Origin of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math
Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math is a preeminent spiritual institution of the Gowd Saraswat Brahmin community, following the Dvaita Vedanta tradition established by Jagadguru Madhvacharya in the 13th century AD. The Math is also known as the Partagali Jeevottam Math, named after its headquarters and its illustrious third Guru, P.P. Shreemad Jeevottam Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji. Situated in Partagali on the banks of the Kushavati river in South Goa, the Math belongs to the Vaishnav Sampradaya, which upholds the supremacy of Lord Vishnu.
The Divine Foundation
The lineage traces its origin back to 1475 A.D. in Badarikashrama. A young seeker named Madhav was chosen for the sannyasa order. On Chaitra Shukla Dwitiya, P.P. Shreemad Narayana Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji were given deeksha by their guru, P.P. Shreemad Ramachandra Teerth, the 10th Mathadipati of Shree Palimaru Math (one of the eight original monasteries established by Sri Madhwacharya). Upon receiving an idol of Sri Rama from their guru, P.P. Shreemad Narayana Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji embarked on a journey to the South to guide and organize the community.
Establishment and the Vader Title
During their travels, P.P. Swamiji built the first math on the banks of the holy river Ganga in Kashi with the support of the ruling monarch. Subsequently, a second Math was established in Bhatkal, Karnataka. These centers became vital for the cultural and religious integration of the Gowda Saraswat Brahmins, who had migrated from Goa. Recognizing their spiritual authority, the Keladi Nayaka rulers conferred the title 'Vader' (Wadeyar) upon P.P. Shreemad Narayana Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji. Since then, the institution has been traditionally referred to as the 'Vader Math'.
The Legacy of P.P. Shreemad Jeevottam Teerth
In 1545 A.D., the headquarters were shifted to Gokarn under the third Guru, P.P. Shreemad Jeevottam Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji. A great tapasvin, they presided over the Math for seventy years (1518–1588 A.D.). Their profound leadership in the social and religious spheres was so significant that the institution came to be known as the Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math.
A Resilient Heritage
Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math stands today as a symbol of Saraswat identity and unity. For over five centuries, it has preserved and energized a community that faced numerous historical ordeals and dispersal. The Math has been blessed with an unbroken lineage of 24 Swamijis. What began as a small sapling planted by P.P. Shreemad Narayana Teerth Shreepad Vader Swamiji has grown into a mighty banyan tree, with 33 branch mathas spanning from Badari to Rameshwaram across Bharat Varsha.