Why seers entered Brindavana

Almost all the Madhwa seers that we know of and even those from other parampare, sampradaya or systems, have entered Brindavana either alive or after they left their mortal body.

The Brindavana is a four-paneled structure and the roof is closed after the saint sits within it, generally in the Padmasana posture. There are several instances of sages entering such Brindavana alive and some of them are Vadiraja of Sode Matha in Sode, Raghuttama Theertha of Uttaradhi Matha in Tirucoilur, Raghavendra Swamy of Raghavendra Swamy Matha in Mantralaya and Satyavrata Theertha, the Uttaradi Matha pontiff, in Sangli.

In West of India, Madhavendra Theertha, the seventh pontiff of Kashi Matha, entered sajeeva samaadhi at Walkeshwar, Mumbai, in 1775. Of all of them, Vadiraja was the first to enter Brindavana alive or Sajeeva in 1600 and Madhavendra Theertha the last.

Whether seers enter the Brindavana alive or they are placed there after they leave their mortal body, the brindavanas are constructed on a tortoise or Kurma.

Even today, all Brindavanas of Raghavendra Swamy that you see  are constructed on a Kurma or tortoise. There are several reasons for Rayaru and other saints for making Kurma their seat.

The Kurma they sit on is a vehicle for the second avatar of Vishnu who took this form when the gods and demons battled each other for nectar. This is the churning of the ocean or Samudra Manthana.

Both the epics-Ramayana and Mahabharata- tell us the story of the Samudra Manthana.

When the ocean was being churned, Lakshmi came up from the depths. Many Gods, including Indra, asked Vishnu who this was.

Vishnu replied that she was Lakshmi, his wife. He said Lakshmi is not different from him and then narrated the tale of Indradyumna to illustrate this point.
The story goes as follows: There lived a king called Indradyumna and when he died, he was reborn as a brahmana. He then began meditating and also prayed to Lakshmi. When Lakshmi appeared before him, the brahamana asked her about what constitutes true knowledge and what was her true nature.

A smiling Lakshmi said even gods and the sages could not apprehend her true nature. She said she is Vishnu’s illusions and there is no difference between him and me. As for knowledge, she said it is for Vishnu to grant that boon. Pray to him, she instructed the brahamana and disappeared.

The brahamana once again started meditating on God and when Vishnu appeared, he wanted to know the path to true knowledge.

Vishnu obliged and soon he was besieged by God and sages asking them what he had told the brahamana. Vishnu once again revealed it and this is what has come to us as Kurma Purana.

One of the many topics that this Purana covers is the life of an ascetic and the manner in which he has to conduct himself. It also contains slokas about Varnashrama dharma.

The Kurma Purana thus lays down the fundamental principles of righteous conduct and this is categorized by the system of four varnas (classes) and four ashramas (stages of life).
The four ashramas or stages of life  are brahmacharya  or celibate studenthood, Grahastya or householder, Vanaprastha or one who stays in the forest and the last stage is Sanyasa or one who has renounced the world.

The Purana gives us vivid and scholastic interpretation of each one of these stages. Mind you, all of this in the Kurma Avatara.

Thus the Kurma avatara is a teacher that sets people, including sages and others, on the righteous path. It is in this purana that Vishnu himself says that the human being is merely an instrument and that all actions are performed by a Brahamana.

Since all Madhwa seers hold Hari or Vishnu as supreme, they feel that the Kurma seat is most appropriate for them, to sit and meditate. The Kurma is the giver of knowledge and also the master of yoga. The Kurma Nadi posture helps them in making their minds still and vests them with the power to see God (Hari).

Moreover, these seers can seat themselves more easily on a Kurma than representation of any other avatara such as Varaha or Huli (tiger). The Kurma is responsible for churning the ocean of  knowledge, filtering out the bad and unnecessary and give nectar of life and immortality, knowledge and true light.

The many tenets of the Kurma are better illustrated in the story of Lomaharshana.             

While Lomaharshana, one of the disciples of Veda Vyasa, was reciting the Kurma Purana to the assembled sages, Krishna Dvaipayana or Veda Vyasa himself arrived on stage. Lomaharshana and the other sages requested Veda Vyasa to instruct them about the path to true knowledge.

Veda Vyasa then began the sermon and  he said that paramathma is the only truth and that is pure and omnipresent. It  encompasses everything, yet its boundaries are limitless.

The paramatma will always be present in the atma. The only way to bring about a synthesis between an atma and paramatma is by yoga.

Vyasa then goes on to trace the eight components of yoga of which the first is Pranayama or control of one’s breath. The other components are Pratyahara or control of one’s senses, Yama or practice of non-violence, truthfulness and piety,  Niyama or study of Vedas and meditation, Dhyana or austere meditation and the last component is Samadhi or the stage where we realise the parameters of Atma (here I mean Jivatma) and Paramatma.

This is what Vishnu revealed in the Kurma Purana and what Veda Vyasa, the fountain head of  Brahminism subsequently told the sages.

“Tatrapi Devasambhuthyam Vairajasyabhavat Suta
Ajito Nama Bhagawan Amsena Jagata Patihi
Payodim Ena Nirmathya Suranam sadhita Sudha
Bhramamanombhasi Dhrta Kurma Roopena Mandara.”

This is how the story of the Samudra Manthana starts.

Madhwa seers felt that the Kurma would always be giving them knowledge and set then on the path of true knowledge and enlightenment. They felt nearer to Hari (please remember all Madhwa saints are followers of  Vaishnava faith wherein Hari is supreme)  and the only way they could continue with meditation was by immersing themselves in the manner in which Vishnu spoke in the Kurma Purana.

Thus they chose Padmasana to sit within the Brindavana which was generally built on a Kurma. The very fact that the Brindavana was atop a Kurma added to their meditative powers.    

Kurma gave them inner strength and complete devotion to God

Thus the Kurma Purana became a way of life and a guiding principle for our Madhwa sages, whichever matha they belonged to whether in life or after they left the mortal body. The Kurma was a vehicle for the seers to constantly remain in touch with the supreme God. It encapsulated whatever Madhwa said about Dwaitha philosophy.

“Aum Asana Mantrasya, Meru-prstha rsih, Sutalam Chandah
Kurmo Devata, Asanabhimantrena Viniyogah
Prthvitvaya Dhrta Loka Devi Twam Vishnuna Dhrta
Twam cadharayamma Nityam Pavitram Asanam Kuru.”

Here, the asana is extolled and a prayer is made to Kurma to help them (saints) feel secure and achieve their goal.

The first Madhwa saint to enter Brindavana is Padmanabha Theertha. His Brindavana is in Chakra Teertha in Hampi.

The concept behind the construction of the Brindavana is to ensue that life does not go out of a body. The seed cells in the body never get damaged.

When a saint enters Brindavana, his body will never decay as the  magnetic force within acts as a life force. Thus, people within the Brindavana begin to guide people as “unseen masters” or “invisible helpers” , though this may not be the case always as scores of people have seen Raghavendra Swamy sitting in the Brindavana. Some examples are of Sir Thomas Munroe seeing and speaking to Rayaru as did Jagganatha Dasa and the first person to see him in the Brindavana was Appanacharya.

Similarly, Sripadaraja has been seen sitting in Padmasana within the confines of his Brindavana.

Madhwas believe that the life force in the saints’ body in Brindavana remains forever and the time limit for the Samadhi status depends upon the saint's bio-magnetic strength. This may vary in terms of hundreds of years. Until then, the soul in samadhi stage will continue to bless the devotees.

This is perhaps the reasons why we feel a magnetic pull or divine force when we go near a Brindavana. Generally, Jeeva Samadhis have stronger and higher spiritual force and magnetic pull.

Madhwa saints chose such a Samadhi as Agni Samskara is forbidden for them. The only other option of antima samskaara for such seers is immersing their body in flowing water bodies like a river or sea or discarding the mortal body on the top of a hill or mountain in such a place so that it will not be eaten by wild animals.

Since the last two methods were not viable, the Madhwa saints chose the Brindavana method. This ensures that the brindavana becomes a places of worship with daily poojes. On their part, the seers guide us by emitting power and blessings due to the pranava mantra japa (Om mantra) and other mantras that they constantly recite.

Madhwa seers and their Brindavana

There are 28 Madhwa mathas and all of them trace their origin to Madhwacharya. All the mathas have a common lineage till some seers after which they were divided.

I have tried to compile a list of some of the major mathas and the places where the seers of these mathas entered Brindavana. Let me start with Uttaradhi Matha for the sake of convenience.

The founder of the Madhwa parampare is Madhwacharya. He was born at Pajaka Kshetra near Udupi and he disappeared from view on Magha Shudha Navami while giving a discourse on Upanishads from the Anantheshwara Temple in Udupi.

The Uttaradhi Matha seers who entered Brindavana are as follows. I have classified them as names, day of entering Brindavana and place:

1 Padmanabha Theertha- Nava Brindavana, Hampi - Kartika bahula chaturdashi.

2 Narahari Theertha- Chakratheertha, Hampi- Pushya bahula saptami

3 Madhava Theertha-Mannur, Bhadrapada bahula amavaasya

4 Akshobhya Theertha- Malkhed, Margashira krishna panchami

5 Jaya Theertha -Malkhed -Ashada bahula panchami

6 Vidyadhiraja Theertha -Puri, Orissa-Vaishakha shuda tritiya

7 Kavindra Theertha- Nava Brindavana- Chaitra shudha saptami.

8 Vageesha Theertha- Nava Brindavana -Chaitra bahula tritiya

9 Ramachandra Theertha-Yaragol- Vaishakha shuda shasti

10 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Yaragol- Kartika bahula chaturdashi

11 Raghunatha Theertha-Malkhed -Margashira krishna pratipada

12 Raghuvarya Theertha- Nava Brindavana -Jeshta bahula tritiya

13Raghuttama Theertha- Tirukoilur- Pushya shuda ekadashi

14 Vedavyasa Theertha- Penakonda, Chaitra shuda tritiya

15 Vidyadheesha Theertha-Ekachakranagar -Pushya bahula chaturdashi

16 Vedanidhi Theertha- Panadrapur- Kartika shuda ekadashi

17 Satyavrata Theertha- Sangli- Phalguna shuda shasti

18 Satyanidhi Theertha- Kurnool- Margashira shuda dwadashi

19 Satyanatha Theertha- Veeracholapuram, Margashira shuda ekadashi

20 Satyabhinava Theertha- Nachirkoil, Jeshta shuda chaturdashi

21 Satyapurna Theertha- Kolhapur-Jeshta bahula tritiya

22 Satyavijaya Teertha -Arani- Chaithra bahula ekadashi

23 Satyapriya Theertha- Mana Madurai, Chaitra shuda traiodishi

24 Satyabodha Theertha- Savanur, Phalguna krishna pratipada

25 Satyasandha Teertha- Mahisi Jeshta shuda dwithiya

26 Satyavara Theertha- Santhebidanoor - Shravana shuda saptami

27 Satyadharma Theertha-Holehonnur, Shravana krishna traiodishi

28 Satyasankalpa Theertha-Mysore- Ashada shuda poornima

29 Satyasantushata Theertha- Mysore -Phalguna bahula amavasya

30Satyaparayana Theertha- Santhebidanoor, Karnataka-ashwija shuda saptami

31 Satyakaama Theertha-Athkur, Karnataka- Pushya Bahula Shashti

32 Satyeshata Theertha- Athkur- Bhadrapada Shuda Ekadashi

33 Satyaparakrama Theertha- Chitthapur Ashwija Shuda Ashtami

34 Satyaveera Theertha- Korlahalli - Kartika Shudha Dwadashi

35 Satyadheera Theertha-Athkur -Jeshtha Bahula Navami

36 Satyajnana Theertha- Rajamundry- Magha Shuda Ekadashi

37 Satyadhyana Theertha- Pandrapur- Chaitra shuda ashtami

38 Satyaprajna Theertha- Athkur- Chaithra shuda tritiya

39 Satyabhijna Theertha- Ranebennur, - Pushya bahula ashtami

40 Satyapramoda Theertha- Irukoilur- Kartika shudha tadige

41Satyatma Theertha  is the present pontiff  of the Uttaradhi Matha.

The next Matha and its seers is the Raghavendra Swamy Matha. Even here, the parampare is same till Ramachandra Theertha. He gave deekshe first to Vibhudendra Theertha and then to Vidyanidhi Theertha. This is the second break of the Madhwa Matha.

Vibhudendra Theertha goes on to found the Sri Matha at Kumbokanam which subsequently came to known was Raghavendra or Rayaru Matha.

So let me start with Vibhudendra Theertha.

    

1  Vibhudendra Theertha- Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu- Margha navami

2 Jitamitra Theertha-Jitamitra Gadde, near Raichur-Marghashira amavyasa

3 Raghunanda Theertha- Hampi-Karthika ashtami

4  Surendra Theertha-Madera- Pushya Sudha dwadeshi

5 Vijendra Theertha – Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu- Jesta triodashi

6 Sudheendra Theertha- Nava Brindavana- Phalguna dwithiya

7 Raghavendra Theertha –Mantralaya, Shravana krishna dwithiya

8 Yogendra Theertha-Srirangam, Magha shuda dashami

9 Surendra Theerta-Madurai, Jesta shuda dwithiya

10 Sumateendra Theertha- Srirangam, Ashwini bahula saptami

11 Upendra Theertha- Srirangam- Margha ashtami

12 Vadeendra Theertha-Mantralaya- Jeshta shuda navami

13 Vasudeendra Theertha-Kanchangudu-Ashwini saptami

14 Varadendra Theertha- Pune, Ashada Shuda Shasti

15 Direndra Theertha- Hosarati-Phalguna shuda traiodashi

16 Bhuvendra Theertha-Rajavilli- Vaishaka bahula saptami

17 Shubadendra Theertha -Nanjangud –Chaitra bahula trithiya

18 Sujanendra Theertha-Tiruthani-Karthika aastami

19 Sugjanendra Theertha-Najangud –Shravana chaturthi

20 Sudharmendra Theertha-Mantralaya-pushya panchami

21 Sugunendra Theertha- Chitoor, Margha shuda poornima

22 Supragnandra Theertha-Nanjangud, Margha shasti

23 Sukratheendra Theertha-Nanjangud –Ashwini dashami

24 Susheelendra Theertha- Hosarati-Ashada shuda tritiya

25 Suvratheendra Theertha- Mantralaya-Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

26 Suyamendra Theertha-Mantralaya- Pushya shuda dwithia

27 Sujayeendra Thertha-Mantralaya-Magha chaturthi

28 Sushmeendra Theertha –Mantralaya-

29-Suyatendra Theerta-the present pontiff

The parampara of Sri Vyasaraja matha

Here too the parampare is the same as the Uttaradhi Matha till Vidyadhiraja Theertha. He gives Deekshe to two disciples-Vageehsa Theerta who continues the Uttaradhi Matha tradition and Rajendra Theertha who sets up the Sri Matha at Sosale which later came to be known as Sosale Vyasaraja Matha. This is the first  break in the Madhwa pontificate.

1 Rajendra Theertha-Yaragola- Vaishaka shuda poornima

2 Jayadwaja Theertha-Yaragola- Karthika shuda poornima

3 Purushottama Theertha-disappeared into a cave near Abbur,  Chaitra shuda prathipada

4 Bramanye Theertha- Abbur- Vaishaka bahula dwadashi

5 Vyasa Raja-Nava Brindavana- Phalguna bahula chaturthi

6 Srinivasa Theertha-Nava Brindavana-Vaishaka bahula panchami

7 Rama Theertha - Nava Brindavana –Awijitha shuda chaturdashi

8 Lakshmikanta Theertha-Penukonda, Shravana shuda saptami

9 Sripathi Theertha-Vellore- Ashada shuda dwadeshi

10 Ramachandra Theertha-Vellore- Marghashira shuda trithiya

11 Lakshmivallabha Theertha- Vellore-Pushya shuda panchami

12  Lakshminatha Theertha- Srirangam,  Shravana, shuda dwadashi

13 Lakshmipathi Theertha- Srirangam, Karthika shuda  ekadashi

14 Lakshminarayana Theertha-Badarikshrama, Karthika shuda triyodashi

15 Raghunatha Theetha-Malladalu, Ashada shuda chaturthi

16 Jagannatha Theertha-Kumbakonam,

17 Srinatha Theertha- Pushya shuda chaturthi

18 Vidyanatha Theertha- Kumbakonam,Vaishaka shuda ekadashi

19 Vidyapathi Theertha- Kumbakonam, Vaishaka shuda chaturthi

20 VidyavallabhaTheertha- Mukkudalu, Margashira shuda navami

21 Vidyakantha Theertha- Sosale, Jesta shuda navami

22 Vidyanidhi Teertha- Sosale, Ashada, bahula ekadashi

23 Vidyapoorna Theertha-Sosale, Shravana shuda shasti

24 Vidya  SrisindhuTheertha-Sosale, Ashada shuda aastami

25 Vidya Sreedhara Theertha- Srirangam, Chaitra bahula, chaturdashi

26 Vidya Srinivasa Theertha- Sosale, Vaishaka shuda chaturthi

27 Vidya Samudra Theertha-Sosale, Karthika shuda dwithiya

28 Vidya Ratnakara Theertha-Sosale, Vaishaka bahula navami

29 Vidyavaritha Theertha – Srirangam, Bhadrapada, bahula panchami

30 Vidya Prasanna Theertha-Sosale,  Margashira shuda poornima

31 Vidya Payonidhi Theertha- Mukkadalu

32 Vidya Vachaspathi Theertha-Sosale

33 Vidya Manohara Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Sripadaraja matha

1 Madhwachayra-Udupi, Magha shuda navami

2 Padmanabha Theertha- Nava Brindavana

3 Lakshmidhara Theertha

4 Sankarshana Theertha- Srirangam-

5 Parashurama Theertha-Srirangam-

6 Aadhiraja  Theertha-Srirangam-

7 Satyavrata Theertha-Srirangam-

8 Swarnavarana Theertha-Srirangam-

9 Sripadaraja- Mulabagal, Jeshta shuda chaturdashi

10 Hayagriva Theertha- Mulabagal- Karthika shuda pournima

11Sripathi Theertha- Vaishaka bahula panchami

12Sridhara Theertha-Mulabagal, Ashwayuja shuda chaturdashi

13Gopalaswamy Theertha-Mulabagal, Shravana shuda poornima

14Uddanda Ramachandra Theertha-Penukonda,

15Raghunatha Theertha-Yeragamballi, Ashada Shuda panchami

16Lakshmi Manohara Theertha- Erode, Pushya shuda poornima

17Lakshmipathi Theertha- Ashada shuda dwadashi

18Lakshaminatha Theertha-Abbur, Vaishakha shuda poornima

19Lalshmikantha Theertha-Davangere, Jesta shuda chaturdashi

20Srikantha Theertha- Nangli, Magha bahula amavasya

21Srinidhi Theertha- Erode, Ashwayuja bahula sapthami

22Tejonidhi Theertha-

23Yoganidhi Theertha-

24Vidyanidhi Theertha-Erode, Vaishakha shuda padya

25Gnananidhi Theertha-Srirangapatna,

26Gunanidhi Theertha, Matturpuram, Magha bahula sapthami

27Gunasaranidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Pushya shuda dashami

28Pragnanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Chitra shuda dashami

29Subodhanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Ashada bahula chaturadashi

30Vairagyanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Ashada shuda saptami

31Sugyananidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Phaluguna shuda poornima

32Sugunanidhi Theertha-Bhavani,

33Sudhinidhi Theertha-Erode,  phaluguna bahula ashtami

34Medhanidhi Theertha-Erode, karthika amavasya

35Dayanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Margashira shuda trayodashi

36Satyanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Ashada bahula shashti

37Vijayanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Phalguna bahula dwitiya

38Vigyananidhi Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of  Palimar matha

1 Hrishikesha Theertha- Kashi, Magha Shuda Saptami

2 Samaatmesha Theertha- Krishnateera, Shravana Shuda Dwithiya

3 Sambhava Theertha- Ayodhya, Vaishakha Shuda Panchami

4 Aparajitha Theertha -Godavari - Magha Shuda Saptami

5Vidyamurthi Theertha –Rameshwaram, Vaishakha krishna astami

6 Srinidhi Theertha -Jagannatha Puri, Ashada shuda shasti

7 Vidaisha Theertha- Godavari, Shravana krishna saptami

8 Vallaba Theertha-Kashi, Pushya shuda pratipadha

9 Jagadbhushana Theertha- Palimaru, Chaitra shuda dwadasi

10 Ramachandra Theertha –Palimar, Kartika krishna chaturdashi.

11 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Palimaru, Vaishakha shuda pournima

12 Suresha Theertha-Palimaru, Jeshta krishna panchami

13 Raghavendra Theertha-Ubaya Magha shuda, ashtami

14 Raghunandana Theertha –Palimaru, Bhadrapada shuda Navami

15 Vidyapati Theertha-Godavari, Vaishakha shuda saptami

16 Raghupati Theertha-Kashi, Jeshta krishna dwitiya

17 Raghunatha Theertha-Ayodhya, Chaitra shuda navami

18 Raghutthama Theertha- Palimaru, Magha shuda panchami

19 Ramabhadra Theertha-Palimaru, Ashwija shuda pournima

20 Raghuvarya Theertha- Palimaru, Magha shuda shashti

21 Raghupungha Theertha-Palimaru, Ashada krishna

22 Raghuvara Theertha- Palimaru, Ashwija shuda saptami

23 Raghupraveera Theertha –Udupi, Shravana krishna dwithiya

24 Raghubhushana Theertha-Udupi, Ashada krishna tritiya

25 Raghuratna Theertha-Kantavara,Vaishakha shuda chaturdashi.

26 Raghupriya Theertha-Palimaru, Chaitra shuda panchami

27 Raghumanya Theertha-Ghatikachala, Margashira shuda pratipada

28 Vidyamanya Theertha-Palimaru, Vaishakha shuda ekadashi

29 Vidyadeesha Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Adamar matha

1 Narashima Theertha-Bhageerathi, Chaitra shuda panchami

2 Kamaleksha Theertha -Bhageerathi, Magha shuda dwadasi

3. Shri Ramachandra Theertha-Ayodhya, Vaishakha shuda pournima

4 Vidydeesha Theertha- Dwaraka, Pushya shuda pournima

5Vishwapati Theertha- Godavari, Jeshta shuda dashami

6 Vishwesha Theertha -Vrindavana,Jeshta shuda tritiya

7Vedanidhi Theertha-Moolakaveri, Jyeshta shuda panchami

8Vedaraja Theertha-Ramasetu. Kartika krishna dwithiya

9Vidyamurthi Theertha- Nammatuvi, Bhadrapada krishna panchami

10 Vaikuntaraja Theertha- Theertharajapura, Bhadrapada krishna panchami

11Vishwaraja Theertha -Talakad matha, Chaitra krishna tritiya

12Vedagharba Theertha -Pajaka, Chaitra shuda dwadasi

13 Hiranyagharbha Theertha- Pajaka, Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

14 Vishwadeesha Teertha-Bhageerathi, Bhadrapada shuda panchami

15Vishwavallaba Theertha-Ramasetu, Pushya Shudha panchami

16Vishwendra Theertha Shurpali Jeshta krishna pratipada

17Vedapati Theertha- Dharmapuri, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

18Vadeendra Theertha- Pajaka, Magha shudha tritiya

19Vidyapati Theertha-Udupi, Vaishakha shuda panchami

20Vibhudapati Teertha-Adamar, Kartika shuda dwadasi

21Vedavallaba Teertha- Bhageerathi, Margashira krishna tritiya

22Vedavandhya Theertha-Adamar, Phalguna krishna dasami

23Videshya Theertha- Udupi, Bhadrapada krishna dasami

24VibhudaVallabav Theertha- Udupi, Pushya krishna shasti

25 VibhudaVandhya Theertha- Adamar, Margashira krishna tritiya

26VibhudaVarya Theertha -Udupi,

27Vibhudendra Theertha- Udupi,  

28VibhudadiRaja Theertha- Adamar,

29VibhudaPriya Theertha-Ghatikachala,  

30Vibhuamanya Theertha-Adamar,

31Vibhudesha Theertha is the present pontiff

32Vishwapriya Theertha is the junior seer

The parampara of Puttige matha

1UpendraTheertha-Krishna river, Magha Shuda dwadasi

2 Kavindra Thheertha- Bhageerathi, Shravana shuda panchami

3 Hamsendra Theertha- Puttige, Phalguna shuda panchami

4 Yadavendra Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda pratipada

5 Dharanidara Theertha-Kashi. Pushya krishna panchami

6 Damodara Theertha- Kashi,

7 Raghunatha Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda panchami

8 Matsaanka Theertha- Rameshwara, Bhadrapada shuda saptami

9 Gopinatha Theertha -Vrindavana, Shravana krishna panchami

10Ranganatha Theertha- Udupi, Ashwija lrishna amavaasya

11Lokanatha Theertha- Godavari Teera, Ashwija Shudha Panchami

12 Ramanatha Theertha- Puttige, Chaitra krishna panchami

13Vallaba Theertha- Udupi, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

14 Srinivasa Theertha- Udupi, Jyeshta shuda pratipada

15Shrinidhi Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda panchami

16 Gunanidhi Theertha -

17 Anandanidhi Theertha-Puttige, Magha krishna panchami

18 Taponidhi Theertha-Teerthahalli, Magha krishna amavaasya

19 Yadavendra Theertha- Madallu, Chaitra krishna panchami

20 Kavindra Theertha -Puttige, Vaishakha shuda dasami

21 Raghavendra Theertha- Puttige, Ashada shuda pratipada

22 Vibhudhendra Theertha- Udupi, Jeshta shuda panchami

23Surendra Teertha- Nagapuri, Phalguna shuda dwadasi

24Bhuvanendra Theertha Teerthahalli Kartika shuda tritiya

25Yogendra Theertha- Udupi, Ashada shuda pratipada

26 Sumatindra Theertha Udupi -

27 Upendendra Theertha Udupi -

28 Sugnyanendra Theertha Udupi-

29 Sugunendra Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Shirur matha

1 Vamana Theertha Ganga-Yamuna Sangam,

Vaishakha shuda dasami

2 Vaasudeva Theertha- Dwaraka, Magha shuda dwithiya

3 Punyasholka Theertha-Kumbakonam, Kartika shuda dwithiya

4. Shri Vedagamya Teertha- Tirunalveli, Chaitra shuda panchami

5 Vedavyasa Theertha-Tungabhadra, Pushya krishna panchami

6Vedavaidya Theertha- Gokarna, Phalguna krishna amavaasya

7 Mahesha Theertha-Godavari,Shravana shuda dwithiya

8 Krishna Theertha- Krishna teera, Margashira shuda dasami

9 Raghava Theertha-Netravati teera, Jeshta shudha panchami

10 Suresha Theertha- Bhageerathiteera, Vaishakha shuda Samptami

11Vedabhushana Theertha-Shivapura, Bhadrapada krishna tritiya

12 Srinivasa Theertha –Vekataadri, Ashwija shuda saptami

13 Vedaindhi Theertha- Shivapura, Pushya shuda panchami

14 Sridhara Theertha- Paavajengrama. Phalguna krishna dasami

15 Yadavotthama Theertha- Shivapura, Vaishakha shuda Trayodashi

16 Lakshminarayana Theertha-Kaveriteera, Kartika krishna panchami

17 Vishwabhushana Theertha-Shivapura, Shravana krishna trayodashi

18 Trilokyapavana Theertha- Malarimatta, Ashada krishna panchami

19 Laksmikantha Theertha- Nivrtha Sangama, Vaishakha krishna tritiya

20 Lakshminarayana Theertha- Udupi, Ashada shuda panchami

21Laksmipati Theertha- Udupi, Shravana krishna dasami

22Laksmidharati Theertha- Udupi, chaitra shuda dwithiya

23Laksmiramama Theertha- Udupi, Jeshta krishna panchami

24 Laksmimanohara Theertha Udupi-

25Laksmipriya Theertha- Udupi-

26Laksmivallaba Theertha- Udupi-

27Laksmisamudra Theertha- Udupi-

28Laksmindra Theertha- Udupi-

29 Laksmivara Theertha is the present pontiff

The  parampara of Krishnapur matha

1 Janardhana Theertha- Prayag, Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

2 Shrimathsanka Theertha- Prayag, Kartika krishna panchami

3 Vageesha Theertha- Brahmavara, Margashira shuda navami

4 Lokesha Theertha- Krishnateera, Ashada shuda ashtami

5 Lokanatha Theertha- Haridwara, Margashira krishna shasti

6 Lokapujya Theertha- Rutimatikatti, Ashwija shuda ashtami

7 VidhyadhirajaTheertha-Varahiteera, Kartika shuda ashtami

8 Vishwadhiraja Theertha Jagannatha-

9 Vishwadeesha Theertha Kaveri teera -

10Visheshwa Theertha-Ramasetu, Ashada shudha tritiya

11Vishwavandhya Theertha-Kasi, Shravana shudha shasti

12 Vishwaraja Theertha-Netravati teera, Ashwija krishna amavaasya

13Dharanidhara Theertha-Shukthimathiteera, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

14 Dharaadhara Theertha-Prabhasa, Vaishakha shudha navami

15 Pragnyanamurthi Theertha-Shukthimathiteera, Magha krishna tritiya

16 Tapomurthi Theertha-Neramballi, Phalguna krishna panchami

17 Sureshwara Theertha-Krishnateera, Chaitra shuda dwithiya

18 Jagannatha Theertha- Prayag,vaishakha shuda samptami

19 Suresha Theertha-Gandaki teera, Ashada shuda tritiya

20 Vishwapunga Theertha-Gandaki teera, Kartika shuda dasami

21Vishwavallaba Theertha- Gandaki teera, Margashira krishna amavaasya

22 Vishwabhushana Theertha -Neramballi, Kartika shuda ashtami

23Yadavendra Theertha-Rameshwara, Phalguna krishna dasami

24 Pragnyanamurthi Theertha -Vishwanatha, Magha krishna navami

25 Vidhyadhiraja Theertha- Godavari teera, Vaishakha krishna panchami

26Vidyamurthi Theertha-Bailu pejawara, Bhadrapada shuda ashtami

27 Vidyavallaba Theertha -Bailu pejawara, Bhadrapada shuda saptami

28 Vidyendra Theertha-Ganga-Yamuna Sangam,

Bhadrapada shuda pratipada

29 Vidyanidhi Theertha -Krishna teera, Bhadrapada shuda navami

30 Vidyasamudra Theertha-Krishna teera, Magha shuda navami

31 Vidyapati Theertha-Udupi, Phalguna krishna chathurthi

32Vidyadeesha Theertha-Bangalore, Jeshta Krishna Ekadashi

33 Vidyapoorna Theertha- Udupi,Phalguna krishna pratipada

34 Vidyaratna Theertha Peramballi-

35 Vidyasagara Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Sri Sode matha

1 Vishnu Theertha-Kumaraparvata,Rohana margashira krishna trayodashi

2 Vedavyasa Theertha- Vaishakha shudha chathurthi

3 Vedhya Theertha

4 Agharba Theertha- Phalguna krishna panchami

5 Varesha Theertha-

6Vamana Theertha - Magha shuda pratipada

7Vasudeva Theertha-Shravana shuda shasti

8Vedavyasa Theertha- Ashwija shuda chathurthi

9Varaha Theertha- Vaishakha shuda chathurthi

10Vedatma Theertha -

11Vishwavandya Theertha - Jeshta Sudha dasami

12Ratnagharba Theertha - Magha Panchami

13Vedanga Theertha- Bilagi, Pushya shuda ashtami

14Vidyapati Teertha - Bhadrapada shuda panchami

15Vishwavandya Theertha- Jeshta krishna amavaasya

16Vishwa Teertha -

17Vittalla Theertha - Ashwija shuda panchami

18 Varadaraja Theertha- Kumbasi, Kartika shuda ashtami

19 Vageesha Theertha-Udupi, Magha shuda dasami

20 Vadiraja Theertha-Sonda, Phalguna krishna tritiya

21 Vedavedya Teertha Sonda Ashwija Shudha Dwithiya

22VidyanidhiTeertha- Kumbasi, Vaishakha Krishna Dasami

23Vedanidhi Teertha -Sonda, Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi.

24Varadaraja Teertha- Teerthahalli, Jyeshta Krishna Chaturdashi.

25Vishwadhirajendra Theertha-Sonda, Phalguna krishna ashtami

26 Vadivandhya Theertha- Sonda, Ashwija Shudha Shashti

27 Vishwavandya Theertha –Udupi, Kartika Krishna Chathurthi

28 Vibhudhavarya Theertha- Udupi, Margashira Shudha Panchami

29 Vishwanidhi Theertha- Undaru, Margashira shuda tritiya

30Vishwadhishwara Theertha-Undaru, Pushya shuda trayodashi

31Vishwesha Theertha-Kenchagaru, Magha krishna trayodashi

32 Vishwapriya Theertha-Udupi, ashada krishna amavaasya

33Vishwadhisha Theertha-Udupi, Ashada krishna amavaasya

34Vishwendra Theertha-Udyavara, Ashwija shudha navami

35 Vishwotthama Theertha

36 Vishwa Vallabha Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of  Pejawar matha

1Adhokshaja Theertha-Dhanushkoti, Magha shuda samptami

2 Kamalaksha Theertha-Bhageerathi, Kartika shuda panchami

3Pushkaraksha Theertha - Pushya shuda pratipada

4 Amarendra Theertha-Moolakaveri, Phalguna shuda Navami

5Vijaya Teertha -Vrindavana, Jeshta krishna dasami

6Mahendra Teertha- Godavari

7 Vijayadwaja Theertha-Kanva teertha,Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

8 Uttama Teertha-

9 Chintamani Theertha-Kanva teertha, Jeshta shuda panchami

10 Damodara Theertha -Udupi, Bhadrapada krishna chaturdashi.

11Vasudeva Theertha- Bhageerathi, Kartika shuda pournima

12Vadeendra Theertha- Moolakaveri, Pushya shuda dasami

13Vedagharba Theertha –Vrindavana, Ashwija shuda pournima

14Anupragnya Theertha -Jagannath, Jyeshta krishna panchami

15Vishwapragnya Theertha-Tryambak, Shravana krishna saptami

16 Vishwesha Theertha-Proshti, Jeshta krishna navami

17Vishwabhushana Theertha- Ramanathapura, Kartika krishna panchami

18Vishwavandhya Theertha-Kudli, Magha shuda chaturdashi.

19Vidyaraja Theertha-Srirangam, Phalguna shuda panchami

20Vishwamurthi Theertha -Pejawar, Pushya shudha dwadasi

21 Vishwapati Theertha- Vaishakha shuda dwithiya

22 Vishwanidhi Theertha- Pejawar, Phalguna shuda samptami

23 Vishwadeesha Theertha- Udupi, Kartika shuda dasami

24 VishwaDheeraja Teertha- Udupi, Jyeshta Shudha DWITIYA

25VishwaBhoda Teertha- Pejawar, Ashada Krishna Chathurthi

26 Vishwavallaba Theertha- Mulabagal, Phalguna krishna chaturdashi.

27 Vishwapriya Theertha

28Vishwavarya Theertha-Peranamkila-

29 Vishwaraja Theertha-Peranamkila-

30Vishwamanohara Theertha- Peranamkila-

31Vishwagnya Theertha Udupi-

32 Vishwamanya Theertha-Kanva Teertha-

33VishweshaTheertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Kaniyoor matha

1 Rama Theertha-Himatkitara, Magha krishna panchami

2 Raghunatha Theertha- Bhagirati, Chaitra Shudha Panchami

3 Raghupati Theertha-Tryambak,Vaishakha krishna yrayodashi

4 Raghunanadana Theertha-Moolakaveri, Magha shuda Tritiya

5 Yadunandana Theertha-Dakshina rameshwara, Phalguna krishna dashami

6 Vishwatma Teertha-

7 Vishwanatha Theertha-Dwaraka, Kartika shuda panchami

8 Vedagharba Theertha-Tungabhadra, Pushya shuda Pournima

9 Vageesha Theertha-Ganga bhagirati, Magha hsuda pratipada

10Varadapati Theertha- Puri, Magha krishna panchami

11Vishwapati Thertha-Kurukshetra, Kartika shuda chaturdashi.

12Vishwamurthi Theertha-Moolakaveri, Kartika shuda ashtami

13Vedapati Theertha-Krishnakshetra, Magha shuda Dwithiya

14 Vedaraja Theertha- Godavari, Shravana krishna navami

15 Vidyadeesha Theertha-Balyamatha, Chaitra shuda panchami

16 Vibhudhesha Theertha- Mannargudi, Magha krishna dashami

17 Varijaksha Theertha- Vaishakha shuda panchami

18 Vishwendra Theertha- Kaniyoor, Magha krishna dasami

19Vibhudhavandya Theertha-Kaniyoor, Magha Shuda pratipada

20Vibhudhadhiraja Teertha-Kanioor, Chaitra krishna panchami

21 Vidyaraja Teertha- Kaniyuru, Margashira krishna shasti

22 Vibhudapriya Teertha- Udupi, Ashada Shudha Dwadasi

23 Vidyasagara Teertha Udupi

24 Vasudeva Teertha Udupi

25 Vidyapati Teertha Udupi

26 Vamana Teertha

27 Vidyanidhi Teertha Udupi

28 Vidyasamudra Teertha Udupi

29 Vidyavarinidhi Teertha Udupi

30 VidyaVallabaTeertha Present pontiff

The parampara of Subrahmanya matha

1 Vishnu Theertha- Kumaraparvata

2 Aniruddha Theertha- Samputa Matha

3 Varaaha Theertha - Samputa Matha

4 Vaageesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

5 Vishwesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

6 Venkatesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

7 Vakyadheesha Theertha- Hampi

8 Vidyaapathi Theertha Janardana

9 Vaasudeva Theertha Kashi

10 Vaamana Theertha Udupi Balaghatta Matha

11 Vedavyaasa Theertha Prayaga

12 Vaikuntavallabha Theertha Puri Jagannatha

13 Vijnaana Theertha Puttur Aladkalu

14 Vimalathma Theertha Balpadagundaje

15 Vibhudhesha Theertha Ramanathapura

16 Vedagarbha Theertha Mannarugudi

17 Vedapoojya Theertha Kaayambadi

18 Vedesha Theertha Rameshwaram

19 Vidyaadhiraaja Theertha Nagara

20 Varadaraaja Theertha -Samputa Matha

21 Varadesha Theertha -Samputa Matha

22 Vidyaanidhi Theertha- Samputa Matha

23 Vedaanthanidhi Theertha -Samputa Matha

24 Vidyaadhipathi Theertha- Samputa Matha

25Vishwapooja Theertha-Udupi

26Vishwavanddya Theertha-Bhandya

27Vishwaadhipathi Theertha -Samputa Matha

28Vishwapathi Theertha Nagar

29Vishwaadheesha Theertha-Samputa Matha

30Vidhyadheesha Theertha Ananthashayana

31Vidhyaavallabha Theertha Pundyooru

32Vedaraaja Theertha - Samputa Matha

33Vidyaaraaja Theertha- Samputa Matha

34 Vidyaapoorna Theertha- Samputa Matha

35 Vyasa Theertha-Padamunnuru

36 Vishwaanja Theertha- Samputa Matha

37 Vidyaasindhu Theertha -Samputa Matha

38Vidhyabhooshana Theertha

39Vidyaaprasanna Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Kudli Matha

The Madhwa line continues till Akshobya Theertha. It is from here that the Matha gets another parampare.

1 Trailokya Bhushana Theertha- Kudli, Chaitra shuda dwadashi

2 Lokavanditha Bhushana Theertha-Kudli, Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

3 Sulubha Theertha-Kudli, Jeshta bahula amavasye

4 Raghupungava Theertha- Harihar, Karnataka- Ashada bahula panchami

5 Ragunatha Theertha- Kudli- Shravana shuda hunime

6 Raguvarya Theertha- Hampi -Ashvija shuda dwadashi

7 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Hampi -Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

8 Raghupathi Theertha- Pushya bahula shasti

9 Narayana Theertha-Mayagundi, Magha shuda Bidige

10Mukunda Theertha, Ashvija shuda saptami

11 Raghupathi Theertha, Margashira shuda dashami

12 Ramachandra Theertha, Chaitra shuda saptami

13 Ragottama Theertha, Shravana bahula ashtami

14 Ragottama Theertha- Kudli -Phalguna shuda hunime

15 Ragupathi Theertha-Kudli- Jeshta shuda dwadashi

16 Ramachandra Theertha- Kudli-Ashada Bahula Tadige

17 Rama Theertha-Navooru, Dakshina Kannada-

Margashira Bahula Tadige

18 Raghuvarya Theertha- Kudli -Margashira Bahula Padya

19 Raghuvallabha Theertha- Kudli- Vaishaka Bahula Tadige

20 Raghupriya Theertha- Kudli- Ashweja Shudha Tadige

21 Raghuvara Theertha- Kudli -Vaishaka bahula Tadige

22 Ragottama Theertha -Kudli- Bhadrapada bahula padya

23 Raghushanta Theertha- Kudli- Pushya bahula chaturdashi

24 Ragukantha Theertha -Malkhed -Jeshta bahula shasti

25 Raghudanta Theertha- Kudli-Badrapada shuda saptami

26 Raghuveera Theertha- Kudli- Margashira shuda tadige

27 Ramadhyana Theertha- Kudli- Badrapada bahula

ekadashi

28 Raghupramathi Theertha-Kudli -Pushya bahula shasti

29 Raghupriya Theertha is the present pontiff

30 Raghuvijaya Theertha is the junior pontiff