Jayendra Saraswathi
Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya (born Subramanyam Mahadeva 18 July 1935 – 28 February 2018) was the 69th Shankaracharya Guru and head or pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. Subramanyam Mahadeva Iyer was nominated by his predecessor, Chandrashekarendra Saraswati Swamigal, as his successor and was given the pontifical title Sri Jayendra Saraswathi on 22 March 1954.
Nearly forty years after he was chosen as a successor, Jayendra Saraswathi succeeded Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi as the 69th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in 1994.
Contributions
He had his spiritual tutelage from 'Maha Periyava' and traveled the length and breadth of the country with his guru. He delivered religious discourse besides involving himself in various spiritual and social activities as well. Under his guidance, the mutt started several schools and hospitals. Jayendra Saraswathi ensured that the Mutt involved itself in various social activities. Thanks to his efforts, the mutt today runs several schools, eye clinics, and hospitals. He also managed to establish a direct connection with the people.
Although the mutt is primarily a religious organization, Jayendrar, whose character was underpinned by a strident social consciousness, had both the conviction and courage to steer the mutt into territories into which it had not ventured before. Calendar found strength from his own inner conviction and the need for both the mutt and the Hindu religion to reach out to the poor and downtrodden.
Chandrashekharendra Swamigal had observed three unique qualities in his Shishya(student) Jayendra Saraswathi, Jan Akarshanam, Dhan Akarshanam, and Jal Akarshanam and hence chose Jayendra as his successor. Saraswathi had the ability to attract people anywhere such that Saraswathi's power was such that people used to call him to places where there was drought. He had the unique power of attracting rains anywhere. So people used to have great faith in him.
