Shankarashram I

Swami Shankarashram I (Devanāgarī: शङकर्ाश्रम् or शंंकर्ाश्रम्,') was the second guru and ''Mathādhipati'' (Head of the community or Head of the ''matha'' ("Monastery")) of the Chitrāpur Sāraswats. He was ordained as the ''Mathādhipati'' in 1720 and served as the head till his death in 1757. He was the ''shishya'' (disciple) of Swami Parijñānāshram I.

Swami ''Shankarashram'' was responsible for the establishment of the Chitrapur Math at Shirali which is now the head ''matha'' of the Sāraswats. Under his reign, the ''matha'' got many land grants from the King of Nagar. There are many stories where Swami ''Shankarāshram'' is said to have performed miracles (See Miracles) for his devotees in their times of need. So devotees from different parts of Karnataka and beyond came to be his followers.

He died in 1757 at Shirali. His ''samādhi'' (shrine) is located inside the ''Chitrapur Math'' at Shirāli. He was succeeded by Swami Parijnanashram II as the ''Mathādhipati'' in the same year.

Pattābhisheka (''Crowning Ceremony'')

Shankarāshram was the son of Krishnayya Kulkarni of the Shukla Bhat family before he was chosen as the ''shishya'' of ''Swami Parijñānāshram'', the first ''Mathādhipati'' and guru of the Sāraswats. He belonged to the ''Kaundinya Gotra''

Shankarāshram I was ordained as the second ''Guru'' of the ''Sāraswats'' after the ''Mahā-samadhi'' of his guru, ''Swami Parijñānāshram'' (On ''Krishna Chaturdashi'' day of the month of Chaitra in 1720). The ceremony was held at the Bhandikere ''Matha'' in Gokarn(''See Ādi matha''). He had been under ''Swami Parijñānāshram'' for only 14 days after which ''Swami Parijñānāshram'' diĄed.

At the time of ''Swami Shankarāshram'' ordination as the new ''Mathādhipati'', his devotees gave a solemn promise in writing, that they would be faithful to him and would always follow his religious observances. The ''Swami's'' family henceforth was known as ''Shuklabhat ()''.''Shukla'' means "bright" or "new" in Sanskrit and ''Bhat'' is a generic surname for scholars. So ''Shuklabhat'' means "New scholars". (NOTE:Henceforth in this article, ''Swamiji'' will refer to ''Swami Shankarāshram I''

Expansion of ''Matha''

During the reign of ''Swami Shankarāshram'', the community and the ''matha'' received land grants from the King of Nagar. In 1739, Bāsappa Nayak II of Nagar made land grants to the Math by a gift deed. This helped in the development of the infrastructure of the ''matha''.

''Swami Shankarāshram'' was able to persuade several people from stopping their Vaishnavite customs and converted them to the Advaita Shaivism practised by the community.

Miracles

''Swamiji'' is attributed to many miracles which he is said to have performed for his highly devout followers when they were faced with difficulties. Two of them are listed below.

Brahmin from Bankikodla

Once there lived a Brahmin in the village of Bankikodla who was pious and devout. Every morning after finishing his ''pooja'' (prayers and offerings to the Lord), he would stand on the streets and try to find a hungry beggar. He would offer that needy person his hospitality and serve that person good meal. He did this out of true concern for the people in need in his village.

He had this desire of serving ''Swamiji'' but could not travel all the way to Gokarn to meet him. One day he happened to see a sanyāsi clad in saffron robes walking down his street. When the sanyāsi came closer, the Brahmin discovered that it was none other than ''Swami Shankarāshram''. With great reverence he led Swamiji to his house and fed him a simple meal that his wife had prepared.

After the meal, when ''Swamiji'' was resting, the Brahmin left his house for an errand. When he came back he saw that the swami had left. He was utterly disappointed that he could not see the swami off. Some time later he called on the ''matha'' only to find that the swami had never left the ''matha'' at all that morning. So when the Brahmin next met ''Swami Shankarāshram'', with teary eyes he fell at Swamiji's feet and thanked ''him'' for having fulfilled his ultimate desire.

Artist from Gokarn

Once there was an artist who lived in the town of Gokarn. He was a pious Brahmin who found it difficult to make ends meet since his paintings were not selling. He had an ardent desire to serve ''Swamiji'' at his home, but he could not afford it.

One night, both he and his wife had a dream where ''Swamiji'' assured them his grace. They were startled since both of them had had the same dream. So the next day they prepared a simple meal with much love and devotion anticipating the arrival of ''Swamiji''. As the dream had proclaimed, ''Swamiji'' came to their home. He graciously accepted their ''bhikshā'' (meal) and a meagre amount of four Annās''kānika'' (monetary offering). He blessed the couple and left for the ''matha''.

Within a few days after ''Swamiji's'' visit, the artist received a huge assignment from a wealthy family for a portrait. The patron was very pleased by the work and rewarded the artist handsomely with a princely sum of Rupees One Thousand. The artist recognized this as the result of the blessings from ''Swamiji''. He immediately rushed to ''Swamiji'' and placed the entire amount at his feet. Swamiji accepted a small portion of the money and gave back the rest and asked him to pursue his work with full devotion. The swamiji promised him that the grace of the Lord was always with him.

Things were never the same for the artist. His services were hired by many a patron who rewarded him generously for his works. This story is a popular tale among the people of the Sāraswat community.

Fall-out with residents of Bhatkal

Even though the devotion of many people grew, not everybody "believed" in the divine grace of ''Swami Shankarāshram''. The residents of the town of Bhatkal were among those who chose not to have faith in the ''Swamiji''.

Once ''Swamiji'' travelled to Bhatkal to offer spiritual discourses to the residents there. It so happened that rumours about the Swamiji being a fake spread rapidly. So on the given day nobody was there to welcome him and perform ''Gurusēvā'' (Service to the Guru). This misunderstanding resulted in the Bhatkal clan being distanced from the ''Swamiji's'' followers.

Chitrapur Math

After the "no-show" at Bhatkal (See above section) ''Swami Shankarāshram'' was deeply hurt. He decided to return to Gokarn. On the way back, at the village of Shirali, the devotees pleaded to ''Swamiji'' to stay there for sometime and to bless the people with his presence. The ''swamiji'' consented and he stayed at the residence of the ''Nāgarkattē'' family.

The ''Nāgarkattē'' family later donated their residence in honour of the ''Swamiji'', after his death. This became the Chitrāpur Matha, the head ''matha'' of the community.

Death

During his stay at Shirāli as the honoured guest of the ''Nāgarkattē'' family, ''Swami Shakarāshram's'' health failed rapidly. To the dismay of his devotees, his health took a turn for the worse and ''Swamiji'' became terminally ill.

''"My children, the grace of Lord Bhavānishankara will always protect you. Follow all that has been taught without fear"''
(-Translated from Konkani to Sanskrit).

With these words, Swami Shankarāshram died on the 6th day of the month of ''Ashwina'' in 1757. ''Swamiji's'' untimely death meant that he could not accept a ''shishya''(disciple). This resulted in the community not having a ''guru'' to succeed ''Swami Shankarāshram''. His samadhi is located in Shirali and is also called the ''Hodi Samādhi'' ('Big Samādhi' in Konkani).

References

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Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shankarashram 01
18th-century Hindu religious leaders
1757 deaths
Year of birth unknown
Scholars from Karnataka