Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)
Kasargod, Sep 6: Seer of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Samsthanam Edneer Math of Kasargod district here Sri Kesavananda Bharati Swamy passed away at 12.30 am on Sunday September 6.
Swamiji had taken sanyasa at the age of 19 and was heading the Math since 1961 as Peetadhipathi and head of Edneer Math.
Sri Kesavananda Bharati Swamiji spread religion and culture in equal earnest. He also rendered all possible support to literature, culture and art.
He had completed the 60th Chaturmasya penance ritual a few days ago.
Sri Kesavananda Swamiji's name is etched in the judicial system of India. Kesavananda Bharathi Vs Kerala government case was known throughout the country. This case, which had made waves throughout India, was resolved by Supreme court by forming a 13-member judge bench, which is rarest of rare.
Kesavananda Bharathi Swamiji had filed a case against the Land Reform Act of Kerala government in 1971 in the Supreme Court. The main bone of contention of this case was to prove whether right to own property was a fundamental right or not. The Supreme Court said that any constitutional amendments should strictly respect the basic foundation of the Constitution of India. The order of the court said that it was not possible to change the basic matters of the Indian Constitution through amendments. On the whole, the specialty of the verdict was that there may be Constitutional amendments to the Indian Constitution but it should not change the fundamental tenets of the Constitution. The verdict set the principle that the Supreme Court was the guardian of the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
The case was mainly against the intention of the then Kerala state government of taking possession of the property belonging to Edneer Math as per the Land Reform Act of Kerala government. In addition, the case also highlighted the need of protecting fundamental rights like right to practise religion, right to equality and right to property. The arguments and counter arguments had taken 68 days.
He actively promoted education, Kannada culture and arts, including Yakshagana, music and dramas and contributed immensely for the promotion of Kannada in Kasaragod.
Edneer Swamiji had learnt the art of Yakshagana during his school days. He contributed immensely to the field of Yakshagana after he became the seer of the Math. He used to direct many Yakshagana plays by donning the role of Bhagavathike himself. He had learnt Karnataka and Hindustani music and used to hold musical concerts in the math.
Swamiji used to sing devotional songs in Kannada, Tulu, Malayalam, Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit languages. The specialty of all songs is that he used to write the lyrics and compose the music himself. He has released CD of devotional songs in both Malayalam and Kannada languages. Swamiji has also written and directed dramas. At present, the Edaneeru Math manages schools, colleges, art teams, Goshala and agricultural farms.
Under his guidance, the Math instituted a Kannada medium school, a junior college and also Vidyamandira English Medium School at Edneer. The Math also operates a Sanskrit Veda Patashala and conducts a number of cultural and art festivals every year.