Jagadguru Karmayogi
Swasthishree Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji
The present Swamiji of the Dharmapeetha of Shravanabelagola, His Holiness Sri
Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji was born at Varanga on 3rd May 1949. His
earlier name was Rathnavarma. When he accepted his sainthood, on the
12th December 1969, he was 20 years of age. On 19th April 1970, he
became the seer of the Dharmapeetha of Shravanabelagola. Besides,
Swamiji, had to take up the responsibility of being the president of
S.D.J.M.I Managing Committee, an organisation established for the development of
Shravanabelagola Kshetra. Swamiji is a prolific scholar. He has made
a deeper study of Jain philosophy in Kannada, Sanskrit and Prakrit.
He has also excelled in modern education. Besides being a
postgraduate in History (Mysore University). His Holiness has also
obtained a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Bangalore University.
1.
About the title "Charukeerthi" :
Shruthakevali Bhadrabahumuni, the eighth
successor of Lord Mahaveera attained his Sallekhana Samadhi at
Chandragiri in Shravanbelagola in 300 BC. Chandraguptha Mourya, who
after renouncing his scepter and other worldly entanglements came to
Shravanabelagola with Bhadrabahu from northern part of India. He
became the deciple of the saint Shruthakevali, performed strict
penance and attained his samadhi at this place. Thus Sravanabelagola
continued to be sanctified by consecutive religious milestones(spiritual events). It was during this period of great
spiritual fervor a Mutt was established for the purpose of religious
preaching and propagations an abode for religious preachers. A mutt
was the great need of the day for the Kshethra in view of
safeguarding this holy field of religion protecting literature,
promoting art and catalysing socio-religious activities.
From
ancient times, Shravanabelagola has been recongnised as an important
religious center which has been patronising those who are keen in
learning and practicing Jainism and Jaina philosophy. It was after
the advent of Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta, Acharya Kundakunda, one
of the most revered sages of Jain religion had his closer connection
with Shravanabelagola. When Chamundaraya, the famed general of
Rachamalla of Ganga dynasty, came to visit Shravanabelagola with his
mother. His holyess Nemichandra Siddhartha Chakravarthy was the
“Acharya” of this holy place.
In 981 AD, Chamundaraya respecting his mother's wish got the 57 ft.
monolithic statue of Lord Gomateshwara, carved out in
Shravanabelagola and established a "Mutt" in this holy place,
requested the preacher his holiness Sri Nemichandra Siddhartha
Chakravarthy to be the ‘Mathadheesha’. After
a few years during the Hoysala reign the then emperor, being
greatly obliged and pleased by the right guidance of his preacher
Muni Shubhachandra reciprocated his gratitude by conferring him the
title “ Charukeerthi”. There afterwards, this title has become a
tradition of honour to the Swamijis who ever eccept this religious
peetha of Shravanabelagola.
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2. His Commitment to the developmental activities and his
exalted views :
From the day the Swamiji accepted
the responsibility of heading the holy place, Shravanabelagola has
been marching ahead with remarkable landmarks. The accomplishment is
in diverse fields. More than 50 temples, which were in ruins were
renovated and daily rituals of pooja are now regularly being
performed in these temples. In comomoration with the 2500th Nirvana
year of Lord Mahaveera, ‘Dharmachakra – holy yatra, throughout the
land of Karnataka was planned and convened by Swamiji. This event is
an ever cherishable one for the people of Karnataka. Another
historical event inseribable in the pages of history is the grandeur
of the celebration of the 1000th year Mahamastakabhisheka in the
year 1981 a milestone to the potential excellency of Swamiji’s skill
of co-ordination, his total commitment to a a cause and his
uniqueness in convening programmes and celebrations with ease and
perfection . The celebration boosting the popularity of Swamiji,
Impressed of his personality. The former Prime minister of India Smt.
Indira Gandhi appreciating his accomplishments honoured him with the
title “Karmayogi” as per the desire of the National Mahotsava
Samithi”.
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3. Social Work :
Swamiji has proved himself to be a
social reformer. He has taken keen intrest in social educational and
religious activities. Consequently Shravanabelagola has attracted
the attention nations of the world. He has been organizing multi
dimensional activities throughout on the occasion of the celebration
of 1000th year “Mahamasthakabhisheka”. One thousand people underwent
their eye-checkup in the eye-camp organised during the mega
occasion. Ten neighbouring villages of Sravanabelagola were selected
for the developmental programmes. All round improvement of these
villages was kept in view. School buildings, drinking water
facility, tank bunds, community centers, roads, street lamps mobile
hospital, self employment training centers, educational institutions
were some of the many facilities provided to the people of these
villages. People irrespective of their caste and creed are the
beneficiaries of these developmental projects.
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4.
Educational Reforms in Shravanabelagola :
Creating torchbearers and leading
towards the brightness of knowledge been always in priority for the
Swamiji of Sravanabelagola. His endeavour has been mainly
concentrated in preparing or producing scholars in Jaina theology and Jaina philosophy. With these objective Sri.Gomateshwara Vidyapeetha,
a theological educational institution has been established. There
are schools and colleges imparting modern education apart from
nursery, primary and high schools, there are engineering and
polytechnic colleges. In view of imploring subjects of knowledge
which are in Prakrit an endowment institution called “Jnana Bharathi”
is founded in Bangalore by Swamiji. Once in two years the
institution organize as a National Prakrit Conference, recognizing
scholars in Prakrit. Every year the scholars who have contributed to
the enrichment of Prakrit are being honoured with the prestigious
“Prakrit Jnana Bharathi” award. Besides, encouraging the study of Prakrit
and to attain proficiency in this language of great heritage with an
estimated expenditure of 1.5 crore. A research foundation for
prakrit studies is been constructed at Shravanabelagola.
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5.
Development Projects :
Shravanabelagola is an international center of tourism and
pilgrimage, attracting millions of tourists, pilgrims every year.
For their happy stay at the holy place, under the guidance of
Swamiji, many choultries and guest houses are constructed. There is
also a lush green and colorful park adjacent to these guest houses
intensifying the beauty provides a serene atmosphere. Donations of
pilgrims have been optly utilized for the purpose of constructing
guest houses with genuine concern for the health of the people an
Ayurvedic hospital and a diagnostic center have been established.
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6.
Sermons and Lectures : His
holiness is widely known for his skilled oratory. His mastery in
spontaneity is the result of his proficiency in Kannada, Hindi and
English languages. Whichever the language of his sermons be, is
marked with coherence and lucidity. With simple analogyand
illustrations this speeches are impressive and mesmerize the
audience.
Being impressed of the charisma of his holiness he has been
requested and invited by several international organizations to
render religious sermons and lectures. The profoundity of knowledge
in his speeches being conspicuous has been highly appreciated far
and wide. For rendering religious speeches Swamiji has visited
Europe, Africa, America and several other Asian countries, where he
has spiritually enlightened his listeners by sharing among them
thought provoking concepts. In 1988, Swamiji had the honour of
installing a 7ft. idol of Lord Bahubali and of Lord Mahaveera at a
Jain temple lyster, England.
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7. Progressive Vision :
Swamiji is a great visionary.
In practicing Dharma (righteousness), he has greater progressive
vision. His proficiency in theology, his simple style of living, his
convincing way of soft-spoken preaching have immensively influenced
people. The high-sounding philosophy of Dharma analysed in simple
analogies and illustrations have been very much to the reach o
comprehension of common men. He emphasizes the practice of
non-violence as preached by Theerthankaras. Besides influencing
and motivating the people to follow and practice the high principle
of Jainism with ease and realization.
Devotees and visitors of all classes, caste and creed with no
exception have been immensely influenced by his philosophically
advanced and practicable easily applicable views who by inference,
have regarded his as holiness as possessing an aua of divinity, a
divine soul, reborn for the revival of Dharma for the total welfare
of the people at large.
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