Chandrashekarendra Saraswati

Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Biography

Chandrashekarendra Saraswati was the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. This sage of Kanchi is also referred to by the names - Paramacharya, Mahaswami and Maha Periyavar. One of the greatest Indian sages of 20^th century, he led a saintly life, practised asceticism and had an unparalleled knowledge in a wide variety of subjects. ‘Protection of Vedas, tradition, and dharma’ was his ultimate aim. Some of his famous devotees include, King and Queen of Nepal, the Queen Mother of Greece, the Dalai Lama, singer M. S. Subbulakshmi, Subramanian Swamy, Indira Gandhi, R. Venkatraman and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He was interested in the happenings of politics, though he was not involved in it. He met Mahatma Gandhi at Palakkad during the days of Freedom struggle movement.

He was born as the second son of Subramanya Sastri, a District Education Officer in a Brahmin family in Viluppuram, South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu on 20 May 1894. His birth name was Swaminatha, named after the family deity, Lord Swaminatha of Swamimalai. His brother Sadasiva Sastrigal, popularly known as Sivan Sir authored "Yenippadigalil Maanthargal", a philosophical work in Tamil. An exponent in studies, Swaminatha did his school education in Tindivanam, where his father was working. In 1906, he happened to watch 66th Acharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham performing the annual Chaturmasyam at his village and since then he accompanied his father to visit his Math.

Swaminatha's first cousin was installed as 67th Peetathipathi who had a brief period of only 7 days. Soon after his death, Swaminatha was immediately installed as 68th Peetathipathi on 13 February 1907. He was given Sanyasa Asramam at the early age of 13 and was named Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. His "Pattabishekam" as the 68th Peetathipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam was performed at the Kumbakonam Math on 9 May 1907. He did vedic studies at Kumbakonam Mutt during the period 1913–1915. He had devotees from all walks of life and this saint was known for many miracles, for which his devotees still remember him. He is considered as one of the greatest spiritual leaders of Hinduism in the recent times. He has also authored a few works.

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Updated: January 04, 2016