Shri Keshava Madhava Teertharu

Dhyana Shloka

bhaktābhīṣṭa-pradātāraṁ bhadrātaṭa-nivāsinaṁ
kēśavamādhavaṁ vandē kaivalya-mārga-bōdhakam

Shri Keshava Madhava Teertharu took ashrama from Shri Rama Madhava Teertharu and led the peetha for a few years. While detailed records about his tenure are limited, it is known that he gave ashrama to Shri Prajna Madhava Teertharu and later entered Brindavana at Tambihalli.

He was a highly learned scholar and was revered as a Vairagya-Shikhamani—a jewel of renunciation. During one of his tours, he reached a place called KabaLi KaTTe near Bhadravati, which was suffering from a severe famine. Moved by the condition of the people who didn’t even have drinking water, he chose to stay and serve them instead of moving forward.

He built a simple hut for his daily worship. Being well-versed in Ayurveda, he treated and healed the sick. The then ruler, Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyaru, visited and was deeply impressed by the Swamiji’s compassion and service. He granted land and named the area “Majjige Halli” in honor of the Swamiji. From then on, the matha came to be known as Majjigehalli Matha.

His Brindavana is considered spiritually vibrant and powerful. Many devotees have reported dreams where the Swamiji guided them about the arrangements around his Brindavana. There are also claims that people have seen him bathing in the nearby river and returning to his Brindavana. He had instructed his vamshikarus (family successors) to relocate his Brindavana to its present site.

The deity (Praṇadevaru) behind his Brindavana is believed to be very jāgrata (spiritually alert) and grants blessings to sincere devotees.

Haridasa Ratna Shri Gopala Dasa composed a stotra in honor of Shri Keshava Madhava Teertharu, showing his deep respect and devotion.

His aradhana is observed in the month of Ashadha, during Shukla Paksha Shashti.

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