Kanchi 2013 Back

Informations of our Gurus
65.
Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati 1851 1891AD
April 2013
52. Sri Shankaranandendra Saraswati 1385 1417AD
Siddhi Place: Ilaiyattangudi
Siddhi Place: Kanchipuram
Ashrama Name: Sri Mahadevendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Sri Shankaranandendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Sudarshana Mahadeva
Birth Place: Madhyarjuna
Purvashrama Name: Mahesha
Purvashrama Name: Mahalinga
Purvashrama Father's Name: Bhalachandra
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Subbulakshmi, Sheshadri
Years as Pithadhipati: 32
Siddhi: 4517 Durmukhi Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 1416-Mar-09) at early morning
Siddhi: 4990 Virodhi Phalguna Amavasya (CE 1890-Mar-20)
Siddhi Place: Kanchi
Siddhi Place: Vishramapura (Ilaiyattangudi) in Pudukkottai District
Other:
Other:
This Acharya had a radiant presence. He was known for his generosity in helping the
needy and his support for the arts. He was an especially accomplished Upasaka of
Srividya. A temple has been built by the Nattukottai Chettiars on his Samadhi.
Along with His Guru Sri Vidyatirthendra Sarasvati, this Acharya was instrumental in
the founding of 8 Advaita Mutts and the re-establishment of Advaita and Sanatana
Dharma in the Karnataka region. He was the author of Dipikas on Isa, Kena, Prsna
and Brhadaranyaka Upanishads. He was the author of Atma Purana and a
commentary on the Bhagavat Gita.
15.
Later, he left for the Himalayas and was performing service to his Guru who
performed penance there for 15 years till his Siddhi. Returning to Kanchi after the
Siddhi of the Guru, he resumed his duties as Acharya of the Kamakoti Peetham.
Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati 317 329 AD

Ashrama Name: Sri Gangadharendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Gishpati Gangadhara
60. Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Saraswati 1692 1704AD
Purvashrama Name: Subhadra
Siddhi Place: Kizh Ambi
Purvashrama Father's Name: Bhadragiri
Ashrama Name: Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Sarasvati
Sannyasa: at age 12
Birth Place: Banks of the River Vasishtha in Tamil Nadu
Purvashrama Name: Govinda, Sruti Pandita
Siddhi: 3429 Sarvadhari Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 0329-Feb-29) at age 24
Purvashrama Father's Name: Parashurama
Other:
Due to his high scholarship, intelligence and oratory skill, this Acharya was known as
Gishpati. Shortly after this Acharya took Sanyasam, his Guru left for Agastyachalam
(Kodagu) to subdue an Ugra Bhairava and attained siddhi there. Not knowing about
his Guru attaining siddhi, Shri Gangadhara left for Agastyachalam in search of his
Guru. Pleased with his guru bhakti, Sage Agastya, (who as a chiranjeevi was still
residing on those parts) came to him in the form of an old brahmana, and informing
him of His Guru's siddhi, gave him the upadesha of Shrividya. Returning to the
Shrimatham at Kanchi, this Acharya totally dedicated himself to the pursuance of
Shrividya and the puja of the Yoga Linga Chandramaulishvara.
Siddhi: 4804 Svabhanu Chaitra Shukla Dvitiya (CE 1703-Mar-18) at night
27. Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati 565 577AD

Ashrama Name: Sri Chidvilasendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Hastigiri i.e. Vishnu Kanchi
Purvashrama Name: Harikeshava
Purvashrama Father's Name: Madhusudana
Siddhi: 3677 Durmukhi Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 0576-Mar-19)
Siddhi Place: Eastern Ambikapuram (Kizhambi) near Kanchipuram

Other:
This Acharya lived for some time in Govindapuram where his predecessor had
attained mukti. He was held in very high veneration by Shahaji, the King of Tanjore.
His Brindavan at Kizhambi is in daily worship.
43.
Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati 978 1014 AD

Ashrama Name: Sri Anandaghanendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Banks of the River Tungabhadra
Purvashrama Name: Shankara Pandita
Purvashrama Father's Name: Sudeva Bhatta
Siddhi: 4114 Pramadi Chaitra Shukla Navami (CE 1013-Mar-29) at daytime

56. Sri Sarvajna Sadashivabodhendra Saraswati
1524 1539 AD
Siddhi Place: Rameswaram
Ashrama Name: Sri Sarvajna Sadashivabodhendra
Sarasvati
23. Sri Satchitsukhendra Saraswati
May 2013
01. Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada 482 477BC
481-512 AD
Siddhi Place: Jagannathapuri
Appellation: Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada
Ashrama Name: Sri Sacchitsukhendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Kaladi, Kerala
Birth Place: Uttara Pinakini
Purvashrama Name: Girisha
Purvashrama Father: Chikkanna Adhvari of the

Chiruta family
Purvashrama Father: Somanna of the Chikka family

(indicating an Andhra origin)
Birth: 2593 Nandana Vaishakha Shukla Panchami (BCE

509-Mar-28)
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Aryamba, Shivaguru
Siddhi: 4639 Vilambi Chaitra Krishna Ashtami (CE

1538-Apr-03)
Siddhi: 3612 Khara Vrishabha Shukla Saptami (CE 0511May-21)
Sannyasa: at age 8, near Omkareshvara on the banks of

the Narmada
Siddhi Place: Rameshwaram
Siddhi Place: Jagannatha Kshetra
Other:
Other:
Establishment of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: 2620

Siddharthi Vaishakha Purnima (BCE 482-Apr-11)
This Acharya was especially revered by the then

Setupati one Pravira. Although he was gentle by
disposition, he would become extremely strict in
matters of upholding Dharma. He is said to have
authored Svatma Nirupana.
This Acharya was especially devoted to Lord

Subrahmanya.
47. Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati

1098 1166 AD
The well-known Indian astronomer Aryabhata (CE 476550) was a contemporary of this Acharya. Initially a
nastika who rejected the existence of anything that
cannot be explained by mundane science, Aryabhatta
was rendered from a nastika to an astika by this Acharya.
Siddhi Place: Thiruvannamalai
16. Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati
Ashrama Name: Sri Chandrashekharendra Sarasvati
329 - 367 AD
Birth Place: Kundini River (probably the tributary of

Narmada)
Siddhi Place: Kashmir
Purvashrama Name: Shrikantha
Appellation: Ujjvala Shankara
Purvashrama Family: Of South Indian origin
Birth Place: Banks of the River Tapati
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shukadeva Sharma
Purvashrama Name: Achyuta Keshava
Purvashrama Father's Name: Keshava Shankara
Siddhi: 4266 Parthiva Chaitra Amavasya (CE 1165Apr-19)
Sannyasa: Vanchishvara (probably near Mahendragiri,

Orissa)
Siddhi Place : Arunachala Kshetra
Other :
Siddhi: 3467 Akshaya Vrishabha Shukla Ashtami (CE

0366-May-05)
This Acharya was also known as Chandrachuda.

This Acharya was sought as preceptor by great
scholars of this time such as Jayadeva (author of
Prasanna Raghavan), Mankha (author of Srikantha
Charitha), Krishna Mishra (author of Prabhoda
Chandrodaya and Guruvijaya), a physician of
Kashmir (who authored a medical lexicon known as
Vaidyabhidhana Chintamani), and Suhala, who
learnt the Shankara Bhashyas from him.
During his time, the king of Kashmir, Vidyalola
Kumarapala, was a great supporter of scholarships
in different fields. He housed in his court, a welllearned Jaina monk-scholar by name Hemacharya,
author of Kumarapala Charita. Due to his influence
the king lost faith in Sanatana Dharma. At such a
time, during the Acharya's Vijaya Yatra to Kashmir,
he won over Hemacharya by his scholarship and
restored the king to the traditional path. The King of
Kashmir considered himself blessed in the service of
this great Acharya. Jayadeva has celebrated the
victory of Chandrasekhara over Hemacharya in his
Bhakti Kalpalatika.
Ashrama Name: Sri Shankarendra Sarasvati
Siddhi Place: Kalapura in Kashmir, also known as Ujjvala

Mahayati Pura (exact location uncertain)
Other:
Even in his childhood this Acharya had studied all four
Vedas with their angas. After Samavartana, he took up
Naishtika Brahmacharya. When on a Kshetra Yatra
towards the Rama Setu, he was sought as preceptor in
Sahitya by the then Trivandrum king Kulashekhara
Varma. After honouring the King's request, he retired to
perform tapas at Mahendragiri (in today's Orissa), when
Shri Gishpati Gangadhara, finding him to be qualified to
be the next Pithadhipati, gave him sannyasa at
Vanchishvara and instructed him to travel across Bharata
and reinstate Sanatana Dharma to its glory.
Purvashrama Name: Sankara
Siddhi: 2625 Raktaksha Vrishabha Shukla Ekadashi (BCE
477-Apr-11) at age 32
Siddhi Place: Kanchi Kamakshi Mulasthanam
Other:
Please refer to the cover page for details of Sri Adi
Sankara Bhagavatpada.
39. Sri Satchidvilasendra Saraswati
840 - 873 AD
Ashrama Name: Sri Sacchidvilasendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Kanyakubja
Purvashrama Name: Shripati
Purvashrama Father's Name: Kamaleshvara
Siddhi: 3973 Nandana Vaishakha Shukla Chaturdashi
(CE 0872-Apr-29) at night
Other:
This Acharya had followed his Guru, Shri Abhinava
Shankara, to the Dattatreya Guha in the Himalayas when
the latter was about to end his worldly life. Due to his
extreme devotion to his Guru, he wanted to follow him,
rejecting the world behind him. However, Shri Abhinava
Shankara sent him back, saying his duty to the world was
greater.
The well known Ananda Vardhana (CE 820-890), a
famous Alankarika (scholar of poetry and literature),
who had composed the famed work Dhvanyaloka, was a
contemporary of this Acharya. He and many such great
scholars of this time held this Acharya in high esteem and
sought his presence and guidance. Surrounded by such
scholars, the Acharya spent much time in a place known
as Padmapura (exact location uncertain).
Finally, the Acharya returned to Kanchipuram where he
attained Siddhi.
The country was filled with heretics. Shri Ujjvala

Shankara, undertook Digvijay yatras and by his
scholarship, reinstated Sanatana Dharma in the land and
drove the followers of Jainism beyond the Sindhu. It is
due to such strong steps that the Acharya was forced to
take that he earned the epithet of "Ujjvala" (fiery). But
since he was universally recognized as a great soul with
nothing but everyone's good at heart, he was also called
Mahayati. And his siddhisthal in Kashmir at a place called
Kalapura came to be known as Ujjvala Mahayati Pura.
Ashrama Name : Sri Mahadevendra Sarasvati
26. Sri Prajnaghanendra Saraswati
Siddhi: 3755 Ananda Vaishakha Krishna Chaturthi (CE

0654-May-14) at morning
Appellation : Shobhana Mahadeva
548 565 AD
Birth Place : Karnataka
40 Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati

873 915 AD
Purvashrama Name : Shivarama Bhatta
Ashrama Name : Sri Prajnaghanendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Father's Name : Kannayya
Birth Place : Banks of the (South) Pinakini (Pennai) River
Years as Pithadhipati : 42
Purvashrama Name : Shonagiri
Siddhi : 4015 Bhava Vaishakha Shukla Shashthi (CE

0914- Apr-09) at the end of pradosha
Purvashrama Father's Name : Prabhakara
Siddhi Place : Kanchi

Other :
This Acharya, a great tapasvi, was known as
Shobhana Mahadeva for his radiant appearance.
Years as Pithadhipati : 16
Siddhi : 3664 Svabhanu Vaishakha Shukla Ashtami (CE
0563-Apr-18) at night
30. Sri Bodhendra Saraswati 618 655 AD

Ashrama Name: Sri Bodhendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Kalahasti
Purvashrama Name: Balayya

07. Sri Anandajnanendra Saraswati
124 55 BC
Siddhi: 2977 Nala Jyeshtha Shukla Sashthi (BCE 125May-15)
Siddhi Place: Srisailam
Ashrama Name: Sri Anandajnanendra Sarasvati
Other:
Birth Place: Chera Country
This Acharya also took efforts to curb the repeatedly

resurging influence of the Jainas. It is indicated that his
disciple Sri Anandajnanendra Sarasvati was particular
about remaining at the Acharya's side and rendering
service unto him.
1417 1498 AD
Siddhi: 3046 Krodhana Vaishakha Krishna Navami

(BCE 056-Apr-22) in the evening
50. Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati
Ashrama Name: Shri Sadashivendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Chinnayya

Purvashrama Father's Name: Suryanarayana Makhi
June 2013
tendencies was not subverted. He arranged for the daily

maintenance of one thousand vedic scholars. He also
ensured teaching the Sankara Bhashya forty-eight times.
All this he did in a short period of eight years. After
establishing his disciple Sri Surendra Sarasvati on the
Peetham, he entered took Siddhi at Tryambakeshvara
near Nasikapuri.
53. Sri Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati
Siddhi Place: Shrishailam
1247 1297 AD
Appellation: Purnananda Sadashiva
Other:
Siddhi Place: Kadilam
Birth Place: Nagaranyam (exact location uncertain)
This Acharya, who was deeply devoted to Devi

Tripurasundari, was blessed with a high proficiency
in language. He is credited with having composed
lucid commentaries on all of Sri Shankara's
Bhashyas and Sri Sureshvara's Vartikas, in a work
called Anandagiriya. Anandagiri was an alternate
name he was known by.
Ashrama Name: Sri Chandrachudendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Father's Name: Naganatha
Purvashrama Name: Gangesha
Years of Peedathipati: 81
Purvashrama Father's Name: Arunagiri
Siddhi: 4598 Pingala Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami (CE

1497-May-20)
Siddhi: 4397 Durmukhi Jyeshtha Shukla Sashthi (CE
1296-May-16) at night
Siddhi Place: said to be on banks of Gedilam River
03. Sri Sarvajnatmendra Saraswati
Other:
407 364 B.C.
This Acharya, along with his Guru, the 49th Acharya,

were great Shaktas and conducted many Koti Durga
Homas.

Ashrama Name: Sri Sarvajnatmendra Sarasvati
Siddhi place: Kanchi

Other:
During this Acharya's time the country of Nepal was
experiencing severe drought and famine. When this
Acharya arrived in that region in the course of his yatra,
his very presence produced rains and ended the famine.
The King, upon observing this, understood the Acharya
to be a Mahatma and honoured him in many ways.
Appellations: Sarvajnatma Muni, Sarvajna Chandra

Birth Place: Brahmadesham, a village near
Tirunelveli on the banks of the Tamraparni River
61. Shri Mahadevendra Saraswati
02. Shri Sureshvaracharya 477 407 B.C
1704 1736 AD

Ashrama Name: Shri Sureshvara
Purvashrama Name: Mahadeva
Siddhi Place: Tiruvottiyur
Purvashrama Father's Name: Vardhana
Ashrama Name: Shri Mahadevendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Mandana Mishra
Sannyasa: at age 7
Purvashrama Name: Narayana
Years as Pithadhipati: 42 after the Siddhi of Shri

Sureshvara who reigned as protector for 70 years; in
total 112
Siddhi: 4846 Krodhana Jyeshtha Shukla Navami (CE

1745-Jun-08)
Purvashrama Father's Name: Himamitra, a Kanyakubja

Brahmana who was serving as Rajaguru to the Kashmir
King
Siddhi: 2737 Nala Vaishakha Krishna Chaturdashi

(BCE 365-Apr-20)
Siddhi Place: Vedachalam (Tirukkalukkundram near
Chennai/Kanchipuram)
Other:
When Sri Sankara was about to ascend the Sarvajna
Peetham in Kanchipuram, many scholars from all
parts of the country came to challenge his
qualification to be recognized as a "sarvajna"
(omniscient). Sri Sankara proved his knowledge and
was accepted by all scholars. As he was about to
ascend the throne, Sri Sarvajnatma, a child of seven
years who had been silent so far, challenged the
Acharya and held him in scholarly debate for three
whole days. On the fourth day, he accepted the
replies given by the Acharya and fell silent, after
which the Acharya ascended the Sarvajna Peetham.
Sri Sankara was most happy to see such an erudite
young child, and asked the child's father about him.
The father replied that from the age of 6, his son
would only partake of water, and would speak
nothing but the Pranava when spoken to. Sri
Sankara then decided to appoint this child as his
suitable successor. After obtaining the father's
consent, he gave the child sannyasa, naming him
Sarvajnatmendra Sarasvati, and appointed him as
his successor, under the guidance of Sri Sureshvara.
This Acharya retained his vrata of not consuming
anything other than water. He composed works on
Advaita such as Sankshepa Shariraka. During his
time, the Jainas were making a resurgence. This
Acharya ensured that they did not disturb the Vedic
Dharma in Bharat for as far east as Pragjyautisha
(Kamarupa, today known as Assam).
06. Sri Shuddhanandendra Saraswati
205 124 B.C
Ashrama Name: Sri Shuddhanandendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Vedaranyam (in Tamil Nadu)
Purvashrama Name: Vishvanatha
Purvashrama Father: Bharvu, a doctor
Siddhi Place: Tiruvotriyur in Chennai

Other:
This Acharya was a great Yogi and is said to have
consumed only frugal meals of dry leaves and water
since age 7. It was during his pontificate that Atma
Bodha wrote his commentary Susama on the Gururatna
Malika.
17. Sri Gowda Sadasivendra Saraswati
367 375AD.
Siddhi Place: Trayambakam
Years as Protector of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: 70

Note: The texts that Shri Sureshvara was not the
Peethadhipati of any one Peetham but was appointed by
Shri Shankara to supervise the functioning of all the
Shankaracharya Peethas in general. However, He was
given special responsibility at the Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetham as the successor to that Peetham was very
young (less than age 10). Thus the period after Shri
Shankara's leaving His physical body until Shri
Sureshvara himself followed in that way is mentioned in
texts as the reigning period of Shri Sureshvara.
Siddhi: 2695 Bhava Jyeshtha Shukla Dvadashi (BCE 407May-17) at night
Ashrama Name: Shri Sadashivendra Sarasvati
Siddhi Place: Mandanamishra Agrahara at Kanchipuram
Appellations: Gauda Sadashiva, Bala Guru Sadashiva
Other:
Birth Place: Banks of the River Sindhu
In His purvashrama He was an extreme mimamsaka who

believed that only karmanushthanas would lead to
Moksha. Thus at that time he rejected sanyasa which
involves the renunciation of worldly ties and duties to
family etc for the sake of wholly concentrating on the
Paramatman which is beyond this world.
Purvashrama Father's Name: Deva Mishra was father by

birth; but one Bhurivasu of Pushpapura was adoptive
father
Sanyasam: at age 17
Siddhi: 3475 Bhava Jyeshtha Shukla Dashami (CE 0374May-08)
Siddhi Place: Tryambakeshvara
Other:
This Acharya was the son of one Deva Mishra who was
the minister to the Kashmir King. Deva Mishra had
become infatuated with the Jaina religion and had
rejected vaidika anushthanas. But his son even as a
child, was an enlightened soul and advised the father to
embrace the Vedic tradition. (Hence the appellation Bala Guru). Seeing the child reject the Jaina religion, the
Jains influenced the father to give up his son and throw
him into the Sindhu. But the River Goddess Sindhu bore
the divine child on lotus leaves without harm and carried
him downstream to a native of Pushpapura by name
Bhurivasu, who was observing vows to obtain a child and
and was at that time bathing in the river. He heard a
formless voice saying: "Pleased by your penance, I give
this son unto you". Bhurivasu raised thechild and
performed his upanayana. He was given sanyasa at the
age of seventeen by Sri Ujjvala Shankara during the
latter's tour around the country. By instructions of his
Guru, he travelled to all parts of Bharata, and ensured
that the work done by His Guru in eradicating anti-vedic
However, he took to sanyasa after having lost to Shri

Shankara in a scholarly debate on this very topic. As a
result he was initially considered by other disciples of Shri
Shankara to be not wholly dedicated to Advaita, a
misconception which he dispelled by His devotion to Shri
Shankara and thereby composing various works on
Advaita such as Vartikas on Shri Shankara's Bhashyas,
Naishkarmya Siddhi, etc.
He was a great Yogishvara and the teacher of many other
junior/later Acharyas in Shri Shankara's parampara. As
mentioned earlier, he was appointed by Shri Shankara to
supervise the functioning of all the Acharya Peethas
descended from Shri Shankara due to his excellent
administrative capability and worldly knowledge.
He is said to have completed his worldly existence at an
especially holy area of Kanchipuram by name Punyarasa,
which was later known as Mandanamishra Agrahara
(after his purvashrama name), by entering into a high
stage of Laya Yoga, and turning his body into a Shiva
Linga.

25. Sri Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati 527 548 AD
July 2013
31. Sri Bhramananda Ghanendra Saraswati 655 668 AD
Siddhi Place: Gokarnam
Ashrama Name: Shri Sacchidanandaghanendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Shri Brahmanandaghanendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Shrimushnam
Birth Place: Banks of Garuda Nadi (River Gadilam in Tamil Nadu)
Purvashrama Name: Shivasamba
Purvashrama Name: Jyeshtha Rudra
Purvashrama Father's Name: Krishna
Purvashrama Father's Name: Ananta
Siddhi: 3648 Prabhava Ashadha Shukla Prathama (CE 0547-Jun-06)
Siddhi: 3768 Prabhava Ashadha Shukla Dvadashi (CE 0667-Jun-12)
Siddhi Place: Prabhasa
Other:
Other:
This Acharya had the unique capability (by meditating upon Ishvara in all life forms)
of being able to understand the language of insects, birds, reptiles and other
animals as well.
This Acharya inspired King Lalitaditya Muktapida of Kashmir who had come South on
a Vijaya Yatra. The king later constructed a great Annadana Shala in Kashmir in after
Acharya's Purvashrama name.
At the end of his physical existence, He (like Shri Sureshvara, the 2nd Acharya)
turned His body into a Shiva Linga by his yogic powers and attained siddhi.
63. Shri Mahadevendra Saraswati 1783 1813 AD

Siddhi Place: Kumbakonam
35. Shri Chitsukhendra Saraswati 710 737 AD
Siddhi Place: Sakya Mountain
Birth place: Kumbakonam
Ashrama Name: Shri Chitsukhendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Annu Shrauti
Appellation: Bahurupa Chitsukha
Birth Place: Vedachalam (Tirukkalukkundram in Tamil Nadu)
Siddhi: 4914 Shrimukha Ashadha Shukla Dvadashi (CE 1813-Jul-10)
Purvashrama Name: Susheela Kamalaksha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Vimalaksha
Other:
This Acharya was highly respected even by Muslim rulers of the day as an expert in
Dharma Shastra and hence he was considered the final word in all dharmic disputes.
Despite the ongoing Carnatic wars, was granted free passage by all parties involved
to go to the places of bhaktas and give them guidance and consolation. He had
constructed the Somaskanda Mandapam in the Adi Kumbheshvarar Temple in
Kumbakonam.
Siddhi: 3837 Dhatu Ashadha Shukla Shashthi (CE 0736-Jun-22)

Siddhi Place: probably Sahya Mountains
Other:
This Acharya spent most of his time performing tapas in the Sahya Mountains. As he
did not wish people to cause hindrance to his tapas whenever anyone came he
would take various forms and merge into the forests. Thus he was known as
"Bahurupa" i.e. "of many forms".
10. Sri Sureswara Saraswati 69-127 AD

12. Shri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati 172 235AD
Ashrama Name: Shri Sureshvarendra Sarasvati
Siddhi Place: Seshachalam
Birth Place: Gokarnam
Ashrama Name: Shri Chandrashekharendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Maheshvara
Appellation: Sarvabhauma Chandrashekhara
Purvashrama Father's Name: Ishvarachyuta
Birth Place: Banks of the Palar River
Purvashrama Name: Hari
Purvashrama Gotra: SriVatsa
Siddhi: 3227 Akshaya Ashadha Purnima (CE 0126-Jun-21)
Siddhi: 3335 Ananda Ashadha Shukla Navami (CE 0234-Jun-23)
54. Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati 1498 1507
Siddhi place: Seshachalam
Siddhi Place: Vyasachalam
Other:
This Acharya, after appointing his successor at the Peetham and thereby arranging
for its administration, went to an isolated place and took up a rare and great vow by
name Sarvabhauma Charya. By this observance he won over fatigue, sleep and
hunger.
Appellation: Vyasachala Mahadeva
48 Shri Advaitananda Bodhendra Saraswati 1166 1200 AD

Siddhi Place: Chidambaram
Birth Place: Kanchipuram

Purvashrama Name: Kuppanna
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Kamalamba, Kameshvara
Siddhi: 4607 Akshaya Ashadha Krishna Prathama (CE 1506-Jul-15)
Ashrama Name: Shri Advaitananda Bodhendra Sarasvati
Siddhi Place: Said to be Ezhichur near Tambaram, Chennai [Vyasachala might be the
place where he stayed for a long time]
Appellation: Shri Chidvilasendra Sarasvati
Other:
Birth Place: Banks of the (South) Pennar River
He taught the Brahmasutra Bhashya 21 times in His short Pithadhipatya period of 9

years
Purvashrama Name: Sitapati

Purvashrama Father's Name: Premesha
Siddhi: 4300 Siddharthi Ashadha Shukla Dashami (CE 1199-Jul-12)
Other:
He used to often do puja to the Mukti Linga established by the Adi Acharya at
Chidambaram. He would forget all other activities in the bliss He would attain then.
Finally, he attained videha mukti by dissolving his body in luminous form into the
Chidakasha there.

38. Sri Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati 788 840 AD
August 2013
Siddhi Place: Imayadooth Caves
Siddhi: 4686 Parthiva Shravana Shukla Dashami (CE 1585-Aug-04)
Ashrama Name: Shri Dhira Shankarendra Sarasvati
Place of Siddhi: Shvetaranyam (Tiruvengadu) near Poompuhar/Mayavaram, Tamil

Nadu
Appellation: Abhinava Shankara

Birth Place: Forest near Chidambaram (probably Tiruppadirippuliyur/Cuddalore
area as it fits with the life account given below)
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Vishishta, Vishvajit Somayaji
Other:
He was a greatly erudite scholar and has authored numerous works on Vedanta
including Dahara Vidya Prakashika, Vedanta Nama Ratna Sahasra etc. He was the
Guru of the well known Yogi Shri Sadashiva Brahmendra whose ashrama name was
Sadashivendra Sarasvati.
Siddhi: 3940 Siddharthi Ashadha Amavasya (CE 0839-Jul-18)

Siddhi Place: Dattatreya Guha in Himalaya
29. Shri Purnabodhendra Saraswati 601 - 618 AD
Other:
The Acharya's mother discovered she was with child at the sad time of her
husband's untimely death. She retained her life for the child's sake. The pregnancy
however was unnaturally prolonged. Coming to know of this, the relatives, who
were initially supportive, started thinking she was not pregnant but unlucky and
afflicted with some disease. Bearing all this, the mother continuously prayed to Lord
Nataraja. When the child was supposed to be finally born, fearing rejection of
society, she delivered it in a lonely forest and left it, calling to the forest deities to
protect her child.In that forest, Sage Vyaghrapada, the son of Sage Madhyandina
(of the well-known Shukla Yajur Veda Shakha), found the child and together with his
wife, brought up the child. At the appropriate time, he Himself performed the
upanayana of the child and taught him all vedas. By order of Lord Nataraja Himself,
the child ascended the Kanchi Kamakoti Sarvajna Peetham after Shri
Vidyaghanendra Sarasvati III. The Guru Ratna Mala says he shone brighter even
than Shri Adi Shankara himself.
Ashrama Name: Shri Purnabodhendra Sarasvati
Traveling all around, the Acharya rid the various parts of the country of the various
durmatas that had encroached in. He once more re-established the supremacy of
Sanatana Dharma and Advaita. He also ascended the Northern Sarvajna Peetham at
the Sharada Temple in Kashmir. He is said to have travelled even to outlying areas
bordering the domains of the Gandharas (Afghanistan), Chinese and Turushkas
(Persia) and hence accepted as Guru by even the people of those areas. At the end,
He ascended the Himalaya, entered a cave near Kedara called Dattatreya Guha, and
His physical form was seen no more. However, those that followed him saw him take
a divine form and ascend to Kailasa, the abode of Shiva.
He is often confused with Shri Adi Shankara due to which many of the above events
of his life, especially ascending the Sarvajna Peetham at Kashmir and attaining
Siddhi near Kedara, are ascribed to Shri Adi Shankara.
46. Sri Sandranandabodhendra Saraswati 1061 1098 AD
Purvashrama Name: Krishna

Purvashrama Father's Name: Shripati
Siddhi: 3718 Ishvara Shravana Shukla Ekadashi (CE 0617-Jul-22)
20. Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati 398 437 AD
Siddhi Place: Godhavari
Ashrama Name: Shri Shankarendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Muka Shankara
Purvashrama Parents: Aataviira, a mathematician, and his dharmapatni Vidyavati
Siddhi: 3537 Dhatu Shravana Purnima (CE 0436-Jul-14)
Siddhi Place: said to be on the banks of the Godavari
Other:
He was mute by birth and by the anugraha of the 19th Acharya Shri Martanda
Vidyaghanendra Sarasvati, got the power of speech. Later, he took sanyas ashrama
under the same Guru and became the next Pithadhipati. The famous composition
Muka Panchashati is ascribed to this Acharya.
He himself gave the power of composing poetry to a poet named Menthaka who
mentions him in many of his compositions. Another poet Ramilla also mentions him
in his works. He is also historically connected to King Harsha Vikramaditya of Ujjain,
and to the Kashmiri King Pravarasena.

Ashrama Name: Shri Bodhendra Sarasvati
21. Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati 437- 447 AD
Appellations: Sandrananda Bodha
Siddhi Place: Kashi
Purvashrama Name: Somaka Deva Bhatta
Ashrama Name: Shri Chandrachudendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Father's Name: Surya
Birth Place: Konkana
Purvashrama Name: Matrigupta
Siddhi: 4198 Ishvara Ashadha Amavasya (CE 1097-Jul-17)
Purvashrama Father's Name: Achyuta
Siddhi Place: Arunachalam (Tiruvannamalai)
Other:
Siddhi: 3547 Vyaya Shravana Krishna Ashtami (CE 0446-Aug-01)
In his purvashrama, this Acharya was the author of the well-known compendium of
Sanskrit stories, Katha Sarit Sagara. In recognition of this, the King Bhoja had
presented to him a palanquin decorated with pearls and requested him to conduct
his yatras on it.
Other:
41. Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati 915 950 AD

Ashrama Name: Shri Gangadharendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Vrati Gangadhara
Birth Place: Banks of the river Bhima
Purvashrama Name: Appanna
Purvashrama Father's Name: Umesha Bhatta
Siddhi: 4050 Saumya Shravana Shukla Prathama (CE 0949-Jul-04)
Other: By his mantra shakti, this Acharya restored eyesight to the blind Kerala poet
Rajashekhara Varma.
57.
Shri Paramashivendra Saraswati 1539 1586 AD
Siddhi Place: Swetharanyam

Ashrama Name: Shri Paramashivendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Pampa Saras (near Hampi on the River Tungabhadra)
Purvashrama Name: Shivaramakrishna
Purvashrama Father's Name: Parameshvara
Siddhi Place: Kashi, on the banks of the Ganga

Matrigupta (in Purvashrama) was doing service to the previous Acharya Shri Muka
Shankara. At that time, he was very proud of his own accomplishments in poetry.
However, to liberate him from his pride, Shri Muka Shankara gave by his mere
glance, the capacity of composing poetry to one Ramilla, who was taking care of the
Math's horses, and one Menthaka who was minding the Math's elephants. Seeing
this, Matrigupta gained humility realizing that such capabilities of poetry etc are
fleeting and should not be a cause of pride.
Later the Acharya sent Matrigupta to be with the famous King Harsha Vikramaditya.
At that time, the Kashmir King Toramana had passed away and his son Pravarasena
was a small child. During that period, appointed by Harsha Vikramaditya, Matrigupta
temporarily administered Kashmir. Later He took sanyasa from Shri Muka Shankara.
After the Siddhi of His Guru, he stayed solely on the banks of the Ganga, performing
penance, and attained Siddhi there.
24. Shri Chitsukhendra Saraswati 512-527 A.D
Siddhi Place: Ratnagiri
Ashrama Name: Shri Chitsukhendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Konkana
Purvashrama Name: Shiva
Siddhi: 3627 Parabhava Shravana Krishna Navami (CE 0526-Aug-19)
Siddhi Place: Konkana Ratnagiri

59. Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswati 1638 1692 AD
Siddhi Place: Govindapuram
Ashrama Name: Shri Bodhendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Bhagavannama Bodha
Birth Place: Kanchipuram
Purvashrama Name: Purushottama
Purvashrama Father's Name: Keshava Panduranga
Siddhi: 4792 Prajotpatti Bhadrapada Purnima (CE 1691-Sep-07)
Siddhi Place: Govindapuram, near Madhyarjunam (Tiruvidaimarudur) near
Kumbakonam
Other:
This Acharya, on the instructions of His Guru, specifically popularized the
importance of Bhagavannama Sankirtana. He composed many works to establish
this on the basis of Shastras. He is the foremost Acharya honoured in the
Dakshinatya Bhajana Sampradaya.
His charitra is widely published.
33. Sri Satchidananda Ghanendra Saraswati 672 692 AD
Ashrama Name: Shri Sacchidanandaghanendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Bhasha Parameshthi
Birth Place: Trilinga (= Telugu) Desha, on the banks of the Chandrabhaga (i.e.
Bhima River)
Note: Today the Bhima merges into the Krishna inside Karnataka close to the
Andhra-Karnataka border. Obviously, at least at the time of this Acharya, it was
considered to be part of Telugu Desha.
Purvashrama Name: Timmanna
Purvashrama Father's Name: Praudha Ramanna
Siddhi: 3792 Khara Bhadrapada Krishna Shashthi (CE 0691-Aug-23)
Other:
This Acharya was an expert in 15 languages, hence His appellation of Bhasha
Parameshthi! He was thus able to speak with all his devotees and give them
guidance and consolation in their own languages. From the time of the 16th Acharya
- Shri Ujjvala Shankara, who attained Siddhi in Kashmir, the successive Acharyas
spent most of their time traveling across the land. It was this Acharya who spent a
large part of His time in the Shrimatham at Kanchipuram itself doing puja of
Kamakshi. Thus the Shrimatham received much more attention, repairs and
improvements at the time of this Acharya.
September 2013

44. Shri Purnabodhendra Saraswati 1014 1040 AD
October 2013
36. Shri Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati 737 758 AD
Ashrama Name: Shri Purnabodhendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Shri Chitsukhanandendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Karnataka
Birth Place: Banks of the Palar River
Purvashrama Name: Hari Pandita
Purvashrama Name: Suresha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shiva
Purvashrama Father's Name: Somagiri
Siddhi: 4140 Pramathi Bhadrapada Krishna Trayodashi (CE 1039-Sep-25) in the

Brahma Muhurta
Other:
45. Shri Paramashivendra Saraswati 1040 1061 AD
The Guru of this Acharya had instructed Him to stay in the Matham only (probably as
some local situation required the presence of the Acharya). It is hence also inferred
that the Acharya probably attained siddhi also in the Matham at Kanchipuram only.
Siddhi: 3858 Hemalambi Ashvayuja Purnima (CE 0757-Oct-06)
Ashrama Name: Shri Paramashivendra Sarasvati

58. Shri Atmabodhendra Saraswati 1586 1638 AD
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shivasamba Pandita
Ashrama Name: Shri Atmabodhendra Sarasvati
Siddhi: 4161 Sharvari Ashvayuja Shukla Saptami (CE 1060-Oct-10) at night
Birth Place: Vriddhachalam
Purvashrama Name: Vishveshvara
Other:
Purvashrama Father's Name: Vishvamakhi
The author of the well known compendium of stories Kathasaritasagara, by name

Somaka Deva Bhatta, was the disciple of this Acharya. The Acharya was mostly in
seclusion, absorbed in tapas and Samadhi in the caves near Srishailam. Somaka
would continue to perform services to him. However, other people would cause
obstruction to the tapas of the Acharya. The Acharya wishing to be entirely alone,
gave Somaka sanyasa and appointed him as his successor, instructing him to leave
the place and travel around the country for the protection of Dharma. After that, the
Acharya resorted to taking bhiksha only if somebody brought food or offered
services to him by chance (i.e. Ishvarasankalpa.). He thus was following the "Path of
the Python" i.e. in partaking only that food which came by itself in its path.
19. Sri Marthanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati 385 398 AD

Siddhi Place: Godhavari
Ashrama Name: Shri Vidyaghanendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Father's Name: Umesha Shankara
Siddhi: 3498 Hemalambi Ashvayuja Shukla Navami (CE 0397-Sep-18)
Siddhi Place: Banks of the River Godhavari
Other:
In his purvashrama, this Acharya was afflicted by a skin disease called Shvitra. Such
diseases are results of previous paapakarmas. So to expiate them, starting from age
of eight (possibly after his upanayana was done), He performed one thousand and
eight namaskaras unto Surya everyday along with the continuous japa of Shodashi
Mahamantra. Due to this devotion to Surya, he was called Suryadasa. With his
tapas, he not only cured himself of the disease but also got great spiritual maturity
and desired to attain moksha. Thus at the age of eighteen, he took sanyasa and
undertook great tapas with mauna vrata. He controlled his prana and became one
who could cast off his mortal coils at will.
Siddhi Place: Vadavambalam near Panruti/Viluppuram

Siddhi: 4738 Ishvara Tula Krishna Ashtami (CE 1637-Nov-09)
Other:
This Acharya went on Vijaya Yatra up to the very Himalayas. In his time, he was
considered as another avatara of the Adi Sankaracharya and was known as Nava
Shankara. As his intellect and authority was greater than all others in the world, he
was known as Vishvadhika. He is said to have written many works, especially a
Rudra Bhashya.
(This Rudra Bhashya is available in the name of Abhinava Shankara, but the 38th
Acharya Abhinava Shankara is not known to have composed any Rudra Bhashya so it
is clear that it was composed by this Acharya.) His Adhishthanam was lost and was
rediscovered in the last century by the 68th Acharya Shri Chandrashekharendra
Sarasvati.

22. Shri Paripurnabodhendra Saraswati 447-481 A.D
November 2013
09. Sri Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati 28 B.C 69 A.D
Siddhi Place: Vindhya Hills
Ashrama Name: Shri Paripurnabodhendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Shri Shankarendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Gokarnam
Appellation: Kripa Shankara
Purvashrama Name: Madhura
Birth Place: Andhra Desha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Ramesha Makhi
Purvashrama Name: Gangayya
Purvashrama Family: Gargya Gotra, father Atmanna Somayaji
Siddhi: 3581 Raudri Kartika Shukla Navami (CE 480-Oct-28)
Siddhi: 3169 Vibhava Kartika Krishna Tritiya (CE 0069-10-29)
Other:
Siddhi Place: Vindhya Parvata
Even in His Purvashrama, this Acharya had such mantrasiddhi that he could make
even a stone speak and by his very glance, could cure diseases.
Other: This Acharya was very active in popularizing the Shanmata advised by the Adi
Sankaracharya. He ensured that Tantric practices contrary to the Vedic tradition
were avoided and the pure Shanmata form of worship was followed all over Bharata.
Shri Govinda Bhagavatpada

Siddhi Place: Omkareshwar
42. Shri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati 950 978 AD
Ashrama Name: not known
Appellation: Jaya Govinda Muni
Ashrama Name: Shri Brahmanandaghanendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Chandra Sharma
Purvashrama Name: Narasimha Bhatta
Siddhi: 2608 Plavanga Kartika Purnima (BCE 0494-Oct-17)
Purvashrama Father's Name: Subrahmanya
Siddhi Place: Omkareshvara on the banks of the Narmada
Siddhi: 4078 Ishvara Kartika Krishna Ashtami (CE 0977-Nov-12)
64. Shri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati 1813 1851 AD

Ashrama Name: Shri Chandrashekharendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Kumbakonam, house next to the Matham
Purvashrama Name: Venkatasubrahmanya
Birth Place: Chayavanam (exact location uncertain)
Siddhi: 4951 Sadharana Kartika Krishna Prathama (CE 1850-Nov-20)
Purvashrama Name: Gurumurti
Siddhi Place: Kumbakonam Matham
Purvashrama Father's Name: Achyuta
Other:
This Acharya is said to have been a great exponent of Srividya.
Siddhi: 4347 Parabhava Kartika Krishna Ashtami (CE 1246-Nov-08) at night
When he was staying in Chennai with the intention of arranging sufficient funds for
the Kumbhabhishekam of the Kanchi Kamakshi Temple, Devi Herself came in his
dream and ordered him to return to Kanchipuram, whence all required funds would
come of their own accord. Accordingly, the Kumbhabhishekam was done on a grand
scale.
He also did the Tatanka Pratishtha of Akhilandeshvari at Tiruvanaikkaval despite
severe difficulties created by other parties. The then Thanjavur king, by the order of
Shiva in his dream, honoured him with kanakabhishekam, which helped
recompense the expenses caused by the long and arduous court case.
Siddhi Place: said to be on banks of Gedilam River

Other: This Acharya along with his disciple the 50th Acharya were great Shaktas and
conducted many Koti Durga Homas.
Birth Place: Bhadrachala
Purvashrama Father: Bhanu
Purvashrama Name: Sheshanna
Siddhi: 3701 Raudri Kartika Krishna Dashami (CE 0600-Nov-08)

18. Sri Yogatilaka Surendra Saraswati 375 385 AD
December 2013
13. Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati 235 272AD
Siddhi Place: Ujjain
Ashrama Name: Shri Surendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Shri Sacchidghanendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Yogi Tilaka
Appellations: Kashtamauni Sacchidghana, Avadhuta Sacchidghana
Birth Place: Maharashtra
Birth Place: banks of the Garuda Nadi (Gedilam River in TN)
Purvashrama Name: Maathura
Purvashrama Name: Shesha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shridhara Pandita
Siddhi: 3485 Tarana Margashirsha Shukla Prathama (CE 0384-Nov-01)
Siddhi Place : Ujjain
Siddhi: 3372 Khara Margashirsha Krishna Prathama (BCE 271-Dec-04) at age 69
Other:
Siddhi Place: Kanchi Kayarohaneshvara Temple
This Acharya was a great Yogishvara. In the times of this Acharya there was a well
known Nastika by name Durdidivi. In the court of a Kashmir king of that time by
name Surendra, (he was the sister's son of one Narendraditya), this Acharya argued
with this Nastika and defeated him. At that point, the Deva Guru, Brihaspati, who is
said to have written the Charvaka Sutras, assumed a human form to debate with the
Acharya. But he was defeated by the Acharya as well. Brihaspati then assumed his
real form, praised and blessed the Acharya and returned to his abode. The king,
seeing this greatness of the Acharya, surrendered himself unto him, and donated a
large amount of land for the conduction of Dharmic activities.
Other: This Acharya appears to have ascended to the Pithadhipatya at age 32. Until
the age of 37, He was in the Matham. He then foresaw his avadhuta state and since
he could not continue his duties as Pithadhipati in such a state, he appointed his
shishya in his place and left the Matham. He would be occasionally seen at random
places of the city of Kanchi as an Avadhuta, in deep kashtha mauna. He spent 32
years in this state, childlike and innocent. However some people thought he was a
lunatic and would throw stones at him. He was however completely unaffected by
this. At the age of 69, by Ishvara Sankalpa, he entered into the Kayarohaneshvara
temple in Kanchipuram, and merged his body with the Shiva Lingam. [Some say that
only after this the Shiva came to be called Kayarohaneshvara -- Kaya = body;
Arohana = ascending.]
32. Shri Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati 668 672 AD

Ashrama Name: Shri Chidanandaghanendra Sarasvati
Purvashrama Name: Padmanabha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Annu Shankara
Siddhi: 3772 Prajotpatti Margashirsha Shukla Shashthi (CE 0671-Nov-16)
Other: This Acharya used to practice a high form of Yoga known as Lambika Yoga.
He used to take only dry leaves for food. (It appears that he had been in the
company of his Guru for a long time. But within about 4 years after the Siddhi of hi
Guru, this Acharya also left his physical form. During the time of the previous
Acharya, Shri Brahmanandaghanendra Sarasvati, a Kashmiri King named Lalitaditya
had conquered the regions of South India, and coming to Kanchipuram, had
submitted himself as a disciple to the previous Acharya.
04. Sri Satyabodhendra Saraswati 364 268 B.C

Ashrama Name: Sri Satyabodhendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Banks of the Amaravati river, Chera country
Purvashrama Name: Phalinisha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Tandava Sharma
Siddhi: 2833 Nandana Margashirsha Krishna Ashtami (BCE 0269-Nov-26)
Other:
This Acharya is said to have composed a work named Padaka Shata by which he has
refuted the faulty interpretations placed on the Vedas. He fought the Samkhyas,
Buddhas and Jainas.
After the Siddhi of the previous Acharya, this Acharya had the king make an
Annadana Shala in Kashmir and name it after the purvashrama name of his Guru:
Jyeshtha Rudra. [This also coincides with "Jyeshtheshvara", the name of the Shiva
atop the Gopadri aka Shankaracharya Hill in Shrinagar -- perhaps there is some
historical connection.] That Annadana Shala was very famous in that area in those
days and was even praised for having cooked rice a thousand times in one day to
feed over a lakh people (perhaps during some major public festival when people
congregate in mass numbers). Likewise, during the conquering of the southern
regions by Lalitaditya, the then Queen of Karnataka (presumably the King had
already passed away) had lost her life. Her son was of young age and inexperienced.
This Acharya, out of compassion for the boy, instructed Lalitaditya to put the boy on
the throne of Karnataka with appropriate people for guidance and support.
05. Shri Jnananandendra Saraswati 268 205 B.C.
Siddhi Place: Kanchi Shrimatham
Other:
Ashrama Name: Shri Jnananandendra Sarasvati
Sri Swaminathan (born at Villupuram on 20th May 1894 - Anuradha Star) was taken
to Kalavai in his 13th year, when he was studying at Tindivanam, to be initiated into
ascetic order and ordained as the 68th Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Mattham.
68. Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati 1907 1994 AD

Appellations: Mahasvami, Paramacharya
Birth Place: Viluppuram in Tamil Nadu
Purvashrama Name: Swaminathan
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Mahalakshmi, Subrahmanya Shastri
Siddhi: 5094 Bhava Margashirsha Krishna Dvadashi (CE 1994-Jan-08)
Birth Place: A village called "Mangala" in the Chola country (exact location
uncertain)
Purvashrama Father's Name: Nagesha
Siddhi: 2896 Manmatha Margashirsha Shukla Saptami (BCE 206-Nov-05)
Other: This Acharya was always meditating on Chandramaulishvara. He was also a
great expert in logic, and had composed a commentary by name Chandrika on Shri
Sureshvaracharya's work Naishkarmya Siddhi. Due to His great knowledge He was
also known as "Jnanottama".
He was affectionately called "Mahaswamigal" and "Walking God". He adorned the

Peetam from February 13, 1907. True to the tradition of the Peetam set by Adi
Sankara, Mahaswamigal travelled throughout the country by foot or by the
traditional palanquin. He set the trend of creating specific Trusts for various
purposes like preservation of Vedas by setting up veda patashalas, honouring the
vedic pundits, setting up vriddashramas, schools, Repair/maintenance of old
temples performing nitya poojas, etc for achieving the objectives of the Peetam.
He advocated simplicity, shunned pomp, ostentation and extravagance. His
exposition of Vedanta, sastras and the dharmic duties attracted scholars and laymen
alike, from far and wide.

14. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati 272 317 AD
January 2014
08. Sri Kaivalya Ananda Yogendra Saraswati 55 28BC
Siddhi Place: Agastha
Ashrama Name: Sri Vidyaghanendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Sri Kaivalyanandendra Sarasvati
Appellations: Bhairavajit Vidyaghana, Mantravit Vidyaghana, Chala Vidyaghana
Appellation: Kaivalya Yogi
Birth Place: Andhra
Birth Place: Srisailam (Siddhi Place of the previous Acharya)
Purvashrama Name: Naayana
Purvashrama Name: Manganna
Purvashrama Father's Name: Bapanna Somayaji
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shivayya
Siddhi: 3417 Dhatu Margashirsha Amavasya (CE 0316-Dec-02)
Siddhi: 3129 Sarvadhari Makara Sankranti (CE 0028-Dec-17) evening; Shukla

Chaturdashi
Siddhi Place: Agastyachalam (Kodagu hills in today's Southern Karnataka / Tamil

Nadu)
Other: This Acharya had great mantra siddhi and was capable of granting the wishes
of those that sought refuge in Him. By the practice of Laya Yoga, He used to be able
to derive nourishment directly from the sun. Hearing of his powers, the people of
Agastyachalam sought his protection from an Ugra Bhairava deity in that area who
had been causing much trouble to those living there. The Acharya left his disciple to
take care of the Peetham and left for Agastyachala. There he subdued the Ugra
Bhairava by his tapas, and hence rendered the place safe for all. Shortly afterwards,
he attained Siddhi in that same mountainous area.
34.
Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati 692 710 AD

Birth Place: A village on the banks of the River Vegavati (near Kanchipuram)
Purvashrama Name: Shambhu
Purvashrama Father: Mahadeva
Siddhi: 3810 Saumya Margashirsha Amavasya (CE 0709-Dec-10)
Other: This Acharya tirelessly undertook long yatras right from the Setu up to
Himalaya. He subdued a Nastika Jaina by name Chakuna who was causing trouble in
the Kashmir region. The Acharya had once by his yoga shakti, entered a forest fire
and heroically saved a child.
55. Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati 1507 1524 AD
Ashrama Name: Sri Chandrachudendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Ashmashala, on the banks of the Manimuttar River
Purvashrama Name: Arunagiri
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Shrimati, Purari
Siddhi: 4613 Angirasa Pausha Shukla Ekadashi (CE 1512-Dec-29) at early morning
Other: King Krishnadevaraya had granted two villages, Podavur and Kattupattu
to the Acharya. The inscription mentioning the grant describes the Acharya as a
Sivachetas (having a mind devoted to Lord Shiva), Yatiraja (a prince among
ascetics) and Dhimat (a philosopher).

Other: This Acharya used to continually practice a high form of Yoga called Shiva
Rajayoga and was hence known as Kaivalya Yogi.
37. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati 758 788 AD
Ashrama Name: Sri Vidyaghanendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Banks of Garuda Nadi (River Gadilam in Tamil Nadu)
Purvashrama Name: Suryanarayana
Siddhi: 3888 Prabhava Pausha Krishna Dvitiya (CE 0788-Jan-03)
Siddhi: 4883 Shubhakrit Pausha Krishna Dvitiya (CE 1783-Jan-20)
Other: Kanchi was involved in the Karnatic wars and peaceful existence there had
become impossible. Hence the Acharyas of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam decided on
migrating south though Kanchi still figured as the nominal headquarters. The golden
image of Kamakshi (Bangaru Kamakshi) had been carried away by the sthanikas of
the temple first to Udayarapalayam, and later to Tanjore, where it was permanently
installed. The Acharya Chandrashekara himself acceded to the request of Pratapa
Simha, Rajah of Tanjore (1740-63) and took up his permanent headquarters at
Tanjore. But Kumbakonam, on the banks of the river Kaveri was found more suitable
and shortly thereafter, the Acharya shifted to Kumbakonam, where he later attained
mukti. This Acharya composed the Shivashtapadi on the lines of the Ashtapadi of
Jayadeva.

11. Sri Sivananda Cidghanendra Saraswati 127 172 AD
February 2014
Siddhi Place: Vruddhachalam
Siddhi Place: Kalavai
Ashrama Name: Sri Chidghanendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Shivananda Chidghana
Birth Place: Udayambakkam in Chengalpattu District
Birth Place: Karnataka
Purvashrama Name: Swaminathan
Purvashrama Name: Ishvara
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Mangalambika, Sitarama Pandita
Purvashrama Father's Name: Ujjvala
Siddhi: 5007 Parabhava Magha Krishna Ashtami (CE 1907-Feb-06) at about age 35
Siddhi: 3272 Virodhikrit Magha Shukla Dashami (CE 0172-Jan-22)
Siddhi Place: Kalavai in Velur District
Siddhi Place: Vriddhachalam
Other:
Other: This acharya was a very great devotee of Shiva and it is said that the it was
on his behest that Lord Shiva in the form of Vrudagirishwarar came to reside in
Vriddhachalam.
This Acharya is said to have been a fluent orator. He toured South India extensively
and covered about 1000 villages in a span of three years. He began the Advaita
Sabha at Kumbakonam in 1894.
51. Sri Vidyatirthendra Saraswati 1297 1385 AD

Siddhi Place: Himachala
Ashrama Name: Sri Vidyatirthendra Sarasvati
Appellations: Vidyanatha Yogi, Vidyashankara
Birth Place: Bilvaranya
Purvashrama Name: Sarvajna Vishnu
Purvashrama Father's Name: Sarangapani
Years as Pithadhipati: 88 (last 15 years spent in Himalayas)
Siddhi: 4485 Raktakshi Magha Krishna Prathama (CE 1385-Feb-04)
Siddhi Place: Himalaya
Other:
This Acharya was the Vidya Guru of the two brothers Sayana and Madhava, of whom
the former is well-known to have composed the Veda Bhashyas. Madhava, the elder
brother, was given sanyasam by Shri Vidyatirtha's shishya, Shri Shankarananda and
became the famed Vidyaranya. Shri Vidyaranya was sent by this Acharya to the
Karnataka region along with eight other great sanyasis. Their objective was to reestablish Advaita and Sanatana Dharma in that region, which had been suffering
from the excesses of Veera Shaivism and the recently formulated Dvaita school.
Towards this, Shri Vidyaranya served as the Guru to the Kings Hakka and Bukka and
guided them in establishing the famed Vijayanagara Kingdom. He established the
Virupaksha Matha in Hampi for his own stay, and the other 8 sannyasis and their
disciples established various other Shankaracharya Mathas in the region.
After deputing the eight sannyasis along with Shri Vidyaranya, Shri Vidyatirthendra
left for the Himalayas, accompanied only by Shri Shankarananda, after having spent
73 years at the Peetham. He spent 15 years in the Himalayas in tapas and attained
Siddhi there.

67. Shri Mahadevendra Saraswati 1907AD
March 2014
27. Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati 565 577AD
Siddhi Place: Kalavai
Ashrama Name: Sri Chidvilasendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Tiruvisainallur in Tamil Nadu
Birth Place: Hastigiri i.e. Vishnu Kanchi
Purvashrama Name: Lakshmikanta
Purvashrama Name: Harikeshava
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Lakshmi, Narasimha
Purvashrama Father's Name: Madhusudana
Years as Pithadhipati: 7 days
Siddhi: 5007 Parabhava Adhika Phalguna Shukla Prathama (CE 1907-Feb-13) at

about age 17
Siddhi: 3677 Durmukhi Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 0576-Mar-19)
Siddhi Place: Kalavai in Velur District

52. Sri Shankaranandendra Saraswati 1385 1417AD
65. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati 1851 1891AD
Siddhi Place: Ilayathangudi
Ashrama Name: Sri Shankaranandendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Sri Mahadevendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Sudarshana Mahadeva
Purvashrama Name: Mahesha
Purvashrama Name: Mahalinga
Purvashrama Parents' Names: Subbulakshmi, Sheshadri
Siddhi: 4517 Durmukhi Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 1416-Mar-09) at early morning
Siddhi: 4990 Virodhi Phalguna Amavasya (CE 1890-Mar-20)
Other:
Siddhi Place: Vishramapura (Ilaiyattangudi) in Pudukkottai District

This Acharya had a radiant presence. He was known for his generosity in helping the
needy and his support for the arts. He was an especially accomplished Upasaka of
Srividya. A temple has been built by the Nattukottai Chettiars on his Samadhi.
Along with His Guru Sri Vidyatirthendra Sarasvati, this Acharya was instrumental in
the founding of 8 Advaita Mutts and the re-establishment of Advaita and Sanatana
Dharma in the Karnataka region. He was the author of Dipikas on Isa, Kena, Prsna
and Brhadaranyaka Upanishads. He was the author of Atma Purana and a
commentary on the Bhagavat Gita.
15.
Later, he left for the Himalayas and was performing service to his Guru who
performed penance there for 15 years till his Siddhi. Returning to Kanchi after the
Siddhi of the Guru, he resumed his duties as Acharya of the Kamakoti Peetham.
Other:
Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati 317 329 AD

Ashrama Name: Sri Gangadharendra Sarasvati
Appellation: Gishpati Gangadhara
Purvashrama Name: Subhadra
Purvashrama Father's Name: Bhadragiri
Sannyasa: at age 12
Siddhi: 3429 Sarvadhari Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 0329-Feb-29) at age 24
Other:
Due to his high scholarship, intelligence and oratory skill, this Acharya was known as
Gishpati. Shortly after this Acharya took Sanyasam, his Guru left for Agastyachalam
(Kodagu) to subdue an Ugra Bhairava and attained siddhi there. Not knowing about
his Guru attaining siddhi, Shri Gangadhara left for Agastyachalam in search of his
Guru. Pleased with his guru bhakti, Sage Agastya, (who as a chiranjeevi was still
residing on those parts) came to him in the form of an old brahmana, and informing
him of His Guru's siddhi, gave him the upadesha of Shrividya. Returning to the
Shrimatham at Kanchi, this Acharya totally dedicated himself to the pursuance of
Shrividya and the puja of the Yoga Linga Chandramaulishvara.

60. Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Saraswati 1692 1704 AD
April 2014
56. Sri Sarvajna Sadashivabodhendra Saraswati 1524 1539 AD
Siddhi Place: Kizh Ambi
Siddhi Place: Rameswaram
Ashrama Name: Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Sarasvati
Ashrama Name: Sri Sarvajna Sadashivabodhendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Banks of the River Vasishtha in Tamil Nadu
Birth Place: Uttara Pinakini
Purvashrama Name: Govinda, Sruti Pandita
Purvashrama Father: Chikkanna Adhvari of the Chiruta family
Purvashrama Father's Name: Parashurama
Siddhi: 4639 Vilambi Chaitra Krishna Ashtami (CE 1538-Apr-03)
Siddhi: 4804 Svabhanu Chaitra Shukla Dvitiya (CE 1703-Mar-18) at night
Siddhi Place: Rameshwaram
Siddhi Place: Eastern Ambikapuram (Kizhambi) near Kanchipuram
Other:
Other:
This Acharya was especially revered by the then Setupati one Pravira. Although he
was gentle by disposition, he would become extremely strict in matters of upholding
Dharma. He is said to have authored Svatma Nirupana.
This Acharya lived for some time in Govindapuram where his predecessor had
attained mukti. He was held in very high veneration by Shahaji, the King of Tanjore.
His Brindavan at Kizhambi is in daily worship.

43. Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati 978 1014 AD
Ashrama Name: Sri Anandaghanendra Sarasvati
Birth Place: Kundini River (probably the tributary of Narmada)
Birth Place: Banks of the River Tungabhadra
Purvashrama Name: Shankara Pandita
Purvashrama Family: Of South Indian origin
Purvashrama Father's Name: Sudeva Bhatta
Purvashrama Father's Name: Shukadeva Sharma
Siddhi: 4114 Pramadi Chaitra Shukla Navami (CE 1013-Mar-29) at daytime
Siddhi: 4266 Parthiva Chaitra Amavasya (CE 1165-Apr-19)
Siddhi Place : Arunachala Kshetra

Other :
This Acharya was also known as Chandrachuda. This Acharya was sought as
preceptor by great scholars of this time such as Jayadeva (author of Prasanna
Raghavan), Mankha (author of Srikantha Charitha), Krishna Mishra (author of
Prabhoda Chandrodaya and Guruvijaya), a physician of Kashmir (who authored a
medical lexicon known as Vaidyabhidhana Chintamani), and Suhala, who learnt the
Shankara Bhashyas from him.
During his time, the king of Kashmir, Vidyalola Kumarapala, was a great supporter of
scholarships in different fields. He housed in his court, a well-learned Jaina monkscholar by name Hemacharya, author of Kumarapala Charita. Due to his influence
the king lost faith in Sanatana Dharma. At such a time, during the Acharya's Vijaya
Yatra to Kashmir, he won over Hemacharya by his scholarship and restored the king
to the traditional path. The King of Kashmir considered himself blessed in the service
of this great Acharya. Jayadeva has celebrated the victory of Chandrasekhara over
Hemacharya in his Bhakti Kalpalatika.

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Informations of our Gurus

Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati 1851 1891AD

52. Sri Shankaranandendra Saraswati 1385 1417AD

Siddhi Place: Ilaiyattangudi

Siddhi Place: Kanchipuram

Ashrama Name: Sri Mahadevendra Sarasvati

Ashrama Name: Sri Shankaranandendra Sarasvati

Appellation: Sudarshana Mahadeva

Birth Place: Madhyarjuna

Birth Place: Madhyarjuna

Purvashrama Name: Mahesha

Purvashrama Name: Mahalinga

Purvashrama Father's Name: Bhalachandra

Purvashrama Parents' Names: Subbulakshmi, Sheshadri

Siddhi: 4990 Virodhi Phalguna Amavasya (CE 1890-Mar-20)

Siddhi Place: Kanchi

Siddhi Place: Vishramapura (Ilaiyattangudi) in Pudukkottai District

Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati 317 329 AD

Siddhi Place: Kanchipuram

60. Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Saraswati 1692 1704AD

Purvashrama Name: Subhadra

Siddhi Place: Kizh Ambi

Purvashrama Father's Name: Bhadragiri

Ashrama Name: Sri Advaitatmaprakashendra Sarasvati

Birth Place: Banks of the River Vasishtha in Tamil Nadu

Purvashrama Name: Govinda, Sruti Pandita

Siddhi: 3429 Sarvadhari Chaitra Shukla Prathama (CE 0329-Feb-29) at age 24

Purvashrama Father's Name: Parashurama

Siddhi: 4804 Svabhanu Chaitra Shukla Dvitiya (CE 1703-Mar-18) at night

27. Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati 565 577AD

Siddhi Place: Eastern Ambikapuram (Kizhambi) near Kanchipuram

Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati 978 1014 AD

Siddhi Place: Kanchipuram

Informations of our Gurus

23. Sri Satchitsukhendra Saraswati

01. Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada 482 477BC

Siddhi Place: Kanchipuram

Siddhi Place: Jagannathapuri

Appellation: Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada

Ashrama Name: Sri Sacchitsukhendra Sarasvati

Birth Place: Kaladi, Kerala

Birth Place: Uttara Pinakini

Purvashrama Name: Girisha

Purvashrama Father: Chikkanna Adhvari of the

Purvashrama Father: Somanna of the Chikka family

Birth: 2593 Nandana Vaishakha Shukla Panchami (BCE

Purvashrama Parents' Names: Aryamba, Shivaguru

Siddhi: 4639 Vilambi Chaitra Krishna Ashtami (CE

Siddhi: 3612 Khara Vrishabha Shukla Saptami (CE 0511May-21)

Sannyasa: at age 8, near Omkareshvara on the banks of

Siddhi Place: Rameshwaram

Siddhi Place: Jagannatha Kshetra

Establishment of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: 2620

This Acharya was especially revered by the then

This Acharya was especially devoted to Lord

47. Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati

Siddhi Place: Thiruvannamalai

16. Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati

Ashrama Name: Sri Chandrashekharendra Sarasvati

Birth Place: Kundini River (probably the tributary of

Siddhi Place: Kashmir

Purvashrama Name: Shrikantha

Appellation: Ujjvala Shankara