Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Sharanaru
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| Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Sharanaru | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1958 Godabanahal, Chitradurga district, India |
Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Sharanaru is the present pontiff of Murugharajendra Mutt.
He was coronated in the Holy Throne on 31st Jan. 1991 as a successor to Sri Jagadguru Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji.
Sri Shivamurthy Murugharajendra Sharanaru was born on 11th April. 1958, in a village called Godabanahal near Chitradurga. He did his education in Chitradurga and completed his graduation here only from the University of Mysore. His sober, sincere and spiritual attitude and the aptitude attracted the attention of Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji, who declared him as his successor. Before enthroning him in Shoonya Peetha, Sri Mallikarjuna Murugharajendra Swamiji provided spiritual and social training at different branch Maths, including Sri Murugharajendra Math at Haveri.
Immediately after his inception as seer, functioning of the Sri Math a sudden turn. He discarded age-old meaningless ritual blindly practiced philosophy. By switching over to active social service from simple religious ceremonies. he gave progressive outlook to the Math's activities. He set self-example by renouncing the prefix "Jagadguru" and suffix "Swamiji". He humbly wished to call him as "Sharana" which means "one who has submitted himself to Fod". Tradition of sitting in silver throne and holy palanquin on ceremonial occasions has also been discontinued. Practice of traditional abhishekam to the "Karthru Gaddige", the holy burial place of the founder of sri math Sri Shanthaveera Swamili has also been given up. Entry to this place was restricted for women for centuries. Sri Swamiji lifted this restriction and set example for equal treatment for girls & boys, men and women.
He started giving progressive dimension to lingayatism from the very day of his initiation as seer. He gave up the traditional prefix Jagadguru which connotes 'Guru of the world' in Kannada Language . He Also gave up suffix 'Swamiji' and substituted with 'Sharana' which means the 'one who has submitted to the spiritual life and causes of people'. He switched over to acts of social service from traditional relegious ceremonies. He has been organising the people having faith in Basavaism throughout the country and has also visited manyforeign countries to organise the followers of Basava philosophy and preachings.
Sri Shivamurthy Sharanaru, was formerly in charge of branch mutts one at Sirsi (North Kanara District) and another at Haveri. Since then, he has developed a deep concern in social service and literature. Ater the demise of his predecessor, a big burden of leading the math has fallen on his young shoulders, which he has borne successfully.
His holiness being quite young, enthusiastic, simple and votary of the ways of sharanas, has started many new forums and many other programmes: for the progress of the villagers "Sri Basaveswara Grama- Vikasa Vedike", for the enlightenment of the Sharana religion "Sharana Smamnotsva", "Sahaja Shivayoga Shibira" and "Maneyalli Mahamane", which have drawn the attention of those really interested. The good-old Dasara Festival which is one of the biggest festivals in the state is renamed by him as "Sharana Samskriti Utsava" and is being observed with modifications.
His Holiness preferred simple "Padayatra" to the conventional grand precession of "Adda Pallakki." He has shown his broader out look by giving Linga initiation to Dalits, Nayaks, Kurubas etc.
His Holiness has preferred the Vachanas of Shiva-sharanas in Kannada to Sanskrit Mantras in worship and other rites.
His Holiness has struggled a lot of bringing peace and hormony whenever the riots broke out between Hindus and Muslims, Savaraneeyas and Dalits. He has helped the victims of natural disasters. He has shown courage and humanitarian attitude by admitting the women folk into some places and festivals.
