Shri Jitamitra Teertharu

Dhyana Sloka

सप्तरात्रम् कृष्णवैणयां उषित्वा पुनरुत्थितं ।

जितामित्रगुरुं वंदे विबुधॆंद्र करोद्बवाम् ॥

Jitamitra Teertharu, whose Purvashrama name was Ananthappa, faced early loss with his father's passing. Raised alongside his elder sister, who managed the family affairs adeptly despite her young age, Ananthappa learned the ropes of agriculture and land management early on.

At the age of 8, he underwent the Upanayana ceremony and diligently performed Sandhya Vandana and other related rituals. His routine involved assisting his sister in farm work, including plowing fields and tending to animals. He would only wear the Yagnopaveetha during specific occasions and otherwise hang it at home.

During this time, Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu, seeking a worthy disciple for Sanyasa Ashrama, noticed Ananthappa's devotion while plowing fields. Impressed, Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu guided him in the importance of rituals and provided spiritual teachings. He stayed at Ananthappa's house, conducting daily discourses on spiritual subjects.

Recognizing Ananthappa's devotion, Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu gifted him a Narasimha Saligrama for worship. Ananthappa faithfully followed the instructions, offering daily rituals and Naivedya to the Saligrama. He even attempted to feed the Saligrama directly, which miraculously accepted his offerings.

Upon Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu's return from North India, Ananthappa revealed the miraculous events to his Guru. Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu, eager to witness the divine acceptance of food, visited Ananthappa's home. Though initially hesitant, the Saligrama eventually accepted the food, reaffirming Ananthappa's devotion.

Witnessing this miracle, Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu recognized Ananthappa's spiritual prowess and decided to initiate him into Sanyasa Ashrama. Overjoyed, Ananthappa accepted the invitation and received Sanyasa Ashrama, becoming Jitamitra Teertharu. Sri Vibudendra Tirtharu bestowed upon him the entire lineage's responsibilities and the name "Jitamitra Tirtha."

Jitamitra Teertharu later entered Vrindavana at Tirunelveli, thus becoming the pontiff of Sri Vibudendra Tirtha Mutt.

The main story of Jitamitra Teertharu recounts a remarkable event during his teaching session with his students under a Gum Tree near Krishnaveni. Suddenly, floods from the Krishna River surged forth, causing panic among the students who fled, leaving Jitamitra Teertharu alone. Despite being fully immersed in the water, Jitamitra Teertharu remained absorbed in meditation.

The floodwaters persisted for seven days, and the students feared their Guru had been swept away. However, when the floods receded, they were astonished to find Jitamitra Teertharu still seated in the same spot, completely dry as if untouched by the flood. He had remained in deep meditation throughout, and there was no sign of water touching his body.

This miraculous event left the students in awe, and it became part of the Charamashloka, commemorating Jitamitra Teertharu's seven-day meditation amidst the floods of Krishnaveni.