The Acharyas themselves perform daily tri-kala
pooja to Sri Chandramauleesvara. |
| 2 |
Sri Suresvaracharya : Sri
Sureswaracharya was the most learned and aged of Sri Bhagavatpada's
disciples. He was a native of Mahishmati. He was known as Mandana Mishra
before He was initiated into the ascetic order by Sri Sankara
Bhagavatpada. History of how Sri Sankara had a long debate with Sri
Mandanat Mishra on various topics in the poorva mimamsa and in Advaita
Vedanta, and how Sri Mandana Mishra was defeated in arguments and how he
was given sanyasai and taken along with Him by the great Acharya, is
recorded in most biographies of Sankara. After a long and eventful
career and having been the author of the Vaathika on Sankara's
Brhadaranyopanishad Bhashya and having authored the famous philosophical
treatise known as Naishkarmya-Sidhi, Sri Sureswaracharya shook off his
mortal remains at Kanchi, the southern Mokshapuri, on Sukla Ekadasi of
Jyestha in the Cyclic Year Bhava (407 B.C). The presence of a street
till recently under the name of Mandana Misra Agraharam, and the
presence of a stone icon of Sri Sureswaracharya inside the Sri Kanchi
Kamakoti Sankaracharya Math (which is in daily worship) confirm the
connection of Sri Sureswaracharya with Kanchi Sankar Math and his videha
mukthi at Kanchi. |
| 3 |
Sri Sarvajnatman : After having
conquered the leaders of many heretic sects prevalent in many parts of
India, Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada reached Kanchi, the southern Mokshapuri
to spend the evening years of His life in that holy city. One of the
famous incidents of Sri Sankara's stay at Kanchi is his Sarvajna
Peethahoranam or ascending the seat of Omniscience. On knowing about
this, scholars from various parts of the Tamil regions gathered at
Kanchi to witness the grand event. Among those, a band of scholars from
Brahmadesam and its neighbourhood had a debate with the Acharya on Deva
bedha, Moorthybedha, etc. By his clear exposition of the Advaita
doctrine, the Acharya silenced their arguments. After the successful
ascending of the Sarvajna Peetha, Sri Sankara was attracted by a boy of
7 summers to be very precious. He sent word for the parents of the boy.
They came with their son and bowed before Sri Sankara. Then the great
Acharya expressed His wish to nominate the little boy as his successor
to the Kanchi Peetha. The parents greatly rejoiced and agreed to the
Acharya's proposal. Thereafter the Acharya initiated the boy Into
sanyasa asrama, gave him the deeksha name of Sarvajnatman. The Bala
Sanyasi was put under the care of Sri Sureveswaracharya. Sri
Sarvajnatman presided over the Sri Kanchi Sankaracharya Math for a long
number of years. He wrote a lucid summary or rather a further commentary
on Sri Sankara's Sutra Bashya. Sri Sarvajnatman's commentary is known as
The Samkshepa Sareeraka. It is also said that He is the author of a
poetical thesis called Sarvajna Vilasa. The Samkshapa Sareeraka of Sri
Sarvajnatman contains 1267 verses couched in verses of elegance and easy
style. After an eventful and glorious career Sri Sarvajnatman attained
videha mukthi in Kanchi on the 14th day of the dark fortnight (Vaishaka
Krishna Chaturdasi) of the cyclic year Nala (364 BC). |
| 4 |
Sri Sathyabodhendra Saraswati : He is
a native of Amaravatitheera in Chera country, and was known as Phalinisa
in his poorvasrama. He was the son of one Thalinesa Sharma. He was a
great fighter of Samkhyas, Bauddhas and Jainas. He was the author of
Padaka-Sata (explanatory treatise on Sankara Bhashya). Sri
Sathyabodhendra Saraswati attained mukti at Kanchi on Krishna astami in
the month of Vaishaka of the cyclic year Nandana (268 BC ). |
| 5 |
Sri Jnanandendra Saraswati : He was
known as Jnanottama before Sanyasa. He was the son of Nagesa, a Dravida
Brahman. He was a great tarkika and wrote a commentary called Chandrika,
on Sri Sureswaracharya's Naishkarmya Siddhi. He, in his Chandrika
commentary, has spoken of his guru Sri Satyabodha and Parama Guru Sri
Sarvajnatman. This Chandrika commentary was edited and published by
Prof. Hiranayya of the Mysore University. In the preface to this
commentary, Sri Jnaanandendra Saraswati has spoken of himself as the
glory of the Sarvajasrama at Kanchi. He attained mukti at Kanchi on
Sukla Saptami in the month of Mrigaseersha of the cyclic year Manmatha
(205 BC). |
| 6 |
Sri Suddhanandendra Saraswati : He was
the son of Bharvu Pandita and a native of Vedaranyam. His former name
was Viswanatha. He was a Dravida Brahmin. Sri Suddhanandendra Saraswati
attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Shashti in the month of Jyestha of the
cyclic year Nala (124 BC). |
| 7 |
Sri Aanandaghanendra Saraswati : He
was known as Chinnayya before Sanyasa. He was the son of Suryanarayana
Makhi. He hailed from Chera country. A great votary of Gauri, through
divine grace of God, he obtained extraordinary literary powers. He wrote
commentaries on the Sankara Bhashyas and Sureswaracharya's Vartikas. He
attained mukti at Srisail on KrishnaNavami in the month of Vaisakha of
the cyclic year Krodhana (55 BC). |
| 8 |
Sri Kaivalyanandayogendra Saraswati :
Before Sanyasa, he was known as Manganna and a native of Tirupati in
Andhra. He was the son of Trailinga Sivayya , He attained mukti at
Kanchi on first day of Makara of the, cyclic year Sarvadhari (28 AD),
|
| 9 |
Sri Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati : An
Andhra Brahmin by birth, his former name was Gangesopadyaya. He devoted
himself, heart and soul, to the eradication of degenerate, obscene
practices that had once again crept into religion after the
Bhagavatpada's time, and restored purity. It fell to the lot of Krpa
Sankara to continue and perfect the noble work that Sri Adi Sankara had
inaugurated. Krpa Sankara pursued with great vigour, the work of the
Master and enhanced the greatness of Shanmatas introducing a chastened
mode of worshiping Siva, Vishnu, Ambika, Surya, Ganapati and Skanda. In
short, he prepared the ground for the growth of the devotional path to
be attempted in the future by Saiva Nayanars, These later Saiva and
Vaishnava religious reformers owe it to both Adi Sankara and Krpa
Sankara so that their work was rendered easier by the preliminary
religious reforms effected by the two great luminaries. He is said to
have attained mukti at a place near Vindhya region on Krishna Tritiya in
the month of Kartika of the cyclic year Vibhava (69 AD). |
| 10 |
Sri Sureswara: Who succeeded Sri Krpa
Sankara was a Maharashtra Brahmin and his poorvasrama name was Maheswara.
He was the son of Iswara Pandita. He attained mukti at Kanchi on Purnima
in the month of Ashada of the cyclic year Akshaya (127 AD). |
| 11 |
Sri Sivananda Chidghanendra Saraswati
: He was a Karnataka Brahmin and the son of one Ujjvala Bhatta. His
poorvasrama name was Iswara Vatu. His predilections were towards
Sivaadvaita. He attained mukti at Vrjddhachala on Sukla Dasami in the
month of Jyestha of the cyclic year Virodhikrit (172 AD). |
| 12 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati : He
was a native of a village near River Palar and was the son of Vatsa
Bhatta. His former name was Hari. He entrusted the affairs of the Matha
in the hands of one of his sishyas and engaged himself in a special type
of Yoga. After a reign of sixty-three years, he disappeared into a cave
in Seshachala on Sukla Navami in the month of Ashada of the cyclic year
Ananda (235 AD). |
| 13 |
Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati : Known
as Seshaya in his poorvasrama, he belonged to a village on the bank of
the Gadilam river. He was the son of Sridhar Pandlta. Like his
predecessor, he relinquished his pontificate to his successor and
wandered about the environs of Kanchi as an "Avadhuta". After wandering
for over thirty-two years, he disappeared into a. temple in Kanchi and
it is said that his mortal frame got transformed into a Linga, now
identified with Kayarohaneswara at Kanchi on Sukla Prathama in the month
of Margasirsha of thecyclic the cyclic year Khara (272 AD). |
| 14 |
Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati .He was
Andhra by birth. His name before Sanyasa was Nayanai A great adept in
Mantra Sastra, He is said to have mollified Ugra Bhairava. He attained
mukti at a place near Agastya Hill on Amavasya in the month of
Margasirsha d the cyclic year Dhatu (317 AD) |
| 15 |
Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati : Hailing
from Andhra, he was the son of Bhadragiri of Kanchi. His former name was
Subhadra. Gangadhara was renowned for his great erudition. He attained
mukti near the Agastyq Hill on Sukla Prathama in the month of Chaitra of
the cyclic year Sarvadhari (329 AD). |
| 16 |
Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati :
Before Sanyasa, he was known as Achyuta Kesava. He was son of Kesava
Sankara. He was a Maharasthra Brahmin by birth. He was a great fighter
of heretics. He went on Digvijaya and during his tours he drove the
followers of Jainism beyond the Sindhu. He visited Kashmir and attained
mukti at Kalapuri. Since then the place came to be known as Ujjvala Maha
Yatipura on Sukla Ashtamj in the month of Valsakha of the cyclic year
Akshaya (367 AD). |
| 17 |
Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati :He was the
son of Deva Misra, a Brahmana Minister of Kashmir. He showed a leaning
towards Vedanta in his early years. He was ordained in Sanyasa by Sri
Ujjvala Sankara. Wherever he went, he fed a number of Brahmanas every
day. He attained mukti at Tryambaka (near Nasik) on Sukla Dasami in the
month of Jyestha of the cyclic year Bhava (375 AD). |
| 18 |
Sri Yogafilaka Surendra Saraswati : He
was a native of Maharasahtra and the son of one Madhava. He vanquished
the notorious Charwivaka Durdivi by argument. He attained mukti near
Ujjain on Sukla Prathama in the month of Margasirsha of the cyclic year
Taruna (385 AD). |
| 19 |
Sri Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
: Also known as Suryadasa, he was the son of one Umesa Sankara, His
former name was Srikanta. Early in life, he was afflicted by Leuco-derma.
But he got completely cured of the disease by offering 1008 prostrations
to Bhagavan Surya every day. He was ordained in his eighteenth year and
after a reign of 13 years, he attained mukti at a village on the bank of
the Godavari on Krishna Navami in the month of Bhadrapada of the cyclic
year Hevilambi (398 AD). |
| 20 |
Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati : He
was the son of one Vidyavati, an astrologer and astronomer. He was a
congenital deaf-mute. But through the grace of Goddess Kamakshi he
gained the power of speech. On knowing this attainment of speech by
Mooka because of the grace of Devi, the then Acharya of Sri Kanchi
Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Vidyaghana, sent for the boy's parents and told
them of his intention of giving sanyasa to the boy and, with their
consent, gave sanyasa to the boy and ordained him as his successor in
the Kamakoti Math. Vikramaditya Sakari of Ujjain, Matrugupta, some time
king of Kashmir, and Pravarasena, who succeeded Matrugupta on the
throne, all considered it a rare privilege to serve at the feet of this
great Acharya. Muka Sankara is the author of Muka Panchasati, a lyrical
outburst of poetry on Kamakshi, The mellifluence of the work is said to
be rivaled only by Lila Suka's Krishna Karnamrta. He attained mukti at a
village near Godavari on full moon day in the month of Sravana of the
cyclic year Dhatu (437 AD). |
| 21 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati II :
He was a native of Konkan and the son of Achyuta. He succeeded Muka
Sankara as the Pontiff of the Kamakoti Peetha and attained mukti at
Banares on Krishna Astami in the month of Sravana of the cyclic year
Vyaya (447 AD). |
| 22 |
Sri Bodhendra Saraswati : He was the
son of one Ramanatha, a native of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. His name
prior to sanyasa was Madhura. He was a great physician and yogi. He
attained mukti near Jagannatha Kshetra on Sukla Navami in the month of
Kartika of the cyclic year Raudri (481 AD). |
| 23 |
Sri Satchisukhendra Saraswati : He was
a native of Srikakulam in Andhra and son of Somanarayan. His former name
was Girisa. He was a great votary of Subramanya. He attained mukti near
Jagannatha Kshetra on Sukla Saptami in the month of Vaisaka of the
cyclic year Khara (512 AD). |
| 24 |
Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati : He was a
native of Konkan and was known as Siva Sarma before sanyasa. All through
his pontificate, he remained in Konkan and attained mukti near Ratnagiri
on Bahula Navami in the month of Sravana of the cyclic year Prabhava
(527 AD). |
| 25 |
Sri Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati :
He was the son of Krishna, a native of Srimushnam. He was a Dravida
Brahrnana. Thrice he toured extensively all over India. He Was a great
Yogi, and by his yogic powers, he is said to have turned Into a Linga at
Gokarna on Sukla prathama in the month of Ashada of the cyclic year
Prabhava (548 AD). |
| 26 |
Sri Prajnaghanendra Saraswati .He was
the son of Prabhakara, a native of a village on the bank of the Pinakini.
His former name was Sonagiri. He attained mukti at Kanchi , on Sukla
Ashtami in the month of Vaishaka of the cyclic year Svabhanu (546 AD).
|
| 27 |
Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati : He was
the son of Madhusudhana, a native of Hastagiri. His former name was Hari
Kesava and he was an Andhra by nationality. He attained mukti at Kanchi
on the First day in the month of Chaithra of the cyclic year Durmukhi
(577 AD). |
| 28 |
Sri Mahadeve11dra Saraswati I : He was
the son of Bhanu Misra, a native of Bhadrachala. His pre- sanyasa name
was Sesanarayana. He was a Maithila Brahmana domiciled in Andhradesa. He
attained mukti at Kanchi on Krishna Dasami in the month of Asvina of the
cyclic year Raudri (601 AD). |
| 29 |
Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati : He was
the son of Sripati. His former name was Krishna. He attained mukti at
Kanchi on Sukla Ekadasi in the month of Sravana of the cyclic year
Eswara (618 AD) |
| 30 |
Sri Bhodhendra Saraswati II: He was
the son of one Kajahasti . His Poorvasrama name was Balayya. He attained
mukti at Kanchi on Krishna Chaturti in the month of Vaisaka of the
cyclic year Ananda (655 AD). |
| 31 |
Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati :
He was the son of one Ananta, a native of a village on the bank of the
river Gadilam. A Dravida Brahmana by birth, his former name was Jyestha
Rudra. He was an authority in the six Darsanas. He was held in high
veneration by King Lalitadiya Muktapida of Kashmir and by the great
dramatist Bhavabhuti. He attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Dwadasi in
the month of Jyeshta of the cyclic year Prabhava (668 AD). |
| 32 |
Sri Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati : He
was the son of one Kanva Sankara. His former name was Padmanabha. He was
a great yogi and he subsisted on dry leaves only. He attained mukti at
Kanchi on Sukla Shashti in the month of Margasirsha of the cyclic year
Prajotpatti (672 AD). |
| 33 |
Sri Satchidananda Saraswati :
Otherwise known as Bhaskara Paramesthi. He was the son of one Praudha
Ramanna, a native of a village on the bank of the Chandrabhaga. His
former name was Timmanna, and he was a versatile linguist. He carried
out extensive repairs to the Math buildings at Kanchi and attained mukti
on Krishna Shashti in the month of Prostapada of the cyclic year Khara
(692 AD). |
| 34 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati III :
was the son of Mahadeva, a native of a village adjoining the river
Vegavati. His former name was Sambhu and he made extensive tours. On one
occasion, he heroically saved a child that had been caught in the midst
of wild fire in a forest. He attained mukti at Kanchi on New Moon day in
the month of Margasirsha of the cyclic year Saumya (710 AD).
|
| 35 |
Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati : He was
the son of Vimalaksha, a native of Vedachala. His pre-sanyas name was
Susila Kamalaksha. He attained mukti in the Sahya mountain area on Sukla
Shashti in the month Ashada of the cyclic year Dhatu (737 AD). |
| 36 |
Sri Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati : He
was the son of Somagiri, a native of a village adjoining Palar. He was a
Dravida by nationality and his former name was Suresa. He attained mukti
at Kanchi on Purnima in the month of Asvina of the cyclic year Hevilambi
(758 AD). |
| 37 |
Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati III: He
was the son of Balachandra. His former name was Suryanarayana. He
attained mukti at Chidambaram, where he had gone on a pilgrimage on
Krishna Dwitiya in the month of Pushya of the cyclic year Prabhava (795
AD). |
| 38 |
Sri Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati :
He was one of the greatest among the successors of Adi Sankara, so great
indeed that he and his deeds are often confounded with those of the
Great Bhagavatpada and his deeds. His life story has been described in
detail in a work entitled the "Sankara Vilasa" by Vakpati Bhatta. His
father was one Visvajit of Chindambaram. He was invested with
Yajnopavita at the age of five and taught Vedas. He showed an
extraordinary promise in dialectics and soon he became a formidable
disputant on intricate questions in philosophy. He defeated Vakpati
Bhatta, a great scholar of that time, in argument. He ascended the
Savajna Pitha in Kashmir. It is said that he entered the Dattatreya cave
in the Atreya Mountains in the Himalayas on Amavasya in the month of
Ashada of the cyclic year Slddharti (840 AD) and that it was the end of
his mortal career. |
| 39 |
Sri Satchidvilaasendra Saraswati : He
was the son of Kamaleswara of Kanyakubja and was known by the name
Sripati before Sanyasa. For a long time, He lived in Padmapura. He
attained mukti at Kanchi on Purnima in the month of Vaishaka of the
cyclic year Nandana (873 AD). |
| 40 |
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati II: He was
the son of one Kannayya, a native of Karnataka. His poorvasrama name was
Sivaramabhatta. He was of a very handsome appearance and hence styled
Sobhana and Ujjvala. He attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Shashti in the
month of Vaisakha of the cyclic year Bhava (915 AD). |
| 41 |
Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati II: He
was the successor of Sri Mahadevendra and he was the son of Umesabhatta,
a native of a village on the bank of the Bhima river. His former name
was Appanna, and he was a Karnataka by nationality. He is said to have
restored vision to the poet Rajasekhara, who had become blind, He
attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Prathama in the month of Sravana of
the cyclic year Saumya (950 AD). |
| 42 |
Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati :
He was the son of one Subramanya. He was known by the name Narasambhatta
prior to sanyasa. He attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Prathama in the
month of Sravana of the cyclic year Eswara (978 AD). |
| 43 |
Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati : He was
the son of Sudeva Bhatta, a native of a village in the Tungabhadra
valley. His name before initiation into the ascetic order was Sankara
Pandita. He attained external bliss at Kanchi on Sukla Navami in the
month of Chaitra of the cyclic year Pramadi (1014 AD). |
| 44 |
Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati II : His
father was Siva, native of Karnataka region. His name in the former
ashrama was Hari. He attained videha mukti at Kanchi on Krishna
Trayodasi in the month of Proshtapada of the cyclic year Pramadi (1040
BC). |
| 45 |
Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati I: He was
the son of Sivasamba Panditar. His name before he became an ascetic was
Srikanta. He attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Saptami in the month of
Asvina of the cyclic year Sarvari (1061 AD). |
| 46 |
Sri Sandranandabhodhendra Saraswati :
He was the son of Surya. His former name was Somadeva and he spent a
great part of his early life in attending on his Guru and predecessor
Paramasiva I. He was the author of Katha-Sarit Sagara. He was presented
with a palanquin wrought with pearls by King Bhoja of Dhara. He attained
mukti at Arunachala Kshetra on Arriavasya in the month of Ashada of the
cyclic year Esvara (1098 AD). |
| 47 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati IV:
otherwise known as Chandrachuda. He was the son of Suka Deva, a native
of Kundini riverside. He was a Dravida by nationality and his pre-sanyasa
name was Srikantha. He went on tours of digvijaya and defeated in
argument Hemacharya, a great Jain teacher in the court of Vidyalola
Kumarapala, and author of Kumarapala Charita. This Acharya was also held
in considerable veneration by Mankha, the author of Srikantha Charita,by
Krishna Misra, the author of Prabhoda Chadrodaya and Guruvijaya and
Jayadeva, author of Prasanna Raghavan, Chandraloka and Bhakti Kalpa
Latika, and Suhala, and also by a physician of Kashmir and author of a
medical lexicon, known as Vaidyabhidhana Chintamani, Jayadeva has
celebrated the victory of Chandrasekhara over Hemacharya in his Bhakti
Kalpalatika. Jayasimha, king of Kashmir, considered himself blessed in
the service of this great Acharya. He attained mukti at Arunachala
Kshetra on Amavasya in the month of Chaitra of the cyclic year Parthiva
(1166 AD). |
| 48 |
Sri Advaitanandabodhendra Saraswati :
Also called Chidvilasa. He was the son of Premesa, who was a native of a
village on the bank of the Pinakini. His poorvasrama name was Sitapati.
He defeated in argument Sriharsha, author of Khandana Khanda Khadya and
Naishada, as also Abhinava Gupta, a tantrik writer. He was the author of
Brahmavidyabharana, Santi Vivarana and Gurupradipa. He attained mukti at
Chidambaram on Sukla Dasami in the month of Jyeshta of the cyclic year
Sidharthi (1200 AD). |
| 49 |
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati III : He
was the son of Achyuta of Chhayavanam in the Tanjore District. His
former name was Gurumurthi. He was a devout worshipper of Parasakti but
not a tantrika. He attained mukti on the banks of the Gadilam River on
Krishna Ashtami in the month of Sravana of the cyclic year Parabhava
(1247 AD). |
| 50 |
Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati I: He
was the son of Arunagiri and was known as Gangesa before sanyasa. Like
his Guru Mahadeva, he was also an ardent devotee of Parasakti and
offered one crore of oblations in a homa performed to propitiate
Paradevata. He attained mukti on the banks of the Gadilam river on Sukla
Shashti in the month of Jyesta of the cyclic year Durmukhi (1297 AD).
|
| 51 |
Sri Vidyateerthendra Saraswati : He
was the son of one Sarangapani, a native of Bilvaranya. His pre-sanyasa
name was Sarvajna Vishnu. Sayana, commentator of the Vedas, Madhava
(later Vidyaranyaswami), Vedanta Desika, the Vaisnava scholar, and
Bharati Krisna Tirtha, were all pupils of Vidya Tirtha. After reigning
at the Kanchi Math for 73 years, he went to the Himalayas to perform
tapas. After spending 15 years in tapas, he attained videha mukti there
on Sukla Prathama in the month of Magha of the cyclic year Raktakshi
(1385 AD). |
| 52 |
Sri Sankaranandendra Saraswati : He
was the son of Balachandra, a native of Madhyarjuna or Tiruvidaimarudur.
His former name was Mahesa. Before succeeding to the pontifical throne,
he had accompanied Vidya Tirtha to the Himalayas. It was Sankarananda
who was largely instrumental in the founding of eight new Advaita Mathas
in Karnataka. He was the author of Dipikas on Isa, Kena, Prasna and
Brhadaranyaka Upanishads. He was the author of Atma Purana and a
commentary on the Bhagavat Gita. He vigorously combated the aggressive
propaganda carried on by Vaisnava and Madwa sectarians. He attained
mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Prathama in the month of Vaisakha of the cyclic
year Durmukhi (1417 AD). |
| 53 |
Sri Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati:
He was a native of Nagaranya. He was the son of one Naganatha. He went
on a tour to Nepal and was accorded royal honours by the King of Nepal.
He attained mukti at Kanchi on Sukla Dasami in the month of Jyesta of
the cyclic year Pingala (1498 A.D). |
| 54 |
Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati
: He was the son of Kamesvara and Kamalamba who belonged to Kanchi. His
pre-sanyasa name was Kuppanna. He is the author of a Sankara Vijaya. He
attained mukti at Vyasachala on the first day of the cark fortnight of
Ashada in the cyclic year Akshaya (1507 AD). |
| 55 |
Sri Chandrachudhendra Saraswati II :
He was a native of Asmachala, near Manimuktar river in South Arcot
District. He was the son of Purari and Srimati. His former name was
Arunagiri. He was a Dravida Brahmana. He attained mukti at Kanchi on
Sukla Ekadasi in the month of Meena of the cyclic year Swabhanu (1524
AD). |
| 56 |
Sri Sarvajna Sadasiva Bhodhendra
Saraswati : He was the son of Chiruta Chikkanna, a native of a village
on the banks of the north Pennar. He was the Guru of Pravira Setupati
Raja of Ramnad. It is said that he was the author of Svatma Nirupana. He
attained mukti at Rameswaram on Sukla Ashtami in the month of Chaitra of
the cyclic year Vilambi (1539 AD). |
| 57 |
Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati II : He
was the son of Parameswara, native of a village on the bank of the river
Pampa. He was known as Sivaramakrishna before Sanyasa. He was the Guru
of the great Sadasiva Brahmendra, the author of the Gururatna malika and
the great Brahma Jnani. The greatness of Paramasivendra may be gauged
from the fact that Sadasiva Brahmendra used to carry the sandals of the
Acharya always on his head. And the greatness of Sadasiva Brahmendra may
also be understood by an incident, which is recounted in popular
tradition, Sadasiva steeped in the bliss of Brahman, was wandering about
as an Avadhuta, to all appearances like a mad man. Some one reported to
Paramasivendra that Sadasiva had gone mad. The Acharya is reported to
have answered "I wish I had but a touch of that madness". So great
indeed was Paramasivendra that Sadasiva Brahmendra has immortalised
immortalised him in his Atma Vjdya Vilasa. This Acharya wrote a
commentary on Siva Gita. He attained mukti at Svetaranya (Tiruvenkadu)
in Tanjore District on Sukla Dasami in the month of Sravana of the
cyclic year Parthiva (1586 AD). |
| 58 |
Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati : He was
a native of Vruddhachala, and son of one Viswamakhi. His pre-sanyasa
name was Visvesvara. He toured extensively and stayed at Benares for a
long time. He wrote a Bhasya on the Sri Rudram. It was Atma Bodha that
directed Sadasiva Brahmendra to write the Gururatna Malika. He attained
mukti on the banks of the river South Pinakini, known in Tamil as Then
Pennai on Krishna Ashtami in the month of Tula of the cyclic year Eswara
(1638 AD). |
| 59 |
Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswati :
He was born in Mandana Misra Agraharam at Kanchi as the son of one
Kesava Panduranga. Bhoddendra's former name was Purushottama. It was he
who stressed the efficacy of devotion as a means to liberation in Kali.
He therefore undertook the great task of Nama Siddhanta, or establishing
the supreme efficacy of reciting the names of Bhagavan in many of his
writings, chiefly in Namamrta Rasayana and Namamrta Rasodaya. His
mission of Nama Siddhanta was pursued with equal vigor by Sridhara
Venkatesa, or Ayyaval of Tiruvisainallur and by Sadguru Swami of
Marudanallur. It was the Nama Siddhanta of Bodhendra that was ultimately
responsible for the evolution of Bhajana Sampradaya as an institution in
the religious life of the Hindu community in South India.
Bodhendra performed Tatanka Pratistha at Jambukeswaram and while
returning to Kanchi he attained videha mukti at Govindapuram on Full
Moon day in the month of Proshtapada of the cyclic year Prajotpatti
(1692 AD). It is said the spiritual presence of Bodhendra still abides
at his Adhisthana at Govindapuram. It is said that in the calm silence
of the night a melodious voice uttering Rama Nama is heard rising from
subdued tones to a crescendo, and then fading into silence again.
|
| 60 |
Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati :
He was also known as Govinda. He was the son of Parasurama, a native of
a village adjoining the river Vasistha. His former name was
Sruti-Pandita. For some time, he lived in Govindapuram where his
predecessor had attained mukti. He was held in very great veneration by
Sahaji, , the King of Tanjore. He attained mukti at the village Ambi,
near Kanchi on Krishna Dwitiya in the month of Chaitra of the cyclic
year Svabhanu (1704 AD). His brindavan at Ambi is in daily worship.
|
| 61 |
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati IV: He was
previously known as Narayana. He was a great yogi. It was during his
pontificate that Atma Bodha wrote his commentary Susama on the Gururatna
Malika. He attained mukti at Tiruvottiyur, now a part of Chehnai on
Sukla Navami in the month of Jyesta of the cyclic year Krothana (1746
,AD). |
| 62 |
Sri ChandrasekharendraSaraswati V:
Kanchi was involved in the Karnatic wars and peaceful existence there
had become impossible. Hence the Acharyas of Kamakoti Peetha decided on
migrating south though Kanchi still figured as the nominal headquarters.
The golden image of Kamakshi (Bangaru Kamakshi) had already been carried
away by the sthanikas of the temple first to Udayarpalayam, and later to
Tanjore where it has been permanently installed. The Acharya
Chandrasekhara himself acceded to the request of Pratapa Simha, Rajah of
Tanjore (1740-63) and took up his permanent headquarters at Tanjore. But
Kumbakonam, on the banks of the sacred river Kaveri, was found more
suitable and shortly thereafter the Acharya shifted to Kumbakonam.
Chandrasekhara attained mukti at Kumbakonam on Sukla Prathama in the
month of Pushya of the cyclic year Subhakrt (1783 AD) |
| 63 |
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V: He was a
great yogi. His former name was Anna Srauti. He was a native of
Kumbakonam. He attained mukti at Kumbakoriam on Sukla Dwadasi in the
month of Ashada of the cyclic year Srimukha {1813 AD). |
| 64 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI:
He was known as Venkatasubramanya Dikshita prior to his sanyasa and
belonged to the talented family of the great Govinda Dikshita, the
Brahmana minister of Tanjore, who is still lovingly remembered as "Ayyan".
He was a great adept in Mantra Sastra. The Acharya caused repairs to the
temple of Sri Kamakshi at Kanchi and performed kumbhabhishekham on 22nd
January 1840 AD. He got the tatankas (ear-oranaments) of Devi
Akilandesvari in the Tiruvanaikoil and re-consecrated them on the ear of
the goddess in 1848 AD. He attained mukti at Kumbakonam on Sukla
Prathama in the month of Karthika of the cyclic year Sadarana (1851 AD). |
| 65 |
Sri Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati :
Son of Seshadri Sastri of Madhyarjuna was known as Mahalingam prior to
his sanyasa. He toured extensively and attained siddhi at Ilaiyattangudi
on Amavasya in the month of Phalguna of the cyclic year Virodhi (1891
AD). A Temple has been built by the Nattukottai Chettiars on his samadhi.
|
| 66 |
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VII :
He was the son of Sitarama Sastri. This Acharya's poorvasrama name was
Swaminatha. He was a native of Udayambakkam. He attained mukti at
Kalavai in the year 1907 on Krishna Ashtami in the month of Magha of the
cyclic year Parabhava (1907 AD). |
| 67 |
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V: He was
the son of Narasimha Sastri and Lakshmi and was known as Lakshmi
Narasimha prior to sanyasa. He occupied the Peetha for seven days only
and attained mukti at Kalavai on Sukla Prathama in the month of Phalguna
of the cyclic year Parabhava (1907 AD). |
| 68 |
The 68th Pontiff His Holiness Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal
Sri Swaminathan (born at Villupuram on 20th May 1894 -Anuradha Star) was
taken to Kalavai in his 13th year, when he was studying at Tindivanam,
to be initiated into ascetic order and ordained as the 68th Acharya of
the Kanchi Kamakoti Math. He was given the Sanyasa name Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. He was affectionately called "Mahaswamigal"
and "Walking God". He adorned the Peetam from February 13, 1907. True to
the tradition of the Peetam set by Adi Sankara, Mahaswamigal travelled
throughout the country by foot or by the traditional palanquin. He also
stood by the national sentiments in discarding "foreign cloth" (He
immersed them in water instead of setting fire) and started wearing
Khadi. He set the trend to create Trusts for achieving the objectives of
the Peetham. His foremost concern was preservation of the Vedas,
tradition and dharma. He advocated simplicity, shunned pomp, ostentation
and extravagance. His exposition of Vedanta, sastras and the dharmic
duties attracted scholars and laymen alike, from far and wide, for it
has always been rich in values and simple in understanding. Great
humorist he had the keen acumen to relate root words of all the
languages to Sanskrit highlighting its greatness. He attained moksha at
Kancheepuram on 8th January 1994 (Dhanur, Krishna Dwadasi) in his
Centenary year. |
| 69 |
The 69th Pontiff His Holiness Sri
Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
Sri Subramaniyam, born on July 18, 1935 at Irulneekki in Thanjavur
District had Veda Adyayanam at Tiruvidaimarudur under the direction of
Mahaswamjgal and was initiated into Sanyasa on March 22, 1954 and was
declared as successor Acharya and given the Sanyasa name Sri Jayendra
Saraswati Sri Pada. In the footsteps of the Mahaswamigal, He too
undertook yatra throughout the country. He attracted people from every
nook and corner. He intensified the activities of the Matam to cover new
social objectives -education, health, employment, temple renovation etc.
It is due to His untiring efforts, Kamakoti Peetam established religious
and social institutions in many parts of the country. Kamakoti Peetam
has now become a beehive of socio- religious renaissance. The King of
Nepal has erected an arch "Welcome to the only Hindu Kingdom in the
world" at the instance of Sri Jayendra Saraswati, in 1988. The only
Sankaracharya after the Adi Sankara to visit Manasarovar and Kailash is
Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal, in 1998; there He installed the idol of
Adi Sankara. He had the unique distinction in being honoured by both
Nepal and Chinese Governments. In known recent history, He is the only
Sankaracharya to visit Dhaka in Bangladesh in June 2000. In honouring
His visit, Sri Dhakeswari Temple named the entrance to the temple as "Sankaracharya
Gate". His most notable contribution yet is the founding of the Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Viswa Mahavidyalaya, a Deemed University in
the name of His Guru. |
| 70 |
The 7Oth Pontiff His Holiness Sri
Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal
Sri Sankaranarayanan, born on March 18, 1969, Periyapalayam, a village
near Arani in Tiruvallore District, was taken as Acharya to the Peetham
as Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati, on 29th May 1983, while He was
studying at Polur. Under the tutelage of His Guru and Parama Guru, the
rare fortune for a Peetathipadi, He also travelled throughout the
country including remote places like Megalaya. He is deeply worried
about the worsening moral and ethical values of the youth and the
deteriorating educational standards and vanishing cultural and artistic
talents in the country. He has initiated a number of measures to draw
the youth, train them in all these aspects along with modern education.
His keen interest to preserve our ancient literature has brought out
many publications through the Matam in Indian and foreign languages for
the benefit of devotees. He has conducted a number of training centres
for youth in the name of Bakti Kendra, Dharma Kendra, Karma Kendra, etc,
to inculcate in them our values and traditions. |
|