[PDF]A History of Sringeri

Cape aN


oe
K<


A History ofr Srimcéri


Ph. D. THESIS
1976


A. K. Shastry Tonnemane


A HISTORY OF SRINGERI


THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE KARNATAK UNIVERSITY,
DHARWAR, FOR THE AWARD OF Ph.D. DEGREE IN HISTORY,
1976,


A.K.SHASTRY TONNEMANE


s ee ak ONES.
A AR


iy


xg


DHATNAS
—


LIBRARY


Acknowledgements


My respectful regards to $ri Sri Abhinava Vidya
Tirtha Mahasvaémiji, the present Jagadguru of the Sringéri
Matha, whose encouragement and blessings have helped me in
successfully completing the present thesis, A History of
Sringéri, within a reasondble period. His Holiness is
magnanimous enough as to keep the archives of the Matha
open for the world of scholars. That is why, I could
make a sustained study of the kadatas of the Sringéri
Matha.


I had the good fortune of studying under Dr.G.S5.Dikshit,
my respected professor and guide. It was he, who, initiated
me into thi research work. He has been a constant source
of inspiration and encouragement. I should like to
thank Dr.Dikshit whose methodical approach, sensitive
judgement and guidance have contributed so much to the


completion of the work.


I remember thankfully the benefits and help I have
derived from the National and the Karnataka State Archives
Departments. The authorities of these departments provided
scope for my research work by assigning me the work of


preparing the catalogue of the kadatas and other Kannada


f
records of the Sringéri Matha. In order to go through my
Matha
thesis, this catalogue will be of great value,


I offer my hearty thanks to Sri K.Gunda Jois of
Keladi, who, in the initial stages helped me a lot in


reading the Kannada modi script of the kadatas.


I owe a deep debt of gratitude to various scholars
like Sarvagri K.R.Venkataraman, K.R.Srinivasan, S.Settar,
V.S. Ramachandra Shastri, Vishvanatha Rajgopal Sharma and
several others whose guidance and encouragement I can


never forget.


Prof.R.Nagaraj, Dr.A.Sundara, Prof.R.V.Shastri,
Prof.B.D.Pathak, Prof.U.S.Hegde, Prof.M.N.Joshi and
several others have helped me in different ways. To all


these friends, I tender my most grateful thanks.


I have availed myself of the writings of previous


writers on the subject to whom I am very much obliged.


QDra one us us Jit
OP". \S-3-sv4ateg A.K,Shastry Tonnemane,


Abbreviations
ARMAD Annual Report of the Mysore Archaeological
Department.
EC Epigraphia Carnatica.
FV Founders of Vijayanagara.
GVK Guruvamsa Kavya. j
IA Indian Antiquary.
JOR Journal of Oriental Research.


Kd Kadata,.
Ka £adata.
Ka (Accts) Kadata pertaining to Accounts.


e


Kds. Kadatas.

ENV Keladinripavi jayam.

KP Keladi Polity.

MG Mysore Gazetteer ed. by C.HayavadanaRao.

QuMS Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society.

Sg Sringéri.

Sg.R. Selections from the Records of the Sringari
Mutt.

ss Sring éri Souvenir.

STR Sivatatvaratnakara.

TTIW the Throne of Transcendental Wisdom.

V Verse

vscv. Vijayanagara Sexcentenary Commemoration Volume.


VSK VidyaSranyara Samakalinaru.


CONTENTS -


i. Acknowledgements


ii. Abbreviations
111 Contents


CHAPTER I = Introduction and Sources


Part-I - Introduction

Importance of Sringeri - Aim of the thesis-
Analysis of the chapters - Traditional
importance of Srihgéri and its geographical
features - Establishment of the Mathas by
Adi Sataneonarve Set Gankare ® siooesaors


up to beG Vidyaranya.


Part-II - A survey of the sources


Introduction - a) Sources other than kadatas


Stone inscriptions - Inscriptions on
copper=plates and other valuable articles
and coins - Literary works - The library of


the Matha - The monuments.
b) Kadatas


Meaning - Size - Classification - Subject-
Matter - Date - Language, Script and Style.


Notes and References.


t
CHAPTER II ~ Sringeri and Vijayanagara 43 - 61


Introduction = Sources - Vijayanagara's
relations with Sri Vidya Tirtha, Sri Bharati
Rirtha and Sri Vidyaranya - Harihara II's
relation with Chandrasékhara Bharati I and
Narasimha Bharati I - Devaraya II and
Purusottama Bharati I - Sridgért and the


U eee =
Tuluvas - Sringeri and the Aravidu dynasty,
Notes and References.


|
CHAPTER III - Sringeri and the Keladi rulers 62 - 73


Introduction - Sources - The relationship


and its nature.


Notes and References


t ‘ = a.
CHAPTER IV - Sringeri and the Maratha Ruling 7Q - 9h
Houses


Introduction - Sources - Sri Satchiddnanda
Bharati II and Shivaji II - Sringéri and
the Peshwas - Sringérz and the other
Maratha Chieftains.


Notes and References.


OF ose oe
CHAPTER V - Sringeri and the Muslim Rulers 98 -110:


Introduction - Sources - Sringeri and the
Adil-Shahis of Bijapur - Sritgéri and the
Mughals - Srirgéri and the Nizams -

Sringéri's relations with Hyder and Tipu.


Notes and References,


t Fe
CHAPTER VI - Sringéri and Mysore 114 -123


Introduction - Sources - Krisnaraja

Wodeyar II and Sri Satchidananda Bharati II-
Parnaiya and Sri Satchidananda Bharati III -
Krisnaraja Wodeyar III and Shien -
Sringéri and the British Commissioners -
Chamaraja Wodeyar and gri Satchidananda


/ Z -
Siva Abhinava Narasimha Bharati.
Notes and References.

CHAPTER VII ~ Administration 12h - 166


Introduction - The Jagadguru : a guiding
force, titles and insignia, succession,


sanyasa, choice of the Guru <- The birth


and the growth of the Samsthana - the


administrative system: geographical limits

of the Samsthana, officials and their

duties, sarvadhikari, parupatyagara, subedar,
killedar, amildar, maniy aara, senubova,
bokkasta, karanika, sekadara, offices of
achara-vichara, officer in charge of the

seal, gauda, rayasadava, messengers, judiciary-
Admini stration since the Commis sloner?s period-
Administration of the branch mathas and their
properties - Education - Religious propaganda


and achara-vichara ~- Agriculture.


Notes and References.


CHAPTER VIII ~ Religious conditions 167 ~ 19h
The Jagadguru - Land grants ~ Dharma -


Samgthdna - Principal deities: Sri Saradamba,
Sri Vidyasahkara, gri Mallikarjuna and other
temples - Tours and pilgrimages - Religious
supremacy of the seingsid Matha - Sriheéri


and other mathas.
Mavnage


Notes and References.


8


CHAPTER IX ~- Economic Conditions 196 - 233


Introduction - Sources of income : income
from agricultural products, income from
forest products, ownership of mines, other
sources of income - Items of expenditure:
worship in temples, festivals, charity,
employees, education, eaaate: santarpane,
construction and renovation of temples etc.~-
Land transactions: sale and purchase of
lands, grants of lands, exchange of lands,
umbali lands, uttara lands, grant of lands to
agraharas, vrittis - Rented houses - Occupa-
tions - Coinage - Prices ~ weights and


measures.
Notes and References,
CHAPTER X ~ Social conditions 23h =~ 25%


The caste system: Brahmins, Ksatriyas,
Vaisyas, other communities - Tolerant
policy - position of women in society -
Unsocial elements - The Matha and its


discivles - Achara-vichara - Behiskara.


—r,


{ DUARWAR
\ 2
Bs


NS
> LIBRARY


Appendices


Appendix 1 Literary contributions of the 252 - 25%
Sriigéri Gurus.

Appendix 2 Temples, holy places etc.,in 258 - 260
and around Sringeri.

Appendix 3 Mubtirta-lundali pertaining to 269
the installation ceremony of
Sri Abhinava Satchidananda
Bharati I (A.D. 1741 -
A.D. 1767).

Appendix 4 Geneology and the reign periods 264. - 262
of the Sringeri Jagadgurus.


Bibliography 26k = 2714
Glossary 273 ~ 28%
The photo-stat copies of a few kadatas.


List of illustrations and maps.


10


CHAPTER I


Part I - Introduction


Importance of Sringéri


Sri Sarada Pitha (the matha or monastery) at Sringéri
was established about twelve hundred years ago by Sri Adi
SavikerScharya. In spite of a number of political, religious,
economic and social vicissitudes, the Sringéri Matha has
continued to exist down to our own times as a great
religious centre. The Matha has done much for the uplift
of Dharma (code of righteousness) and the advancement of


advaita (non-dualism) philosophy. The Pitha has been


distinguished by an unbroken succession of Gurus well-


known for their spiritual eminence, learning and piety.
é

The followers of advaita acknowledge the Sringeri Guru

(a preceptor or a supreme teacher) as their Spiritual


Director.
Aim of the thesis


The aim of this thesis is to survey the history of
Sringéri from the Vijayanagara times (14th century) to the
19th century. This survey is primarily based on the
records in the possession of the Sringeri Matha, These


il


records are of two kinds - kadatas (Kds.) and ganads.
Sanads are charters by kings to individuals and groups
conveying to them either privileges or property or both
and they are well-known. On the other hand, the kadatas
are less known, That they also can be made to yield
valuable material for the allround history of the

Sringéri Matha from the 17th to 19th centuries is the
purpose with which this thesis is written. Sometimes,
these kadatas contain a few copies of earlier records
viz., stone and copper-plate inscriptions belonging to
Vijayanagara times. Hence our study proper begins with the
Vijayanagara times. But this description of Vijayanagara
times is restricted to what little we learn from the
kadatag and when these latter begin to depict in greater
detail the activities of the Matha as from the 17th
century, then our account becomes fuller. For the reasons


stated above, the full title of the thesis would be


j
A History of Sringéri Matha from the Kadatas.


Analysis of the Chapters


I have divided my thesis into ten chapters. The
I Chapter has two parts. The Introductory or the I part
points out the importance of Srihgéri, aim of the thesis,
analysis of the chapters, traditional importance of


je


é/
Sringéri and its geographical features, establishment of
the Mathas by Adi Sahkarachdrya and Sri Sankara's

ry y, s _
successors on the Sringéri Pitha right upto Vidyaranya,


The second part which surveys the sources ig sub-
divided into two sections, The first deals with the study
of stone and copper-plate inscriptions, literary works and
monuments. The second section contains an account of the
meaning, importance, size, classification, subject-matter,
date, language, script and style of the kadatas.


The II Chapter concerns itself with the relation
between Sringéri and Vijayanagara. Emphasis is laid on
Vijayanagara's relations with Sri Vidya Tirtha, Sri Bharati
Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya. And with the help of a few
examples, the relation between Sringéri and the various
dynasties of Vijayanagara like the Sahgamas, the Saluvas,
the Tuluvas and the Aravidus is sketched.


The III Chapter describes the cordial relation which
é; aes
existed between Sringeri and the Keladi rulers.


The IV Chapter is about Sringéri and the Marathas.
It describes the relation between Sri Satchidananda
Bharati II and Sivaji II and Bajirao I, and also between
Sri Abhinava Satchidananda Bharati I and Balaji Bajirao


13


and Madhavrao.


;
The V Chapter is about Sringéri and the Muslim rulers
such as the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, the Mughals, the
Nizams of Hyderabad and Hyder and Tipu of Mysore.


The next Chapter is about Sringéri's relation with
Mysore. The Wodeyars like the Keladi Naéyakas were ardent
devotees of the Sringéri Jagadgurus. This intimate rela-
tionship between them and their Gurus is illustrated in


this chapter. This chapter aleo deals with Sringéri's
relation with the British, in particular with the British
Commissioners in Mysore. Some of them like Mark Cubbon
and L.Bowring had reverence for Sri Narasimha Bharati VIII.


Chapter VII deals with the administration of the
Sringeri Samsthana (a state exercising revenue and
judicial authority) during the 17th, 18th and 19th
centuries. It deals with the institution of the Jagadguru
and various aspects relating to his office like titles
and insignia, succession, coronation, sanyasa (asceticism),
choice of the Guru etc. A brief description of the birth,
growth and consolidation of the Samsthana and its geo-
graphical limits is then given. It also contains
information about the various officials like sarvadhikari


a
1 DHARTWAn Ms


FP \ we


14


(a general superintendent), parupatyagara (officer in
charge of a temple), subedar (the chief officer of a
taluk), killedar (an officer in charge of a fort or a
matha), amildar (revenue collector), peiskar (a revenue
officer secondary to an amildar), maniyagara (superint-
endent of a temple or a matha or a custom—house or a


garden) etc. and their respective duties.


The VIII Chapter is about religious conditions. It
deals with land-grants made to the Matha by secula heads
and by the Gurus to different individuals. Information


about principal deities, temples, chaturmasya, pilgrimages,
religious supremacy of the Sringéri Matha over other
mathas and the veneration that the Matha commanded from
secular heads and people of different communities is


given in this chapter.


Chapter IX deals with economic matters. Various
economic aspects like immoveable and moveable property
of the Matha, sources of income and items of expenditure,


land transactions etc. are covered in this chapter.


Chapter X deals with social aspects like caste
system, tolerant policy of the Matha, position of women,


unsocial elements, the Matha and its disciples,


15


achara-vichara (ceremonial observances) and bahiskadra or


excommunication.


An- Appendixsdescribeg the literary contributions of


¢ a =
the Sringeri Gurus, Lenmigtcs senha Ss Yaa ol, & qenedlosy J the
Queues
Traditional importance of Sringéri and its geographical


features


The sacred town of Sringéri, | or Rieya=Srinigagirt
of RamSyana fame~ is situated on the left bank of the
river Tunga. Sringéri is in the present Chikkamagalur
District (formerly Kadur District) of the present Karnataka
State. The mountain ranges, deep valleys, green forests
and the crystal waters of the river Tunga encircling the
town have created a lovely atmosphere. It is this life-
giving water which has quenched the thirst of generations
of people who have lived, and been living on either bank of
the river through the ages.


~- / : a
Establishment of the mathas by Adi Sankaracharya


Risyasringagiri again came into prominence during the
historical times particularly when Sri hai Sankanecharya;
the greatest exponent of Advaita Vedanta established here
the now famous Sri Sarada Pitha in the 8th century A.D.


16


Though tradition traces a long line of Brahmajfanigs”
ES as L Secage ‘i
before Sankara, only Goudapadacharya and Sri Govinda
Bhagavatpadacharya are historical personages.


The period on the eve of Adi gahkara's birth was an
age of unrest and strife characterized by spiritual and
intellectual bankruptcy and also political and social
discord, Religion in India, based on the Vedas, the
Upanigads, the Epics, the Puranas and the Sutras, was _
seriously challenged by atheism, agnosticism and nihilism,
Hindu culture was in danger due to Vamachira or tantric
practices of the debased offshoots of the originally pure


/
Jain, Buddhist and Sakta cults. It was absolutely


/
necessary to bring together the Sa&ktas or the worshippers


of Devi, the Sauras or the devotees of Surya, the Bhagawa-


Nagar ”
thas or the followers of Sita, the Ganapatyas or the


followers of Ganapati etc. under the banner of one faith.
This herculean task was accomplished by Jagadguru Adi
Sahkar&charya who established four advaita mathas* and
they are, sringéri in the south, Dvaraka in the west,
Badri in the north and Jaganndtha in the east. Adi
bohkarachirya installed his renowned disciples, Surésvara,
Padmapada, Totaka and Hastamalaka respectively as the


pontiffs of these mathas. The idea of establishing these


sy


mathas in four different corners of India was to bring

8 /
about national integration which Sankara had then in his
mind.


5


Though there are different opinions” with regard to


/
the date of Sankara, the generally accepted date is
>>>