Jayendra Saraswathi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal |
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Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
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| Birth Date | 18 July 1935 Irulneeki, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu |
| Died on | 28 February 2018 (aged 82) Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu |
| Birth name | M.Subrahmanyam Iyer |
| Titles/honors | Shankaracharya |
Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya (born Subramanyam Mahadeva; 18 July 1935 – 28 February 2018) was a very important spiritual leader in Hinduism. He was the 69th Shankaracharya and head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, a famous religious center in India.
His birth name was Subramanyam Mahadeva Iyer. He was chosen by his teacher, Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, to be the next leader. He received the special title Sri Jayendra Saraswathi on March 22, 1954. He officially took over the leadership of the Kanchi Math in 1960.
Contents
Early Life and Spiritual Path
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal was born on July 18, 1935. His parents were Mahadeva Iyer and Saraswathi Ammal. He grew up in a village called Irulneeki.
He went to primary school there and later to a middle school in a nearby village. After that, he studied ancient Hindu scriptures at a special school in Thiruvanaikoil, near Trichy. He enjoyed playing games like marbles with other children during his holidays. When he was only 19 years old, his guru, Chandrashekarendra Saraswathi, chose him as his successor. This was a very big decision for a young man.
Contributions to Society
Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal led the Kanchi Math, a spiritual organization started by Adi Shankaracharya many centuries ago. He learned a lot from his teacher, 'Maha Periyava'. They traveled all over India together.
He gave many religious talks and also worked on various social projects. Under his guidance, the Math started many schools and hospitals. He made sure the Math helped people in different ways. Thanks to his efforts, the Math now runs several schools, eye clinics, and hospitals. He also connected directly with many people.
He believed that the Math and the Hindu religion should help the poor and those who were struggling. He was very strong in his religious beliefs. This was one reason he was chosen as the 69th leader of the Kanchi Math at just 19 years old. It took great courage for him to give up his normal life and become a spiritual teacher at such a young age. He traveled across India, often barefoot, to share the teachings of Sanatana Dharma.
Unlike his teacher, who rarely spoke in public, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal liked to be involved in current events. He enjoyed meeting people from all different backgrounds. His teacher saw three special qualities in him: he could attract people, wealth, and even rain. People had great faith in him, and many public projects he started were successful.
He understood the changes happening in India's society and culture. He realized the Math needed to do more than just religious rituals. He even spoke out on important issues, like saying that Sanskrit was his "father tongue" and Tamil his "mother tongue."
He tried to help solve the Ayodhya issue, a big dispute in India. He wrote letters to different groups to try and find a peaceful solution. He also helped the Kanchi Math expand its services directly to the people.
In 1998, he visited Manasarovar and Kailash, which are very sacred places. He was the only Shankaracharya to do this after Adi Shankara himself. There, he placed a statue of Adi Shankara. He also founded a university named after his teacher, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya.
During his time as leader, the Kanchi Math ran the university and many schools and hospitals. These were new areas for the Math to be involved in. He also broke some old rules of the Math to reach out to people who were less fortunate. He visited areas where Dalits lived and gained many new followers. He changed the Math from being mainly about rituals to being very active in social service. This made him very popular and helped him meet many important leaders.
His followers called him a "reformist saint." They said he helped spread the teachings of Adi Sankara to people beyond just the Brahmin community. He did this by making the Math more focused on social service and including everyone. He also wanted to be seen as a leader who understood politics and could help with national issues. This led him to try and resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.
He started charity programs like ‘Jana Kalyan, Jana Jagaran,’ which meant "serve the people and awaken the masses." This program aimed to build temples in Dalit communities and involve Dalits in temple rituals. He also appointed Dalit leaders to manage temples. He worked to bring Dalits and other oppressed groups into the main Hindu community. He traveled widely, talking to people in villages. He even used a special van for travel, which was different from the Math's usual tradition of traveling by foot.
Under his leadership, the Kanchi Mutt started many hospitals, including Child Trust Hospital and Hindu Mission Hospital. He also helped establish the eye hospital – Sankara Nethrayala – in 2004. His main goal was to encourage spirituality and devotion among people. He helped renovate or perform special ceremonies for over 100 temples. He also installed a statue of Krishna at a temple in 2015.
Legal Challenge and Acquittal
In 2004, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal faced a legal challenge. He was arrested in connection with a case. However, the court later found that there was not enough evidence against him. In 2013, he was found not guilty and was cleared of all charges.
Death and Final Resting Place
On February 27, 2018, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal asked his successor, Vijayendra Saraswathi, to perform the daily prayers. This was seen as a sign that he was ready to pass on his duties. The next morning, February 28, 2018, the 82-year-old spiritual leader was taken to a hospital because of breathing problems. He passed away at 9:00 am that day.
As a sanyasi (a renunciate), Saraswati was not cremated. Instead, his body was interred in a special resting place called a 'Samadhi' or 'brundavanam'. A Tulasi tree was planted, and a Shiva lingam (a sacred symbol) was placed on top. This made it a permanent shrine. The process of his interment began on March 1, 2018.
His body was kept in the Kanchi Math hall for devotees to pay their respects. Many people visited the Math from February 28 until the morning of March 1. His resting place was built right next to his guru's, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi. The final rituals began with a special bath of milk and honey. His body was then carried to the 'Brindavan Annexe' and placed in a burial pit. The current leader, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi, performed the final prayers for his teacher.
Tributes and Legacy
Many important people expressed their sadness and offered condolences after his passing. These included the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Vice President, Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu.
Other notable figures who paid their respects included former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, and various state ministers and leaders. Even Muslims from Kanchipuram visited the Kanchi Mutt to pay their respects, showing the wide respect he commanded.
