MRITYUNJAYA SWAMIJI

The history of the world reveals the sad truth that a great man is rarely succeeded by another great man. But here is a rare example in that Mrityunjaya Swamiji of Dharwad succeeded the great Shivayogi of Athani. A small hamlet by name Ingaļahalli in Hubli taluka had the honour of rocking the cradle of Shri Mrityunjaya Swamiji, though this Swamiji's father actually hailed from Dharwad.

There is a small Math known as Tarabetimath in Dharwad. Kāntayya Swami of this math was a poor but gentle, pious man. His wife Channaveeramma was equally pious and humble. Channaveeramma hailed from Ingalahalli. Kāntayya and Channaveeramma were highly respected in that area. They had no issue for a long time. At last by the grace of Tonțada Siddhalingashivayogi a son was born to them on 9-4-1888 at his mother's place Ingalahalli and was named 'Mrityun-jaya'. The mother had taken a vow before conception that the son would be dedicated to Tontadāryamath.

He was not an ordinary child. Signs of divinity could be seen even in his childhood. He would very often go to Karisiddheswara math, a branch of Jagadguru Tonţadārya math of Gadag-Dambal and spend much time in singing devotional songs. The Kannada school teachers were amazed at the sharpness of the mind and depth of devotion of Mrityun-jaya. His sweet voice and soft words attracted one and all in his childhood.

As the boy was growing day by day the parents remembered that they had to fulfil the vow taken before the birth of the child. At last the holy mother had a dream in which Tonţadārya Swamiji appeared to ask them to fulfil their vow by giving their son to him. Next morning they took the child to Gadag and left him to the care of Tonțadarya Math. He learnt Sanskrit and Kannada at the Tonțadārya Math, Gadag, Hulimath and Hiremath at Dharwad. He was deeply interested in religious texts. He had an innate love of music which he had inherited from his father who used to sing devotional songs beautifully.

Pilgrimage to Athani

Somehow Mrityunjaya was not happy at the Tonțadarya Math, Gadag. There was enough pomp, panorama, wealth and power at the Tonţadārya Math then. But somehow the soul of Mrityunjaya was aspiring for something higher, and hence was not happy there. He himself could not define the cause of his discontent, for his mind was not at peace there. So he left the Math one day, without informing anyone, started on a pilgrimage in search of the 'blue bird' i.e. the inner contentment.

He went to Sholapur, sanctified by Siddha Rameshwara and stayed there for some time. He visited Revan-siddeshwar betta, Emmiganür, the holy place of Jadeswami, Ujjaini, Harihar and Ankalagi. It was Adavi Swamiji of Ankalagi, who directed him to Athani. The vatu Mrityunjaya had expressed his desire of going to Kashi to have the Darshan of Vishwanath. Adavi Swamiji told him that he would have the darshan of a living Linga at Athani unlike the static linga at Kashi. This changed the course of his life and Mrityunjaya went to Athani to have the darshan of the great Shivayogi and to stay there doing his seva (service).

Seva or Service at Athani

Athani Shivayogishwara never depended on others for any of his personal work. He would personally attend to his work. He would sweep the room himself, wash his clothes, collect flowers and bilva for the pūja, take prasāda only that which was offered at the time of his Linga Pūja. He would never ask for anything. He was like the Buddha in this respect. This being the case, Mrityunjaya had to struggle hard and wait for a long time to have the grace of this great Guru. Somehow at the very holy darshan of the great Shivayogi his restless mind found peace. But he was eager to serve the Shivayogi and have full grace.

Everyday Mrityunjaya used to get up at 3 a.m. and start sweeping the whole compound. He actually used to jump over the compound wall as the gate was locked during nights. At first, the Shivayogi was wondering as to who was cleaning the compound daily. At last when he heard the movement of the broom one night, the Shivayogi got up and saw Mrityunjaya sweeping the compound. He advised him not to sweep at such an early hour since some poisonous insects and reptiles might be lying there. He was asked to sweep at dawn.

The Shivayogi personally gave him the broom to sweep the compound which in time became the symbolic act of cleaning the society of dust and darkness. Mrityun-jaya Swami thus received the grace of the great Shivayogi. He served him with whole hearted and pure devotion, since he was aware that slightest lapse on his part might deprive him of the opportunity of serving his Guru. This service gave him much satisfaction.

In spite of his diligent vigilance and careful attendance, once Mrityunjaya lost the koupina of the Shivayogi when he had taken it for washing. But the Shivayogi simply smiled and Mrityunjaya felt this to be the highest grace showered on him. He felt himself to be in a state of beatitude. The Shivayogi and others were fully convinced of the attainment of Mrityunjaya in the path of devotion and conferred on him Viraktāsharama at the age of 18 at the hands of Siddalingeshwara of Athani Gaccinamath.

Shri Jagadguru Jayadeva Murugha Rajendra Swamiji of Chitradurga was pleased to assign him to Davangere Viraktamath. Mrityunjaya had to leave Athani quite reluctantly. It was a scene comparable to the one when Shri Basaveshwara was ordained to leave Kūdala Sangama to take up an assignment at Mangalawāda. Mrityunjaya Swami would follow the words of Shivayogi and honour the blessings of both Shivayogi and Jagadguru.