The Chitrapur Guru Parampara (Devanagari à ¤Âà ¤¿à ¤¤à ¥Âà ¤°à ¤¾à ¤ªà ¥Âà ¤° à ¤Âà ¥Âà ¤°à ¥ à ¤ªà ¤°à ¤Âà ¤ªà ¤°à ¤¾,') or Guru Heritage of the ChitrÃÂpur SÃÂraswat Brahmins is the lineage of spiritual teachers (gurus), also known as Mathadhipatis () (head of the ChitrÃÂpur Math, ') who have led the community throughout its history.
These teachers are viewed as the torch-bearers of the rich culture and heritage that the community has passed down from generation to generation. Starting with Param Poojya ParijnanÃÂshram I Swamiji in 1708, the Parampara (lineage) continues through to the present MathÃÂdhipati of the ChitrÃÂpur Math Param Poojya SadyojÃÂt ShankarÃÂshram Swamiji. He is currently the 11th MathÃÂdhipati of the Shri Chitrapur Math.
This chart shows the lineage of Paramparas. It shows the reigning period of each MathÃÂdhipati along with his place of birth as well as place where his shrine (samÃÂdhi) is located.
Saraswat () is the generic term for the Brahmins or learned people who inhabited the fertile basin between the ancient rivers of Saraswati and Drishadawati in Kashmir. But usually Saraswat refers to the Saraswat Brahmins who come under the ChitrÃÂpur Matha at ShirÃÂli and are hence called ChitrÃÂpur SÃÂraswat Brahmins (BhÃÂnaps or SmÃÂrtha SÃÂraswats). Due to drought and famine, they migrated southwards towards Goa and Maharashtra. But Portuguese invasion of Goa forced the SÃÂraswats established near the Gomantak region to migrate further south towards Karnataka and settle down in the Kanara regions of Karnataka. Their administrative experience helped them attain several important posts in the regions in which they migrated to.
The Bhanap people are a very small community that is scattered in all parts of the globe. The common thread that binds all these people is the Guru Parampara and the Chitrapur Math.
During the reign of the Hindu chiefs of Nagar or Keldi (1560âÂÂ1768) in the Kanara regions of Karnataka, the Smartha Saraswats held a variety of administrative and accountancy positions in the government. Since they were established in villages of the region, they adopted the names of the villages as their surnames.
However, the Saraswats experienced conflicts with the local people of the region, who went to the King of Nagar and argued that the Saraswats did not have a Guru and hence did not have a spiritual existence of their own.
As a result, the King issued an official decree whereby "If the Saraswats did not show him their Guru, a heavy penalty would be imposed upon them". The representative of the Saraswat community responded to the king that this was not possible, as the Guru of the Shenvis had left for Benaras. However, the King was not satisfied with this answer.
The Saraswat Brahmins were aghast. All the elders of the community held a dharan (community prayer) at the Temple of Lord MahÃÂbaleshwar (BhavÃÂnishankar) at Gokarna. The intensity of prayer is as quoted:
<blockquote>The Saraswats gathered together,<br>And prayed in all humility,<br>Giving up hunger, thirst and sleep...<br>
Such was the intensity
The devotees with prayers in their hearts,<br>Unceasingly for long nights and days,<br>Surrendered unto Lord Mahabaleshwar,<br>At Gokarn, that sacred place.</blockquote>
Lord BhavÃÂnishankar is said to have answered their prayers. In a dream he appears and assures his devotees that the next day, a Sanyasi would arrive at the banks of the Kotiteerth and he would guide the community as their Guru.
As the dream had proclaimed, a sanyasi clad in saffron robes and carrying the vigraha (idol) of Lord BhavÃÂnishankara in his cloth pouch arrived at the banks of the Kotiteerth (), the village tank.
<blockquote>"Sacred ash smeared on the forehead,<br>The Guru arrived, the Benevolent One,<br>Clad in flaming saffron robes,<br>Resplendent like the Sun! A 'Danda' adorned in one hand,<br>A 'Kamandalu' in another,<br>The brilliance of Shankara on his face,<br>The gentle smile of a mother! A 'rudraksha mala' adorned his nech,<br>A 'Jholi' by His side,<br>Carried the 'Vigraha' of Lord Bhavanishankara,<br>Our Gurudev had come down to guide."</blockquote>
This sanyasi was ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram I, the first Guru, who established in 1708, the Guru parampara in which the present guru SadyojÃÂt ShankarÃÂshram is the eleventh in succession
For over 300 years, the SÃÂraswats have lived under the Guru Parampara, with each swamiji contributing to the development of the community in their own way.
The Saraswat installed Swami ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram I at the Sri Vishveshwar Vithal Temple and brought him to NÃÂgar and before the king. But the king refused to accept him as their guru unless the ShankarÃÂchÃÂrya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham gave his consent.
ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram Swamiji travelled from Gokarna to Shringeri. At first he was denied entry into the temple by the priests there. In the night "Jagadguru" had a dream where he saw that the idol of Sharada Devi had lost its lustre as she was upset that her son was denied entry into the temple. In the morning the Jagadguru realised this when he saw the idol and immediately called for Parijnanashram Swamiji and gave his consent to the new Swamiji. The King then welcomed the new MathÃÂdhipati of the SÃÂraswats. Thus, the Guru parampara was established.
The Swamiji consented to stay on at the Sri Vishweshwar Vithal Temple on the banks of the Kotiteerth in Gokarna which became the first Math or monastery (The Adi Matha) of the SÃÂraswats. He led the community till 1720 when ShankÃÂrashram I Swami became the MathÃÂdhipati (head of the matha: generic name for head of the community). He attained MahÃÂsamÃÂdhi (death) on the Krishna Chaturdashi day of the month of Chaitra in 1720. His samÃÂdhi is located at the Adi Matha, Gokarna
Swami ShankarÃÂshram was the mathÃÂdhipati from 1720 until his MahÃÂsamadhi in 1757. Under his leadership, the ChitrÃÂpur Math at ShirÃÂli became the head math (monastery) of the SÃÂraswats. His divinity has many popular folklores attached to it. Many devotees in grief and sorrow attained happiness due to his divine grace (see Swamiji's Miracles). Swamiji suddenly suffered from an untimely illness and succumbed to it and attained MahÃÂsamÃÂdhi in 1757. His samÃÂdhi is located at Shirali. He had not adopted a shishya (disciple) to continue the lineage or parampara.
With ShankarÃÂshram I Swamiji attaining samÃÂdhi without ordaining a new successor, the community was again put into a state of peril. The King had again seized the assets of the math with the condition that a new mathadhipati had to be installed.
The elders of the community gathered together and sought to resolve the impending peril. They went to a saintly person, who practised yoga, from the Pandit family in Kollur and asked him if he would take up the reins of the MathÃÂdhipati. He accepted and thus was ordained as ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram II Swamiji.
Not being the type who liked to wield power, Swamiji accepted a shisya (disciple) very soon and spent most of his time practising yoga at Kollur. He attained MahÃÂsamÃÂdhi in 1770 leaving behind his successor ShankarÃÂshram II. His samÃÂdhi is located at Shirali
Swami ShakarÃÂshram II was considered to be the avatÃÂr (incarnation) of Lord DattÃÂtreya. He was a JñÃÂni (knowledgeable one) and people from all parts of the country flocked to hear his spiritual discourses. Many miracles have been attributed to him (see Miracles).
In 1781, swamiji accepted a shishya (disciple) and christened him KeshavÃÂshram. In 1785 swamiji attained MahÃÂsamÃÂdhi and Swami KeshavÃÂshram became the fifth mathÃÂdhipati of the SÃÂraswat Brahmins. The samÃÂdhi of ShankarÃÂshram Swamiji is located at the small hamlet of MallÃÂpur in Karnataka at the MallÃÂpur Math.
KeshavÃÂshram Swamiji took charge of the math in 1785. As a learned person and scholar in Sanskrit scriptures, he believed that education was the key to success, and encouraged the SÃÂraswats to receive an English education during British rule. Since many other communities ostracized the English language, the Saraswats' English education allowed them to hold positions of high-esteem under the British.
KeshavÃÂshram Swamiji is attributed with many miracles (see Miracles) and the popularity of the matha got a tremendous boost under his ÃÂdhipatya (governance). He accepted a shishya in 1804 and ordained him VÃÂmanÃÂshram. Thus another sacred link was added to the Guru parampara.
In the year 1823, KeshavÃÂshram Swamiji attained MahÃÂ-samadhi. His samÃÂdhi is located at Shirali
VÃÂmansÃÂshram Swamiji became the mathadhipati in 1823. VÃÂmanÃÂshram Swamiji had the distinction of serving as the shishya of KeshavÃÂshram Swamiji for 19 years. He was a person who was more involved in spiritual pursuits than in administration. To reduce the burdens of administration, he accepted a shishya. This shishya was ordained as KrishnÃÂshram in the year 1836.
After accepting a shishya VamanÃÂshram Swamiji gave up the administrative responsibilities and took the path of TyÃÂga (sacrifice) in 1836. Stories of his divine powers and intensity of prayer are legends among the SÃÂraswats. Swamiji attained MahÃÂ-samÃÂdhi in 1839. His samÃÂdhi stands at Mangalore within the premises of the Mangalore Math.
Param Poojya KrishnÃÂshram Swamiji gained control over the matha in 1839. He was a dynamic and able administrator whose contributions to architecture and infrastructure still stand today. He ordered the construction of temples and mathas, set right existing ones and gradually converted many people from their Vaishnava practises.
Swamiji accepted a shishya in 1857 and ordained him as PÃÂndurangÃÂshram. With the dynamism of youth in PÃÂdurangÃÂshram swami, Swami KrishnÃÂshram could introduce many reforms for the benefit of the community.
Swami KrishnÃÂshram attained Maha-samadhi in 1863. His samadhi (shrine) is located at Shirali.
Param Poojya PÃÂndurangÃÂshram took charge of the math in 1863. He is the longest serving MathÃÂdhipati till date (52 years). He is considered one of the most brilliant of all the swamis and was distinguished by his mastery of Sanskrit and Logic. Even after taking charge of the matha, he continued to learn the Vedanta and the Upanishads. He stressed the need for education in the community, and under his guidance a school was established. He also brought about the development of general infrastructure of ShirÃÂli.
Swamiji stressed Dharma (the right way to live) and encouraged a sense of patriotism in his country. He came under criticism for imposing a ban on foreign travel. Anyone who went abroad or anyone who associated with a person who went abroad were excommunicated. Overall, the period under the leadership of Swami PÃÂndurangÃÂshram is called the "Glorious Age" of the Saraswats.
Miracles have been attributed to Swamiji. Swamiji was reluctant in adopting a shishya because he believed the community lacked discipline. Eventually when Swamiji was very sick, he relented to the pressure of the people and accepted a shishya. The new shishya, who was just 8 years old, was ordained as ÃÂnandÃÂshram. Thus, a sacred link in the Guru Parampara could be established. PÃÂndurangÃÂshram Swamiji attained MahÃÂ-samÃÂdhi in 1915. His samÃÂdhi is at ShirÃÂli.
ÃÂnandÃÂshram Swamiji served as mathÃÂdhipati for a period of 51 years. During these years, India went through turbulent times of the Independence struggle.
Under ÃÂnandÃÂshram Swamiji, the SÃÂraswat community developed at a rapid rate. The financial development of the community was given high priority, as the community was facing a financial crisis during the early parts of his reign. He also brought about many social reforms such as permission to go abroad and taking back the people from the community who had been ostracized for foreign visits.
Swami Anandashram accepted a shishya in 1959 and ordained him as ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram. Swamiji attained MahÃÂ-samÃÂdhi in 1966. His samadhi is in Shirali.
ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram Swamiji took charge of the matha after Swami ÃÂnandÃÂshram's reign. He had a progressive outlook and possessed knowledge of Vedic as well as technical matters. His dynamic approach to matters regarding the matha brought back the community's financial stability. His scientific temper resulted in the establishment of a printing press, Observatory and other technical advancements.
He was responsible for the starting of cottage and small-scale industries like printing press, handlooms and powerlooms, and agro-industries in the regions around the math. With the financial stability regained, the Rathà Âtsav (Car Festival) was restarted; which had been stopped under Swami ÃÂnandÃÂshram due to acute financial strain.
His farsightedness and ideas on development caused a rift with the "orthodox" members of the community. It also led to an open display of disrespect toward this Swamiji by certain lobbies. Swamiji made the ultimate TyÃÂga (sacrifice) by giving up the administration of the matha in 1981. This was reminiscent of Swami VÃÂmanÃÂshram who had done the same in 1836. Swami ParijñÃÂnÃÂshram III attained MahÃÂ-samÃÂdhi in 1991. His samÃÂdhi is at Karla in Maharashtra.
After the Samadhi of Parampoojya Parijnanashram Swamiji, the Karla Math continued to be managed by the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community, under guidance from His successor, HH Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji, the 11th Guru in the Chitrapur Saraswat Guruparampara and spiritual head of the institutions running the Karla Math.
After a 6-year search for a guru, (1991âÂÂ1997) the SÃÂraswat community found a MathÃÂdhipati and Guru - HH Param Poojya SadyojÃÂt ShankarÃÂshram Swamiji. In Him, the community found an erudite Vedic Scholar, an exponent of the advaitic Philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, teacher, reformist leader, and much more. Ordained into Sanyas by HH Swami IshwarÃÂnanda Giriji Maharaj as SadyojÃÂt Samvat Giri, He took up the reins of Shri Chitrapur Math in February 1997 as Sadyojat Shankarashram Swami at a well-attended, elaborate Ceremony blessed by HH Shankaracharya of Shringeri Shardamba Peetham.
Under Swami SadyojÃÂt ShankarÃÂshram's guidance, the Shrivali Trust was established which has provided medical care and drinkable water to the people. Free value-based education is provided at the Shrivali School. Temples have been reconstructed from the state of ruin and general infrastructure has developed. The Shri Chitrapur Math Charitable Trust today works for the empowerment of the villagers providing livelihood to the underprivileged. Swamiji has stressed the development of the youth as a force and has resulted in the conducting of very many Shibhirs (youth camps) for the physical, mental and spiritual development of the youth in the community.
The "Guru Parampara" of the SÃÂraswat Brahmins is something that they cherish and remains as the vital link that connects this small community of people, living in different parts of the globe.