Samyamindra Thirtha

Samyamindra Thirtha
Born Umesh Mallan
12 September 1982
North Paravur, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Sect associated Kashi Math
Order 21st Swamiji
Guru Sudhindra Thirtha

Samyamindra Thirtha (born 12 September 1982), also referred to as Shri Samyamindra Thirtha Swamiji is the current main disciple (patta shishya) and successor (uttaradhikari) of the Kashi Math. He is the 21st successive person called the swamiji of guru parampara.

Early life

In early life he was known as Umesh Mallan, the son of Surendra Mallan. His father was a stenographer at Cochin. Before being initiated into sanyasa he was studying 2nd year commerce in Lakshmi College in North Paravur. Being the youngest in his family, his ambition was to join the army and serve his country. His elder brother Suresh Mallan has been working for a bank.[1][2]

Shishya sweekar

During the shishya sweekar (disciple acceptance) process by Sudhindra Thirtha, the horoscope of the young vatu Umesh Mallan was selected after casting a total of 48 horoscopes. As that horoscope had the characteristics sought for a pontiff, Sudhindra Thirtha chose him as his successor. On 20 June 2002, Sudhindra Thirtha initiated Umesh Mallan into Sanyas on the banks of the Ganges. The ceremony was celebrated in the math on Jyeshta Shuddha Dashami day and the new successor was named as Samyamindra Thirta. The declaration was put into effect by Sudhindra Thirtha on the Vyasa Jayanthi, (the Guru's full-moon day).[3][4]

Kashi Math traditional education

The Sudha Mangalotsava of Samyamindra Tirtha was celebrated at Bangalore Shri Kashi Math Samsthan on Madhwa Navami day on 24 January 2010. It was celebrated by the entire GSB community.[5] Sudha Mangalotsava and rigorous training are compulsory for all the pontiffs of Samsthan. Each preceding head of the math has duly undergone this after their respective Deeksha ceremony. The present mathadipathi of Samsthan, Sudhindra Thirtha was the latest to do so before Samyamindra Thirtha, in Buntwal during 1955. Then, after fifty-five years, Sudha Mangalostava by the disciple was celebrated in the presence of the incumbent.[5]

Thrikala pooja and mokkam

The tradition of Kashi Math is for the mathadipathi to perform thrice-daily services ("thrikala pooja") to the principle deities of the math, or charaprathishta (“moving installation") idols of Vyasa, Rama and Narasimha. Usually those three times are morning, noon and night.[6]

Those principle deities of the math are said to have liked to travel and bless the devotees. According to the math's tradition, the mathapadi travels and camps in different places including math branches and GSB temples in India, in the belief that such travel emulates the deities. Each such camp carrying the idols is known as a Mokkam. The mathapadi camps at each place for a week or less in each mokkam except during Vasanthotsavam (the spring festival) and Chaturmasa Vrutha (the rainy season).[6]

Samyamindra Thirtha offers thrice-daily devotions to the Samsthan deities and camps at different places for each mokkam.[7]

Chathurmasya Vrutha and Vasanthosava

Chathurmasya means four months (July Second Half - November First Half, to live in one place during the rainy season). Historically, Hindu saints stayed in one place to observe certain Vruthas (vows), self study, study self discipline and engage in discussions and discourses to enrich their knowledge. This tradition continues even now in Shri Kashi Math Samsthan. The devotees and citizens of the locality where Swamiji undertakes this Vrutha welcome a Chathurmasya. It provides them an opportunity to come together, to work as a team, to offer prayers, to conduct Poojas and enrich their knowledge by seeking guidance from Shri Swamiji on a daily basis. Important festivals are celebrated during this period.[6]

Chathurmasya Vrata involves observing austerities with dietary restrictions, divine contemplation and intense meditation with the aim of attaining Holy Communion with God. The process includes a host of religious rites and rules and regulations which have been prescribed in detail. For swamis who are always on the move to spread the basic principles of sanatana dharma among their widely dispersed devotees, Chathurmasya Vrata is often the only period of uninterrupted and concentrated meditation.[6]

Vasanthosava is a mokkam performed by the swami of the math every year for a duration of one month which is referred to as Vasanth Month (April - May). During this month he camps at one place with the principle deities and visits nearby places without carrying them.[6]

References

  1. ↑ http://tulunadunews.com/tag/sri-samyamindra-thirtha-swamiji/
  2. ↑ http://www.gosripuram.org/About-Kashi-Math.html (primary source)
  3. ↑ "Shishya Sweekar Ceremony". Gsbkonkani.net. Retrieved 2014-04-01. (primary source)
  4. ↑ Kashimath. "Shishya Sweekar". Gsb Infomedia. Retrieved 2014-04-01. (primary source)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Sudha Mangalotsava of Samyamindra Swamiji". (primary source)
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 http://www.kashimath.org/the-math/ (primary source)
  7. ↑ http://www.kashimath.org/swamijis-tour-programme/ (primary source)