Sri Vishwesha Tirtharu, also known as Srī Srī 1008 Srī Viśveśa-tīrtha Srīpād, was a revered Hindu guru and saint who presided over the Sri Pejavara Adokshaja Matha. This matha is one of the Ashta Mathas belonging to the Dvaita school of philosophy, which was founded by Sri Madhvacharya.
As the 32nd swamiji in the lineage of the Pejavara matha, Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was a direct disciple of Sri Adhokshaja Tirtharu, who was himself a disciple of Sri Madhvacharya. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly to spread the teachings of the Dvaita school of philosophy and promote the Hindu way of life.
Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was also known for his contributions to education. He founded the Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bangalore, which has been in operation for over 63 years. Many scholars have been trained at this institution on the subject of Vedanta. Additionally, he conducted 38 Nyayasudamangalas, which were graduation ceremonies for Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha students.
For his remarkable service and contributions to society, Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, which is India's second-highest civilian award, in 2020. He will always be remembered as a great spiritual leader and teacher who left an indelible mark on the world.
Shri Vishvesha Tirtharu was a revered Hindu saint who was born on 27 April 1931 in Ramakunja to a brahmin family. He was ordained into sannyasa at the young age of 7 years in 1938 and his pre-sannyasa name was Venkatrama. Shri Vidyamanya Tirtharu of Shri Bhandarkeri Math and Shri Palimaru Math were his vidya gurus.
During his lifetime, he completed five Paryayas and started his fifth Paryaya on January 18, 2016, which ended on January 18, 2018. He was actively involved in various social service organizations, such as the Akhila Bharat Madhwa Maha Mandala (ABMM), which helped many poor students. He established math centers at various holy places in India that were of great help to many pilgrims. The ABMM has many hostels all over Karnataka that provide accommodation and food almost free of charge to very-poor students and charge a nominal fee for normal students. These hostels have the same feeling as Mutts, and the food provided is of Satwik nature.
He was strongly rooted in Brahmin causes such as cow protection and played an active role in the Ramjanmabhoomi movement. Yet, he boldly organized Iftar for Muslims during Ramzan at the ancient Sri Krishna math complex in Udupi. He also advocated for the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and supported the Ram Janmabhoomi movement.
Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was admitted to Manipal, Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Hospital on 20 December when he faced severe difficulty in breathing. The doctors reported blockage of lungs by dry cough, and he was supported by ventilators and other life-supporting devices. On 27 December, the doctors released a bulletin saying that the seer's brain functioning was deteriorating. On the early morning of 29 December, Swamiji was shifted to the Pejawara Matha as per the seer's desire of spending the last moments in the holy Mutt. On the same day, he passed away. The chief minister, B. S. Yediyurappa, announced three days of mourning throughout the state in respect of the seer's demise. Later, his mortal remains were kept in Udupi for the devotees and then moved to the national college grounds in Bangalore by a helicopter. With all the government honors and respects, he was buried in Vidyapeetha mutt, Banashankari, and the burial ground is honorifically called "Brundavana." Sri Vishvaprasanna Tirtha succeeded him as the Swamiji of Shri Pejawar Math.