Shri Vishwavallabha Theertharu (Present Pontiff)

Sri Vishwavallabhatirtha was born of honest and virtuous couple Srinivasa Tantri and Smt. Vedavati in Padigaru near Udupi on 24-03-1991. Undergoing the prescribed rites of refinement such as Jatakarma, Namakarana and others, he got the name 'Raghava'. As he was born on Ramajayanthi, the name 'Raghava' was agreeable in all respects. Even in childhood, Raghava preferred to have Ekanta. He grew as lovely child of mother. Raghava used to assist his mother in homely affairs. Raghava's grandfather was Vidwan Sri Gururaj Tantri. He was a great scholar, knower of rich tradition and an authority in Dharmashastra (code of laws). As he was strictly adhered to the observance of Ekadashi, he was well known as Ekadashi Tantri. As he was endowed with the power of Mantra, he, at the birth of Raghava, predicted and pre told that born child would become glorious and achieve something extra-ordinary. The style of Raghava's life was a sample of discipline. In his responsible life, timely awareness and proper endeavour are reciprocally intact and promising in achieving the goal.

Even at the primary and secondary learning, religious understanding and observance were harmless and unsublated. When the topic of Samnyasashrama was proposed, the parents did not agree to handover their lovely son. When there was a formal and casual recollection of past hopeful wish and the realisation of Lord's resolve, parents rushed to Sode and informed with respect to Sri Vishwottamatirtha about their consent. It was the good fortune of Raghava to become the successor of the seat of Vedanta empire graciously adorned by Madhvacharya, Vishnutirtha, Vadiraja and other great saint pontiffs. Raghava took the Samnyasashrama in the year 14-06-2006 from Sri Vishwottamatirtha at Sode and became Sri Vishwa-vallabhatirtha. He learned the discipline of essentials of Samnyasashrama and put into practice. He started his studies under Sri Vidyasagaratirtha of Krishnapur Matha, an ardent student disciple of Vishwotta-matirtha. The grasping power of Vishwavallabhatirtha is unique. His behaviour is moral featured and expression work concentrated. At present, study is continued with the help of pundits.

After the departure of Guru Sri Vishwottamatirtha, he took the responsibility of administration. He became great thinker and observer. Taking into consideration the necessity, he planned to take up the renovation and construction work. And accordingly, Swamiji took up the renovation and construction at Udupi, Sode and other places and completed on time. The construc-tion of Rajadhama in Sode is historical one. Swamiji started well established Goshala and Yaga-shala in Sode. Vishwavallabhatirtha has established an institution namely 'Srimadvrinda-vanacharya Samshodhana hagu Prakashana Kendra' to preserve thousands of manuscripts and other works collected by Guru Sri Vishwottamatirtha and publish. And to accord due support to scholars he has also launched a scheme namely 'Sri Vishwottamatirtha Masika Vidwatsambhavane'. The Bhavisameera Gurukula, started by Guru Sri Vishwo-ttamatirtha, is enjoying good and needy support from Swamiji and is running well. Realising well the timely need and social obligation, Vishwavallabhatirtha readily came forward with prudent vision to cater to the needs of higher education in the rural area. As a result, Swamiji has started 'Sri Madhva Vadiraja institute of Technology and Management' to encourage and support the modern system of education. This institute has better infrastructural facilities and updated learning resources. Library, labs, hostels, departments, office etc., are all well equipped. He put his efforts and started English medium section in existing school at Innanje as a boon to rural student community. He started tri monthly religious and cultural magazine 'Tattvamallika' with a view to propagate the Tattva and pass on the trusted and right information to the faithful public. To recognise the dignified academic status and contribution of learned scholars and philanthropists in the society, Swamiji has been honouring the qualified and others every year. Under the close-supervision of Swamiji, all festivals in Matha (Sode) are celebrated on grand scale with due care. Like his Guru, Swamiji has visited the centres of super-saint seers and also other holy centres. He performs daily Japa, Tapa in distinct manner. For well being of devotees, Swamiji submits an earnest appeal at the feet of Sri Hari-Vayu-Guru. Gurubhakti, firm belief and faith in Vadiraja's Rujutva is unquestionable and unequalled. He never gets yielded to any kind of pressure and obligation. The fulfilment of his blessing word (Vaksiddhi) is granting coveted results or fruits to thousands of devotees.

The first biennial Paryaya of Sri Vishwavallabhatirtha has become 'Na bhooto Na Bhavishyati'. Daily worship with new and gracious Alankara, Annadana, Pravachana, Patha-Parayana, Rathotsava and other religious functions and festivals enriched the dignity and decorum of the Paryaya. And many cultural programmes, getting rare occasions and stage to exhibit the hidden talent of artists of different regions, added more brightness to the whole Paryaya. In addition to this, Aradhana functions of great saint- sages and Haridasas were celebrated in befitting manner. A national seminar on 'Vadiraja's Contribution to the Indian Philosophy, Language and Literature' was well organised to introduce the unique greatness of Vadiraja in respect of academic excellence. A series of lectures on Vrindavanakhyana was organised during the Aradhana period of Vrindavanacharya. The magnum opus-Yuktimallika of Vadiraja was published in ten volumes with complete text, commentary and translation. The entire Bhagavata, with Kannada translation in accordance with the commentary of Vijayadhwajatirtha was published in two volumes. A critical edition of Prakashasamhita has been brought to light. Recently, the Mahabharatha Tatparya Nirnaya of Sri Madhvacharya, with Vadiraja's commentary Bhavaprakashika and Kannada translation with critical notes, has been published in two volumes. During Paryaya period, cultural teams from different parts of country flocked to Udupi and exhibited their talent in various arts. Swamiji showed social concern by extending financial help to poor people irrespective of caste and creed. He continued the scheme of 'Children feeding' and also distributed uniforms to school children. Swamiji invited hundreds of scholars and organised daily discourse (lecturing) continuously for two years. By getting constructed Brahmaratha newly, he created history. Consecrating hundreds of Saptotsava, Swamiji secured grace and dearness of Lord Krishna. Thus, first biennial Paryaya of Sri Vishwavallabhatirtha was really a glorious sample and an unprecedented one. Swamiji is ever ready to rightly propagate the Dharma and Tatva. We, the faithful devotees earnestly pray Lord Hari-Vayu-Vadiraja-Bhutaraja and others to shower the choicest blessings on Sri Vishwavallabhatirtharu and fulfil his plans as dreamt at the earliest.

Source - sodematha.in