Shri Sujayeendra Teertharu

Dhyana Sloka

सुयमींद्र कराब्जोत्थं सुविद्याबोधकं सदा |

सुमूलरामपूजाढ्यं सुजयींद्रगुरुं भजे ||

Sujayeendratheertha, in his previous life known as Venkataraghavendracharya, hailed from the Beegamudre family of Gouthama Gothra, a sacred lineage associated with Sri Gururaja. His father, Sujnanendracharya, was the younger brother of Sukrutheendra Tirtharu and Susheelendra Tirtharu, while his mother, Lakshmibai, was the sister of Survatheendra Tirtharu. Venkataraghavendracharya received his early education in Nyaya and Vedanta under his grandfather, Huli Hanumanthacharya, and Doddaballapuram Vasudevacharya. He also studied Tarka Shastra under the renowned scholar Elathur Krishnacharya.

Under the guidance of Susheelendratheertha, Suvratheendratheertha, and Suyameendra Tirtharu, Venkataraghavendracharya became a distinguished scholar. Entrusted with administrative responsibilities by Sri Suyameendra Tirtharu, Venkataraghavendracharya managed the affairs of the maTa (mutt) diligently. In 1963, when Sri Suyameendra Tirtharu fell ill, he chose Venkataraghavendracharya as his successor, bestowing sanyasa upon him and naming him Sujayeendra Tirtharu.

Sujayeendra Tirtharu, following his guru's directives, resolved administrative issues concerning Mantralaya and initiated developmental works. He focused on the development of Sri Gurusarvabhouma Vidyapeetha, providing free boarding and lodging for students and organizing biannual conferences of scholars during Raghavendra Swamiji's Aradhana. Sujayeendra Tirtharu also initiated the publication of the Kannada cultural monthly magazine "Gurusarvabhouma" to promote Dharma awareness.

Sujayeendra Tirtharu's contributions to the multifaceted development of Mantralaya earned him the title "Architect of Mantralaya." He renovated the mutt buildings, constructed accommodations, schools, dining halls, hospitals, and provided drinking water facilities. He adorned the Brindavan of Sri Gururaja with gold relief and enlarged the gold Mantap of Lord Moolarama, earning the special blessings of Lord Moolarama and Sri Gururaja.

Sujayeendra Tirtharu, always attributing his achievements to the blessings of Sri Gururaja and his guru Sri Suyameendra Tirtharu, became an exemplar of Gurubhakthi (devotion to the guru). His greatest gift to society was his disciple Sushameendra Tirtharu. Sujayeendra Tirtharu passed away in 1986 at Mantralaya, having bestowed sanyasa upon Suprajnendracharya, the son of his elder brother from his previous life, and named him Sushameendra Tirtharu.