Announcement - Renovation of Srimad Uttaradi Mutta in Penegunde, Andhra Pradesh

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Renovation of Srimad Uttaradi Mutta around Sri VedaVyaasa Theerthara Brindavana in Penegonda, AP

 

Shri Jagannatha daasaru says in Sri HKMS, "…parama bhaagavatarannu konDaaduvudu pratidinavoo… (the glories of great bhaagavatas should be extolled and celebrated every day)". The subject of this note, Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu, is beyond doubt a parama bhaagavata and by divine grace we are now getting a chance to celebrate his glory.

 

Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu was the 14th pontiff of Srimad Uttaraadi maTha after Acharya Madhva. He was a direct disciple of the great Shri Raghuttama Teertharu and received extensive training in shaastra from him. Seeing his erudition and the level of his devotion, Shri Raghuttama Teertharu chose him as his successor. This itself should give us an idea about the greatness of Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu. He had the unique distinction and honor of consecrating Shri Raghuttam Teertharu's brindavana and being the first person to offer worship in Tirukoilur.

 

Shri Vedavyaasa teertha administered UttarAdi MaTha from 1595 to 1619. He consolidated the good work done by Shri Raghuttam Teertharu and took the Matha to great heights. He trained many scholars and propogated the teachings of Acharya Madhva throughout the land. In Kanchi he initiated an eminent scholar Shri Krishadwaipayanacharya into sanyasa (asceticism) to progate the concepts of tattvavAda or dvaita Vedanta.

 

Once, when ascetics from various schools of pilosophy had assembled in the court of King Venkatapathi at Cuddapah, there was a debate about who was the greatest amongst them. Scholars of the court came up with an innovative test - they would cast the loin-cloth (koupina) of each ascetic into fire and examine the results. The thought behind this was test very simple - it would require asceticism of an extremely high order to influence an inanimate object like a loin-cloth and endow it with the ability to withstand the attack of fire. When the test was carried out only the cloth worn by Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu remained unscathed, demonstrating to the world the lofty nature of his sanyaasa. The entire assemblage was unanimous in concluding that Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu was indeed a very exalted soul, worthy of the highest accolades. He was extolled as a "SArvagna" and offered "Agrapooja" (the

first pooja, offered to the most eminent person in any assembly).

 

While enhancing the grandeur and glory of the Matha, Shri Vedavyaasa teertharu lived the life of a true ascetic, like his preceptor Shri Raghuttama Teertharu. He renounced all mundane pursuits and led a very frugal life with little or no material comforts. He chose the serene Penugonda, far off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, as the ideal spot for his final resting place on the Bank of river Markandeya. He entered the brindaavana on Chaitra Shuddha Tritiya in Siddhaarti naama samvatsara (1619). He was succeeded by Shri Vidyaadeesha teertha, another very great yati in the glorious tradition of the Matha.

 

It is a matter of sorrow that in spite of housing the brindaavana of a great ascetic, Penugonda has not got the attention and resources it deserves. The Matha building and surroundings have deteriorated over time and there is little or no pilgrim traffic. Now, on the prerane of Shri Hari, Vayu and Raghuttama gurugalu, His Holiness paramapoojya Shri Shri Shri Satyaatma teertharu is launching a project to renovate the mAtha structure in Penegonda and provide some basic amenities to visiting pilgrims.

 

The project consists of constructing one big hall for Swamiji’s pooja, one kitchen, one room, a bathroom and toilet facilities, with scope for future improvements. The estimated cost of the project is about Rs. 6 Lakhs. The construction work has already started with available initial funds and is expected to be completed by September 2004. More funds are required for the completion of the project on time.

 

This is a god-given opportunity to earn the blessings of Shri Hari, Vayu and Raghuttama gurugalu. Let us join together and contribute our mite to this noble project. Let us strengthen the hands of Swamiji and make this project a grand success.

 

If intrested in contributing, please send an e-mail to rama_seva for further details.

 

|| Nadgdam Yasya Kaupeenam Agnau Dattamapisphutam |Vedavyasa Guronaumi Shri Vedesha Namskutam ||

 

In service of Lord Sri Hari Vayu Gurugalu

-Deepak Katte

PS: For more details about Sri VedaVyasa Theertharu, please visit Guru Parampara section http://www.uttaradimath.org/default.htmDo you ?

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