Shri Vishvottama Teertharu

Sri Vishwottamatirtha, who flourished in the 20th century was a saint pontiff of crown personality. He was stock sample of rare combination of discipline of Samnyasashrama and deep Shastric knowledge. He was always peaceful and calm. He used to deal with things with serene approach and sensible attempt. He used to prefer to have secluded place for deep deliberation of learning. Sri Vishwottamatirtha was born of pious couple Sri Krishnacharya and Smt Krishnaveni in Udyavara near Udupi in the year 1934 A.D. (Srimukha Samvatsara Pushya month Krishna Trayodashi). He underwent essential rites of refinement (Samskara) such as Jatakarma, Namakarana, Upanayana etc., as prescribed on time. His name was Madhava. Madhava didn't have much interest in sport and amusement. Since his childhood, he was liking lonely place. At this age, Madhava preferred to resort to mediation several times. Seeing that brilliant lad, Sri Vishwendratirtha wished to have that boy as his successor. But, parents did not like to sacrifice that lovely child. Lord Hayagriva gave a hint in the dream of mother. Then, parents handed over their son Madhava to Guru Vishwendratirtha wholeheartedly. Vishwendratirtha ordained Samnyasa-shrama to Madhava and named him Sri Vishwottamatirtha. It was in the year 1943 A.D. (Svabhanusamvatsara Bhadrapada month Shukla Chaturthi). After one month and five days, Vishwendratirtha entombed on Svabhanu Samvatsara Ashvina month Sukla Navami (1943). Then, Sri Vishwottamatirtha bore the responsibility of Matha. His basic learning started with the help of some local pundits. His personality was distinct one. He was an embodiment of honesty and nobleness. His majesty stood concealed like fire covered with ash. Swamiji continued his higher studies of Vedanta and other lores at the gracious presence of Sri Vidyasamudratirtha of Kaniyoor matha who was a scholar of repute and a great sage of self discipline. The unique power of intelligence, the act of comprehending, the strength of merit etc, of Vishwottamatirtha immensely pleased Guru Vidyasamudratirtha Swamiji. He gained the abundant wealth of knowledge and engaged in the prescribed practice of Japa, Tapa etc. He remained far away from publicity, prestige, praise etc. In respect of traditional prescription and practice, the decent, the humble and modest approach of Swamiji was beyond expression. His initiation, adherence, faithfulness and inclination towards Madhvasiddhanta and Rujutva of Vadiraja was distinct, firm and unfathomable. He had the responsible regard and unhampered alertness in case of Vadiraja and Bhutaraja Mahima. SriVishwotta-matirtha was a source of solution to the grievances of grieved. The Mantrakshata, blessed with favouring prayer by him, redressed the botherations of thousa-nds of faithful devotees. That Mantrakshata has, even now, become the prime safe guardian to many. His Hitopadesha has be-come serene light for hopeful and painless march in the life. His Mantropadesha has ene-rgised the virtuous power to worship, propitiate the divinities and Gurus to receive choicest bless-ings for spiritual achieve-ment and solace. He was a ray of hope to helpless. He was a light of enli-ghtenment to the learners. He was a rich treasure of scholarship to scholars. He was a devout delegate to deliver desired devices to faithful devotees. His lovely glance seemed to be worthy of seeing for he used to meet and treat even the unknown as known. The very seeing of Swamiji used to suggest the fact of presence of divinity. His prayer rescued hundred of devotees from untimely end and disasters. The beneficial expressions of Swamiji could, although scanty, always sustain the sweet remembrance of Vadiraja and Bhutaraja. Without that sweet reference, he said nothing. He preferred to have lonely place always. It was because of studying the holy texts repeatedly to understand and comprehend them better. He used to have one or other sacred book always in his hand. Out of classical academic interest, he had the credit of collecting the rare and old manuscripts related to different branches of knowledge. The number of manuscripts collected crosses two thousand. It was his individual and personal endeavour. Swamiji upgraded the Secondary Institution at Innanje to Pre- University College and introduced some courses relevant to modern science and technology.

Swamiji's daily observance related to Japa, Tapa, worship etc., was highly disciplined and time oriented. Neither there was compromise nor even concise in that. Vishwottamatirtha had having high regard and reverence incase of all saint superiors. He paid visit to Navavrindavana, Mantralaya, Uttanuru, Sankapur, Venisomapur, Chippagiri, Manavi, Chikalaparavi, Kenchanagudda, Hampi, Savanur, Thirukoyiluru, Kumbhakona, Rajamahendri, Sangali, Ritti, Holehonnuru, Madanur, Bhimanakatte and other holy centres and offered salutations to presiding deity and Guru. Swamiji started a big Goshala at Huvinakere for aged cows and thus tried his best to avoid cow-slaughter. Hundreds of cows are given shelter, food etc. and thus protected. He went on an extensive tour visiting all places from Kanyakumari to Vasudhara. He became virtuous by seeing Sri Ranga and other holy centres and also by taking holy dip in Ganga and other rivers.

Sri Vishwottamatirtha had many works and important statements by heart. His analysis, inquiry etc, was discretionary and judgement oriented. The style of teaching was uninterrupted and it was prime source of reflection and retention. Being leading scholar in Shastric field, he taught Shastric works like Nyayasudha and others to Sri Vidya-sagaratirtha Swamiji of Krishnapur matha and others. The teaching was superb and unique. Swamiji has brought to light many unpublished works of Vadiraja and others. The words anger, wrath etc., are unfound in his knowledge of words (Kosha). Therefore, he could manage the administration and transactions easily and successfully. Sri Vishwottamatirtha undertook the needful renovation and new construction work at many branches of his Matha namely, Kumbasi, Tirthahalli, Narala, Bilagi, Udyavara, Undaru, Huvinakere, Madhya-vata, Sode, Renjala, Udupi, Kenchagaru. In Sode, the reno-vation and construction of Poojamandira, Vrinda-vanasannidhi, retiring rooms, dining hall, kitchen, Gurukula etc., was historical one. To him, Soda Kshetra was all in all. He used to stay there during Chaturmasya and other occasions. He got engaged in special observance of Japa, Tapa etc, and got blessed graciously by Vadiraja and Bhutaraja. Sri Vishwottamatirtha performed four Paryayas (1948-49, 1964-65, 1980-81, 1996-97) on grand scale with great grace. During third Paryaya, Swamiji organised 500th year of Vadiraja Jayanthi on a large scale successfully. During fourth Paryaya (1996-97) he got constructed Vadiraja Mandira besides Badagumalige at Krishnamatha and consecrated to Lord Krishna. At the hint instruction of Vrindavanakhyana and dream indication, Swamiji got done the stone inscription of entire sacred text Vrindavanakhyana. He got built Akhyanamanidra in front of Panchavrindavana Sanidhi at Sode and consecrated it at the feet of Sri Lakshmi Hayavadana, an adorable deity of Madhva and Vadiraja. Vishwottamatirtha established Bhavisameera Gurukula at Sode in the year 2006 and thus gave impetus and importance to Shastric studies. On 18-08-2007, the revered Swamiji completed daily worship, participated in Haridasa function and gave blessing speech. After day meals, he favoured the mass of devotees with Mantrakshata and at about 2:00 pm uttering the Lord's holy name 'Rama, Rama, Rama' three times departed from the mortal body without any unnatural changes and abnormity. His period of incharge of pontificial Vedanta empire was 64 years. Let the sweet remembrance of holy name 'Vishwottamatirtha' remove all the obstacles for easy observance of divine worship and adoration and become the chief means for securing blessed favour of Sri Hari-Vayu-Vadirajaru, Bhutarajaru and others.

Source - sodematha.in