Shreemad Jeevottama teerth
Place of birth : Basroor ( Udupi district)
Deeksha : Srisaka 1439 Magha shukla chaturdashi Monady ( 04-04-1518)
Deeksha given at : Vader Matha Bhatkal
Deeksha guru : Shreemad Vasudeva teerth (2)
Shishyasvikar : Shreemad Purushottama teerth (4)
Maha nirvana : Srisaka 1510 Sarvadhari Samvatsara Bhadrapada Shukla 5mi Saturday ( 27/08/1588)
Vrindaavana at : Near Gopi River, Bhatkal
As Shishya : 05 months 29 days
On Gurupeetha : 70 years 04 months 04 days
Served Matha : 75 years 05 months 03 days
Founded Mathas:
- Jeevottama math Gokarn ( Bhuvijaya Vittala quinta metallic pratima)
: 2. Jeevottama Matha , basroor ( Digvijaya Vittala quinta metallic pratima)
History of Swamiji
विट्ठलत्रयलब्धारं वादिराजयतिप्रियम् ।
जीवोत्तमगुरुं वन्दे विमानेन दिवं गतम् ।।
Before we proceed to note down the biography let us see a couple of verses by a noted scholar, Sri Sagar Ramacharya about Sri Swamiji
रम्या यदीया बहवो निबन्धा अद्यापि लोकस्य हरन्ति हृत्स्थम् |
तमो वितन्वन्ति च मङ्गलं मां स पातु जीवोत्तमतीर्थवर्याः ||
One, whose several attractive works, even now, banish the ignorance from the minds of devotees and provide happiness; May that foremost Jeevottama tirtha protect me.
(— Sagar Ramacharya in Suniti Bhagavatam).
One more beautiful verse written by Sagar Ramacharya on swamiji
राजन्मङ्गल-सूत्र-भूषित-महा-सद्भारतीशोभितः
शुद्धप्रज्ञ ऋजुः समस्त-विबुधैराराधितोऽहर्निशम् |
सत्तत्त्वं परिबोधयन्सुमनसः सद्ब्रह्मभावोचितो
दक्षः श्रेयसि चोदयन्-जनमवेज्जीवोत्तमाख्यो गुरुः ||
The one who shines forth giving upadeshas/talks on the auspicious Brahmasutras; the one whose intellect is pure, the one who is simple, and honest; the one who is worshipped by scholars day and night; the one who teaches pure tattva to sajjanas; the one who always thinks about Parabrahma; the one who is able (clever); the one who inspires people to perform Dharmic duties; may such Jeevottama Guru protect me.
(The same can be applied to Madhvacharya too with small changes:
The one who shines forth with Bharati devi who adores a bright Mangalasutra; the one whose intellect is pure, the one who is Ruju; the one who is worshipped by devatas day and night; the one who teaches pure tattva to sajjanas; the one who always thinks about Parabrahma; the one who is able (clever); the one who inspires and stimulates people to perform Dharmic duties; may such Jeevottama Madhva Guru protect me.)
–Sagar Ramacharya in Sanniti Ramayana
- Shree Jeevottama Teerth, the third Acharya of the Mutt, originally hailed from Basroor.
- Initiated into the Math tradition by Guru Shree Vasudev Teerth in Saka 1439.
- Shree Swamiji’s life was marked by strict asceticism, total renunciation, and success.
- Demonstrated knowledge and yogic powers multiple times.
- Travelled extensively across India for pilgrimage.
- At Bijapur, transformed meat into flowers using holy water, impressing Badshah Ali Adilshah.
- Badshah honored Swamiji with a white ceremonial umbrella, fan, and palanquin.
- Visited several holy places during pilgrimage, including Prayag, Kashi, Kurukshetra, Haridwar, and Badarikashram.
- Found three metallic idols in the Gandaki River, named Digvijay Vitthal, Bhoo-Vijay Vitthal, and Veer-Vitthal.
- Met Shree Vadiraja Teerth of Sonde Mutt during pilgrimage.
- Undertook a vow of fasting and meditation at the Gandaki River, received divine instructions to end the fast.
- Installed idols at sub-Mutts in Gokarn and Basroor, and worshipped Veer Vitthal at the main Math.
- Anointed Shree Purushottam Teerth as his disciple and continued pilgrimage.
- Visited Tirupati, Shree-Shail, Rameshwaram, and Udupi during pilgrimage.
- Received final directive from God and ascended to the divine abode on a Vimana.
- Swamiji of Sonde Mutt witnessed Swamiji’s soul ascending and offered holy arati of Lord Shree Krishna of Udupi.
- Spread the Vedanta of Sriman Madhvacharya during pilgrimages.
- Composed several granthas and a poem called “Teerthval” about his pilgrimages.
- Visited over 200 kshetras, with over 150 recognized.
- Ruled for about 70 years as Gurupeethadhipati.
- Ascended to Vaikunta on a Vimana in Srisaka 1510.