Kaniyoor Mutt
Kaniyoor Mutt
Idol of Yoga Narasimha with four hands
Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya, who preached Tatvavada also installed Krishna idol in Udupi and appointed 8 saints to worship Sri Krishna on Co-operation basis (Paryaya). These saints continued their linage & became the moola purusha of 8 different mutts called Ashta mutts.
Sri Madhwacharya initiated Sri Rama Theertha to sanyasa to worship Sri Krishna & gave Yoga Narasimha idol with 4 hands seated on swastik symbol. The idol has shankha and chakra in two hands and the remaining two hands are placed on laps. Sri Rama Theertha continued his lineage & it is known as Kaniyoor mutt. Sri Rama Theertha is the first pontiff / moola purusha of this mutt.
The main branch of this Mutt is in the village Kaniyoor. At Udupi Krishnapura mutt is located to the eastern side on Car Street. Kaniyoor mutt has the privilege of owning Pajaka, the birthplace of Sri Madhwacharya, where they have preserved Acharya’s childhood monuments.
Below is brief description about the saints of Kaniyoor mutt guru parampare.
01. Sri Rama Theertha
Sri Rama Theertha is the 1st saint after Madhwacharya in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Madhwacharya
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Raghunatha Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : on the banks of river Bhagirathi
Sri Rama Theertha is the first pontiff of Kaniyoor mutt who was given Ashrama by Sri Madhwacharya himself. Sri Narayana Panditacharya of the Sumadhwa Vijaya has praised him as “Sri Madramapadashraya”. He did the Pooja for a few years and then handed over the reins of the Samsthana to his disciple Sri Raghunatha Theertha. He travelled widely across the country
After handing over Peeta to Sri Raghunatha Theertha, it is said that he entered Vrundavana on the banks of river Bhagirathi on Magha Bahula Panchami, but place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
02. Sri Raghunatha Theertha
Sri Raghunatha Theertha is the 2nd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Rama Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Raghupati Theertha
Aradhana : Chaitra Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : on the banks of river Ganga
Sri Raghunatha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Rama Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 58 years. He ably conducted his duties of the Mutt assigned to him by his illustrious Guru. He selected an able successor in Sri Raghupati Theertha and gave him the responsibility of the mutt and went on a pilgrimage tour across this land of India and like his Guru left his mortal body on the banks of river Ganga on Chaitra Bahula Panchami after handing over Peeta to Sri Raghupati Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
03. Sri Raghupati Theertha
Sri Raghupati Theertha is the 3rd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Raghunatha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Raghunandana Theertha
Aradhana : Vaishakha Bahula Tryodashi
Vrundavana : Nasik
Sri Raghupati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Raghunatha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 59 years. He was a great scholar in philosophy and he had won many debates across the whole country, defeating scholars of other philosophy thereby increasing the fame of Madhwacharya’s philosophy.
When he came to know that his life was nearing to an end, he handed over the Mutt to his successor Sri Raghunandana Theertha and left for the heavenly abode at Triambakeshwar, Near Nasik in Maharashtra state on the 13th day of Vaishakha Bahula after handing over Peeta to Sri Raghunandana Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
04. Sri Raghunandana Theertha
Sri Raghunandana Theertha is the 4th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Raghupati Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Yadunandana Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Bahula Truteeya
Vrundavana : on the banks of river Kaveri
Sri Raghunandana Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Raghupati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 12 years. He was a great scholar and he was highly able to teach the whole Sarvamula Grantha’s (texts) 18 times. He travelled across the country and left this world at the origin of river Cauvery on the 3rd day of the Magha Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Yadunandana Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
05. Sri Yadunandana Theertha
Sri Yadunandana Theertha is the 5th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Raghunandana Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswatma Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Shudha Panchami
Vrundavana : Rameswaram
Sri Yadunandana Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Raghunandana Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 54 years. He was a great scholar and regularly conducted classes and discourses on Sri Madhwacharya’s works and also travelled across the country to all the religious places. His unique specialty was that he used to conduct classes and discourses even during pilgrimages. He handed over the Peeta to his disciple Sri Viswatma Theertha and left the world at Rameswaram on the 5th day of Magha Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswatma Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
06. Sri Viswatma Theertha
Sri Viswatma Theertha is the 6th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Yadunandana Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswanatha Theertha
Aradhana : —
Vrundavana : —
Sri Viswatma Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Yadunandana Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. Not much information is available about him.
After handing over Peeta to Sri Viswatma Theertha he entered Vrundavana.
07. Sri Viswanatha Theertha
Sri Viswanatha Theertha is the 7th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswatma Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vedagarbha Theertha
Aradhana : Kartika Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : Dwaraka
Sri Viswanatha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Viswatma Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 26 years. He was a great scholar and like his predecessors he too was highly involved in conducting classes and discourses. He also visited a lot of pilgrimage centers and left for the heavenly abode at Dwaraka (the place where Krishna resided) on the 5th day of Kartika Bahula after handing over Peeta to Sri Vedagarbha Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
08. Sri Vedagarbha Theertha
Sri Vedagarbha Theertha is the 8th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswanatha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vageesha Theertha
Aradhana : Pushya Pournami
Vrundavana : on the banks of river Tungabhadra
Sri Yadunandana Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Raghunandana Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 33 years. He was a great scholar in all Shastras, defeated many scholars and collected victory letters from all of them. He was believed to be contemporary of Sri Vyasaraja and Sri Vadiraja. During his last days he handed over the Peeta to his disciple Sri Vageesha Theertha and left the world on the full moon day of the Pushya month at the banks of river Tungabhadra. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
09. Sri Vageesha Theertha
Sri Vageesha Theertha is the 9th saint after Sri Rama Theertha a in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vedagarbha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Varadapati Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Shudha Padya
Vrundavana : Bhagirathi
Sri Vageesha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vedagarbha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 23 years. He was a great scholar and has conducted classes for many students. Finally while undertaking pilgrimage tour he left his mortal body at the banks of river Ganga on the first day of Magha Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswatma Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
10. Sri Varadapati Theertha
Sri Varadapati Theertha is the 10th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vageesha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswapati Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : Puri Jagannatha
Sri Varadapati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vageesha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 4 years. He was a great scholar with profound knowledge. He defeated many scholars propagating other faiths. He went for pilgrimage tour and left for the heavenly abode on the fifth day of Magha Bahula at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannatha in Puri after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswapati Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
11. Sri Viswapati Theertha
Sri Viswapati Theertha is the 11th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Varadapati Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswamurthy Theertha
Aradhana : Kartika Shudha Chaturdashi
Vrundavana : Kurukshetra
Sri Viswapati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Varadapati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 49 years. He was a great ascetic and had taught many great shastra granthas to his disciples. He undertook pilgrimage tour many times and entered Vrundavana in the holy place of Kurukshetra on the 14th day of Kartika Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswamurthy Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
12. Sri Viswamurthy Theertha
Sri Viswamurthy Theertha is the 12th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswapati Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vedapati Theertha
Aradhana : Kartika Shudha Ashtami
Vrundavana : Moola Kaveri
Sri Viswamurthy Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Viswapati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 25 years. He had in-depth knowledge of the scriptures and taught many disciples. He travelled across the country many times and visited all the places of pilgrimage. He handed over the reins of the mutt to his disciple Sri Vedapati Theertha and left the mortal body at the birthplace of river Kaveri on the 8th day of Kartika Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Vedapati Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
13. Sri Vedapati Theertha
Sri Vedapati Theertha is the 13th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswamurthy Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vedaraja Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Shudha Truteeya
Vrundavana : Krishna kshethra
Sri Vedapati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Viswamurthy Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 25 years. He was renowned as a great ascetic and was great tapasvi. On knowing the greatness of Swamiji, the ruler of Bellare (a small town near Puttur, Dakshina Kannada District) offered him the land of penance of Sage Kanva- the village of Kaniyoor and a 16 armed Narasimha Idol. This idol is worshipped with great reverence even today at the Moola mutt of Kaniyoor. He passed the reins of the mutt to his disciple Sri Vedaraja Theertha and left this world at Sri Krishna Kshethra on the 3rd day of Magha Shudha,, after handing over Peeta to Sri Vedaraja Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
14. Sri Vedaraja Theertha
Sri Vedaraja Theertha is the 14th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vedapati Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha
Aradhana : Sravana Bahula Navami
Vrundavana : banks of river Godavari
Sri Vedaraja Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vedapati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 20 years. He was also great scholar like his Guru and had detailed scholarship in Shastras and visited Ganga and other tirtha Kshethra’s many times. Finally he handed over the mutt responsibility to his disciple Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha and left for the heavenly abode at the banks of river Godavari on the 8th day of Sravana Bahula, after handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha. His place of Vrundavana needs to be confirmed after thorough research.
15. Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha
Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha is the 15th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vedaraja Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhesha Theertha
Aradhana : Chaitra Shudha Panchami
Vrundavana : Kokkada
Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vedaraja Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 33 years. He was a great ascetic and once he was doing penance at Kadeshivalaya, on the banks of river Netravati (Bantwal, Dakshina Kannada District) through the Ekakshari Mantra to please Lord Narasimha. At that time Lord Rudra came before him rather than Lord Narasimha. Swamiji said “I had done these austerities to please Lord Narasimha and why have you come before me?” Lord Rudra told him that he had come as per the orders of Lord Narasimha and he had come there to bless Swamiji for bearing the difficulties of 10 births in this birth only. Swamiji happily took up this and anointed his disciple Sri Vibudhesha Theertha for leading the Samsthana, Swamiji suffered the difficulties of 10 births at Balya mutt, near Kadeshivalaya and then attained Samadhi. This rare fact was recorded in the Kaifiyat related to Swamiji (dated Shalivahana Shaka 1536, 1614 A.D., Ananda Samvatsara Pushya Shudha Dashami Saturday) is on the West wall of Sri Krishna mutt. His Aradhana falls on Chaitra Shudha Panchami.
16. Sri Vibudhesha Theertha
Sri Vibudhesha Theertha is the 16th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Varijaksha Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : Mannarugudi
Sri Vibudhesha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyadheesha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 25 years. He was a great scholar and tapasvi. He was always performing full austerities and like his predecessors he visited all places of pilgrimage on regular basis. During such tours, he visited Mannarugudi, near Kumbhakonam in Tamil Nadu. There he performed severe austerities and pleased Lord Krishna. He got 8 idols of Krishna and awakened the power of the Lord in them, kept one for himself and gave the rest to other 7 Krishna mutts. He conducted one Paryaya and then handed over the Samsthana to his direct disciple Sri Varijaksha Theertha and left again for Mannarugudi. He stayed there and pleased the Lord of the place Sri Krishna with his steadfast devotion and attained his abode on 5th day of Magha Shudha.
17. Sri Varijaksha Theertha
Sri Varijaksha Theertha is the 17th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhesha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Viswendra Theertha
Aradhana : Vaishakha Shudha Panchami
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Varijaksha Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhesha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 23 years. He was famous as an austere person, with profound knowledge of philosophy and giving discourses. He passed on the responsibility of Samsthana to his disciple Sri Vishwendra Theertha and left the mortal world on the 5th day of Vaishakha Shudha after handing over Peeta to Sri Viswendra Theertha
18. Sri Viswendra Theertha
Sri Viswendra Theertha is the 18th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Varijaksha Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Bahula Dashami
Vrundavana : Kaniyoor
Sri Viswendra Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Varijaksha Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 23 years.
He was a great scholar, undertook pilgrimage tour. He was performing all related activities as per his ashrama, including all the japa, tapa. He was a scholar par excellence in Shastras and he taught his disciples various works of Madhwacharya. He travelled from Himalaya to Kanyakumari and then passed over the reins to his disciple Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha and entered Vrundavana at Muni Kanva’s place of penance in Kaniyoor on the 10th day of Magha Bahula.
19. Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha
Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha is the 19th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Viswendra Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Shudha Padya
Vrundavana : Kaniyoor
Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Viswendra Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 17 years. He was well versed and performed all austerities befitting his ashram. He defeated many scholars belonging to opposite schools of thought and was well known as the conqueror in debates. He handed over the samsthana to his disciple Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha and entered the Vrundavana near his guru in Kaniyoor on the 1st day of Magha Shudha.
20. Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha
Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha is the 20th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyaraja Theertha
Aradhana : Chaitra Bahula Panchami
Vrundavana : Kaniyoor
Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhavandya Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 24 years. He was a great tapasvi and used to give great discourses on all Shastras like his Guru. He went on pilgrimage tour in regular basis. He handed over the samsthana to his disciple Sri Vidyaraja Theertha and entered Vrundavana on 5th day of Chaitra Shudha at Kaniyoor.
21. Sri Vidyaraja Theertha
Sri Vidyaraja Theertha is the 21st saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha
Aradhana : Margashira Bahula Shashti
Vrundavana : Kaniyoor
Sri Vidyaraja Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhadhiraja Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 50 years. He went on pilgrimage to great places like Kashi, Prayaga and also taught many people all the granthas of Madhwa philosophy. He participated in many scholarly conferences and won over many
scholars of opposite schools of thought. He was well honoured and respected by all. There is a sloka available about him which says
yO&sau raMjitabhAjanaiH sulasadgAMgeyabhAShAgaNaiH
vajrEMdOpala padmarAgakhachitaiH nAnAnudAnaiScha yaH | kaaverImagamaddishaM…………………………………..
vidyArAjapadAMkitO mama gururdEyAdalaM maMgalaM ||
Mostly this could be a part of the Mangalashtaka created on Sri Vidyaraja Theertha. If we could get the full work probably lot more information on him could be collected. He entered Vrundavana on 6th day of the Margashira Bahula, after handing over Peeta to Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha
22. Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha
Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha is the 22nd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyaraja Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyasagara Theertha
Aradhana : Ashada Shudha Dwadashi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyaraja Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 54 years. He was a great scholar of Madhwa Shastras and a great ascetic. During one of his pilgrimages he was at the banks of river Godavari. At that time, pleased with swamiji’s devotion and austerities, the Ganga came in the form of a stone in his hands. People who were there observed this and then the King of that province honoured swamiji learning about his greatness. Also, he gave a Gomedhe (Hessonite) box to keep the stone idol of Bhagirathi Devi. All devotees in the area around the banks of Godavari insisted that such a great swami to stay in that place forever. Swamiji told them that since the Krishna Pooja deekshe (Paryaya) was approaching fast he was unable to stay in that place. He came back to Udupi after being immensely honoured by the locals of that place. He made arrangements for daily pooja of Bhagirathi Devi along with Lord Narasimha. Even now, one could see the Gomedhe boxed Bhagirathi Devi getting worshipped with Lord Narasimha. Later he transferred the reins of the Mutt to his disciple Sri Vidyasagara Theertha and left for the heavenly abode on the 12th day of Ashada Shudha at Udupi.
23. Sri Vidyasagara Theertha
Sri Vidyasagara Theertha is the 23rd saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vasudeva Theertha
Aradhana : Pushya Shudha Saptami
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vidyasagara Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He was very famous and when he was travelling through Kodagu (Coorg), there he was honoured by the kings of that province. He also got done in silver, idols of Keshava and other forms which decorate the western window of the inner sanctum of Lord Krishna. The kings of Hyderabad had lot of faith and respect towards Swamiji. When swamiji was in Hyderabad, someone poisoned a fruit and offered it to him. He came to know about this with his divine sight and he detoxified it to the surprise of his enemies. He handed over the Samsthana to his disciple Sri Vasudeva Theertha and
reached the heavenly abode on the 7th day of Pushya Shudha at Udupi.
24. Sri Vasudeva Theertha
Sri Vasudeva Theertha is the 24th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyasagara Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyapati Theertha
Aradhana : Ashada Bahula Chathurthi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vasudeva Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyasagara Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. The King of Kodagu and Nizam of Hyderabad were his great devotees and were blessed immensely by the swamiji. As per the request of the Nizam of Hyderabad he stayed for some period at Bhagyanagar and blessed the devotees there. After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyapati Theertha he entered the Vrundavana on the 4th day of Ashada Bahula at Sri Krishna Sannidhana at Udupi.
25. Sri Vidyapati Theertha
Sri Vidyapati Theertha is the 25th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vasudeva Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vamana Theertha
Aradhana : Vaishakha Shudha Dwadashi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vidyapati Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vasudeva Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He was a very good scholar,he taught his contemporary pontiff of the Vyasaraja Mutt and got showered with 2000 gold coins. During his paryaya, the then King of Mysore, Krishnarja Wodeyar visited the temple, he was highly impressed with Swamiji’s scholarly talents and gifted him his horse as offering. Swamiji knew that his death would be by serpent bite, He handed over Peeta to Sri Vamana Theertha. When he was bitten by a serpent went into meditation and left his mortal body on the 12th day of Vaishakha Shudha at Udupi
26. Sri Vamana Theertha
Sri Vamana Theertha is the 26th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyapati Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha
Aradhana : Ashada Bahula Chathurthi
Vrundavana : Kaniyoor
Sri Vamana Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyapati Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He constructed a Mutt at Kaniyoor and consecrated there the Narasimha idol that was worshipped hitherto by Rishi Kanva, also he made arrangements there for the daily pooja. He also renovated mutt in Pajaka. His Aradhana is observed on the 4th day of Ashada Bahula.
After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Kaniyoor.
27. Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha
Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha is the 27th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : —
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vamana Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha
Aradhana : Sravana Bahula Chathurthi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vamana Theertha and ruled the Peeta for few years. He renovated the mutts in Udupi, Kasaragod and Thalebailu (near Kaniyoor). He got specially honoured by the King of Travancore. He offered the small chariot to Lord Krishna for the purpose of daily utsava.
His Aradhana is observed on the 4th day of Sravana Bahula.
After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.
28. Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha
Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha is the 28th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : Sri Narayana
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha
Aradhana : Magha Shudha Dwadashi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 61 years. He was born as the eldest son of a highly devoted and religious couple Narasimha Acharya and Rukmini Devi on 09th April 1890 at a village named Budeya, near Puttur of Dakshina Kannada District. He was named as Narayana by his parents. He was taught all the basic rituals at home by his father and his Brahmopadesham was performed at the age of 8 years. His devotion and detachment impressed the then pontiff of Kaniyoor mutt, Sri Vidyanidhi Theertha, who was also their close relative before accepting Sanyasa. This led Swamiji to declare him as his successor in the year 1902 and was initiated into sanyasa with the Ashrama name as Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha.
He had initial coaching in Sanskrit from Sri Belle Gururaja Acharya. Further he learnt all Sarva moola granthas and other Madhwa shastra granthas from the then pontiff of Admar Mutt, Sri Vibudhapriya Theertha.
Every morning, Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha Swamiji used to wake up at Arunodaya (about 2 hours before Sunrise), perform daily ablutions and then would prostate before his mother (who used to take rest in one of the rooms at the Mutt). Then he would pray before Lord Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, and follow it by the reading of the day’s panchanga (calendar). Then in the company of the students of the Mutt he would visit temples’ around. He would start with the visit of Lord Sri Chandramouleswara and then proceed to Lord Sri Anantheswara.
Swamiji’s way of honoring the scholars was unique. He would give them handsome remuneration based on their ability and qualification. Beyond that he made arrangements for regular Ganahoma every Chathurthi, Durga pooja every full moon day, and Chandika homa during Navaratri. Also during the period of eclipse he would donate cows. Then during Ellamavasye (New moon day in the month of Margashira) he would take bath in the sea (Samudra Snana) and while returning from the bath he would visit Sri Shankara Narayan Temple at Kodavoor and Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple at Bannanje. Also during Krishna Angaraka Chaturdashi (14th Day after full moon but falling on Tuesday) he would take bath in the Swarna river. (During this day if one takes bath in the Swarna River he would hear sounds of burning, this is like all the sins burning away).
He renovated mutts in Udupi and Mallampalli. He took pilgrimage tour to Badari, Kashi etc.
Declaring the successor and travelling to the heavenly abode Swamiji declared his Poorvashrama brothers’ son Narahari as his successor and gave him Sanyasa deekshe in the year 1963 and named him as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha. He then kept the disciple with him in the Mutt and gave him all the required basic education in Sanskrit. Then he also made the disciple study advanced works of Madhwa philosophy under Sri Suprajnendra Theertha of Puttige Mutt and Sri Lakshmeendra Theertha of Shiroor Mutt, and he himself would also instruct him of the austerities of the ascetic (sanyasa) life.
On 26th Jan 1964 Swamiji (12th day of the Hindu Magha month), as usual Sri performed his daily pooja and japa. Then in the evening he paid a visit to Sri Chandramouleswara temple, Anantheswara temple and Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana, offered his daily prayers and returned to his Mutt. Every time before travel swamiji used to visit all the temples. Similarly, before his final travel swamiji visited all the temples and then came back to his own Mutt and leaned on the deerskin seat and left the worldly body and moved towards the heavenly abode of the Lord. The next day headlines of all Udupi newspaper read “The knowledge lamp of Udupi douses”. This shows the knowledge level of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha.
The Vrundavana of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha is at the backyard of Sri Krishna Mutt where all prominent Vrundavanas of the Swamiji’s of Ashta mutts are.
He handed over Peeta to Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.
29. Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha
Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha is the 29th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : Sri Narahari
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha
Ashrama Shishya : Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha
Aradhana : Pushya Shudha ekadashi
Vrundavana : Udupi
Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha took Ashrama from Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha and ruled the Peeta for 36 years. He was born as the second son of Sri Ananthakrishna Acharya and Ratnavathimma and was named as Narahari in his Poorvashrama. He was born on 9th September, 1931 (Wednesday) at his maternal grandfather’s house at Chitpady, near Udupi. He spent majority of his childhood at his maternal grandfather’s house as the favorite grandson. His father was from Budeya village near Kaniyoor of Puttur taluk. But since 8 people from the family were Swamijis in the Kaniyoor mutt lineage, his father was staying in Udupi. Narahari had his primary education at Anantheswara school and then at Sanskrit patashala.
During that time the health of Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha was failing, and the astrologers had warned that there would be a threat to the life of Swamiji in his 52nd year. Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha
decided that his younger brother Ananthakrishna Acharyas son Narahari as his successor after seeking the astrologers opinion. On 5th May 1942 Narahari, in his 11th year was initiated into the sanyasa ashrama as per Madhwa traditions and was named as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha.
Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha had his initial Sanskrit learning at the Kaniyoor Mutt from Vid. Subramanya Puranik and Vid. Inna Vasudeva Acharya. He learnt Vedanta under the Madhwa philosophy from Sri Sugnanendra Theertha of Puttige Mutt and Sri Lakshmeendra Theertha of Shiroor Mutt.
Since Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha was always at Kaniyoor Mutt in Udupi, he would assist the Paryaya Swamiji with the daily pooja of Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana taking the small throne (sanna patta). Till his last breath he chanted the Hari Vayu stuti in the Punascharana way (prefatory rite) at the Mukhyaprana
Sannidhi. The Centenarian Swamiji of Sri Puttige Mutt Sri Sudhindra Theertha honored Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha by saying that no other Swamiji would have done the Krishna Mukhyaprana pooja as much as Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha.
Sri Vidyasamudra Theertha in his last days used to call his disciple and successor and instruct him on
the most intrinsic qualities and rules of Sanyasa dharma, chanting of not less than 1000 pranava mantra,
parayana of Sri Bhagavadgeetha and Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, and all other duties. He also touched his head and blessed him to conduct a successful Sri Krishna Paryaya. The words of the master had a great effect on the disciple’s mind and increased his devotion towards his Guru. It was because of this blessing
that Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha was able to conduct his first Paryaya with great glory. Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha attributed this success to the blessings of his illustrious Guru. In 1970, Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha took over the administration of a higher primary school at Kidiyoor and named it after his Guru as Vidyasamudra higher primary school. With the help of the Municipal authorities of Udupi he renamed
an important road in Udupi as Vidyasamudra Road. In 1995 he constructed a choultry and named it as
Vidyasamudra Choultry. During his Paryaya he constructed a Goshala, named it as Sri Vidyasamudra
Smaraka Goshala in fond remembrance of his guru and offered it to Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana. This showed the steadfast devotion of Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha towards his illustrious Guru.
When Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha found signs that he was growing old, he chose his successor in his younger brother Sri Raghupati Acharyas second son, Krishnaraja. On 8th May 1992 (Friday) he gave
him the Sanyasa Deekshe with all mantropadesha, coroneted him and named him as Sri Vidyavallabha
Theertha at Pajaka, the birth place of Sri Madhwacharya.
Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha, with his disciple Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha jointly took over the Sri Krishna Pooja Paryaya for the 4th term (1998-2000) and conducted the Pooja of Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana. When the Paryaya was into the 11th month, Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha left the material world on the auspicious evening of Vaikunta Ekadashi towards the heavenly abode
After handing over Peeta to Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha he entered Vrundavana at Udupi.
30. Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha (present pontiff)
Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha is the 30th saint after Sri Rama Theertha in the guru parampare of Kaniyoor mutt.
Poorvashrama Name : Sri Krishnaraja
Ashrama Guru : Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha
Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha is the thirtieth pontiff in the lineage of Sri Kaniyoor Mutt. He was born as the second son of the blessed couple Vidwan Raghupati Acharya and Smt. Malathi Acharya on October 30th 1977 at Udupi. He was named as Krishnaraja Acharya by his parents. Krishnaraja underwent early schooling at Sri Madhwa Siddhanta Prabhodini Samskritha Mahapaatashaala at Udupi.
Sri Vidyavarinidhi Theertha Swamiji, then pontiff of Kaniyoor Mutt identified Krishnaraja Acharya as his successor and ordained him for Sanyasa on May 8th 1992 at Pajaka Kshethra, the holy place where Sri Madhwacharya was born and named as Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha.
Source: 1) Ashta mutt parampare by Vyasankere Prabhanjanachar, 2) Information from respective mutt website and other internet sources.
