Shankaracharya of Kanchi: Politically Aware, Socially Active

The 69th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Swamigal attained Siddhi at 9.00 am on 28 February 2018.

In 1954, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati chose Subramanyam Mahadeva as the successor. Subramanyam, who was 18 years old at the time, was given the monastic name Jayendra Saraswati (Saraswati being the monastic surname specific to the mutt).

Mahaperiyava left behind a legacy of immense trust, sustainable charitable activities, and an orthodox, yet inclusive, niche in the society. But Sri Jayendra Saraswati had to contend with a Tamil Nadu where politics was based squarely on caste and religion.

Swami Jayendra Saraswati’s approach to religion and its propagation seemed to be diametrically opposed to those of his predecessors. He broke many long-standing rules of orthodoxy, in lieu of inclusiveness. Under him, the mutt was open to all.

During the 60s and 70s, Tamil Nadu was polarised. It was at this time that the anti-religion movement of the Dravida Kazhagam, founded by Periyar, and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, founded by Annadurai, picked up steam.

While the acharya did not engage directly with the karuppu karai (black border) – referring to the dhotis of the Dravidian supporters – he did eventually break their ranks, even converting a large number of them to Hinduism and changing the atheist stand of many.

The 69th seer of Kanchi breathed his last at the age of 82. He leaves behind a redefined mutt – one that is not afraid of political affiliation and has made headway in the field of education and inclusiveness in religion, all the while holding on to its orthodox roots.

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