Swami Parijnanashram I | |
|---|---|
| Died | 1720 (day of KrishnaChaturdashi, month ofChaitra) |
| Honors | First Guru of theChitrapur Saraswat Brahmins EstablishedAdi-matha atGokarn |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Philosophy | Shaivism;Dharma as the path toMoksha |
| Religious career | |
| Guru | Lord Bhavanishankar |
Swami Parijnanashram I, orAdi Parijnanashram, (Devanāgarī: आदि परिज्ञानाश्रम,Ādi Pari.jñān.āśram) was the firstguru andMathadhipati, or head of amatha (community monastery), of theChitrapur Saraswat Brahmins. He is said to have been ordained by Lord Bhavanishankar (Bha.vā.ni.śan.kar) in 1708 to guide the Chitrapur Saraswat community.
Swami Parijnanashram I was aSanyasi who was a KashmiriSāraswat Brahmin.[1] Lord Bhavanishankar asked him in a dream to go to the banks of akotiteerth (water tank) inGokarn to lead the Chitrapur Saraswat community, which was facing an official decree from the King of Nagar imposing penalties unless the Saraswats showed him their guru.
Swami Parijnanashram I was renowned as a man of great spiritual grace, and was a scholar in the Sanskrit scriptures and theVedanta.[2] He established the community's firstmatha, atGokarn. He was succeeded by hisshishya (śi.śya; disciple), Shankarashram (Śankar.āśram). Parijnanashram I died in 1720. His shrine is located atBhandikere in Gokarn, beside the Uma Maheshwar temple.
After the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin migration from Goa, the Saraswats had taken up prestigious administrative posts in the kingdom of Nagar (part of present-dayKanara), being regarded as more intelligent and efficient than the other people of the region. This caused jealousy, and led to complaints to the king that the Saraswats had no guru, and hence no independent spiritual existence. In response, the king issued a decree stating that unless the community presented their guru heavy penalties would be imposed on them. This included evicting them from their administrative posts.[3]
The community elders, in despair, prayed to Lord Mahabaleshwar (Ma.hā.ba.le.śwar) at Gokarn. They had a dream that asanyasi would appear on the banks of theKotiteerth, the temple tank, the following day.[4]
At the appointed day and hour, a saffron-robedsanyasi with ash smeared on his forehead appeared on the banks of theKotiteerth. A Kashmiri Saraswat Brahmin, he carried an idol of Lord Bhavanishankar in his cloth pouch, and had come guided by Lord Bhavanishankar in a dream. The sight of this saint bearing the idol of theirKuladevata (Ku.la De.va.ta) (thetutelary deity of the community) was met with joy.[5][6]
Thesanyasi was formally ordained as Swami Parijnanashram at the Sri Vishveshvar Vitthal (Vi.śve.śvar Vi.t.h.al) Temple at Gokarn, in 1708.[7] This marked the start of the guru lineage, orGuru Parampara, of the Chitrapur Saraswats. The people of the community wrote to the King of Nagar announcing their new guru.
The Chitrapur Saraswat community's Chikarmane (Chi.kar.ma.ne) clan built a monument, theBelli Mantap ("Belli Hall, or Temple"), at the place where the community met Swami Parijnanashram at theKotiteerth in Gokarn.[8]
The King of Nagar, unconvinced, asked the Saraswats to have their guru, orMathadhipati, approved by theJagadguruShankaracharya, thehead of theSringeri Sharada Peetham, which is theShringeri matha.[9] This caused consternation, as theShankaracharya's followers had been hostile towards the Saraswat community.[10]
Swami Parijnanashram received the order calmly, and travelled from Gokarn to Shringeri to meet with theShankaracharya. When the people of Shringeri locked the doors of the temple of the goddessSharadamba (Śa.ra.dām.ba) on his arrival, theswamiji stood at the doorstep and prayed. The intensity of these prayers is said to have sparked a vision by theJagadguru Shankaracharya of the goddess Sharadamba's annoyance at the callousness of the temple officials. When theShankaracharya went to the temple, he saw that the idol had lost its lustre.[11]
TheShankaracharya called Swami Parijnanashram into the temple, where they talked. TheJagadguru Shankaracharya was impressed by Swami Parijnanashram's detailed knowledge of the scriptures, his mysticism, and his yogic abilities.[12] He gave his consent by offering Swami Parijnanashram the symbols of aMathādhipati: theAdda Palaki (A.dd.a Pā.la.ki; a palanquin),Birdu, andBavāli. TheJagadguru Shankaracharya's letter of consent officially proclaimed Swami Parijnanashram the Guru of the Saraswats.[13]
The king of Nagar was informed, and rushed to greet Swami Parijnanashram. He apologized profusely for having questioned his authority, by falling at his feet.[14] Swami Parijnanashramji is said to have maintained the same calm when the community was in despair and when he was celebrated by the king with honours and festivities.[15] After the king had accepted the Saraswat community's guru, the decree was repealed.
Once the crisis was resolved, Swamiji wanted to return to hissannyasa, or ascetic life.[16] But his devotees wanted him to remain, and after much pleading he graciously consented. Swami Parijnanashramji took up residence at the Sri Vishveshvar Vitthal Temple at Gokarn, where he performed hisAnushthān (ceremony of foundation). The temple became known as theAdi-matha, or first community monastery, of the Chitrapur Saraswat community.[17][18]
As the community wanted theGuru parampara to continue, the devotees asked the ageing SwamiParijnanashram to accept ashishya (śi.śya), or disciple, to succeed him asMathādhipati. The guruji responded by accepting ashishya, so allaying the community's concerns.
That disciple was the son of Krishna Kulkarni of the Haritekār family. Hisshishya sweekar, or acceptance ceremony, was performed on the day ofShudhaPoornima (Śu.dha Pūr.ni.ma) in the month ofChaitra, 1720. Swami Parijnanashram ordained his newshishya as Shankarashram (Śankar.āśram).[19]
With the news of Swami Parijnanashram's failing health over time, devotees came from far afield forDarshan (to see the Swami), and to receive his blessings. The swamiji died in 1720, on the day ofKrishnaChaturdashi in the month ofChaitra, just 14 days after accepting Shankarashram as his disciple.[20][21]
Swami Parijnanashram's last words to his disciple Shankarāshram were (translated to English fromKonkani): "Lead the devotees on the spiritual path and unto the Lord's grace. Lord Bhavānishankar will always protect you when you face obstacles".[22] Param Poojya SwamiShankarashram I was then ordained as the nextMathādhipati.
| Preceded by (none) | Guru OfSāraswats 1708–1720 | Succeeded by |