Sri Vidyaprasanna Tirtharu

Sri Vidyaprasanna Tirtharu was ordained as the 37th Pithadhipati by Sri Vidyavaridhi Tirtha, who himself was ordained by Sri Vidyaratnakara Tirtha.

Known as Thekkaluru Venkatanarasimhacharya in his Purvashrama, he was the Purvashrama son of Sri Vidyaratnakara Tirtha, whose Purvashrama name was Thekkaluru Ahobalacharya. Thekkaluru is a small village near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thekkalur).

He was born on Kartika Purnima (17-11-1899), a Friday on which Krittika Nakshatra prevailed. He received both traditional schooling at home from his father and modern education (as desired by his mother). By 1924, he was a practicing lawyer at Mysuru. At the age of 36, in Yuva Nama Samvatsara (1935 AD), he was called to adorn the Pitha by Sri Vidyavaridhi Tirtha, since His Holiness was slightly unwell and had decided on him as the successor. He entered Sanyasashrama on Ashvayuja Masa, Shukla Paksha, Shukravara, during Navaratri at Sosale Kshetra. However, Sri Vidyavaridhi Tirtha recovered soon and continued his duties for five more years, while Sri Vidyaprasanna Tirtha served as junior pontiff during this time.

In 1940, Sri Vidyavaridhi Tirtha was observing Chaturmasya in Vikrama Nama Samvatsara at Srirangam and entered Vrindavana on Bhadrapada Shukla Panchami – Rishi Panchami day. Sri Vidyaprasanna Tirtha then adorned the Pitha after completing the Mahasamaradhana of his Guru. He toured the southern part of the country – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh – extensively to bless the followers of the Srimatha. Tradition holds that the saint spent much of his time at Vyasarajapura (near Bannur) and composed hundreds of Devaranamas with the ankita (pen-name) Prasanna, the shortened form of his Ashrama name. The saint is known to have conducted Sabhas during important Aradhanas such as those of Vyasaraja and Sesha Chandrikacharya, an example being the Dashapramati Darshana Prakashini Sabha, where pandits from across the country were invited to participate in debates, deliver lectures, conduct patha, and were extensively honoured.

It had been a long time since the days of Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja, and Vadiraja that Devaranamas were composed by Pithadhipatis. This tradition was revived in our Srimatha during the time of Vidyakanta Tirtha, continued by Vidyaratnakara Tirtha, and taken to glory by Vidyaprasanna Tirtha to such an extent that his contribution is often called Prasanna Sahitya. While there is no difference in content, his style is unique, free-flowing, and easily followed by the common man.

In addition, the saint composed many spiritual plays (Natakas) on Adhyatma topics. From a historical perspective, he belonged to a time when drama, cinema, and music were largely seen as pastimes. His keen vision was such that he used these very media to take spirituality to the common man. He also translated the entire Sumadhva Vijaya into Kannada under the title Sumadhva Vijaya Sara Sangraha. Similarly, he compiled a work on appropriate conduct and ethics for different stages of life, Niti Shastra, perhaps reminiscent of his Purvashrama profession as a practicing lawyer.

After around 34 years in Sanyasashrama and sitting on the Pitha for 29 years, he anointed Sri Purnabodhacharya into the fourth order, Sanyasashrama, with the name Sri Vidyapayonidhi Tirtha and entered Vrindavana shortly afterward on Margashirsha Purnima of Soumya Nama Samvatsara at Sosale.

Pejavara Swamiji fondly recalled his long association with Vidyaprasanna Tirtha and mentioned that he cherished every moment of it. Their first meeting was in Bengaluru in 1951, when Pejavara Swamiji was about to begin his first paryaya. At that time, Vidyaprasanna Tirtha invited him to Sosale, where they met for the first time. Ever since, there was a deep and affectionate bond between them, which Pejavara Swamiji compared to that of a father and son.

He recalled the strong support Vidyaprasanna Tirtha offered during the establishment of the Akhila Bharata Madhwa Mahamandali (ABMM) and his stellar role in its early days – participating in and conducting all activities, whether at Vijayawada, Tirupati, or elsewhere. Vidyaprasanna Tirtha firmly opposed attempts to rename ABMM, stressing that while everyone’s support is welcome, it is not essential for its sustenance.

Pejavara Swamiji gratefully acknowledged the saint’s support in establishing the Poornaprajna Vidyapitha. He highlighted Vidyaprasanna Tirtha’s unique contribution to Dasa Sahitya, noting that his Devaranamas were sung without fail wherever he visited for Padapuja.

He also recalled an incident that revealed the saint’s conviction in Sanatana Dharma. During the height of opposition to Sanatana Dharma in Tamil Nadu, Vidyaprasanna Tirtha was invited to speak at Chinnamanur (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinnamanur). His powerful discourse was such an eye-opener that even his critics greatly appreciated it and were moved to revise their earlier misconceptions.

Pejavara Swamiji concluded by saying that it is most fitting that Sri Vidyashrisha Tirtha, an international authority on Vyasa Traya – Tarkatandava, Tatparya Chandrika, and Nyayamruta – is adorning the Pitha decorated by illustrious predecessors such as Vidyaratnakara Tirtha, Bhashya Dipikacharya, Sesha Chandrikacharya, and the great Vyasaraja. He likened Vidyashrisha Tirtha to the full moon – Poornachandra – rising from the milk ocean, Kshira Samudra, that is Poornaprajna Vidyapitha.