“Krishna means Ananda. Looking at Him, you experience joy and meditate on Him, you get rid of misery,” says Sri Vidhyadeesha Tirtha Swamy of the Palimar Math, his face radiating the same emotion. The Swamiji is camping in Chennai at the Palimar Math, Annanagar, as part of the pre-Paryaya yatra ahead of assuming the rights to perform puja to Sri Krishna at the legendary Udupi temple. The custom at the Udupi Math, established by Sri Madhwacharya, who propagated Dwaita philosophy, has it that the puja rights change hands every two years among the heads of the eight primary monasteries. The present pontiff performing puja is Sri Vishvesha Tirtha of Pejavar Math.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) 22.07.2015: Pontiff of Sri Pejawar Matham of Sri Krishna Matham of Udipi Sri Vishwesha Threetha Swamy , being taken in a chariot to Sri Raghavendra Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, during his visit to the city.--- photo: arranged
Vishwesha Tirtha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt performing �mahapuja� to the idol of Lord Krishna at the Sri Krishna Mutt/Temple on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Udupi on Wednesday.
Sri Vidhyadeesha Tirtha (61) is travelling across the city to meet devotees, who gather in large numbers to listen to his Anugrahabhashanam. A well-read scholar and orator, he was mentored by Sri Vidhyamanya Tirtha Swami and did special pujas when the latter ascended the pita (1986-88). Tomorrow, bhiksha vandana has been organised at Dharmaprakash.
“He descended on earth (Kru) from Vaikunta to give people happiness. He is the simplest God, who is pleased with bhakti. He doesn’t require anything else,” says Swami Vidhyadeesha expanding the Krishna concept.
“Constant worship will free the mind of bonds, which cause misery,” he adds. To illustrate, he says, “When Yasoda wanted to tie up a mischievous Krishna, she found that the rope fell short by two inches. Repeated attempts ended in failure. Three factors are needed to tie Him up — Bhakti, Gnana and Vairagya. Yasodha had the first but lacked the other two.” But it is not easy to attain Wisdom and Vairagya. “No, it is not easy at all,” agrees Swamiji and continues in a soothing tone, “He will bestow them on you if you constantly think of Him just as the child finally obliged the mother and let himself be bound.”
This is the second time Sri Vidhyadeesha is taking charge of the puja rights. Each pontiff, during his tenure, makes valuable contribution to enhance the worship experience of the devotees. Sri Vidyamanya Tirtha Swami, during his period, offered a golden chariot and diamond crown for Sri Krishna. Sri Vidhyadeesha Swami had a diamond armour made for the deity. Also he initiated the noon meal scheme for school students under which 35,000 are being fed. Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swami, the present pontiff, has endeared himself to people, especially through his several community welfare programmes.
Golden tower
What more can be done to enrich the legacy of the temple? “Daily archana to Sri Krishna with a lakh Tulsi leaves,” says the Swamiji. As many as 100 pundits will chant Sahasranamam round the clock even as the archana continues — every day, throughout the year. A vast expanse of land has been set aside to grow the sacred plant. Hailed as utsavapriya, Balakrishna will be celebrated through festivals and processions. It is the sankalpa of Sri Vidhyadeesha Swami to turn the tower of the temple gold. “The abode of Sri Krishna is akin to His own body, which has to be preserved. What better way than lay it with gold? The aim is to involve every worshipper to offer his mite and be a participant in this glorious project. The Swarna Gopura requires the use of about 100 kg of gold — 40 grams of gold each for the 2,500 sq.ft.
A view of the Sri Krishna Temple at Udipi in south Kanara district of the southern Indian State of Karnataka.
A slew of developmental works are planned in and around the Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi. A FILE PHOTO.
For details contact Sri Palimar Matha, Anna Nagar, 8300640321 and 9840860119.
The Paryaya Mahotsav, a grand ceremony, when puja rights will be handed over to Sri Vidhyadeesha Tirtha Swami of Palimar Math, will take place at Udupi on January 18, 2018.
Krishna never disappoints his devotees
There are several Krishnas. What is special about Udupi?
Sri Vidhyadeesha is too happy to explain. “He came straight from Dwaraka to be worshipped by Sri Madhwa. He is Balakrishna and is seen with the churner (Kadakol) — unique for Udupi. The kadakol churns the milk and produces the butter, which is not visible to the eye. The Lord with His Kadakol churns the heart of his devotee to extract pure devotion.” Only Balasanyasis can do puja at the Udupi sanctum sanctorum at Udupi — a custom unique for this shrine.
CHENNAI, 22/11/2017: For Friday Page: Vidyadeesha Teertha Swamiji . Photo: R. Ragu
Recently, a video clipping of Sri Udupi Krishna being gently swayed to sleep to the accompaniment of a Purandaradasa lullaby was shared on social media.
The Swamiji says with a chuckle: “Sri Krishna at Tirumala was asked, ‘Why does it take so long to put you to sleep, we keep swinging the cradle endlessly, whereas at Udupi the Lord falls asleep in a jiffy?’ The Lord replied, ‘See, I’m a grahasta, my mind is full of tension. So it takes me long to relax and sleep.’”
On a more serious note, Sri Vidhydeesha Tirtha adds: “A pilgrim never goes back disappointed here. Through the opening he can see the deity in the glow of ghee lamps. Thereby hangs a tale — that of poet Kanakadasa, a Dalit, who was denied entry and to oblige whom Sri Krishna turned west, again an unusual position for the Moolavigraha, and the humble devotee saw Him through a crack in the wall. This became a window and is named Kanakana Kindi, after the worshipper.
It is firmly believed that at Udupi, Sri Madhwa himself does the puja at the sanctum sanctorum in the form of the Paryaya Swamiji.
- The eight Moola Mathas are Adamaar, Palimaru, Pejavara, Puthige, Kaniyooru, Krishnapura, Shirur and Sodhe.
Other main deities
Vayu and Mukhyaprana (Anjaneya) are the other main deities at the Udupi temple. Sri Madhwa is considered an incarnation of Anjaneya.
- Vayu and Mukhyaprana (Anjaneya) are the other main deities at the Udupi temple. Sri Madhwa is considered an incarnation of Anjaneya.
Ashta Mathas
The eight Moola Mathas are Adamaar, Palimaru, Pejavara, Puthige, Kaniyooru, Krishnapura, Shirur and Sodhe.
