Shenoy Goembab | Theories around Establishment of Kashi Math

From  - Goykaranchi Goyabhayali Vasnuk (The Settlement of Goans Outside Goa) — Shenai Goybab (Vaman Raghunath Varde Valaavaliikar)

Regarding the original establishment of Kashi Math, two kinds of theories (traditions/legends) are prevalent. One of them is that the eighth swami of the Gokarna-Partagal Math, Raghuchandratirth, having a vision/intention in Udupi to establish eight maths in the village of Partagali in Goa, went to Gokarna and selected eight brahmacharis. As soon as initiation (updesa) was given to four of those brahmacharis, one dropped out/left. Then initiation was given to the fifth. He also dropped out. In this manner, he made many disciples. However, out of them, only three managed to remain/survive while the rest dropped out. The names of the surviving disciples were Lakshminarayantirth, Vyastirth, and Sanyamidritirth. Now, Raghuchandratirth became worried about how to accomplish the planned task successfully. Then, he had a vision in a dream that just as Madhvacharya established eight maths in Udupi, it is difficult to establish them through the hands of others; therefore, one should not get involved in such work. Saying this, he gave up the pursuit of making further disciples. Later, his third disciple, Sanyamidritirth, went to Kashi and stayed after building a math. These very Sanyamidritirth are the first swamis of Kashi Math. 

The second theory is that around the year 1589 AD, the Dravid swamis of Kumbakonam (Vijayendra Tirtha) who went to Kochi and whose Venkatpati's murti (idol) was consecrated/bathed, the order of those swamis taken by the Goans there, that it should be respected by the Goans for generations, a written document of that was executed by the swami. On this very basis, of the swami of Kumbakonam Math, through initiation, they became the first swamis of Kashi Math, is the prevailing belief. 

However, it seems to me that the first theory has a bit more truth to it compared to the second theory. Even so, there is no doubt that there has been a lot of confusion in the inner content. In that context, the idea of establishing eight maths in Partagali on the lines of Udupi, which was applied to Raghuchandratirth, would rather apply to the third swami, Jivottamatirth. Because a slight glimpse into their life reveals that Jeevottama Tirtha were of great accomplishments and very hardworking. They held authority during the reign of the early Adil Shah of Bijapur (1557–79); and around that same time, history shows that many Goans went to Malabar due to the persecution by the Portuguese. 

Based on this, it would not be wrong to infer that Sanyamidratirth, being a disciple of Jivottamatirth, went and stayed in Kochi to exercise religious authority over the Goans who reached South Karnataka and Malabar. The tenure of the eighth swami, Raghuchandratirth, generally falls around the year 1660. It cannot be said that his disciple became the first swami of Kashi Math. Because it has come to light that around the year 1599, Vijayendratirth was exercising authority as the swami of Kashi Math.

[This could be the reason why Srimad Sudhindra chose to name our current Swamiji with that name. Generally a name from the existing tradition is used. In the tradition in vogue, Samyamindra is not present, but it is present in this theory as well as the theory given by Srimad Vibhudendra Tirtha, the parama guru of Srimad Bhuvanendra Tirtha, in their work named Guru Pravara Manjari.]

[The theory of the dandaparivartana during Jeevottama Tirtha's time makes sense, considering the point in Gokarna math document where a meeting happened in 1590 AD in Cochin, in the presence of Srimad Vijayeendra Tirtha, where the point about dandaparivartana is mentioned. This also explains why we have a common legend of the sanyasi invoking Ganga mata to give back the bangles of the Kashi princess, and why both Gokarna Math and Kashi Math are located side by side in the Brahma ghat]

[The kadita does confirm that it was Jeevottama Tirtha who gave Yadavendra Tirtha to Vijayeendra Tirtha. The tithi in the kadita is in-line with the official aradhana tithi in Kashi Math, for Yadavendra Tirtha. This also brings out issues with timelines of Gokarna Math, since as per official records, Jeevottama Tirtha had passed away much before 1590 AD. On corroboration with Ali Adil Shah episode, we can get more insights.]

[Shenoy Goembab anchors on the fact that the majority settlement of GSBs in Kochi happened around the time of Portuguese inquisition of Goa, when majority from Sasasthi-Bardesh regions went down to Kerala via ships. This happens around 1560. Their demand for a new Sansthan, due to geographical distances is logical which would take fruit in 1590.[as per the dandaparivartana document]. So 1542 looks like not so correct for establishment of Kashi math sansthana]

[Also the purvashrama details of Yadavendra Tirtha are inaccurate. Official documentation says that it was Hanumanta Bhat, but in reality, Hanumanta Bhat was Yadavendra Tirtha 2, as evident from documents in Banaras Muslim Kings court, as present in kashi math org pages]

[The language of Jog Mallya's deed is also peculiar, where he has called upon the guru in a peculiar manner. It does not suggest that he follows the guru, but does indicate that he is a big man and has respect for him. He also uses the term Sripad Vader, which is a term used in Gokarna Math. Again present in kashi math org pages]

[The Sanad of Surendra Tirtha is not present in the Konkabhyudaya of Sagara Ramacharya. His father had represented GSBs in a parishad to prove our Brahmanatva and had all the evidences collected, including correspondences between various mathas, including Kashi Math, so the absence is concerning. This has been pointed by Dr. B.N.K. Sharma]

[The fact that we have Vitthala image worshipped in our Kashi Math deities, in Mulki etc does indicate an affinity]

[Our documentation says that Surendra Tirtha - Veerashaiva episode took place only in 1545. Later in 1545, a Veerashaiva Mathadhipati of Kumbakonam challenged Shrimath Surendra Thirtha to argue with him in Dharma Shastras if he dared. He further stipulated that whoever was defeated should be the servant of the winner. The Swamiji had to accept the challenge. By then Shrimath Vijayendra Thirtha had mastered many Shastras and got the titles like Vidyaratnakara, Vidyabdni (Ocean of Vidya), Vidyanidhi (treasure of Vidya). Which means they were studying till then, then how can they do Chaturmasya and take a vatu in 1540-1542?]