Partagali, June 24: “Jeevottam Vidyapeetham”, a new centre for Vedic learning, was inaugurated on Wednesday at the sacred Shree Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math, which is home to the 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Rama inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The inauguration took place on the auspicious occasion of Nija Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami of the Parabhava year, in the divine presence of His Holiness Srimad Vidyadhish Teerth Sripad Vadeer Swamiji.
Shree Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math was established in 1475 by Srimad Narayan Teerth Sripad, who accepted Sanyasashrama from Srimad Ramachandra Teerth Sripad of Palimaru Math. Through an uninterrupted Guru tradition spanning nearly 550 years, the Math has preserved and propagated the Dvaita philosophy of Srimad Madhvacharya and presently has 34 branch maths across the country. The Math conducts daily Trikala Puja in accordance with the Vaishnava tradition under the blessings of Lord Ramadev Veeravittal and the 23 pontiffs of the Guru Parampara.
For centuries, the study of the Vedas and Shastras has continued through the traditional Gurukula system. The 18th pontiff, Srimad Purna Prajna Teerth Sripad, established a special Gurukula to impart education and produced several scholars and pandits who contributed significantly to society.
In 1953, the 22nd pontiff, Srimad Dwarakanath Teerth Sripad, founded Shri Indirakanta Teerth Sanskrit Pathashala at Vyasashrama in Bicholim, Goa, following the ancient Gurukula tradition. The institution was later shifted to Venkatapura in Karnataka, where students were taught Sanskrit literature, poetry, grammar, Vedas, and Dvaita philosophy, with all educational expenses borne by the Math.
In 1972, the 23rd pontiff, Srimad Vidyadhiraj Teerth Sripad, shifted the institution to Partagali and renamed it Jeevottam Vaidika Sanskrit Pathashala. More than 500 students received education through this institution and went on to lead respected lives. However, due to the growing influence of modern education, student admissions gradually declined and came to a complete halt by 2016.
With renewed interest in Vedic studies in recent years, the 24th pontiff, His Holiness Srimad Vidyadhish Teerth Sripad Vadeer Swamiji, revived the institution under the name “Jeevottam Vidyapeetham.”
Addressing students and devotees, His Holiness said that the Vidyapeetham would serve as a centre for Vedic learning based on the principles of Srimad Madhva Siddhanta and aimed at preserving Sanatana Dharma. He stated that the five-year curriculum would focus on Sanskrit, Vedas, Karmanga, and Jyotisha, while the ten-year curriculum would provide comprehensive education in Sanskrit, Vedas, Karmanga, Jyotisha, Nyaya, Vyakarana, and Vedanta.
Ganesh Bhat Gokarn and Raghottam Acharya of Bengaluru have been appointed to the Sanskrit Department, Atharv Bhandekar to the Veda Department, and Lakshmikant Bhat of Idagunji, Honnavar, as the Principal and head of the Jyotisha and Karmanga Departments.
The institution aims to nurture scholars who will dedicate themselves to the propagation of Srimad Madhva Siddhanta and the service of the Saraswat community. His Holiness observed that the Vidyapeetham represents not merely the establishment of an educational institution, but an important step towards preserving and transmitting the rich heritage of the Vedic tradition, Madhva philosophy, and Guru Parampara to future generations.
Following the worship of Hari, Guru, and Goddess Saraswati, textbooks and educational materials were distributed to the students, marking the formal commencement of the Vidyapeetham.
Among those present on the occasion were Padma Shri awardee Mohandas Pai, R. S. Shanbhag of Bengaluru, Central Committee President of the Math Srinivas V. Dempo, Vice-President Ramachandra R. Kamat, Partagali Chaturmasya Committee President Anil Pai, committee members Dinesh Pai and Yogish Kamat, scholar Ramakrishna Bhat, former students of the Pathashala, members of the Jeevottam Vaidika Sangha, Vedic scholars, and members of the community.
The information was shared by the social media team of the Math.
