Kashi Math: Difference between revisions
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==The Mathadhipathi== |
==The Mathadhipathi== |
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The spiritual head, or the ''mathadhipathi'' is also the administrative of the mutt and its properties. As a mutt specific to the Goud Saraswat Brahimins (sometimes spelt as "Gowda Saraswat Brahimins", the ''mathadhipathis'' seldom mingle with members of other communities. The ''mathadhipathi'' is not a mere spiritual head of the community. In the past, the ''mathadhipathi'' exercised powers over secular matters of the community too. There have been occasions when the mathadhipathi has excommunicated members for violation of his edicts. |
The spiritual head, or the ''mathadhipathi'' is also the administrative of the mutt and its properties. As a mutt specific to the Goud Saraswat Brahimins (sometimes spelt as "Gowda Saraswat Brahimins", the ''mathadhipathis'' seldom mingle with members of other communities. The ''mathadhipathi'' is not a mere spiritual head of the community. In the past, the ''mathadhipathi'' exercised powers over secular matters of the community too. There have been occasions when the mathadhipathi has excommunicated members for violation of his edicts. |
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== Parampara == |
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H.H Shri Yadavendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Keshavendra Teerth |
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H.H Shri Upendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Yadavendra Teertha the second |
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H.H Shri Raghavendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Devendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Maadhavendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Gnanindra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Yadavendra Teertha the third |
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H.H Shri Upendra Teertha the second |
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H.H Shri Rajendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Sureendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Vishnu Teertha |
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H.H Shri Vibhudendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Sumateendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Sudhendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Bhuvanendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Varadendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Sukrateendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Sudhindra Teertha |
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H.H. Shri Raghavendra Teertha |
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H.H Shri Samyameendhra Teertha |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 11:58, 22 April 2009
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Kashi Mutt (or Kashi Math) is one of the four spiritual schools followed by the Goud Saraswat Brahmins. Other Mutts being Gokarna Mutt (Vaishnava), Kavle Mutt (Smarta) and Chitrapur Math (Smarta). Headquartered in Brahma Ghat, Varanasi, it has followers all over the Konkan belt, prominently in Udupi, Mangalore and parts of Kerala.
History
The Kashi Mutt was founded in the year 1542 AD.
Before the Kashi Mutt came up, most of the Vaishnava Goud Saraswat Brahmins were followers of Shri Uttaradi Mutt. During the 15th century, Sri Ramachandra Tirtha of Uttaradi Mutt initiated two sishyas to sanyasa - Vibhudendra Tirtha and Sri Vidhyanidhi Tirtha. The latter became head of Uttaradi Mutt and Sri Vibhudendra Tirtha founded a new Mutt at Kumbhakonam which later came to be known as Raghavendra Mutt after Sri Raghavendra of Mantralaya. Due to proximity to South Kanara and Kerala, the Gowda Saraswats were transferred to the Kumbhakonam Mutt.
Later when Surendra Tirtha became the head of the Mutt at Kumbhakonam, one of his disciples, Vijayindra Tirtha undertook a Chaturmasya (a religious event lasting four months) at Cochin in 1539–1540. Here, he selected Sri Hanumantha Bhaktha and was given deeksha as Yadavendra Tirtha. Yadavendra Tirtha went on to become head of the new Kashi Mutt at Varanasi established in 1542 AD. Shri Kumbhakonam Math gave two idols of Shri Vyasa and Shri Rama (Raghupati) to Shrimat Yadavendra Tirtha along with the rights to guide the Goud Saraswats.
Branches (Ashrams)
The Mutt has branches and establishments at Prayag, Bhatkal, Basrur, Hemmady, Bantwal, Dhaisar(Mumbai), Panambur (Suratkal), Manjeshwar, Rameshwaram, . Karkala, Kota, Nayampalli (near Udupi, Bhagamandala (Kodagu), Bandora (Goa), Walkeshwar (which is also one of the oldest mutts on banks fo the Banaganga Tank and near Malabar hills, Mumbai)[1], Ambalamugal (Kochi-Kerala), Pallipuram (near Cherai, on Vypeen Islands, Kerala), Manchakal, Naravi (near Belthangady), Alleppey (Kerala), Konchady, Hangarakatte, Tirumala (Tirupathi), Bangalore , Nashik, Calicut and Nagpur.
The headquarters is located in Varanasi (Shri Kashi Math, 22/86 Brahma Ghat, Varanasi-221001).
It should be noted that the ``Mutts described in this section refers to the physical buildings and property, belonging to the Sri Kashi Mutt. The Sri Kashi Mutt is also a school or community of individuals, following the system and led by the Mathadhipathi, the head of the Mutt. The term mutt is also spelt as math.
Deities
The Mathadhipathi (head of the Math) offers daily prayers to the charaprathishta (literally, a moving installation) idols of Lord Shri Veda Vyasa and Lord Shri Rama (Raghupati) also popularly known as Shri Vyasaraghupati.
Guru System
The Kashi Mutt follows a "Guru" system, where in the head of the Mutt appoints a "shishya", who succeeds the Guru. According to the Mutt's tradition, the shishya should be unmarried, and is selected at a very young age.
Shri Kashi Mutt are followers of the Dwaita school of Vaishnavite philosophy founded by Maadhwacharya[2]. But subtle differences exists between the Maadhwa Siddantha followed by Sri Kashi Mutt and the main-line Maadhwa followers.
The Mathadhipathi
The spiritual head, or the mathadhipathi is also the administrative of the mutt and its properties. As a mutt specific to the Goud Saraswat Brahimins (sometimes spelt as "Gowda Saraswat Brahimins", the mathadhipathis seldom mingle with members of other communities. The mathadhipathi is not a mere spiritual head of the community. In the past, the mathadhipathi exercised powers over secular matters of the community too. There have been occasions when the mathadhipathi has excommunicated members for violation of his edicts.
References
- “Kashi Matha Samsthanada Charithre” by Ganapathi Rao Igal, 1936 (Kannada version)
- “History of Kashi Mutt Samsthan” by Prof. V. A. Shenoy, 1974 ([1])
- Local folklore