Vishwesha Tirtha: An esoteric seer who lived on pragmatic ideals

The head of Pejawar Mutt, Vishwesha Tirtha Swami, passed away in Udupi on Sunday (December 29). The 88-year-old was admitted to Kasturba Hospital in Manipal on December 20 for the treatment of ‘extensive pneumonia.’

His condition had deteriorated on Saturday and he was shifted back to the Pejawar Mutt in Udupi on Sunday, where he breathed his last.

Vishwesha Tirtha Swami was the 33rd ‘swami’ in the lineage of the Pejawar Math heads. Born in 1931 in Ramakunja, he was ordained into Sanyasa at the age of 8. He was the only seer to have ascended the ‘Paryaya Peetha’ five times since the system of transferring power between the eight mutts surrounding the Udupi Sri Krishna temple began in 1522.

The seer was one who combined esoteric understanding of the Sasthras with pure pragmatism. He inspired his followers to live by the ancient adage, ‘Nanaajanasya Shushrooshaa Karmaakhyaa Karavanmitehe,’ which roughly translates to: the service of the downtrodden is the tax we pay to the creator.

The seer wanted everyone to consider Dalits as an integral part of society. He had openly stated that the community was ready to accept Dalits after they had converted to Islam or Christianity. “That being the case, aren’t we conceding that other religions treat them with humanity while we do not? Is there a greater insult to our Dharma and society than this?” he once said.

In 1975, he shot off a letter against the imposition of the Emergency. He said, “As long as my Dharmic activities are not affected, I am even ready to serve a prison sentence.” He also wanted the Ram Mandir built in Ayodhya. The seer had said that he would go on an indefinite hunger strike ahead of the SC verdict.

His singular and most important action was to extend the scope of the Mutt he headed from being a mere custodian of customs like Pada-pooja, Bhiksha, and Madi to a more progressive and social-action oriented establishment. He led from the front and took part in almost all the social activities the Mutt took up.

He established a ‘Janata Kalyana Nidhi for the indigent, a fully equipped, 50-bed hospital in Bengaluru for the poor called ‘Sri Krishna Sevashrama,’ and the Sri Krishna Sevadhama, an orphanage.

PM mourns seer

Taking it to twitter, Modi said, “A powerhouse of service and spirituality, he continuously worked for a more just and compassionate society. Om Shanti.”

I consider myself blessed to have got many opportunities to learn from Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji. Our recent meeting, on the pious day of Guru Purnima was also a memorable one. His impeccable knowledge always stood out. My thoughts are with his countless followers. pic.twitter.com/sJMxIfIUSS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2019

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the seer’s self-less contribution towards the welfare of people and society has no parallel.

BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje, who arrived at the Mutt, said, “His health condition worsened, he wished to breathe his last at the Mutt. So, we brought him back, with life support. After initial rituals the senior pontiff will be airlifted to Bengaluru.”

Three-day mourning

Stating that state lost a great soul, Karnataka Chief Minster Yediyurappa, announced a three-day mourning. He said that he has had the luck to receive his blessings for many years and has taken his advice regularly. “The country and state has lost of great soul. He wanted to see the Ram Mandir built in Ayodhya. Unfortunately, he is now not alive to see the temple being built,” he said.

Former Union minister Uma Bharathi, a disciple of the seer, had visited him in the hospital.

Other leaders who rushed to the Mutt included BJP MP and former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda; Raghupathi Bhat, MLA; Bheemanakatte seer Raguvarendra Theertha; and Ramachandrapura Mutt seer Raghaveshwara Swami.

According to Mutt sources, the seer’s mortal remains will be kept at Ajjara Kaadu in Udupi for the public to pay homage till 1 pm. The body will be airlifted to Bengaluru and kept at the National College Ground. The last rites will be performed at 7 pm at Vidyapeeth, Bengaluru.

The rituals at the Sri Krishna temple in Udupi were stopped till 12 noon as a mark of respect. Shops will also remain shut till the rituals are over.