Shri Vijayendra Teertharu is the 14th saint in the lineage of Shri Raghavendra Matha and the paramaguru of Shri Raghavendra Swamiji. His poorvashrama name was Shri Viṭṭalāchārya. He took ashrama in 1525 from Shri Vyasarajaru, who named him Vishnu Teertha. In 1530, Shri Surendra Teertharu of Rayara Matha (then called Vibhudendra Matha) performed danDa change and renamed him as Vijayendra Teertharu. He served as the peethadhipathi of the matha from 1575 to 1614. His brindavana is located in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, and his aradhane is observed on Jyeshṭha Bahula Trayodashi.
Shri Vijayendra Teertharu was a child sanyasi and a favorite disciple of Shri Vyasarajaru.
He was sent to Kumbakonam, a strong Shaivite center, to establish Madhwa Siddhanta.
He debated and defeated several scholars, establishing the supremacy of Dvaita Vedanta.
He had lifelong debates with Appayya Dikshitar, a great Advaita scholar.
Before passing, Appayya Dikshitar asked him what to believe.
Shri Vijayendra Teertharu replied with humility, "Have faith in your own beliefs."
Lingarajendra, a prominent Shaiva saint, challenged Swamiji.
On the way to the Kumbeshwara temple for the debate:
Lingarajendra placed a tiger-skin on a wall, which moved toward the temple.
Swamiji’s pallakki (palanquin) rose into the sky and landed in front of the temple.
He defeated Lingarajendra and was given rights over the temple.
He even composed a stuti on Goddess Parvati, which is preserved in the temple.
Authored 104 Granthas covering Vedanta, Nyaya, and Bhakti.
Mastered all 64 traditional arts (chatushashti kalā), including:
Music, dance, painting, ornamentation, disguise, flower decoration
Culinary skills, Ayurveda, animal language, secret communication, sculpture, literature
Ashtavadhana, architecture, carpentry, gemstone testing, languages, yogic knowledge
Debate strategies, child games, etiquette, gambling techniques, and more
Guru of Shri Sudhindra Teertharu, who in turn was the guru of Shri Raghavendra Swamiji.
His scholarly works and spiritual authority firmly established Dvaita Vedanta in South India.
His brindavana in Kumbakonam is a sacred pilgrimage site for devotees.
| Category | Aradhana |
| month | Jyesta |
| paksha | Krishna |
| tithi | Trayodashi |
| Nakshatra | |
| yogha |
