कञ्चि गुरु परम्परा - Kañchi Guru Paramparā
Śrī Candraśekhara Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmin (Mahāperiyavā)
68th Kañchi Jagadguru, 1907 to 1994
अपारकरुणासिन्धुं ज्ञानदं शान्तरूपिणम् ।
श्रीचन्द्रशेखरगुरुं प्रणमामि मुदान्वहम् ॥
apāra-karuṇā-sindhuṃ jñānadaṃ śānta-rūpiṇam |
śrī-candraśekhara-guruṃ praṇamāmi mudānvaham ||
apāra-karuṇā-sindhum – ocean of boundless compassion; jñānadam – giver/possessor of true knowledge; śānta-rūpiṇam – one whose very form is calmness; śrī-candraśekhara-gurum – Jagadguru Śrī Candraśekhara Sarasvatī; praṇamāmi – I bow; muda-anvaham – with joy, every day.
With joy I bow to Mahāperiyavā, Jagadguru Śrī Candraśekhara Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmigal, an ocean of compassion, a giver of true wisdom, and the embodiment of peace.
Śrī Candraśekhara Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmin (1894–1994), revered as Mahāperiyavā, served as the 68th Jagadguru of the Kanchi Kāmakoṭi Pīṭham for nearly eighty-seven years, one of the longest spiritual tenures in recent history. Initiated into the ascetic life as a young boy, he soon became known for exceptional scriptural mastery, sharp intellect, and unwavering personal discipline. Mahāperiyavā lived with absolute simplicity - owning little, walking from village to village, and spending long periods in silence and meditation. Yet he was deeply accessible to people from every background. Scholars, artists, political leaders, and ordinary devotees approached him for guidance on spiritual practice, dharma, and social responsibility. His scholarship spanned the Vedas, Vedānta, Vyākaraṇa, Mīmāṃsā, Purāṇas, music, and temple traditions. At the same time, he demonstrated a rare ability to explain profound ideas in plain language. His counsel shaped cultural, religious, and social life across India, and his influence led to the revival of Vedic study, temple restoration, and traditional arts. Mahāperiyavā is remembered as a saint whose presence brought clarity, peace, and stability. His life stands as an example of how knowledge, austerity, compassion, and humility can be harmonized in service of society.
Śrī Jayendra Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmin
69th Kañchi Jagadguru, 1935 to 2018
परित्यज्य मौनं वटाधःस्थितिं च व्रजन् भारतस्य प्रदेशात् प्रदेशम् ।
मधुस्यन्दिवाचा जनान् धर्ममार्गे नयन् श्रीजयेन्द्रो गुरुर् भाति चित्ते ॥
parityajya maunaṃ vaṭā-dhaḥ-sthitiṃ ca vrajan bhāratasya pradeśāt pradeśam |
madhu-syandi-vācā janān dharma-mārge nayan śrī-jayendro gurur bhāti citte ||
parityajya maunam – giving up silence; vaṭa-adhaḥ-sthitim – staying under the banyan tree; vrajan – travelling; pradeśāt pradeśam – from place to place; madhu-syandi-vācā – with honey-like sweet words; janān dharma-mārge nayan – guiding people on the path of dharma; śrī-jayendraḥ – Jagadguru Śrī Jayendra Sarasvatī; gurur bhāti citte – shines in the heart.
Whether seated in meditation beneath a banyan tree or travelling across India, with sweet words that guided people on the path of dharma, Jagadguru Śrī Jayendra Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmigal shines in the hearts of devotees.
Śrī Jayendra Sarasvatī reached out to people everywhere, taught kindness and duty, and helped many communities. Children can see him as a teacher who carried wisdom to every doorstep.
Śrī Vijayendra Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmin
70th and current Kañchi Jagadguru from 2018
नमामः शङ्करान्वाख्यविजयेन्द्रसरस्वतीम् ।
श्रीगुरुं शिष्टमार्गाणुनेतारं सन्मतिप्रदम् ॥
namāmaḥ śaṅkarānvākhya-vijayendra-sarasvatīm |
śrī-guruṃ śiṣṭa-mārgānu-netāraṃ san-mati-pradam ||
namāmaḥ – we bow; śaṅkara-anvākhya – bearing the sacred name of Śaṅkara; vijayendra-sarasvatīm – Jagadguru Śrī Vijayendra Sarasvatī; śrī-gurum – the revered Guru; śiṣṭa-mārga-anu-netāram – the leader who guides on the path of virtue; sanmati-pradam – giver of good and noble understanding.
We bow to Jagadguru Śrī Vijayendra Sarasvatī Mahāsvāmigal, the revered teacher who guides all on the path of virtue and imparts noble wisdom.
Śrī Vijayendra Sarasvatī teaches through clarity, discipline, and gentle guidance. Children can understand him as a living example of humility, learning, and righteous conduct.
