MANGALURU:
Vishwesha Teertha
Swami, who died in Udupi on December 29, has left behind a huge legacy of social and religious initiatives, the new Pejawar Mutt seer,
Vishwaprasanna Teertha
, said as he reflected on his guru’s impact and responsibility before him. In an interview with TOI, he sought society’s support to fulfil his duties.
Vishwaprasanna Teertha, 55, is 34th in the lineage of the Pejawar Mutt. He was born in Pakshikere, a hamlet in Dakshina Kannada district, on March 3, 1964. His name before he took sannyasa was Devidas Bhat. He studied arts at Udupi’s Poorna Prajna College before embarking on his spiritual journey.
How large is the vacuum following Vishwesha Teertha Swami’s demise?Huge. My guru, till he was in this world, shouldered 98% of all his social and religious responsibilities, so I didn’t have much to worry about. Until now, I didn’t have an inkling of the mountain of work he took on. I have just realised it.
How do you plan to meet this challenge?My guru’s hand of assurance is on me. I am a firm believer that society, which stood firmly behind him when he took the responsibility, will also back me in my times of introspection and hardships. What my guru shouldered is impossible for one person to bear. This is a task which must be done by all. The seers of other mutts will also guide me in this process.
Any unfinished work he would have liked you take forward?Before he passed away, he told me about many projects. I took it as a directive. For example, Bengaluru’s Poorna Prajna Vidyapeetha. Though one stage is complete, it is growing. Then there’s the Ananda Teertha Vidyalaya at Pajaka Kshetra, which is just six years old. Free hostels for girls and boys in Udupi and Mysuru, respectively, need to be completed. A college was recently opened in Hubballi; it needs more infrastructure.
What are the plans for your guru’s Vrindavana?We still have a year to plan. After completion of all rituals associated with Vrindavana, we will start preparations for a grand Vrindavana.
There’s a movement towards ending ‘bala sanyasa’ tradition.There’s a clear opinion among Mutt heads that successors in future should be mature adults and not child sanyasis. I will also choose a person who is an adult.
Your Paryaya will be in 2034. Till then, will you focus mainly on your guru’s projects?Some projects are up and running. There’s a gaushala in Neelavara, which cares for over 1,500 abandoned cows. The Prahlada Gurukula teaches Indian system of education and general education. We have adopted Kannada medium schools in Yellur and Gundibailu, and we are also running one for children with special needs in Neelavara.
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