SRI SUSHEELENDRA TIRTHA

- Posting by GRRaghunatha Rao on Dvaita.org

Shri Susheelendra thirthara P D. (Hosaritti) 1912-1926

PooRvashram name: Krishna Charya. (Younger brother of Sukruteendrateerta)

34th in the line of Rayar Mutt.

A great scholar-Tapasvi- was liberal in giving sambhavana to Pundits and Vidwans- He got the golden Mantapam for Sri Rama devaru.- Went to Udipi- gave Rs 5000/- to Lord Sri Krishna as kanike at that time: He installed the Brindavanam of Sri Raghavendra Swamy at Udipi

Hosaritti is near to Savanur. The mutt is situated in a serene place and one could have the darshan of three yathis together, Viz, Sri Susheelendra, Sri Raghavendra and sri Dheerendra theertharugaLu. It is in a Prakara where hundreds of Bhakthas could see the three Brindavanams together,Three Archakas perform pooja separately. The Prakaraa is fairly big and at the back is a spacious hall for Pravachana. And a separate room for “Alanakara pankthi Bhojan “

Shyama Sundaraamkitha has composed a song

“ Smarisu Maanava Nirutha Sri Susheelendra theerthara|

Varahajathata Vysaraaayara KaruNaa Patraraa.||”

Dhyaana Sloka:

Sudhadyamala SadbhodhaM Sukeerthi vila saddishaM|

Sudhi Samstuthya SugunaM Susheelendra GuruM Bhaje||

- From Gurucharitre Published by SRSMutt

Among the multitude of events dotting the life of a man, there would be a few instances which become very remarkable. It is in such remarkable instances only, when his true colours become conspicuous. Generally a person moving in the path of his life at a constant pace surges ahead farthest in such propitious circumstances. Such occasions are considered very opportune. It is only on such occasions, chain of successes favour him.

This is as well absolutely true of a tradition and more so of the history of an institution as of the life of a man. It keeps moving looking forward to an opportune moment. When it chances to get a right opportunity, it shoots itself to the zenith to spread its influence all over. What has suffered a set back from the causation of the governor of events, “the time” similarly resiles itself to reach the peek it had lost. Those responsible for such upswings are men of extraordinary attainments and spiritual souls. Their foot prints rest eternally on the path of time.

The tradition initiated by Sanakadis transformed into life and acquired completeness because of such holy men like Acharya, Teekakritpada, Vibudhendratheertha, Vijayeendratheertha, Sri Gururaja and Sumatheendra. Now appeared another charismatic saint to enliven this great tradition.

The personality of Krishnacharya, the poorvashrama younger brother of Sukrutheendratheertha who stood with him solidly was wonderful. His great ambition was to bring about a revolution in the Mutt. He prosecuted his studies alongside his brother. But he did not give much attention towards his studies. He was quick in his comprehension. Once anything was grasped, it would remain indelible in his mind. Though he was not very advertent in the study of Shastras, every aspect was reflected in his entirety in the knowledge that Krishnacharya had acquired.

He had a great craving for securing an assembly of scholars to have debates on topics of Shastra and churning of various philosophies. Gathering of the scholars and holding discussions on Vedantha were quite in the fitness of things for the Mutt. Yet Krishnacharya strove hard to see that all these events took place well within a proper frame. He saw to it that the assembly of scholars Mahasamaradhana of swamiji’s guru got larger and larger and made arrangements for holding it on a massive scale on other occasion. Sukrutheendratheertha ordered such annual assembly of scholars to be named ‘Srimatsameera Samaya Samvardhini Sabha’. Accordingly Krishnacharya got up such an assembly spending large sums of money. The scholars belonging to the three Mutts and also those belonging to the three sects gathered. The conference lasted for three days on a grand scale. Scholars were honoured with liberal pecuniary awards. Krishnacharya displayed his great organising abilities by conducting such an annual assembly. It is only because of his having understood all these well, Sukrutheendratheertha entrusted the Mahasamsthana to Krishnacharya and named him ‘Susheelendratheertha’.

Susheelendratheertha who adorned the seat of the Mutt shone with bewildering spiritual brilliance. That he was a legend in the divine world was quite ostensible in his very personality. Though the swamiji wore a smile always, none dared speak to him. The encouragement to scholarship extended by the swamiji after he attained sanyasa was extraordinary. He became known for his generosity. All the scholars of excellence of that period had adorned the Mutt. In the very second year of his sanyasa the swamiji had a conference of a very large number of scholars at Nanjangud. It was a milestone achievement. All the scholars assembled at the palace in Nanjangud. It comprised great scholars from different sects advocating their philosophies. The debates that ensued, the generous cash awards swamiji honoured the scholars with, the manner of serving dainties and delicacies of every description, to leave even a gourmet greatly pleased were simply inexplicable. This brought about an ever lasting fame for the swamiji and the Mutt as well. Such conferences under the aegis of Srimatsameera Samaya Samvardhini Sabha became regular annual events.

Swamiji’s genius and interest were multifaceted. Apart from being a pioneer of such meticulously organised massive assemblies, he was instrumental in making way for achieving many milestones. It was swamiji’s ambition to worship Lord Moolarama in a gold Mantap. Fulfilment of even this ambition became possible only through his ingenuity. He had a very beautiful Mantap readied and worshipped Moolarama in that Mantap.

More than these two, what makes swamiji’s name ever memorable in the history of the Mutt is his pilgrimage to Udupi. Then Vibudhapriyatheertha of Adamar Mutt was in charge of the affairs of Krishna Mutt at Udupi. He too was a great scholar. Known for his ingenuity. Vibudhapriya who had heard of the fame of Susheelendratheertha invited him to Udupi. Accepting this invitation, the swamiji went to Udupi. Vibudhapriyatheertha had made excellent arrangements to receive the swamiji. The swamiji was taken in procession seated in a bedecked palanquin from the outskirts of the town. This two mile long procession was very astonishing for the citizens of Udupi.

As the procession neared the Krishna temple, the swamiji alighted from the palanquin. Vibudhapriya received the swamiji holding his hand warmly. He exchanged greetings and enquiries. It reminded of the meeting of Vadiraja and Vijayeendratheertha in the past. The swamiji had Dhoolidarshan of Udupi Lord Krishna and offered rupees seven thousand to the deity.

To commemorate his visit, the swamiji next day installed the Brindavan of Sri Gururaja at the Mutt which had come to Vijayeendratheertha as gift and where Sri Gururaja had stayed many days. The glory of installation of this Brindavan exactly opposite to the idol of Lord Krishna was extraordinary. In the history of the Mutt this is an unprecedented event and a service of exceptional kind that the swamiji did to Sri Gururaja. Lord Krishna must have been greatly pleased to have the most devoted seated in front offering his worship forever. That was why the Lord too looked more glorious that day than ever.

The weeklong celebration of Sri Krishnaparyaya was very grand. The presence of the swamiji added greater glory to the celebration. The visit of the swamiji to his Mutt was very delightful for Vibudhapriyatheertha. He too did suitable honours to the swamiji. Lord Krishna’s hospitality to Lord Moolarama and that of Lord Moolarama to Lord Krishna- these two were a visual treat for the sea of devotees. For everybody it was like reminiscing Acharya worshipping Rama and Krishna. The whole gathering gleefully shouted that such a celebration was possible only in the likes of heaven and never on the earth even in the wildest of imaginations.The swamijis of other Mutts had the Padapooja of the swamiji performed. The swamiji proceeded to North Karnataka after doing generous honours to the scholars there. The swamiji streamlined the system of rituals and daily worship of Sri Gururaja at Mantralaya. Thus the entire life of swamiji lasted as an occasion of great festivity. When swamiji was touring Hubli region, he was slightly indisposed. Immediately he hurried to the village Ritti, the abode of Dheerendratheertha, where he sent for his confidant and the Dewan of the Mutt Huli Krishnacharya and bestowed sanyasa on him. On the third day of Ashadha Shuddha in Akshaya Samvatsara, he reached the Lotus feet of Lord Krishna.

The swamiji diverged lucent beams like the Sun in the firmament who rose and set, blazing a trail of glory to endure through the ages. His eventful and wholesome life remained etched in permanent memory. Though his tenure as the head of the Mutt spanned a long period of fourteen years, it passed off for a few days. Even today those who were in the Mutt during his days grieve over his departure.

His was a daemonic personality. Not that he was himself just a zestful divine luminary, but whoever that had the fortune to be in his proximity was definitely environed by his illumination. Not a trace of selfishness, grudge and such other taints did his magnanimity have. It was as sublime as pure milk. The swamiji was an epitome of asceticism, embodiment of renunciation. Though his life itself was a history of treasure, he remained insulated like a lotus leaf on water. He was free from the worldly propensities and penchants and other attractions which goad one into demean oneself. The swamiji who had attained absolute continence exuded unparalleled charisma. It may not be an exaggeration to say that the void created by the swamiji’s absence is highly irretrievable.

-Posting by Sri Narahari Sumadhwa

Sri Susheelendra Thirtharu

July 13, 2010

Shri Susheelendra Thirtharu

Sanyasa Period – 1912-1926

(Rayara Mutt Parampare)

Araadhana - Ashada Shudda Triteeya

Poorvashrama Naama - Krishnacharya

Ashrama Gurugalu - Sri Sukruteendra Thirtharu

Ashrama Shishyaru - Sri Suvrateendra Tirtharu

Vrundavana - Hosaritti near Savanoor

Vidya Gurugalu -

Sri Suprajnendra Thirtharu - Kavya, Nataka, alankara, vedanta

Sri Huli Hanumantacharyaru - Nyaaya, Meemamsa

Sri Sukruteendra Thirtharu - Dwaitha Shastra

During his period he asked Sri Goudagiri Venkataramanacharya ru to write Khandana Grantha for Chandrika Khandana. Sri Anantha Krishna Shastri had written a Khandana Grantha for Chandrika titled Chandrika khandana. For this Sri Goudagiri Venkataramanacharya ru wrote “Chandrika Prakasha Prasara for Khandana of Advaitha Grantha. This is one of the achievements.

He started Srimatsameerasamaya Samvardini Sabha, wherein he gave scope for Dharmaprachara, Sanmana of Madhwa Pandits, Vakyaartha, dvaitha-advaita- vishistadvaitha pandits were also invited to participate in the Sabha.

1. Bless of rain - Once there was a severe draught in Gadhwala Kingdom for nearly two years. At that time the king was Seetharama Bhoopala. Some of his ministers recommended him to approach Sri Susheelendra Tirtharu in Mantralaya. The King immediately approached the seer, who agreed to visit his palace. It is was to the surprise of one and all that the rain started as soon as the seer entered the main gate of the palace and it continued for nearly 13 days, that too during Maghamasa. The king was overwhelmed with joy and he asked the seer to stay for more period in his city only.

2. Bless of Children - Then the king asked Sri Susheelendra Tirtharu that he had two wives but without children and pursued him to stay for some time and do the pooja in his palace. The seer agreed and did the pooja for one month, during which time, the elder wife of the king conceived. The king felt that it was with the anugraha of Rayaru and Susheelendra Tirtha's pooja that his wife is getting the child and asked the seer to stay until she delivers. The seer agreed and was regularly doing the pooja in his place only. The King's second wife also conceived during this time. The king was so happy that he did the pooja of the seer with great enthusiasm and he honoured him.

3.Bala Chakravathi - On hearing the miracles done by the seer the Hyderabad's Navaaba also sent in his officers to invite the seer to his kingdom. The seer agreed and visited his palace and was honoured by the Musalman Navaab and the seer gave him phala mantraakshate and blessed him. The Navaab called the seer as Baala Chakravatthi

4. Mruthika Vrundavana prathistapana at Udupi - Once Sri Vibudapriya Tirtharu of Adamaru Mutt, the paryaaya seer at Udupi sent invitation to Sri Susheelendra Tirtharu to come to Udupi. The seer went to Udupi and was approached by the Asta Mutt Yathees to do the prathistapane of Rayaru at Udupi, which he agreed and did the pratistapane.

5.Abhinava Raghavendra - Once a poet by name Sri Nanjundaiya from Nanjanagud wrote a Kaavya in the name of Abhinava Raghavendra praising the Seer, but the seer didn't liked the same and asked him to throw in the river. However, after the vrundavana pravesha of the seer Sri Elmattur Krishnachar printed the same kavya.

6. Chandrika Prakasha Prasara - Once Mahamahopaadyaya Anantha Krishna Swami, an advaitee scholar wrote Chandrika Khandana, a Khandana grantha on Chandrika of Vyasarajaru. Then immediately the seer asked Sri Goudagere Venkataramanacharya to write the Mandana Grantha bearing all the expenses in printing the said grantha with title Chandrika Prakasha Prasara.

Krishnarpanamastu