Sri Vidyasrinivasa Tirtharu

Shri Vidyashrinivasa Tirtha, the 33rd Pithadhipati of the Srimatha, was the younger brother and disciple of Shri Vidyashridhara Tirtha. Born as Shri Vyasaramacharya, he was ordained into the Sanyasashrama on the banks of Swami Pushkarini at Tirumala. He worked tirelessly to uplift the matha's finances following a severe famine and was deeply revered for his compassion toward the needy and his extensive travels to propagate Tatvavada. The saint maintained a close bond with the Mysore Royal Family, frequently guiding Maharaja Shri Chamarajendra Wodeyar and providing childhood blessings to Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. A profound scholar, he famously defeated Ramachandra Shastri in a debate at Kumbhakonam, refuting Brahma Parinama Vada to firmly establish Acharya Madhva's doctrine of Brahma Nimitta Karanatva. He was known for orchestrating grand Aradhana Mahotsavas for the Guru Parampara, once hosting the pontiffs of the Shri Madhava Tirtha and Shri Shripadarya Samsthanas for Chandrikacharya's Aradhana, while also actively working to strengthen local conviction in the Hindu faith against conversions. After passing the Samsthana to Shri Vidyasamudra Tirtha, he attained Haripada at Sosale Kshetra, where his holy Vrindavana is enshrined.