Shri Varadendra Teertharu

Dhyana Sloka

वादे विजयशीलाय वरदाय वरार्थिनां।
वदान्यजनसिंहाय वरदेंद्राय ते नम:।

Sri Varadendra Theertha, the 24th Saint from Sri Madhwacharya, created a milestone in the parampare by winning debates over opponents and establishing Dwaitha Siddhanta & Sri Madhwacharya parampare mutt in predominantly Advaita-dominated Poona city. It was believed that Sri Raghavendra Theertharu himself predicted, "Saptamo Matsamo Yogi Varadendro Bhavishyati", meaning that the seventh saint after Sri Rayaru to adorn the Mahasamsthana would be equal to himself.

Sri Balaramacharya, also known as Sri Varadendra Theertha in Sanyasa, was the son of Sri Venugopal Acharya belonging to the Shastika Bigamudra manetana. All three sons of Sri Venugopal Acharya became the Peetadipathis of Sri Raghavendra Mutt parampare one after the other: Sri Purushothama Acharya became Sri Vasudendra Theertha, Balarama Acharya became Sri Varadendra Theertha, and Lakshminarayana Acharya became Sri Bhuvanendra Theertha.

Sri Balaramacharya studied under the guidance of Sri Vadeendra Theertha and became a scholar of high standard. Sri Vasudhendra Theertha gave him Sanyasa and named him Sri Varadendra Theertha. Sri Varadendra Theertha was a great scholar, proficient in difficult Vedic and shastric phrases, and equally adept in handling administrative matters.

During his regime, the Mutt saw all-round development, and Sri Varadendra Theertha undertook a quick tour across South India, receiving gifts from rulers and establishing a team of scholars for tatva prachara.

Like Sri Vyasarajaru, Sri Varadendra Theertha gave equal importance to both Vyasa and Haridasa Sahitya. He revived and established the Dasa parampare, welcoming great dasas and Aparoksha jnanis during his period. Sri Jagannata Dasaru, one of his dearest disciples, composed Sri Varadendrapancharatna Malika, praising Sri Varadendra's promotion of dasa Sahitya.

Sri Varadendra Theertha and Pranesha Dasaru shared a special bond, and Sri Varadendra Theertha's Mruthika Vrundavana is installed at Sri Pranesh Dasaru’s residence in Lingsugur.

Sri Varadendra Theertha visited Pune, engaging in a scholarly debate with Sri Ramashastry, a great Advaita scholar. Sri Varadendra Theertha emerged victorious, and as agreed, Sri Ramashastry ceded his house and wealth to him. This house later became a sacred abode of Sri Moola Rama and was recognized as Sri Varadendra Mutt belonging to Sri Raghavendra Swamy's parampare.

Sri Varadendra Theertha gave Sanyasa to his Purvashrama brother, Sri Lakshminarayana Acharya, naming him Sri Bhuvanendra Theertha. Sri Varadendra Theertha attained Hari Pada on Ashada Shuddha Shashti, and Sri Bhuvanendra Theertha installed the Vrundavana of his Guru at the same house.

After entering his Vrundavana, Sri Varadendra Theertha appeared in Sri Pranesha Vittala Dasa’s dream, instructing him to install his Vrundavana at a particular place in Lingsuguru.

Sri Varadendra Theertha's compositions include Deva Pooja Paddathi (in Sanskrit) and Tantrasara (in Kannada). He had several contemporaries and was revered by Sri Satyabodha Theertha of Uttaradhi Mutt.

Stotras on Sri Varadendra Theertha include Sri Varadendrapancharatna Malika by Sri Jagannata Dasaru and Sri Varadendra Guru Stotra by Sri Guru Jagannata Dasaru.