SRI SUDHINDRA TIRTHA

INTRODUCTION
Sudhindra Tirtha (1596-1623) was an
eminent Dvaita philosopher and the pontiff of the
matha at Kumbakonam. Most of his written works
deal with poetry and drama, which is considered
unique in the history of Dvaita literature. He is a
disciple of Vijayendra Tirtha and he mentered
Guru Raghavendra Tirtha, who subsequently
succeeded him as the pontiff of
the matha at Kumbakonam. His works are
characterised by simplicity.
Life
Information about his life mainly comes
from Raghavendra Vijaya by Narayanacharya. His
early life is unknown. He served as a disciple
of Vijayendra Tirtha, whom he later succeeded as
the pontiff of the matha at Kumbakonam in 1596.
He received patronage by the rulers Venkatapati
Raya of Vijayanagara and Raghunatha
Nayaka of Tanjavur, by indicating him as a holy
man. Raghavendra Vijaya tells us about
Sudhindra, who mentors and grooms the young
Venkatanatha (known later as Sri Raghavendra
Tirtha), to take up sanyasa and succeed him as
the pontiff. Sudhindra died in 1623 and his mortal
remains are enshrined
in Navabrindavana in Hampi at Karnataka.
Devotional works
His main devotional works are as follows:-
1.Sadyukthi Ratnagara
2.Apastamba Shulbasootrapradepa
3.Commentry on second,eleventh skandas of
Bhagavatha.
Apart from the above, he has written several
literary books also.
Miracles
Sri Sudheendra Teertha has done lot of miracles.
Once he brought rain in a drought area and
converted day to night. He has done all these by
the divine grace of ‘Lord Hari’. He has blessed
childless people for having children, and relieved
people from various diseases and brought
happiness in their homes.
Importance
Sudhindra Tirtha studied all the shastras without
much difficulty, and he attained the knowledge
through his guru ‘Sri Vijayendra Tirtha’. The saint
was well versed in shaddarshana( A form of
Asana). Apart from his various writings, Sri
Sudheendra theertha used to do puja to the holy
dieties. Sri Sudheendra thirtha was blessed with
the appearance of Sri Rama in his dream, and he
was instructed by Sri Rama to give the name “Sri
Raghavendra theertha” to Venkatanatha.
He taught Sri Raghavendra Tirtha in various
spiritual subjects, and blessed him to take
sanyasa. He is having the credit of introducting a
great madhwa saint ‘GURU RAGHAVENDRA
SWAMIGAL’ who is regarded as Kaliyuga
Kamadhenu( A wish fulfilling cow) and
kalpavriksha(A wish fulfilling tree) and who is
widely worshipped not only by madhwas, but also
by all the people in this world, without any
discrimination in caste,creed or religion.

CONCLUSION
Sri Sudhindra Tirtha, who was the great guru of Sri
Raghavendra tirtha, is still active in his brindavan
and gives boon to his devotees. Like Raghavendra
Tirtha, he has done lot of miracles in the life of his
devotees. He is still listening to our prayers from
his brindavan, and protecting us from all sorts of
difficulties, and giving us all the needs by praying
to Lord Rama. Let us worship the great guru and
chant his nama ‘OM SRI SUDHINDRA TIRTHARE
NAMAHA’.
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR