Know about Srimad Azhagiyasingars

Sri Adivan Satakopan

Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya was born on Purattasi Kettai in 1379 at Thirunarayanapuram [Melkote], near Mysore. He had his initial learning and Pancha Samskaram from his illustrious father Sri Srinivasacharya. He studied Sastras and Vedanta under the Great Teacher Ghatikasatam Ammal at Kanchipuram. By the age of 20, he became a scholar and won fame as a great exponent of Ramanuja Darsana, i.e. Visishtadvaita Philosophy.

One day Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya had a dream in which Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha appeared and invited him to come to Ahobilam. Considering the Dream as call of Divine , he directly proceeded to Ahobilam and worshipped before the Divya Moorthi of Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha. While he was praying before the Lord, suddenly he saw an old Sanyasi before him with a Divya Jyothi on his face. Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya was attracted by the Divya Jyothi of the Great Sanyasi and prostrated before him.

The Divine Sanyasi then initiated Sri Kidambi Srinivasacharya into the ascetic order and gave him the religious name of Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan. He then asked him to take with him the Divya Moorthi of Sri Malola from the Temple and travel throughout India and propagate Vishistadvaita School of Philosophy as propounded by Swami Alavandar, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika. Sri Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan now prayed before Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha for further orders. And to the astonishment of Sri Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan, Sri Malola Moorthi of Ahobilam suddenly appeared on his hands.

With this divine incident, he knew his further duties. He decided to undertake his Pada yatra traveling all over India with Sri Malola Murthy for propagating Vishistadvaita Philosophy. Before commencing his Divine duties, Sri Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan, carrying the idol of Sri Malola first went to Alwar Thirunagari to have the blessings of our first earthly Acharya, Sri Swamy Nammalwar. There he received the Title “Adivan” and from then on, he was known as Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan.

The religious order founded by Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan is known as Sri Ahobila Mutt and Sri Adivan Satakopa Yatindra Mahadesikan is the founder of Sri Ahobila Mutt, being its first Azhagiasingar. Thus, this itinerant temple on the move, Sri Ahobila Mutt was born on Bahudhanya Year on Shukla Panchami day corresponding to a Thursday in September 1398. Having started functioning in the year 1398, the Mutt has been functioning for over 600 years now.

And over the ages, Sri Ahobila Mutt has been presided over by 45 Matadhipatis so far, each one of them revered as Azhagiasingar.

The present Pontiff, His Holiness the 45th Azhagiasingar is “Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha Divya Paduka Sevaka Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yathidra Mahadesikan”, a great proponent of Vishistadvaita Philosophy.

Srimad Adivan Satakopan ensured that the following were carried out during his time:

Writing of Books on many topics including those titled Pitru Medha Saram, Dasa Nirnayam, Aasoucha satakam, Aasoucha Nirnayam, Kanta Bhushanam, etc.

Establishment of Sri Nigamantha Maha Desikan Temple at Thooppul and Consecration of Swami Desika’s Idol there.

Establishment of Ahobila Mutts at Thirunarayanapuram, Srirangam, Azwar Thirunagari, etc.

Construction of Gopurams, Mandapams, etc. in Temples such as Thirunarayanapuram, Srirangam, etc.

It is said that Sri Manavala Mamunigal obtained Presha Mantra Upadesam and Sanyasa Ashramam from Sri Adivan Satakopan .

Srimad Adivan Satakopan lived for 79 years. After being as Azhagiyasingar for 59 years 7 months, he attained the lotus feet of Sriman Narayana in April 1458, i.e. in the Month of Chittirai, Krishna Paksha, Ekadasi that fell on a Saturday.

The Brindavanam of Srimad Adivan Satakopan is in Thirunarayanapuram / Melkote and the same is under renovation now.

2nd Azhagiyasingar

Sri Swamy, who succeeded Sri Adivan Satakopan in the year 1458 was Sri Thirumalai Nampakkam Krishnamacharyar Swami who on his becoming Azhagiyasingar, took the name of Srivan Satakopa Sriman Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikan.

He was born on Avani Kettai, but the exact year of birth is not known. He wrote about sixty Books, some of which are: Thiru Aaradhana Kramam, Nyasa Dasaka Vyakhyanam, Sandhya Bhashyam, etc. He also did the Prathishta of the Vigraham of Sri Adivan Satakopan in the Thirunarayanapuram Temple at Melkote.

In those days of no mechanical means of transportation, he also extensively traveled and propagated the Visishtadvaita Siddhantam of Sri Ramanuja and Sri Vedanta Desika.

Fourteen years and eleven months after he became the 2nd Azhagiyasingar, Srivan Satakopa Sriman Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikan, attained Acharyan Thiruvadi on a Krishna Dwiteeyai in the month of Panguni in the year 1473.

The Brindavanam of this Azhagiyasingar also is at Thirunarayanapuram.


3rd Azhagiyasingar

Sri Kanthadai Krishna Yajwa of Malayankolattur became the third Jeer in March 1473 and took the name of Sri Parankusa Yatheendra Mahadesikan. His Thirunakshatram falls on Thiruivonam of Thai month.

He spent his days in teaching Sribhashya and Srimath Rahasyathrayasara to numerous disciples at Kancheepuram. His contribution was the creation of Srivaishna Agraharams at Neeralur, Uragadam, Nemmily, Kadankarai, Pilaaputh and Kalathur. He attained Acharyan Thiruvadi at Srimushnam in January 1485 after serving Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha for 11 years and 10 months.

4th Azhagiyasingar

The fourth Jeeyar Sri Srinivasa Yatheendra Mahadesika who became Azhagiyasingar in January 1485 needs special mention as he was the first to undertake Padayathra to far away places in the North, such as Ayodhya, Gokul and Brindavan. He settled down at Singar Kovil spreading the message of Ramanuja and Vedantha Desika. His Thirunakshatram falls on Chitra star in the month of Margazhi.

As he was attaining old age, one day, the Lord appeared in his dream saying, 'Sarvathanthra Swathanthra’ would be his successor. Sri Lakshmeenarasimha similarly appeared in the dream of one Kandalur Swami asking him to proceed immediately to the fourth Jeer's camp. They exchanged the substance of their respective dream messages and the Sanyasa Asrama was given to him. Kandalur Swami was then duly installed as the fifth Jeer bearing the Asrama name Sarvathanthra Swathanthra Satakopa Yatheendra Mahadesikan.

The brevity of the above narrations is due to the fact that we are unable to access centuries old records and I humbly seek pardon of our Purvacharyas for not placing here their life history in greater detail.


5th Azagiyasingar:

Sarvathanthra Swathanthra Yatindra Mahadesikan was the 5th Azhagiyasingar. He was born in Kandalur in the Karthikai month on the day of Krittika Star. This is the Thirunakshatram Day of Thirumangai Alwar. He was an erudite person with Pandityam in all Shastras and he was popularly known as “Sarvathanthra Swatantrar” even among Vidwans of the day. He became Azhagiyasingar in April 1493 and he was greatly influencing the Bhagavathas in those days by his Scholarly Discourses on Sri Bhashyam and other religious Scriptures. He did Mangalasasanam in many of the Divya Desams in the south and traveled to North via Tirupati. But when he was spending his time on the shores of Krishna River, he attained Paramapadam in January 1499.

6th Azhagiyasingar:

Sri Vidwan Vankeepuram Venkatacharya Swamy took his birth in Karalappakkam Agraharam near Tiruvellore in Thai Poorattadi. He ascended the Throne of Azhagiyasingar in January 1499. This Azhagiyasingar is very popularly known as Shashta Parankusa Yateendra Mahadesikan. Many learned personalities of those years became Sishyas of this Great Acharya who traveled extensively doing Mangalasaasanam in many Divya Desams and propagating Sri Ramanuja Darshanam among the masses through his discourses. He was the first Azhagiyasingar to do Mangalasaasanam at Badarikasramam.

On one night Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha appeared in the Dream of this Azhagiyasingar and ordered that he come over and stay in the Bilam [Cave] where the Lord Himself lives and do the Nithya Aaradhana to Him. Accordingly, Sri Shashta Parankusa Swamy gave the Sanyasa Ashrama to Ilangadu Kavitha Saarvabhouma Sikamani and entered the Caves in February 1513. It is said that this Acharya is still alive and is doing the Nithya Aaradhana of Lord Sri Lakshmi Nrisimha till date in that Cave.


7th Azagiyasingar:

Born on the Tirunakshatram of Sri Nammalwar, i.e. Vaikasi Visakam, this Acharya became Azhagiyasingar in the young age of 25. He travelled widely propagating the Visishtadvaita Siddhanta and he worte the very famous “Vasantika Parinayam”, copies of which were recently republished by Sri Ahobila Mutt. A few copies of this Book are also available in our Temple. This Acharya was such a great personality that he was titled “Satalekhini Lekhanuguna Kavita Durandhara Kavitaarkikakhanteerava Srivan Satakopa Sri Satakopa Yateendra Maha Desikan”. He attained Paramapadam in April 1522.

8th Azhagiyasingar:

Sri Parankusa Yateendra Maha Desikan was our 8th Azhagiyasingar. He became Azhagiyasingar in April 1522. He generally stayed in Srirangam and did Mangalasaasanam of Lord Sri Ranganatha daily. He propagated the Ramanuja Siddhanta by rendering Nitya Kaalakshepam on Sri Bhashya and other Sri Vaishnava Granthas among Sishyas. He was Azhagiyasingar for more than 15 years .

9th Azhagiyasingar:

Sriman Narayana Yateendra Maha Desikan was the 9th Azhagiyasingar . He ascended the throne on the Poornima Day in January 1538. He did Mangalasaasanam in various Divya Desams and delivered discourses at these Places for the benefit of Sishyas and Aasthikas. He also did the Kainkaryam of constructing various facilities in the Temples he visited. He attained Paramapadam in July 1542.



10th Azagiyasingar:

Similar to 7th Azhagiyasingar, this Azhagiyasingar too was born on the Tirunakshatram of Sri Nammalwar, i.e. Vaikasi Visakam. He came to Asthanam in July 1542 and took the name of Sri Satakopa Yateendra Maha Desikan. After ascending the Throne, he traveled to Thiru Venkatam [Thirupathi] and did Mangalasaasanam at the temple of Lord Srinivasa. From there he traveled to Tiruvellore, Kanchipuram and Srirangam and worshipped the Divyadesa Emperumans at the respective Temples. After spreading the message of Sri Ramanuja Darsanam at various places, he traveled to Thirunarayanapuram and stayed there for a number of years giving discourses. While at Thirunarayanapuram, he attained Paramapadam in July 1559.


11th Azagiyasingar:


Our 11th Azhagiyasingar, Sri Srinivasa Yateendra Mahadesikan, hailed from Thiruvallore. He ascended the throne in the month of July 1559. He started his Vijaya Yatra from Thirunarayanapuram to Srirangam performing Mangalasaasanam enroute at various Divyadesams such as Tirupati, Kanchipuram etc. He stayed in Srirangam and spent a few years imparting religious education to many Asthikas and Sishyas. After a few years of stay in Srirangam, he again undertook Vijya Yatra and visited many Divyadesams . He remained Azhagiyasingar for more than 38 years and travelled across the country spreading the message of Sri Ramanuja Sidhanta among the masses. He attained Paramapadam in April, 1958 in Srirangam.



12th Azhagiyasingar :

Sriman Narayana Yateendra Mahadesikan was our 12th Azhagiyasingar. He hailed from Tiruvallore. This Azhagiyasingar ascended the throne in April 1598 at Srirangam. As in the case of many of his predecessor, this Azhagiyasingar too visited Thirunarayanapuram. There he stayed in the Brindavanam of Sri Adivan Satakopan for many years teaching his disciples the various Vedanta Granthas. Though he too traveled in between, to various Divya Kshetrams, he returned back to Thirunarayanapuram and attained Paramapadam there in September 1632.


13th Azhagiyasingar :

His Holiness Sri Veeraraghava Yatindra Mahadesikan was our 13th Azagiya singar. He was born in Tiruvellore. He became Azhagiyasingar in September 1632. After ascending the throne in Thirunarayanapuram, as per the tradition, he traveled to various Divya Desams including Srirangam. He stayed at Thirumal Irum Solai for a considerable time. When he was in Alwar Thirunagari, he had a Dream in which Sri Nammalwar appeared and desired that he may teach Bhagavad Vishayam to Sri Vaishnavas. In response to this divine desire, Srimad Azhagiyasingar stayed in Alwar Thirunagari for more than a year imparting religious education to many Sri Vaishnavas on Bhagavad Vishayam. He attained Paramapadam in the year 1676 in Srirangam after doing religious service for over 44 years.



14th Azhagiyasingar :

His Holiness Sriman Narayana Yatindra Mahadesikan is our 14th Azhagiya singar. He was born in Pullaboothangudi near Kumbakonam. He became Azhagiyasingar in October 1676. While he too traveled widely similar to his predecessors and did Mangalasaasanam at various Divya Kshetras, one of the most valuable gifts he left behind for all of us is his Kriti titled Acharya Gunaadarsam. In this Book, Srimad Azhagiyasingar extensively explained for our knowledge about our Guru Parampara and its richness in terms of their holy contribution to our Siddhanta. After doing his holy religious service for nearly 10 years, He attained Paramapadam in the year 1686 in Thirukkandiyur.



15th Azhagiyasingar :

The fifteenth Azhagiyasingar was born on Thai Chitra Star at Esanur Agraharam near Kanchipuram. He was a very great Pandita in those days with large following even in his Poorvashramam. When the 14th Azhagiyasingar attained Paramapadam in the year 1686, this Acharya was requested to become the next Azhagiyasingar. Thus in August 1686, this Azhagiyasingar came to the pattam in Thirukkandiyur and assumed the name of Sri Kalyana Veeraraghava Yatindra Mahadesikan. He started his Vijaya Yatra from Thirukkandiyur and visited many Divya Desams propagating the Visishtadvaita Siddhanta. Having been already a great Bhakta of Varadaraja Perumal at Kanchipuram, he stayed in Kanchipuram for a few years and was giving Kalakshepam. And there he attained Paramapadam in the year 1694 after adorning the throne of Srimad Azhagiyasingar for more than 8 years.



16th Azhagiyasingar :

Sri Satakopa Yateendra Mahadesikan was our 16th Azhagiyasingar. He was born in the Sokattur Agraharam in the neighborhood of Kanchipuram. He ascended the throne of Srimad Azhagiyasingar in the year 1694. This Azhagiyasingar was a Parangatha in many Dharmasastras and Darshana literature. Many learned and highly respected personalities became Sishyas of this Azhagiyasingar and learned our Sidhanta anew. In the August 2007 issue of this Newsletter, we carried an article under the title “Unbelievable Feat” about a book titled “Raghava Yadaveeyam” written by one Sri Arasanipalai Venkatadhwari Swami. Even this erudite scholar became the Sishya of this Azhagiyasingar and studied under his guidance many Darshana Granthas. This Scholarly Azhagiyasingar after reinvigorating the Asthikas, attained Paramapadam in the year 1698.


44th Azhagiyasingar

Under Sri Devanarvilagam Alagiasingar - 43rd in this illustrious line - Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar was serving as the Asthana Vidwan. He accompanied the Jeeyar on his tour of the North. The Jeeyar observed his 'Chaturmasya Sankalpam' at Risikesh. Soon after, the Jeeyar fell ill and passed away on 24.11.1957 at Naimisaranyam. At this critical moment in Math's history,

Sri Rajagopala Ayyangar swami assumed the Sanyasasrama in the asterism in November 1957 - and was installed on 6.12.1957 at Naimisaranya as the 44th Jeeyar. He assumed the name - Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesikan.

Like Sri Vedanta Desika, Srimad Azhagiyasingar composed several works of great merit. Some of them are "Dayasagarasataka, Panchamrita Stotra, Brahmasootra Vivarana (565 slokas), Tiruppavai Subodhini, Lakshmeenrishimha Mangalam, Lakshmeenrisimha Karavalambam, Dwadasa Stotram, Karana Samarpana Santhanam, Injimedu Alagiasingar Mangalam and Sadhupadesa. Under his stewardship, Sri Ahobila Mutt witnesses spectacular growth.

The 44th Swami constructed Brindavan in Naimisaranya for his predecessor, built a rest house and renovated the Rajagopurams of Upper Ahobilam and Adanoor. The Samprokshanam at Upper Ahobilam was performed on 30th June 1978. During his time, several shrines were spruced up, viz. Mukkur Temple, Kanchi Nammalvar sannidhi - Thayar Sannidhi at Injimedu Temple, Chaitra Brahmotsava mandapa, the tank at Tiruvellore, Tiruvaheendrapuram Ahobila Math and Pullabhoothangudi Temple. The Sannidhi of Perumal, Sri Rama, Andal, Selvar at Trivellore were given facelift. A mirror room was also built and the Moolavar and Utsavar were adorned with costly jewellery like Muthangi and Ratnangi. The Sanskrit college at Madhurantakam- was provided with a first floor.

In 1979, the Jeeyar returned to Srirangam saying that he had been commissioned by Lord Ranganatha in a dream to complete the construction of the Rajagopuram in the Southern entrance. The structure known as 'Mottai Gopuram' had long remained incomplete. But due to his great efforts, today, the Southern Rajagopuram, attracts the viewers by its sheer size and grandeur. For ages to come, this will stand as a fitting monument to the memory of the indefatigable Jeeyar. The Swami made Srirangam his headquarters and stayed at Dasavatara Sannidhi - built by Tirumangai Alvar himself. In fact, the Jeeyar was also instrumental in founding the colony known as 'Dasavatara Nagar'.

The Jeeyar lived a full span of life. Except for a few weeks before his sad demise on the 16th August 1992 at the ripe age of 97, he was performing the aradhana himself and looking after the affairs of the math.