Sudhindra Thirtha
| Sudhindra Thirtha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Sadashiva Shenoy 31 March 1926 Ernakulam, Kerala, India |
| Died |
17 January 2016 (aged 89) Haridwar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Denomination | Kashi Math Gowd Saraswat Brahmin |
| Order | 20th Mathadipathi |
| Guru | Sukratheendra Thirtha |
| Notable disciple(s) | Samyamindra Thirtha |
Sudhindra Thirta (31 March 1926 – 17 January 2016), also referred to as Shri Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, was the legal and spiritual head (mathadipathi) of the Kashi Math and the twentieth successive person called the swamiji of guru parampara.[1][2]
Kashi Math
Sudhindra Thirtha took the charge of Kashi Math in 1949 after the samadhi of his guru in Kochi.[1] As per the tradition of the math, to continue the guruparampara, on 7 July 1989, he initiated a vatu into sanyasa to be the 21st, and called him Raghavendra Thirtha.[3] Due to internal strife Raghavendra was removed from the position and all rights in the math, with effect from 19 July 2000. Later, to continue the tradition and guruparampara of the math, it was necessary to initiate a new Shishya. Sudhindra therefore initiated another vatu into sanyasa and named him as Samyamindra Thirtha on 20 June 2002 as the new successor.[4] Thus Samyamindra become main disciple (patta shishya) & successor (uttaradhikari) of the math.[5]
Death
Sudhindra Thirtha died (attained mukthi) on 17 January 2016 at Vyasahram, Haridwar.[6]
According to a custom followed in the math, after a swamiji dies, the body is buried in the earth after embalming it with preservatives - salt, camphor, heaps of Tulsi leaves etc. - usually in the math premises or in temples associated with it. Subsequently, a memorial structure is constructed over the site and an idol of Hanuman is installed. A tulsi plant is then planted in front of the idol, the underlying belief being that the soul of the departed swamiji reaches Vishnu (supposed to have a divine presence near a tulsi plant), through Hanuman. The site is called the "vrindavana" or "samadhi" of a swamiji. Arrangements are made for the daily pujas in the vrindavana. The death anniversary (punya tithi) is celebrated with special pujas and prayers and Abhishekam to the Hanuman idol for his blessing to the math and its followers.[7] The vrindavan of Sudhindra Thirtha is being constructed at Vyasahram, Haridwar.
References
- 1 2 "Kashi Mutt Senior Pontiff Srimad Sudhindra Theertha Swamiji celebrates 88th birthday today". Tulunadu News. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ "Kashi Mutt head Swami Sudhindra Thirtha attains samadhi". manorama. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
- ↑ "Sri Kashimutt Saunsthan". Balaji Seva Samiti. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ↑ "Internal strife (2000) of Kashi Math".
- ↑ "Kashi Mutt Row: Supreme Court victory for Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji". Mangalore Today. 2 December 2009.
- ↑ "Samaddhi of Kashi Math Head Manorma".
- ↑ official site