Aims & Activities of Sri Vyasaraja Seva Samithi A registered body Sri Vyasaraja Seva Samithi with a distinguished scholar Sri Ramachandracharya as the president was set up for the devotees of the great saint Sri Vyasaraja in 2005, with the following broad objectives as stated in the deed incorporating the organisation. 1. To publish original compositions, edited compilations, translations into various Indian languages and English and Analytical treatises of the great contributions of Sri Vyasaraja and his distinguished successors for the benefit of the devotees and general public. 2. To uphold the Prestige, Honour, values and causes of Sri Vyasaraja matha (Sosale) on a high pedestal. 3. Honour distinguished Panditas of the Matha and to award meritorious students. 4. To help renovate dilapidated structures which are associated with the name of Sri Vyasaraja and his distinguished disciples. 5. To investigate cases of misuse or misappropriation of the properties of the Matha, with a view to take remedial action 6. To take active part in the selection of the successors of the Peethadhipathi in accordance with the customs and traditions of the Matha. Active participation and support from all Madhvas and in particular, those belonging to Sri Matha is solicited. You can help by: 1. Becoming a member by paying an initial application fee of Rs 10 only and annual subscription of Rs 100 or a lifetime donation of Rs. 1000 only. 2. Support the efforts of the samithi for administrative reform, to introduce high standards of behaviour, personal integrity and freedom from misuse for personal ends, by voicing your unanimous concurrence with the steps being taken in this regard, which will be advised from time to time. 3. To actively oppose and discourage the growing tendency of family cliques trying to perpetuate themselves in such great institutions giving a complete goby to such glorious traditions of the past as Sri Vyasaraja himself contributing Sri Vijayindra tirtha to the present Sri Manthralaya Matha. 4. To support by active work and/or financial support, the renovation of such structures like the Sri Vyasaraja ashrama in Hampi and many Vrindavanas of great scholars like Bhashyadipikacharya in Kumbhakonam etc. The Samithi already has a large number of local members in Bangalore and Karnataka who have banded themselves together to stop the neglect of our great traditions and to stop the constant deterioration in standards of scholarship and dissemination of Jnana by the Matha, coupled with abuse of the properties of the Matha for personal purposes by one family. The need for reform to set up proper accountability for actions and review and audit of our Institutions periodically, to avoid our future generations being left with very little, both in material terms as well as, even more important, the great Jnana Bhandara set up by Sri Vyasaraja and his devoted band of followers need not be restated.
Present Position: The Matha, which was once a major trustee of extensive properties all over South India, and known for its propagation of scholarship and public charities has been steadily declining, mainly due to incompetent and corrupt administration in the tenure of the last two Peethadhipathies. Recently, the Honourable City Civil court, had ordered an immediate inventory of the Jewellery, other valuables and movable assets of the Matha in Bangalore city on apprehensions of illegal sale of some valuable assets, voiced by the Samithi The inventory was conducted by a Commissioner appointed by the court and his report is still under consideration of the court. The Government of Karnataka has also considered the matter of reports of indiscriminate alienation of Matha properties worthy of a detailed investigation and has appointed an investigation committee. Final orders regarding the constitution of the committee are awaited. In addition the Government of Karnataka has also advised the Matha on 28-3-2002 itself that no property should be alienated, and in case of emergency, the prior permission of the Government should be taken. The Government order has also stated that the GPA holder will be held responsible for any irregularities in movable or immovable properties. This order was recently reiterated by the Endowment Commissioner of the Government of Karnataka. The Matha has an approximate income of Rs. 6/7 Lakhs per month by way of rental income of its structures as well as Hundi income in numerous temples located all over south India, mainly In Bangalore (Basavanagudi), Mandya, Chennai and other sevas. These amounts are not even accounted and are mostly collected and misused at the personal whims and fancies of the Swamiji and his sons for their private use. In spite of this huge amount being available and the continuous deterioration in the standards of upkeep and quality of service to the devotees, the coterie is insatiable and has been continuously leasing/selling precious properties of historical value at nominal prices, through dubious or secret agreements. Examples of some of those transactions have already been reported to the Governments concerned by the Samithi. The main ones are: in Tirumala, land allotted to the Matha, is being misused as a Lodge; in Chikpet, Bangalore, an illegal 5 story pucca structure, housing a Lodge exists without any permission from concerned authorities, with the connivance of the coterie: in Udupi, the Matha land has been converted into commercial complex and shops have been leased for 99 years. In 2004, Rs. 90 Lakhs were collected for establishment of a temple of Lord Prasanna Srinivasa, in the Matha premises, in Basavanagudi, Bangalore, has been grossly misused. The latest instance of such activity by the Coterie consists of an attempt at the sale/long term lease of Historical properties of the Matha such as the Chandrika mantapa worth crores of Rupees in Srirangam, Tamilnadu, for which the Swamiji and his assistants are stated to received substantial advances from the parties concerned. The depredations of the Family have been widely reported on TV and in many newspapers. All the efforts of the Samithi to appeal to the sense of Honour and integrity of the present Peethadhipathi Sri Vachaspathi tirtha have been totally wasted, as he has repeatedly proved himself as untrustworthy about his own commitments made even in public as well as totally immersing himself as head of his biological family, rather than a head of a prestigious institution with such an illustrious founder. The grandson who was secretively foisted on the Matha as his
successor has shown no inclination even after two years to reform himself even to the extent of living the life of an ascetic as is necessary according to the traditions and has not made any progress towards acquiring even elementary levels of knowledge, let alone becoming a great scholar fit for the Matha. The Samithi is fighting this evil which has lodged itself in the sacred precincts of our great Teacher, Sri Vyasaraja, by all means possible. Of particular concern is the total neglect of performing Aradhanas of our great saints like Sri Bhashya Deepikacharya, at Kumbhakonam, Sri Lakshmikantha tirtha at Penukonda etc. The Matha properties in these places have been totally denuded and are in ruins, with no arrangements for even traditional worship once a year let alone daily Hastodaka. Some local initiatives taken up for restoration are also being assisted by the samithi. We have already performed Aradhanas for the last two years in succession in Kumbhakonam, by voluntary contributions with no participation by the Matha authority. Fairly large sums are needed to restore many of the properties, which are some cases have been sold for a pittance by the Peethadhipathis. It is well known that Sri Vyasaraja is perhaps the One ascetic who has done the greatest service to our fold - Eesumunigaliddenu maadidaru, Vyasamuni madhvamathavanuddharisida. This unfortunate onslaught of obviously evil asuric forces on what should have been one of the strongest forts of Dvaita, should be resisted and overcome effectively and permanently. We have also to take steps for reform our institutions to prevent future attempts of small men ascending the sacred Peethas of our greats to demean them to ridiculous levels by their antics. Please help by becoming our overseas members, standing up and being counted as protesters against abuse of our institutions and deterioration of moral standards and help financially to those of us who have to take the main burden of this struggle. If any one would like to voluntarily contribute to the noble purpose or have any good ideals, pleases contact or contribute it to: Shri Vyasaraja Sevasamithi (regd) in Bangalore. Care Of No. 23, Ramaraoa layout Kathriguppe, Bangalore 560085 India If there are any further questions kindly contact Sri Email Address: napsrao@gmail.com
Update #1 (Added on March 20, 2007) At the outset, a happy Ugadi and all round success to all in the new Sarvajith Samvatsara. We do hope that you have downloaded the new Panchanga successfully and have liked it. We printed 2500 copies and have sold most of them at a nominal price of Rs. 10 each. Our intention is to make it even more useful in future for observing Sadachara, specially in places where consultation and advice is not easy to come by. The next years issue will be made more comprehensive, leaving out only such portions of a conventional Panchanga used only by astrologers and hardly looked at by lay persons. We celebrated Sri Vyasaraja Vaibhava Festival on 18 th March, Sunday in Sri Brahmanyachar's place in Bangalore where around 200 people can be accommodated and thirtha prasada distributed. We had pravachanas by Sri. Prabhanchanacharya, Vijayasimhacharya, and Sri Prahladachar. Around 250 people participated in the morning, all of whom were fed sumptuously, reminding one of the munificence of the great Vyaasaraja. There was also a Jnana sathra in the afternoons, with some Vidyapeeta scholars debating points from Tharkathandava. We have a Mritthika Vrindavana of Sri Vyasaraja, not installed but which is offered worship daily in Brahmanyachar's house. We spent around Rs. 20,000 for the function. On Vaishakha shudda Paurnami, May 2, 2007, we will celebrate the Punyadina of Sri Rajendra Tirtha, the first disciple of Sri Vidyadhiraja, who founded the Vyasaraja matha. Any one interested in participating in this function may advise early, and also send any contribution for Ananadana, or Aradhana sevas. We have planned to celebrate the following Aradhana s of the great scholars of the Sri Vyasaraja matha, in public functions every year. The venue may be located in places of historical importance such as Bannur (birth place of Sri Vyasaraja), Navavrindavana, Kumbhakonam (Bhashya Dipikacharya s vrindavana) etc. Over a period of time, we would like to establish Shashvatha sevas, at least for a three day Aradhana celebration, which will have both Jnana sathras as well as Anna sathras, in keeping with the traditions of our noble lineage. So far, for financial stringency, we have been able to perform only the Aradhanas of Sri Bhashyadipikacharya in Kumbhakonam. 1. Sri Rajendra Tirtha Vaishakha Shudda paurnami. 2. Sri Vyasaraja Phalguna Bahula chathurthi 3. Sri Laskhmikantha Tirtha Shravana Suddha sapthami 4. Sri Kambaluru Ramachandra Tirtha Margashira Shuddha Thrithiya. 5. Sri Sheshachandrikacharya Aashada shuddha chathurthi 6. Sri Bhashyadipikacharya Pushya shuddha dvithiya. We are planning to bring out a monthly Sri Vyasaraja Vaibhava magazine, which will be priced low (just at cost price) and which will be informative, not only about our Matha issues, but also on useful tips and guidelines on daily Sadachara and will carry a series of articles on Vyasathraya every month. A collection of the issues should provide a fairly comprehensive collection of the essential summary of all the three great compositions, in a few years time. It will contain articles in English as well as Kannada and we hope to make it available on the web also. While this gives a picture of our planned activities, we will have to take up in right earnest, the restoration work of our Matha in Kumbhakonam as a major priority. Except for a plot of around 40*50 ft where three Vrindavanas of Bhasyadipikacharya and two of his disciples is located, all the surrounding land has been sold at ridiculously low prices by the previous peethadhpathi, for a Matha which was once the head quarters of the Vyasaraja matha. If we can raise around Rs. 5 Lakhs, we can optimize and improve the surroundings and provide basic amenities such as bath, kitchen etc and get the Matha going with a small family settled there for daily rituals. This could be our immediate target. Later, we can perhaps try to get part of the land back, by paying the money of around Rs. 17 lakhs which was received and eaten up by the Matha earlier. Similarly, in Penukonda, we can get the land already sold released and taken back by the committee managing the Aradhana of Sri Lakshmikantha Tirtha, by raising a sum of a lakh of rupees, due to a favorable court judgment, but the Matha
administration has taken no action for the last three./four years, though they would think nothing of buying for the great ascetics two new posh vehicles spending twenty times as much. The Samithi can arrange to take over the land and administer it as trustees, as there is real risk of its being resold if it is given back to the Matha. We are also planning to take all possible legal action to get the properties illegally alienated back and take criminal action against those who have swallowed Matha assets. All these steps cost a great deal of money and effort. We, in the samithi will continue to make these efforts, with or without external assistance. But true admirers and devotees of Sri Vyasaraja must decide on their own whether they will join and help this Dharma Yudha and to come out of the superficial blessings given by unworthy persons, who have been most disloyal to Sri Vyasaraja, whose name they use and whose properties they are living on. If any one would like to voluntarily contribute to the noble purpose or have any good ideals, pleases contact or contribute it to: Shri Vyasaraja Sevasamithi (regd) in Bangalore. Care Of No. 23, Ramaraoa layout Kathriguppe, Bangalore 560085 India