Welcome to the divine world of Udupi, a kshetra (holy place) made sacred by Lord Sri Krishna and established by the great Dvaita philosopher, Jagadguru Sri Madhwacharya. At the heart of this spiritual lineage stands His Holiness Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, the present Pontiff of Shri Puthige Matha, one of the eight Ashta Mathas entrusted with the worship of Lord Krishna.
Revered globally as a rare blend of ancient Vedic wisdom and a modern, universal outlook, Parama Poojya Swamiji is not just a custodian of tradition but also a visionary who has taken the message of Udupi and Dvaita Tattva Vada across the world. His dedication to social service, education, and global peace has made him a true spiritual ambassador of India.
A Young Pontiff’s Ascent to the Divine Throne
The journey of Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji began when he was known as Hayavadana Acharya. His destiny was set early. The then Pontiff of Puthige Matha, Shri Sujnanendra Theertha Swamiji, was diligently searching for a worthy successor to the ancient, 750-year-old lineage. After meticulous evaluation of nearly five hundred horoscopes, Hayavadana’s jataka (horoscope) was chosen by renowned scholars.
At the tender age of 12, Hayavadana Acharya was initiated into the highest order of monastic life (Sanyashrama). The auspicious day was April 8, 1974. From that moment, he was known as Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, marking the dawn of a new and illustrious era for the Shri Puthige Matha lineage.
Unfortunately, Shri Sujnanendra Theertha Swamiji attained Haripada (left his mortal body) just three months after giving sanyasa deeksha to his young disciple. This sudden transition placed an immense responsibility on the shoulders of the young Swamiji, who would soon have to lead the Matha.
Deep Rivers of Vedic Knowledge: Shastra Vidhyabhyasa
Following the tradition, the young Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji was blessed with the guidance of another colossal figure: His Holiness Shri Vidyamanya Theertha Swamiji. For an intensive period of twelve years, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji immersed himself in rigorous academic study.
Under the tutelage of this great scholar and saint, he mastered:
- The Four Branches of the Vedas and Upanishads.
- Pancharatra Agama (rituals and temple worship protocols).
- Nyaya, Vyakarana, and Tarka (logic, grammar, and debate).
- Shriman Nyayasudha and Vysasatraya (core texts of the Dvaita philosophy).
He did not just study; he particularly built a “fort around Dwaitha Tattva Vadha”, mastering the philosophy of Acharya Madhwa and becoming a formidable scholar. This strong foundation of traditional learning, combined with his natural intelligence, prepared him for the challenges of leading a Matha in the modern world.
The Glorious Paryaya Cycles: A Legacy of Grand Projects
The Paryaya is the unique, biennial religious ritual in Udupi where the eight Mathas take turns managing the worship and administration of the Sri Krishna Matha for two years. Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji has created history through his commitment to the Lord during his terms.
1. First Paryaya (1976–1978): The Youngest Pontiff
At just fifteen years old, Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji ascended the Sarvajna Peetha (the divine throne). He was the youngest Swamiji in the 750-year history of the temple to take charge. Ardent well-wishers and even senior pontiffs were amazed, but the young Swamiji executed his duties flawlessly, earning rich praise for his unblemished devotion to Lord Krishna and Mukhyaprana (Hanuman).
2. Second Paryaya (1992–1994): Landmark Constructions
In his early thirties, Swamiji’s second term was marked by major sankalpas (vows/projects) that changed the landscape of Udupi:
- Swagatha Gopura: The iconic Welcome Tower at the main entrance of Udupi, giving the city a distinct identity.
- Indraprastha Guest House: A large pilgrim center, constructed to address the accommodation needs of thousands of devotees visiting Udupi.
- Gita Mandir: This magnificent multi-storeyed structure hosts a Dhyana Mandir, Madhva Mandir, and a hall showcasing thousands of copies of the Bhagavad Gita. The foundation was laid by then President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, and the building was inaugurated by the King of Nepal, Birenda Bir Bikram Shah, in 1993, highlighting its national and international importance.
3. Third Paryaya (2008–2010): Grand Offerings and Annadana
By his third Paryaya, Swamiji was a world-renowned saint, and the event became truly international. His key contributions during this period were:
- Navaratna Kachita Ratha: He offered a magnificent chariot to Lord Krishna, studded with over 1.5 lakh gemstones and consisting of copper, silver, and gold. This ratha (chariot) measures nine feet high and weighs about two tonnes.
- Anna Brahma Hall: This is a commendable accomplishment in alleviating hunger. Irrespective of age, gender, or social status, free and sumptuous prasadam (food) is served to all devotees and visitors. The Hall is a testament to the idea that serving food is serving the Divine.
4. The Upcoming Fourth Paryaya (2024–2026): Vishwa Gita Paryaya
Parama Poojya Swamiji is all set to ascend the Sarvajna Peetha for the fourth time in January 2024. He has dedicated this two-year tenure as the “Vishwa Gita Paryaya,” rolling out a mega-plan of five magnum-opus projects focused on the Bhagavad Gita:
- Koti Gita Lekhna Yajna: A massive effort encouraging one crore people globally to write down the Bhagavad Gita.
- Swarna Gita Ratha: A Golden Gita Chariot to be offered to Lord Krishna, commemorating Swamiji’s 50 years of Sanyasa life.
- Udupi Kshetra Vaasa: A project to build better accommodation facilities for devotees visiting Udupi.
- Madhwesha Vrutta: Installation of an idol of Acharya Madhwa carrying Udupi Krishna, at a junction near the temple, honoring the founder’s legacy.
A Global Vision: Indian Ambassador of Peace
Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji’s vision extends far beyond Udupi. He has been instrumental in spreading the Dvaita Philosophy—the message of Acharya Madhwa—to the Western, Eastern, and even Middle Eastern countries. He has established over 14 spiritual centers outside India, fulfilling the spiritual needs of the migrant Indian community and inspiring the next generation.
His commitment to universal harmony earned him the distinction of becoming the International President of Religions for Peace, an organization aligned with the UNO in New York. During his three consecutive terms, Swamiji travelled to nations including the Vatican City, Turkey, Japan, and Moscow to hold dialogues on religious amity.
A historic highlight of his international work was his significant address at the UNO’s General Assembly. There, Sri Puthigesri emphasized the need for global peace, advocating for restraint on defense armaments and the importance of rooting out terrorism across the world.
Serving Society: Education and Heritage Preservation
Understanding the challenge of providing value-based education in today’s fast-paced world, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji has focused tirelessly on social and educational upliftment.
- Revamping Rural Education: He took over a 120-year-old Higher Primary School in Kemundel, a remote village, when it was on the verge of closing. He completely revamped the system, providing a school bus, basic facilities, and free mid-day meals and uniforms. The school is now highly sought after and even offers English and Sanskrit from the first standard.
- Vaidika-Loukika Vidyapeetha: Recognizing the need to blend tradition with modernity, he started a unique Gurukula system. Here, children receive a high-quality, value-based Indian traditional education along with a regular modern school curriculum. These facilities, which include free accommodation and food, are located in Udupi and Bengaluru, making traditional learning accessible.
- Vadiraja Research Foundation: To protect and study priceless manuscripts essential to Indian tradition, Swamiji established this research center. It regularly conducts seminars, providing scholars worldwide with a platform to study and preserve this rich heritage.
- Govardhana Kshetra, Bengaluru: A beautiful and special temple he consecrated is the Sri Govardhana Kshetra, a mighty five-storied hillock-modeled cave temple in Basavanagudi, Bengaluru. It stands as a marvel and a unique tribute to Lord Govardhana Krishna.
- Publications: He inspires the public through publications like the Kannada monthly Suguna Mala and the English quarterly Suguna Digest, which feature thought-provoking articles by himself and other great scholars.
With over 21 centers across India and 14+ centers abroad, Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji continues his mission of preserving Dharma and serving humanity. His life is a living testament to the principles of Dvaita, demonstrating profound scholarship, boundless devotion, and a universal compassion that transcends all borders. He is truly a Yati (ascetic) for the modern age. Sources
