Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 22: Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Puthige Math accepted 27-year-old Prashanth Acharya as his successor. The religious ritual of ‘Shishya Sweekara’ (accepting the disciple) was held on Monday, April 22 at the origin place of Puthige Math in Hiriyadka.
Prashanth Acharya is the 31st seer in the lineage or 'guru parampara’ of Puthige Math and was renamed as 'Susheendra Theertha' on the auspicious occasion. All rituals took place under the guidance of Herga Vedavyasa Bhat. Rituals started early in the morning. Prashanth took bath in Swarna River (avagahana snana) then performed Kashaya Vstra Shastra (wearing saffron colour). He then performed Sthambha Narasimha pooja and Lord Vittal pooja.
At 10.10 am, Puttige Swamiji preached him ‘Pranava Manthra.’ The Sanyasa Deeksha was performed at around 11.45 am and hundreds of devotees witnessed the event.
In order to undertake 'Sanyasa Sveekara', many religious rituals were performed by the priests like Daraja Homa and Prayashtitha Homa. Shradda was held on April 21. Atma Shrudda and other rituals were also held.
Prashanth Acharya hails from Kadiyali and is son of Gururaja Acharya and Vinutha Acharya. He is an engineering graduate and was working as team lead in Erickson, a software company in Bengaluru.
After the Sanyasa Deekhsha, Sri Sugunendra Theertha told media persons, “It was a decision of God. We have taken eight months to examine the junior pontiff. I was in touch with him since eight months, while he was in Bengaluru. We have conducted all rounds of enquiries to get to know about his inclination towards spirituality and family background and activities. We have checked his horoscope, consulted family, his friends and colleagues. He will study 'shastras' under my guidance for twelve years”
“Today I will complete 45 years after ascending the peetha of Puthige Math,” he added.
“Susheendra Theertha has shown interest in offering pooja to Lord Sri Krishna. Most of the Swamiji's are originally from Puthige Math. There is an intimate relation between other Swamijis and Puthige. There were five senior pontiffs who lived for hundred years. Today, there is an auspicious muhurtham. I have installed Krishna temple in Canada, London, Australia and there are 11 Puthige Math branches in several places. We will go together for the promotion of religion in and around the country. We have planning to set up institute and branches of Puthige in 108 countries out of 182 countries,” Sri Sugunendra Theertha added.
He further said, “We are associated with United nations, in presenting the issue of terrorists. We are working to making Puthige Math as number one Math in the country.”
On May 14, Puthige Math is organising a congratulatory programme for newly accepted pontiff. “I would like to make Puthige, an ideal math. There is plan to construct education institution in Puthige and providing bus facilities,” he said.
Susheendhra Theetha Swamiji after receiving the Deeksha said, “I was attracted towards Lord Krishna and wanted to serve him. It is God's grace. I was interested in taking Sanyasa and then I approached Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji. I got inspired by my parents who are ardent devotees of Lord Krishna. I came here with the blessings of Lord Krishna. I will learn all the shastras and I will follow all tradition by kaya-vacha-manasa (dedication). I will promise that, I will keep up to the faith of swamiji. There is huge parampara for Puthige. I will not violate norms. Swamiji took two weeks to convince my parents. Swamiji made me find God's path easily. I will abide by the all traditions of Math.”
Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat, Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, Gopal Bhat, Sri Vidyendra Theertha Swamiji, Yogendra Bhat and others were present.
The religious rituals were performed in the absence of other pontiffs of six Maths of Krishna Math.