Shri Vishvendra Teertharu

Sri Vishwendratirtha was born in 1881. At the time of Samnyasashrama, he was 16 years old. He continued his Shastric studies under Sri Vibudhapriyatirtha of Adamar Matha. He was highly qualified in Veda-Vedanta fields. As Swamiji was a great scholar in Shastric field he was equally talented in the field of literature. He has composed many poems in Kannada. The style is embellished with literary touch. The narra-tion in composition brims with clarity. The pen name of Swamiji is 'Rajesh-Rajanath'. Sri Vish-wendratirtha has also composed a small Sanskrit work namely Sri Vadirajashtaka. It is in the form of praise and prayer glorifying the main incidents of Vadiraja's life. The performance of daily worship by Swamiji was distinct and decent. It was elaborate and glorious. With one or other reason, he never shortened it. At the time of worship, chanting of Mantra-recitation and singing of songs were mandatory. The life of Samnyasashrama of Swamiji was ideal in all respects. Swamiji performed three biennial Paryayas successfully. (1900-01, 1916-17, 1932-33) He renovated the construction of Vrindavanashala at Udupi. As per the records available, the renovation was completed on 02-01-1934. He too had the concern with mundane affairs of issues for tackling them. And it was because of that concern he readily came forward to give importance to modern education also. He established a high school namely 'Vishnumurthy Hayavadanaswamy High School' in Innanje. He was the first person in that field to step ahead for spreading modern education in that region. Now, it is upgraded to P.U.College. It is developed in all respects and it has become one of the best and leading educational institutions in that area.

Sri Vishwendratirtha travelled this land and visited many holy centres. Getting enga-ged in Patha-Pravac-hana, he was highly adorable to scholars. Swamiji was supporting and nourishing the scholars. He was very fond of feeding others. He was also kind enough towards poor and needy. Being endowed with mystic powers, he used to bless the honest devotees with Mantrakshatas for progeny etc. As he was well versed in the Yuktimallika of Vadiraja, he organised Maha Sabha (scholarly meet-ing) namely 'Yuktimallika Sourabha Prakashini' for many years. He also organised special lectures by inviting the scholars from different places. The venue was the corridor of Sri Ananteshwara temple. He took up initial renovation work in some branch Mathas. In 1928, at the invitation of king Ramavarma of Cochin he went to southern India and visited Cochin. He was specially honoured by the king. The king was very much influenced and gifted some golden ornaments and also Rs.3,000/- (Rupees Three Thousand) cash in the form of devoted Seva to the coming Paryaya (1932-33) in advance. Knowing this, the incharge of Anatashayanam also invited the seer and honoured him. In the year 1939 he toured in the Mysore region. Owing to the invitation of king Krishna-rajendra Wodeyar, Swamiji visited royal palace and received due honour. He shared the platform along with Swamijis of Uttaradimatha, Kundapuramatha and Puttigematha. Since the king wished to have the observance of Chaturmasya of Swamiji in Nanjangudu, the seer observed his Chaturmasya of that year in Nanjangudu. There he established 'Sri Krishnamadhva Sabha' parallel to 'Srikanteshwara Advaita Mahasabha' and collecting the huge fund he gifted to the same Sabha. He had high regard and reverence in respect of rich tradition of Madhvacharya and SriVadiraja and also in its practice. In his oldage, Swamiji used to stay at Udyavara Matha. Being a great Ayurvedic physician, he prepared a medicated oil known as 'Hayagrivataila'.

Since then, it has been prepared by the Swamijis of Sode Vadirajamatha till today. It is very popular and widely used to get away from rheumatic and other body pains. Swamiji was also treating the patients suffering from severe diseases successfully. Once he gave the treatment to the seer Sri Sudhindratirtha of Puttige Matha. In the year 1941, Sri Vishwendrairtha got celebrated diamond jubilee of his Peetharohanam on a grand scale. He entered the holy Vrindavana in the year 1943 A.D. at Udyavara. His Aradhana falls on Ashwina month Shukla Navami. The period of his pontificial incharge of Vedanta empire was 44 years.

Source - sodematha.in