Charama Shloka :

ಮಾಧವಾಂಘ್ರಿಯುಗಾಸಕ್ತಾ ಮಾಧವಾಖ್ಯಮುನೀಶ್ವರಾಃ ಅದಭ್ರಮಧ್ವತೀರ್ಥಾ ಯೇ ದದ್ಯುಸ್ತೇಽಭೀಷ್ಟಸಂತತಿಂ ||

माधवांघ्रियुगासक्ता माधवाख्यमुनीश्वराः अदभ्रमध्वतीर्था ये दद्युस्तेऽभीष्टसंततिम् ||

mādhavāṅghriyugāsaktā mādhavākhyamunīśvarāḥ adabhramadhvatīrthā ye dadyuste’bhīṣṭasantatim ||

About Sri Madhava Tirtha

Sri Madhava Tirtha was ordained the 4th Pithadhipati by Acharya Madhva. His Purvashrama Nama was Vishnu Sastri. It is believed in tradition that while he succeeded Sri Narahari Tirtha on the Pitha, he was ordained into the fourth order, Sanyasashrama with the Ashrama Nama Sri Madhava Tirtha by Acharya Madhva himself and had the good fortune of learning at his feet.

Tradition has referred to this Saint as Sri Madhava: wherein the adjective Sri is intentionally used here to bring to our remembrance the fact that His Holiness composed a Bhashya, explaining the meaning of Trayi (three Vedas) based on the lines of Acharya Madhva’s interpretation for the first forty verses of Rig Veda. He is also accredited with a Vyakhyana on Parashara Smriti. Unfortunately, neither of them are available today.

The meaning of the Saint’s Carama Shloka that has come in the Parampara of the Srimatha is as follows: Let the Lord of Saints named Madhava Tirtha, wedded to the Lotus feet of Lord Madhava, that firmly established Tattvavada propounded by Acharya Madhva, always bless my wishes. We especially understand that the Saint debated with scholars of Jainism during His tenure to defend the principles of Sanatana Dharma.

Toward the end of His life, the saint handed over the reins of the Mahasamsthana to Sri Akshobhya Tirtha who was already initiated by Acharya Madhva to continue the lineage.

Further, for the purpose of propagation, the saint also anointed one of his disciples to the fourth order with the appellation Sri Madhuhari Tirtha and blessed him with the idol of Sri Veera Rama that was worshipped by Acharya Madhva. The new lineage started by Sri Madhuhari Tirtha went on to become Sri Madhava Tirtha Samasthana that is currently headquartered at Tambihalli, Kolar District.

The Saint attained Haripada shortly afterwards. His Vrindavana was consecrated at Manur (Kalburgi District) on the banks of river Bhima.

|| Sri Krishnarpanamastu ||