Parijnanashram III

Swami Parijnanashram III (Devanagari: परिजनाश्रम, ; June 15, 1947 – August 29, 1991) was the tenth guru of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community. He succeeded his teacher Swami Ānandāshram in 1966 after the latter died.

Swami Parijñānāshram III was one who had a keen thirst for knowledge - be it Vedic or technical. His progressive outlook resulted in large scale development which gave the community and its head matha (Monastery) - The Chitrāpur Matha the financial stability it needed. He aimed at making the Chitrapur village a self-sustaining viable township with an agricultural, industrial and commercial life of its own with an underlying spiritual base. His progressive outlook also included compassion. Under his regime, several health-care facilities were developed. He was an animal lover and constructed deer parks, top quality cow-sheds and regularly visited and cared for the animals there.

He was a person who was highly interested in technical spheres of knowledge. He possessed a first grade Ham Radio license (Probably the first religious saint to possess such a license in India). Under gis regime, a wireless station and an observatory post were established near Shirali. He kept a keen interest in archaeology and established an Archeology museum at Chitrapur. His sense of compassion was well known by people both within and outside the community. He would visit devotees in hospitals regularly irrespective of status or wealth.

This development oriented mindset was something that was usually never anticipated from a religious figure. This progressive outlook did not go well with certain orthodox members of society. Swami Parijñānāshram felt restrained by the lack of acceptance from certain sections of society and which finally resulted in his abdication of the post of the gead of Chitrapur Math (Mathādhipati) in 1979. He relinquished the title of the head of the Community fully by 1981.

He studied under his guru for a long period of 7 years until Swami Ānandāshram attained Mahā-samādhi on September 16, 1966. After the Mahā-samādhi, he took over as the sovereign head of the community of Sāraswats. This long period of tutelage under his guru allowed Parijñānāshram to attain a great command over the Sanskrit scriptures. He toured along with his guru everywhere and thus could attain hands-on experience in the matters of spirituality as well as administration.

Developmental activities Swamiji took charge of the finances of the matha and used it for large scale developmental projects. These projects were not just aimed at social development but also technical improvements. His eagerness to make the various institutions under the community self-sufficient was his ultimate aim. So that way, even if the generosity of the community waned, the institutions would not suffer. The Rathōtsav or Car Festival was a gala celebration which united the entire community. This was suspended indefinitely by Swami Ānandāshram due to the financial situation that had crippled the community.Under Swamiji's reign, the Rathōtsav was revived in 1973 as the financial position of the matha was strong. Over 2000 people attended the Rathōtsav of 1973. Ānandāshraya: This institute was a vocational training cum school for children who were physically and mentally challenged. This was established in Bolinj, in the suburb of Virār, Mumbai. It initially provided vocational training for 60 children (Aged between 3-18) under 5 different departments viz.: The Deaf and Mute; The Mute/Speech Impaired; The Physically Challenged; The blind; The Mentally Challenged. This was a unique project pursued by Swamiji after his abdication. This institute was a revolutionary project completed in conjecture with the State and Central Government on October 31, 1985. It is an actively functioning institution which runs on funds from the Government and large number of charitable institutions/individuals. It can now accommodate 302 children who are given training in life skills by 56 professionally trained teachers.

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Development at Karla: Shāntisukhada was an organization founded under the aegis of Swamiji that was aimed at woman empowerment. Poor and destitute women of the village of Malavali in Maharashtra were provided with free sewing machines and imparted with training in tailoring so as to make them financially self-sufficient. Parijñānāshraya: Swamiji, being an animal lover, supervised the establishment of a deer park atop the Govardhan hillock which is close to Shirali. This deer park is now a tourist attraction. Moreover, the trees planted in the deer park have become home to several species of birds and can be a haven for bird watchers too.

Other developmental projects The other projects undertaken during the regime of Swamiji were aimed at commercial, industrial and technical progress. The main project was the Chitrapur Gram Vikas Yojna (Chitrapur village development scheme). Other projects have been mentioned below:

Chitrāpur Gram Vikās Yojana (Chitrapur Village Development Scheme): Development of cottage industries: Cottage industries like Printing press, Handlooms, Power looms, Small-scale mills etc. were started. Funds were allocated for the establishment of new industries as well as for upgrading of existing ones. These cottage industries provided a regular source of employment for the people and the profits from these industries produced a constant source of income for the matha as well. Encouragement of agriculture: The Gram Vikas Scheme regularly allocated funds for improving agriculture in the regions owned by the matha. Use of better fertilizers, improving quality of grains sowed etc. were parts of this agenda. The property at Kembre and Bengre farms were utilized which resulted in the matha attaining self-sufficiency in terms of rice, vegetables and coconuts. Improvement in Dairy farming: The cowsheds under the matha were modernized. The sheds were made larger, more roomy and airy for the cattle. Investments were made to purchase better Gujarati Surti cattle which provided more milk. The quality of feed given was also improved. Archaeology Museum at Shirali:

Tired of all the opposition and accusations he had to face, Swamiji graciously relinquished the title of Mathādhipati or head of the matha and community by 1981. Swamiji had received several letters asking him to go back to become the head of the community. This was so that the Guru parampara could be continued if he accepted a shishya (disciple). He stated that some people still considered him as an excommunicated guru and any disciple of his too would be considered as excommunicated.

Later the Mahasabha reached the conclusion that the guru parampara would be continued by that person whom Swamiji had accepted as a shishya (disciple) and that any other person anointed as the head of the community would not be part of the original Guru Parampara that started in 1708.

Given below are parts of the āshirvachan (spiritual discourse) Swamiji gave to the Mahasabha. The statements in parentheses are not part of the original lecture but added to give more information to the reader. RESOLVED that the only way to continue the present parampara founded by Adi Parijnanashram Swamiji is to install H.H.Parijnanashram Swamiji III as the Mathadhipati and accept a Shishya initiated by him.

Further RESOLVED that as per tradition, custom and usage, Chitrapur Saraswat community has accepted only that Shishya who has been initiated by our own Guru and in view of this tradition, it is our resolve that no other Shishya who is initiated by any other Sanyasi will be acceptable to the community.

Despite these decisions, the Kshamāyāchana (Letter of forgiveness) by members of the Karla Math (People who were strong supporters of Swamiji) to the present head of the Chitrapur Math, Swami Sadyojāt Shankarāshram in 2005, led to the mending of relations between the two sections of the community. Moreover, Swami Sadyojāt Shankarāshram accepted Swami Parijnānāshram III as his guru. (See Mending of relationships)

Death After abdication, Swamiji settled down at the Jnānānand, an ashram he had constructed in the town of Karla in Maharashtra. He continued his pursuits of welfare, but with the freedom of extending it to all people irrespective of creed, caste or status. The Vocational Centre at Virar and the Shāntisukhada are proof in that respect.

On August 27, 1991, Swamiji, suddenly left for Bangalore to be at the Chitrapur Math there, the place where his Guru Swami Ānandāshram had died. Two days later, on August 29, 1991, Swami Parijñānāshram III died at the young age of 44.

He had not accepted a shishya (disciple) to succeedhim as the head of the community and continue the Guru Parampara as a result of the discontentment some people in the community had against him. He felt that any shishya adopted by him might not be accepted by those same people. The samādhi of Swami Parijñānāshram III is located next to the Durga Parameshwari Temple at Karla.

Miracles Two miracles have been observed at the temple at Karla after Swamiji's death. They are listed below: Opening of the samādhi (shrine) during renovation: Swamiji's samādhi (Shrine) is situated near the Durga Parameshawari Temple at Karla. But for the shrine to be completed, a Shiv-linga was to be installed. So during February/March 1993 the samādhi slab was removed. To the surprise of everyone, the Marigold flowers and the tulsi leaves that had been placed over the body of Swamiji was still very fresh. Swamiji's scalp and hair was intact as well despite being interred for nearly 18 months. Goddess Durga and Lord Shankara appearing in flames: Many devotees have claimed to have witnessed the image of Goddess Durga along with Lord Shankar in the flames of the Homam (Ritual where offerings are placed into fire, usually offerings to lord Agni. The picture of the Gods appearing in the flame can be seen here. This photograph was taken on 28 January 2001.