|
|
Shree Madhvacharya 
Acharya Madhva (1238-1317) was the founder Philosopher of Tattvavada, more popularly known as the Dvaita School of Vedanta. He is believed to be the third incarnation of Vayu who served Lord Rama as Hanumanta in his first incarnation and Lord Krishna as Bhima in his second incarnation. This belief is based on authentic and holy vedic references like the Baliththa Sukta, Vishnu sukta, and so on.Acharya Madhva's doctrine is based on concepts enshrined in the authorless Vedas, Pancharatra, Puranas, Ramayana and Mahabharatha and is in tune with the decisive principles enunciated by Lord Vedavyasa in the Brahmasutras. Acharya Madhva's works include multiple commentaries on Brahmasutras, Geetha, Upanishads, RgVeda and Bhagavatha Mahapurana. He also composed hymns praising the glory of Lord Vishnu. His 37 works are collectively known as "Sarvamulagramthas". He installed an icon of Lord Shree Krishna at Udupi, a coastal town in Karnataka, India. One of the most valuable gems bequeathed by Acharya Madhva to humanity is the fold of disciples that he left behind to progagate his teachings. This consisted of eight monks to perform the worship of Lord Krishna in Udupi and other monks like Shree Padmanabha Teertha to propagate the philosophy outside South Kanara District. One of the original disciples of Acharya Madhva was Shree Upendra Teertha. He was very dear to Acharya Madhva and served him with a lot of devotion. When the Acharya and his disciples were on their second pilgrimage to Badri, they were attacked by a band of robbers. Under the Acharya's inspiration and with his blessings, Shree Upendra Teertha fought with the robbers and single-handedly drove them away! Such was the power of the grace of Acharya on Shree Upendra Teertha. Acharya gave Shree Upendra Teertha an icon of Lord Panduranga Vittala.
Please continue reading about Shree Puthige Matha here.... |
The eight disciples of AchArya Madhva originally stayed together in the Shree Krishna Matha, sharing the daily worship amongst themselves, with each disciple getting a period of two months. In 1532 Shree VAdiraja created the paryaaya system of rotation and changed the term to two years. Eight mathas known as "Udupi Ashta Matha's" were established in the vicinity of the Krishna MaTha. Each of the Mathas was given a period of 2 years to manage the Krishna Temple. The lineage following Shree Upendra Teertha is the one that we today know as Shree Puthige Matha and the main icon illuminating Shree Puthige Matha is the Lord Panduranga Vittala given by Acharya Madhva.