Bharati Krishna Tirtha: Difference between revisions

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{{Multiple issues|
{{Short description|Indian mathematician (1884–1960)}}
{{unreliable sources|date=July 2013}}
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{{Infobox religious biography
{{Infobox religious biography
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| honorific-prefix  = His Holiness
| honorific-prefix  = His Holiness
| honorific-suffix  = Maharaj
| honorific-suffix  = Maharaj
| title              = [[Jagadguru]] [[Shankaracharya]]
| title              = '[[His Holiness]]'[[Jagadguru]] [[Shankaracharya]]
| image              =  
| image              =  
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
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| period            =  
| period            =  
| consecration      =  
| consecration      =  
| predecessor        = Jagadguru Sankaracarya Svami Madhusudana Tirtha of [[Govardhan Math|Puri]]
| predecessor        = Jagadguru Shankaracharya Svami Madhusudana Tirtha of [[Govardhan Math|Puri]]
| reason            =  
| reason            =  
| rank              =  
| rank              =  
| teacher = Jagadguru Sankaracarya [[Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati|Swami Saccidananda Sivabhinava Nrsimha Bharati]] of [[Sringeri Sharada Peetham|Sringeri]]
| teacher           = Jagadguru Shankaracharya [[Sachchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati]] of [[Sringeri Sharada Peetham|Sringeri]]
| reincarnation_of  =  
| reincarnation_of  =  
| students = Jagadguru Sankaracarya [[Chandrashekhara Bharati III|Swami Candrasekhara Bharati]] of [[Sringeri Sharada Peetham|Sringeri]]
| students           = Jagadguru Shankaracharya [[Chandrashekhara Bharati III]] of [[Sringeri Sharada Peetham|Sringeri]]
| works              = ''[[Vedic Mathematics (book)|Vedic Mathematics]]''
| works              = ''[[Vedic Mathematics (book)|Vedic Mathematics]]''
| initiation        = [[Sannyasa]]
| initiation        = [[Sannyasa]]
| initiation_date    = 4 July 1919
| initiation_date    = 4 July 1919
| initiation_place  = [[Varanasi]]
| initiation_place  = [[Varanasi]]
| initiator          = Jagadguru Sankaracarya Swami Trivikrama Tirtha of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham|Dwarka]]
| initiator          = Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Trivikrama Tirtha of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham|Dwarka]]
| ordination        = [[Sannyasa]]
| ordination        = [[Sannyasa]]
| previous_post      = Jagadguru Sankaracarya of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham|Dwarka]]
| previous_post      = Jagadguru Sankaracarya of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham|Dwarka]]
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}}
}}


 
'''''Saraswati'' P. Venkataraman Sastri ([[IAST]]: P. Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī)''', hieratically titled '''''H.H. [[Jagadguru]]''''' '''''[[Shankaracharya]]'' Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya Svāmī Bhāratīkṛṣṇa Tīrtha) (1884–1960), was [[Shankaracharya]] and officiating pontiff of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham|Dwaraka Math]], and then the 143rd [[Shankaracharya]] and supreme pontiff of [[Govardhana matha|Govardhana Math]] in [[Puri]] in the Indian state of [[Odisha]], from 1925 through 1960. He is particularly known for his book ''[[Vedic Mathematics (book)|Vedic Mathematics]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Understanding ancient Indian mathematics|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article2747006.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 December 2011|location=India}}</ref> being the first Sankaracarya in history to visit the [[Western world|West]], and for his connection with nationalist aspirations, thus earning him the title 'Father of the Vedic Mathematics'.
{{EngvarB|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
 
'''Jagadguru [[Shankaracharya]] Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha''' ([[International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration|IAST]]: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya Svāmī Bhāratīkṛṣṇa Tīrtha) (1884–1960), born '''Venkataraman Shastri''' ([[IAST]]: Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī), was an Indian Hindu monk and [[Shankaracharya]] of [[Govardhana matha]] in [[Puri]], [[Odisha]], from 1925 through 1960. He is particularly known for his book ''[[Vedic Mathematics (book)|Vedic Mathematics]]''{{Hair space}},<ref>{{cite news|title=Understanding ancient Indian mathematics|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/article2747006.ece|newspaper=The Hindu|date=26 December 2011|location=India}}</ref> his being the first Jagadguru Sankaracarya in history to visit [[Western world|the West]], and his connection with nationalist aspirations.


==Early life==
==Early life==


Venkataraman Shastri ([[IAST]]: Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī) was born on 14 March 1884 to a resolute [[Tamil people|Tamil]] [[Brahmin]] family. His father P. Narasimha Shastri was a [[tehsildar]] at [[Tirunelveli]] in [[Madras Presidency]], who later became the Deputy Collector of the Presidency. His uncle Chandrasekhar Shastri was the Principal of the Maharaja's college in [[Vizianagaram]], while his great-grandfather Justice C. Ranganath Shastri was a judge in the [[Madras High Court]].<ref>Manjula Trivedi, "My Beloved Gurudeva", a dedication to Bharatikrishna, in Bharatikrishna's ''Vedic Mathematics'', page i.</ref>
Venkataraman Shastri ([[IAST]]: Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī) was born on 14 March 1884 to a [[Tamil Brahmin]] family. His father P. Narasimha Shastri was a [[tehsildar]] at [[Tirunelveli]] in [[Madras Presidency]], who later became the Deputy Collector of the Presidency. His uncle [[C. Chandrasekhara Sastri]] was the Principal and Professor of English and Sanskritat the [[Maharajah's College|Maharaja's College]] in [[Vizianagaram]], while his great-grandfather Justice [[C. V. Runganada Sastri]] was a judge in the [[Madras High Court]].<ref>Manjula Trivedi, "My Beloved Gurudeva", a dedication to Bharatikrishna, in Bharatikrishna's ''Vedic Mathematics'', p. i.</ref> His cousins Dewan Bahadur [[Sir C. V. Kumaraswami Sastri]] and Dewan Bahadur [[Viswanatha Sastri]] were also justices of the High Court. Other cousins and cousins-in-law included [[Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer]], [[C. R. Pattabhiraman]], [[M. R. Srinivasan]], and [[C. V. Ranganathan]].


==Education==
==Education==


Venkataraman joined the National College in [[Trichinopoly]]. After this, he moved to the Church Missionary Society College and eventually the Hindu College, both in [[Tirunelveli]]. Venkataraman passed his matriculation examination from [[Madras University]] in January 1899, where he also finished first.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, page i.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Manjula Trivedi, page ii.</ref>
Venkataraman joined the National College in [[Trichinopoly]]. After this, he moved to the Church Missionary Society College and eventually the Hindu College, both in [[Tirunelveli]]. Venkataraman passed his matriculation examination from [[Madras University]] in January 1899, where he also finished first.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, page i.</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Manjula Trivedi, p. ii.</ref>


Although Venkataraman always performed well in subjects such as mathematics, sciences and humanities, he was also proficient in languages and particularly skillful in [[Sanskrit]]. According to his own testimonials, Sanskrit and oratory were his favorite subjects. Due to his knowledge of the language, he was conferred the title "Saraswati" at the age of 16 by the Madras Sanskrit Association in July 1899. At about that time, Venkataraman was profoundly influenced by his Sanskrit [[guru]] Vedam Venkatrai Shastri.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, pages i-ii.</ref>
Although Venkataraman always performed well in subjects such as mathematics, sciences and humanities, he was also proficient in languages and particularly skillful in [[Sanskrit]]. According to his own testimonials, Sanskrit and oratory were his favourite subjects. Due to his knowledge of the language, he was conferred the title "Saraswati" at the age of 16 by the Madras Sanskrit Association in July 1899. At about that time, Venkataraman was profoundly influenced by his Sanskrit [[guru]] Vedam Venkatrai Shastri.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, pages i-ii.</ref>


Venkataraman passed the [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] examination in 1902. He then appeared for the [[Master's degree|M.A.]] examination for the American College of Sciences in [[Rochester, New York]] from the [[Bombay]] centre in 1903. He also contributed to [[W. T. Stead]]'s ''[[Review of Reviews]]'' on diverse topics in religion and science. During his college days, he also wrote extensively on history, sociology, philosophy, politics, and literature.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
Venkataraman passed the [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] examination in 1902. He then appeared for the [[Master's degree|M.A.]] examination for the American College of Sciences in [[Rochester, New York]] from the [[Bombay]] centre in 1903. He also contributed to [[W. T. Stead]]'s ''[[Review of Reviews]]'' on diverse topics in religion and science. During his college days, he also wrote extensively on history, sociology, philosophy, politics, and literature.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>
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==Early public life==
==Early public life==


Venkataraman worked under [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]] in 1905 for the National Education Movement and the South African Indian problems. However, his inclination towards [[Hindu studies]] led him to study the [[History of India|ancient Indian]] holy scripture Adhyātma-Vidyā. In 1908, he joined the [[Sringeri Matha]] in [[Mysore]] to study under Swami Satchidananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati ([[IAST]]: [[Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati|Svāmī Saccidānandaśivābhinavanṛsiṁha Bhāratī]], the Sankaracarya of [[Sringeri]]. However, his spiritual practice was interrupted when he was pressured by [[Indian nationalism|nationalist]] leaders to head the newly-started National College at [[Rajamahendri]]. Prof. Venkataraman Shastri taught at the college for three years. But in 1911, he suddenly left the college to go back to Sringeri Math.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, page iii.</ref>
Venkataraman worked under [[Gopal Krishna Gokhale]] in 1905 for the National Education Movement and the South African Indian problems. However, his inclination towards [[Hindu studies]] led him to study the [[History of India|ancient Indian]] holy scripture [[Adhyatma Upanishad|Adhyātma]]-Vidyā. In 1908, he joined the [[Sringeri Matha]] in [[Mysore]] to study under Swami Satchidananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati ([[IAST]]: [[Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati|Svāmī Saccidānandaśivābhinavanṛsiṁha Bhāratī]], the Sankaracarya of [[Sringeri]]. However, his spiritual practice was interrupted when he was pressured by [[Indian nationalism|nationalist]] leaders to head the newly-started National College at [[Rajamahendri|Rajamahendry]]. Prof. Venkataraman Shastri taught at the college for three years. But in 1911, he suddenly left the college to go back to Sringeri Math.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, p. iii.</ref>


==Spiritual path==
==Spiritual path==
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Returning to Sringeri, Venkataraman spent the next eight years studying Advaita Vedanta and Sastra (scripture) under Jagadguru Sankaracarya Satcitananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati.
Returning to Sringeri, Venkataraman spent the next eight years studying Advaita Vedanta and Sastra (scripture) under Jagadguru Sankaracarya Satcitananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati.


During those years, the Jagadguru initiated Venkatraman into yogic practices. Venkataraman also practiced meditation, ''Brahma-sadhana'' and ''[[Yoga|Yoga-sādhāna]]'', in the nearby forests. He is said to have attained [[Moksha|self-realization]] during his years at Sringeri Math. He would leave society and practice meditation in seclusion for many days. During those eight years, he also taught [[Sanskrit]] and philosophy at local schools and [[ashram]]s. He delivered a series of sixteen lectures on [[Adi Shankara]]'s philosophy at Shankar Institute of Philosophy, Amalner (Khandesh). During that time, he also lectured as a guest professor at institutions in [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]] and [[Khandesh]].<ref name="ReferenceB">Manjula Trivedi, page iii</ref>
During those years, the Jagadguru initiated Venkatraman into yogic practices. Venkataraman also practiced meditation, ''Brahma-sadhana'' and ''[[Yoga|Yoga-sādhāna]]'', in the nearby forests. He is said to have attained [[Moksha|self-realisation]] during his years at Sringeri Math. He would leave society and practice meditation in seclusion for many days. During those eight years, he also taught [[Sanskrit]] and philosophy at local schools and [[ashram]]s. He delivered a series of sixteen lectures on [[Adi Shankara]]'s philosophy at Shankar Institute of Philosophy, Amalner (Khandesh). During that time, he also lectured as a guest professor at institutions in [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]] and [[Khandesh]].<ref name="ReferenceB">Manjula Trivedi, p. iii</ref>


===Initiation into Sannyasa===
===Initiation into Sannyasa===


After Venkataraman's eight-year practice and study of Vedanta, he was initiated into [[sannyasa]], in the Tirtha sub-order of the [[Dashanami Sampradaya]], in [[Varanasi]] by Jagadguru [[Shankaracharya]] ([[IAST]]: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya) Swami Trivikrama Tirtha ([[IAST]]: Svāmī Trivikrāma Tīrtha) of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham]] in [[Dwarka]] on July 4, 1919, receiving the name "Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha".<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
After Venkataraman's eight-year practice and study of Vedanta, he was initiated into [[sannyasa]], in the Tirtha sub-order of the [[Dashanami Sampradaya]], in [[Varanasi]] by Jagadguru [[Shankaracharya]] ([[IAST]]: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya) Swami Trivikrama Tirtha ([[IAST]]: Svāmī Trivikrāma Tīrtha) of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham]] in [[Dwarka]] on July 4, 1919, receiving the name "Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha".<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
===Life in Sringeri===
Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha, remained a disciple of Swami Sachitananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati, and also taught shastras to the next Jagadguru Sankaracarya of Sringeri, [[Chandrashekhara Bharati III|Swami Candrasekhara Bharati]].


===Shankaracharya of Govardhana Matha===
===Shankaracharya of Govardhana Matha===


The Sankaracarya of [[Govardhana matha]], Swami Madhusudhana Tirtha, was in failing health and was greatly impressed with Bharatikrishna. Madhusudana requested Bharatikrishna to succeed him at Govardhana Matha. Bharatikrishna declined the offer. In 1925, however, Madhusudhana's health worsened and Bharatikrishna was compelled to accept the Govardhana gaddi (chair). In 1925, Bharatikrishna assumed the pontificate of [[Govardhan Math]]. He installed [[Swaroopanand Saraswati|Swami Swarupananda Saraswati]] as the new Sankaracarya of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham]].<ref name="ReferenceC">Manjula Trivedi, page iv.</ref>
The Sankaracarya of [[Govardhana matha|Govardhana Math]], Swami Madhusudhana Tirtha, was in failing health and was greatly impressed with Bharatikrishna. Madhusudana requested Bharatikrishna to succeed him at Govardhana Matha. Bharatikrishna declined the offer. In 1925, however, Madhusudhana's health worsened and Bharatikrishna was compelled to accept the Govardhana gaddi (chair). In 1925, Bharatikrishna assumed the pontificate of [[Govardhan Math|Govardhana Math]]. He installed [[Swaroopanand Saraswati|Swami Swarupananda Saraswati]] as the new Sankaracarya of [[Dwarka Sharada Peetham]].<ref name="ReferenceC">Manjula Trivedi, p. iv.</ref>


==Politics==
==Politics==


In 1921, Bharatikrishna was one of the seven arrested in what became known as the "Karachi case". [[Mohammad Ali Jouhar]], [[Shaukat Ali (politician)|Shaukat Ali]], [[Saifuddin Kitchlew]], Maulana Hussain Ahmed, Pir Ghulam Mujaddid, Maulana Nisar Ahmed, and Bharatikrishna were charged with preaching in favor of a fatwa issued by the Muslim religious heads of India advocating all Muslims to not cooperate with the government. While the Shankaracharya was eventually acquitted, the others were sentenced to two years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite book|title=South Asian Studies|date=1978|publisher=South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Delhi Branch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kg5uAAAAMAAJ&q=Bharati+Krishna+Tirtha|language=en|pages=416, 417}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Prasad|first1=Rajendra|title=Autobiography (PB)|date=1946|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780143068815|page=136|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3FdeGtdlinoC&pg=PA136|language=en}}</ref>
In 1921, Bharatikrishna was one of the seven people arrested in what became known as the "Karachi case". [[Mohammad Ali Jouhar]], [[Shaukat Ali (politician)|Shaukat Ali]], [[Saifuddin Kitchlew]], Maulana Hussain Ahmed, Pir Ghulam Mujaddid, Maulana Nisar Ahmed, and Bharatikrishna were charged with preaching in favor of a fatwa issued by the Muslim religious heads of India advocating all Muslims to not cooperate with the government. While Bharatikrishna was eventually acquitted, the other six, who were all Muslim, were sentenced to two years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite book|title=South Asian Studies|date=1978|publisher=South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Delhi Branch|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kg5uAAAAMAAJ&q=Bharati+Krishna+Tirtha|language=en|pages=416, 417}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Prasad|first1=Rajendra|title=Autobiography (PB)|date=1946|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780143068815|page=136|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3FdeGtdlinoC&pg=PA136|language=en}}</ref>


==Jagadguru Shankaracharya==
==Jagadguru Shankaracharya==


As Sankaracarya of Govardhana Matha, Bharatikrishna toured several countries in thirty-five years to promote Dharma and Indian culture.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> He wrote a number of treatises and books on religion, science, mathematics, world peace, and social issues. In 1953, at Nagpur, he founded the Sri Vishwa Punarnirmana Sangha (World Reconstruction Association). The administrative board initially consisted of Bharatikrishna's disciples and supporters, then later included distinguished personalities. The Chief Justice of India, Justice B. P. Sinha, served as its President. Dr. [[C. D. Deshmukh]], the ex-[[Minister of Finance (India)|Finance Minister of India]] and ex-Chairman of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] served as Vice-President.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, page v-vi.</ref>
As Shankaracharya of Govardhana Matha, Bharatikrishna toured several countries in thirty-five years to promote Dharma and Indian culture.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> He wrote a number of treatises and books on religion, science, mathematics, world peace, and social issues. In 1953, at Nagpur, he founded the Sri Vishwa Punarnirmana Sangha (World Reconstruction Association). The administrative board initially consisted of Bharatikrishna's disciples and supporters, then later included distinguished personalities. The Chief Justice of India, Justice B. P. Sinha, served as its President. Dr. [[C. D. Deshmukh]], the ex-[[Minister of Finance (India)|Finance Minister of India]] and ex-Chairman of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] served as Vice-President.<ref>Manjula Trivedi, pp. v-vi.</ref>


In February 1958, Bharatikrishna went to Britain and the United States to speak on Vedanta, staying for three months in Los Angeles, California. This was the first trip outside India by a Sankaracarya. The tour was sponsored by the [[Self-Realization Fellowship]], the yoga society founded by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]].<ref>Manjula Trivedi, page vi.</ref> At that time, [[Albert Rudolph]], or "Rudi", reportedly became one of Bharatikrishna's students.
In February 1958, Bharatikrishna went to Britain and the United States to speak on Vedanta, staying for three months in Los Angeles, California. This was the first trip outside India by a Sankaracarya. The tour was sponsored by the [[Self-Realization Fellowship]], the yoga society founded by [[Paramahansa Yogananda]].<ref>Manjula Trivedi, p. vi.</ref> At that time, [[Albert Rudolph]], or "Rudi", reportedly became one of Bharatikrishna's students.


Bharatikrishna also attended various national and international conferences on yoga and on religion. He served as Sankaracarya of Govardhana Matha until his death in 1960.
Bharatikrishna also attended various national and international conferences on yoga and on religion. He served as Sankaracarya of Govardhana Matha until his death in 1960.
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070504052911/http://vedicmathsindia.org/father_of_vedic_math.htm A Pictorial Biography of Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja, includes Historic Pictures and Newspaper Article]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070504052911/http://vedicmathsindia.org/father_of_vedic_math.htm A Pictorial Biography of Bharti Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja, includes Historic Pictures and Newspaper Article]
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409014349/http://www.bespokewear.com/vm/aboutbkt.php |date=9 April 2005 |title=A biography of Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji (1884–1960) }}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409014349/http://www.bespokewear.com/vm/aboutbkt.php |date=9 April 2005 |title=A biography of Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji (1884–1960) }}
* {{cite document | author =Puroshattam D. Chidgupkar and Mangesh T. Karad | title =The Implementation of Vedic Algorithm in Digital Signal Processing | publisher =Global Journal of Engineering Education | year =2004 | url =http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/GJEE/Publish/vol8no2/Chidgupkar.pdf }}
* {{cite web | author =Puroshattam D. Chidgupkar and Mangesh T. Karad | title =The Implementation of Vedic Algorithm in Digital Signal Processing | publisher =Global Journal of Engineering Education | year =2004 | url =http://www.wiete.com.au/journals/GJEE/Publish/vol8no2/Chidgupkar.pdf }}
* S.G. Dani. [http://www.math.tifr.res.in/~dani/vmss.pdf "Vedic Mathematics": a dubious pursuit].
* S.G. Dani. [http://www.math.tifr.res.in/~dani/vmss.pdf "Vedic Mathematics": a dubious pursuit].


Latest revision as of 23:50, 25 September 2025



His Holiness

Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha

Maharaj
Title'His Holiness'Jagadguru Shankaracharya
Personal
Born
Venkataraman Shastri

14 March 1884
Tirunelveli, Madras Presidency, British India
Died2 February 1960
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
LineageDashanami Sampradaya
Notable work(s)Vedic Mathematics
Alma materUniversity of Madras
Monastic nameSvami Bharati Krsna Tirtha
TempleGovardhana Pitha
PhilosophyAdvaita Vedanta
Religious career
TeacherJagadguru Shankaracharya Sachchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati of Sringeri
PredecessorJagadguru Shankaracharya Svami Madhusudana Tirtha of Puri
InitiationSannyasa
4 July 1919
Varanasi
by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Trivikrama Tirtha of Dwarka
OrdinationSannyasa
Previous postJagadguru Sankaracarya of Dwarka
Post143rd Jagadguru Sankaracarya of Puri

Saraswati P. Venkataraman Sastri (IAST: P. Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī), hieratically titled H.H. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha (IAST: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya Svāmī Bhāratīkṛṣṇa Tīrtha) (1884–1960), was Shankaracharya and officiating pontiff of Dwaraka Math, and then the 143rd Shankaracharya and supreme pontiff of Govardhana Math in Puri in the Indian state of Odisha, from 1925 through 1960. He is particularly known for his book Vedic Mathematics,[1] being the first Sankaracarya in history to visit the West, and for his connection with nationalist aspirations, thus earning him the title 'Father of the Vedic Mathematics'.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Venkataraman Shastri (IAST: Veṅkatarāmaṇ Śāstrī) was born on 14 March 1884 to a Tamil Brahmin family. His father P. Narasimha Shastri was a tehsildar at Tirunelveli in Madras Presidency, who later became the Deputy Collector of the Presidency. His uncle C. Chandrasekhara Sastri was the Principal and Professor of English and Sanskritat the Maharaja's College in Vizianagaram, while his great-grandfather Justice C. V. Runganada Sastri was a judge in the Madras High Court.[2] His cousins Dewan Bahadur Sir C. V. Kumaraswami Sastri and Dewan Bahadur Viswanatha Sastri were also justices of the High Court. Other cousins and cousins-in-law included Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, C. R. Pattabhiraman, M. R. Srinivasan, and C. V. Ranganathan.

Education[edit | edit source]

Venkataraman joined the National College in Trichinopoly. After this, he moved to the Church Missionary Society College and eventually the Hindu College, both in Tirunelveli. Venkataraman passed his matriculation examination from Madras University in January 1899, where he also finished first.[3][4]

Although Venkataraman always performed well in subjects such as mathematics, sciences and humanities, he was also proficient in languages and particularly skillful in Sanskrit. According to his own testimonials, Sanskrit and oratory were his favourite subjects. Due to his knowledge of the language, he was conferred the title "Saraswati" at the age of 16 by the Madras Sanskrit Association in July 1899. At about that time, Venkataraman was profoundly influenced by his Sanskrit guru Vedam Venkatrai Shastri.[5]

Venkataraman passed the B.A. examination in 1902. He then appeared for the M.A. examination for the American College of Sciences in Rochester, New York from the Bombay centre in 1903. He also contributed to W. T. Stead's Review of Reviews on diverse topics in religion and science. During his college days, he also wrote extensively on history, sociology, philosophy, politics, and literature.[4]

Early public life[edit | edit source]

Venkataraman worked under Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1905 for the National Education Movement and the South African Indian problems. However, his inclination towards Hindu studies led him to study the ancient Indian holy scripture Adhyātma-Vidyā. In 1908, he joined the Sringeri Matha in Mysore to study under Swami Satchidananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati (IAST: Svāmī Saccidānandaśivābhinavanṛsiṁha Bhāratī, the Sankaracarya of Sringeri. However, his spiritual practice was interrupted when he was pressured by nationalist leaders to head the newly-started National College at Rajamahendry. Prof. Venkataraman Shastri taught at the college for three years. But in 1911, he suddenly left the college to go back to Sringeri Math.[6]

Spiritual path[edit | edit source]

Returning to Sringeri, Venkataraman spent the next eight years studying Advaita Vedanta and Sastra (scripture) under Jagadguru Sankaracarya Satcitananda Sivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati.

During those years, the Jagadguru initiated Venkatraman into yogic practices. Venkataraman also practiced meditation, Brahma-sadhana and Yoga-sādhāna, in the nearby forests. He is said to have attained self-realisation during his years at Sringeri Math. He would leave society and practice meditation in seclusion for many days. During those eight years, he also taught Sanskrit and philosophy at local schools and ashrams. He delivered a series of sixteen lectures on Adi Shankara's philosophy at Shankar Institute of Philosophy, Amalner (Khandesh). During that time, he also lectured as a guest professor at institutions in Mumbai, Pune and Khandesh.[7]

Initiation into Sannyasa[edit | edit source]

After Venkataraman's eight-year practice and study of Vedanta, he was initiated into sannyasa, in the Tirtha sub-order of the Dashanami Sampradaya, in Varanasi by Jagadguru Shankaracharya (IAST: Jagadguru Śaṅkarācārya) Swami Trivikrama Tirtha (IAST: Svāmī Trivikrāma Tīrtha) of Dwarka Sharada Peetham in Dwarka on July 4, 1919, receiving the name "Swami Bharatikrishna Tirtha".[7]

Shankaracharya of Govardhana Matha[edit | edit source]

The Sankaracarya of Govardhana Math, Swami Madhusudhana Tirtha, was in failing health and was greatly impressed with Bharatikrishna. Madhusudana requested Bharatikrishna to succeed him at Govardhana Matha. Bharatikrishna declined the offer. In 1925, however, Madhusudhana's health worsened and Bharatikrishna was compelled to accept the Govardhana gaddi (chair). In 1925, Bharatikrishna assumed the pontificate of Govardhana Math. He installed Swami Swarupananda Saraswati as the new Sankaracarya of Dwarka Sharada Peetham.[8]

Politics[edit | edit source]

In 1921, Bharatikrishna was one of the seven people arrested in what became known as the "Karachi case". Mohammad Ali Jouhar, Shaukat Ali, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Maulana Hussain Ahmed, Pir Ghulam Mujaddid, Maulana Nisar Ahmed, and Bharatikrishna were charged with preaching in favor of a fatwa issued by the Muslim religious heads of India advocating all Muslims to not cooperate with the government. While Bharatikrishna was eventually acquitted, the other six, who were all Muslim, were sentenced to two years imprisonment.[9][10]

Jagadguru Shankaracharya[edit | edit source]

As Shankaracharya of Govardhana Matha, Bharatikrishna toured several countries in thirty-five years to promote Dharma and Indian culture.[8] He wrote a number of treatises and books on religion, science, mathematics, world peace, and social issues. In 1953, at Nagpur, he founded the Sri Vishwa Punarnirmana Sangha (World Reconstruction Association). The administrative board initially consisted of Bharatikrishna's disciples and supporters, then later included distinguished personalities. The Chief Justice of India, Justice B. P. Sinha, served as its President. Dr. C. D. Deshmukh, the ex-Finance Minister of India and ex-Chairman of the University Grants Commission served as Vice-President.[11]

In February 1958, Bharatikrishna went to Britain and the United States to speak on Vedanta, staying for three months in Los Angeles, California. This was the first trip outside India by a Sankaracarya. The tour was sponsored by the Self-Realization Fellowship, the yoga society founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.[12] At that time, Albert Rudolph, or "Rudi", reportedly became one of Bharatikrishna's students.

Bharatikrishna also attended various national and international conferences on yoga and on religion. He served as Sankaracarya of Govardhana Matha until his death in 1960.

In 1965, a Chair of Vedic Studies was founded at Banaras Hindu University by Arvind N. Mafatlal, a generous Mumbai business magnate and devotee of Bharatikrishna.[13]

Vedic Mathematics[edit | edit source]

Bharatikrishna's book, Vedic Mathematics, is a list of sixteen terse sūtras, or "aphorisms", discussing strategies for mental calculation. Bharatikrishna claimed that he found the sūtras after years of studying the Vedas, a set of sacred ancient Hindu scriptures.[14][15][16]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Understanding ancient Indian mathematics". The Hindu. India. 26 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, "My Beloved Gurudeva", a dedication to Bharatikrishna, in Bharatikrishna's Vedic Mathematics, p. i.
  3. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, page i.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Manjula Trivedi, p. ii.
  5. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, pages i-ii.
  6. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, p. iii.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Manjula Trivedi, p. iii
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Manjula Trivedi, p. iv.
  9. ↑ South Asian Studies. South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Delhi Branch. 1978. pp. 416, 417.
  10. ↑ Prasad, Rajendra (1946). Autobiography (PB). Penguin Books India. p. 136. ISBN 9780143068815.
  11. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, pp. v-vi.
  12. ↑ Manjula Trivedi, p. vi.
  13. ↑ Publication announcement by N.H. Bhagwati, Vice-Chancellor, Banaras Hindu University, March 27, 1965, after title page, Vedic Mathematics
  14. ↑ Agrawala, V. S. (1992). General Editor's note. Vedic Mathematics (pp. v-viii) Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited.
  15. ↑ Myths and reality : On ‘Vedic mathematics’. S.G. Dani. School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Frontline, 22 October and 5 November 1993.
  16. ↑ The Fraud of Vedic Maths. Hartosh Singh Bal. Open Magazine. 14 August 2010.

References[edit | edit source]

  • Trivedi, Manjula, My Beloved Gurudeva, Sri Vishwa Punarnirmana Sangha, Nagpur (1965).
  • Svāmī Bhāratī Kṛṣṇa Tīrtha, Vedic Mathematics, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi (1992). ISBN 81-208-0164-4

External links[edit | edit source]

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