The Hindu : Scholar par excellence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 19, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Scholar par excellence

By Ganesh Prabhu

UDUPI, JAN. 18. Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji of Admar Math, who ascended the "Paryaya (Sarvajna) Peetha'' here today, is a scholar par excellence.

His discourses are popular among the people. He is the 33rd swamiji in the "Guruparampara'' of Admar Math.

Born on June 30, 1958 to Lakshmi and Gururaj Muchinthaya at Puttige, his "purvashrama'' name was Raghavendra Muchinthaya. He had his "upanayana'' at Tirumala in 1966.

He took "sanyasa dheeksha'' on June 1, 1972 at "Sarvajna Simhasana'' in Udupi under the name of Vishwapriya Tirtha.

He studied "Tatparya Nirnaya'' under Vidyamanya Tirtha Swamiji of Palimar Math, and "Madhwa Vijaya'' under the scholar, Lakshminarayana Sharma.

He continued his higher studies under Vidyamanya Tirtha Swamiji at Admar Math.

Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji is known for decorating the idol of Lord Krishna.

He is also known for punctuality. During his first Paryaya in 1988-1990, Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji delivered discourses on the Mahabharata for 500 days. During his first Paryaya, the "bhojanashala" at the Sri Krishna Math was renovated at a cost of Rs. 75 lakh.

A toilet complex was built near the math for the benefit of devotees and tourists at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. An overpass was constructed across the Madhwa Sarovar at a cost of Rs. six lakh.

Some of the programmes Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji would undertake during his second Paryaya include renovation of the silver chariot, continuation of the "Chinnnara Santharpane'' mid-day meal scheme, and construction of a "pakashala''.

As part of spiritual programmes, scholars would deliver discourses on 18 "Puranas'' and analyse them.

Books would be published on these "Puranas" on the basis of discourses and analyses. Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji would deliver discourses on "Mahabharata Tatparyanirnaya'' everyday for 30 minutes at the Rajangana.

He intends to undertake all these programmes under the guidance of Vibudhesha Tirtha Swamiji.

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