Sacchidananda Bharati I (, Devanāgarī: श्रीसच्चिदानन्द भारती - 1) was the Jagadguru Sankaracharya and pithathipati of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1623 to 1663. he was the 20th jagadguru in the traditional sringeri guruparampara lineage.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 28-29) SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1965, P. 66-68). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-II, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-II - (Peetarohanam mudal Videha Kaivalyam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas PressMadurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (March 2015, P.08). Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical
Early life Sacchidananda was born Narasimha in 1607 AD.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 1) SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1964, P.8). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-I, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-I - (Avataram mudal Peetarohanam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas Press in the village of Srikanteswarapuram () now known as Kunnuvarankottai (Kunnuvarankottai Kasi Visalakshi-Viswanathar temple#Kunnuvarankottai-) or Kannapatti () near Batlagundu in the southern part of India. This village has been referred by various names, namely, Ardhanareeswarapuram, Jandrapatti or Jandrapalle in those times as per the biography.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1964, P.5-8). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-I, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-I - (Avataram mudal Peetarohanam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas PressMadurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (October 2014, P.18) Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical This village was in Madurai District and is presently located in the Dindigul district (from 1985 onwards) of Tamil Nadu.(15-2-2010). "Dindigul District - A Profile", The HINDU, English Daily newspaper.
Pontificate Sachchidananda Bharati soon acquired mastery over the Vedas and shastras and visited many famous shrines including Madurai Meenakshi Temple. It can be observed from his biography that he lived in Madurai and Melmangalam village also for a short period during his Brahmacharya and learned the Vedas and Sastras there. Initially, he wanted to marry the daughter of his maternal uncle. But the then Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Narasimha Bharati, who was also from the same Batlagundu region Madurai S.Sankaranarayanan. (August 2014, P. 7). Sringeriyil Sankarar - Sringeryil 24th sankarar, Tamil Edition, Amman Darisanam monthly magazine.Madurai S.Sankaranarayanan. (September 2014, P. 13). Sringeriyil Sankarar - Sringeryil 24th sankarar, Tamil Edition, Amman Darisanam monthly magazine. advised him in favor of celibacy and persuaded him to become a sanyasin (Hindu monk).R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 1-13). SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.Madurai S.Sankaranarayanan. (July 2014, P. 7-8). Sringeriyil Sankarar - Sringeryil 24th sankarar, Tamil Edition, Amman Darisanam monthly magazine.
Sachchidananda Bharati was ordained pontiff of the Sringeri Sharadha Peetam in 1623.Madurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (November 2014, P.06,07,08,09) Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical When he ascended the pontificial chair, the southern part of India was beset with civil war and turmoil.Political history of Mysore and Coorg (1565-1760) During this period, Venkatappa Nayaka was the ruler of Ikkeri.(See Nayakas of Keladi).Triennial Catalogue of the Madras Oriental Manuscripts Library. (P 2623, R.No. 1879) Sri Sri Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi-I is said to have visited Ikkeri upon the invitation of the ruler Venkatappa Nayaka. From there, accompanied by Venkatappa Nayaka, the 25th Jagadguru visited the Kollur Mookambika temple.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 15-17). SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1965, P. 2-9). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-II, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-II - (Peetarohanam mudal Videha Kaivalyam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas Press It is learnt that in 1629, King Virabhadra Nayaka ascended the throne of Ikkeri after Venkatappa Nayaka. During this period, this region was invaded by many neighboring kingdoms.(See Nayakas of Keladi).Madurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (December 2014, P.07,08,09,10) Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical
Sachchidananda Bharathi-I is considered by his devotees to have saved Sringeri through his penance and austerities during a period when Sringeri was attacked by a neighboring King Bhairava of Kalasapuram thrice.Madurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (December 2014, P.07-11) Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical The King of Ikkeri, Virabhadra Nayaka (See Nayakas of Keladi)C. Hayavadana Rao. History of Mysore (1399-1799 A.D.) (1948.), Government PressAnnual Report of Mysore Archeological Department. (1934, No. 33) came in support of the Sringeri Mutt and the surrounding territory. He was defeated by King Bhairava twice and thus Bhairava was emboldened to attack Sringeri the third time.Madurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (January 2014, P.06-09) Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical Sri Sachidananda Bharathi-I prayed for divine help through his penance and austerities. The next day, the Jagadguru was informed that he had left the town. The Guru had a dream later in which the surrounding deities informed him that they had defended and protected Sringeri.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 18-29) SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1965, P. 31-70). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-II, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-II - (Peetarohanam mudal Videha Kaivalyam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas PressMadurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (March 2015, P.06-08). Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical
The Kings of Ikkeri, Virabhadra Nayaka, and Sivappa Nayaka who were supportive of Sringeri have bestowed several grants of land to Sringeri Sarada Peetam during this period.Annual Report of Mysore Archeological Department. (1928, P. 11, footnote Sg R11)Annual Report of Mysore Archeological Department. (1934, No. 33)Madurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (October 2014, P.21). Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil PeriodicalMadurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (April 2015, P.33,34). Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil PeriodicalMadurai S. Sankaranarayanan. (January 2015, P.07). Sringeryil Sankarar - Varalaru, Amman Darisanam, Tamil Periodical
Sachchidananda Bharathi-I is considered by his devotees to have saved Sringeri and contributed to its fame.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. 28-29) SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1965, P. 31-70). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-II, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-II - (Peetarohanam mudal Videha Kaivalyam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas Press He was also regarded as a good administrator, and well regarded and respected by all people of all faiths and all sections of society.R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. (1965). Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Vijayam - Part-II, Sringeri Sarada Peetadhipathi (25th Pattam), Sri Sachchidananda Bharathi Swamigal Avargalin Divya Charitram - Part-II - (Peetarohanam mudal Videha Kaivalyam varai), TAMIL Edition, Srirangam: Vani vilas Press
Biographies The most popular biography of Sachchidananda Bharati is by R.Krishnaswami Iyer who based his biography on Sanskrit manuscripts from the period.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. iii). SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited. K. Narayanaswamy, Vidyaranyapuram (Sringeri). (October 2009, P. 079). "Sringeriyil Olirntha Madurai Maharatnam", Amman Darisanam, Deepavali Special Edition, Tamil Periodical. While studying the Ramachandra Mahodaya Kavya of Sri Sachchidananda Bharati swami, the 25th Jagadguru as per the advice of Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha Swamigal, he discovered another manuscript dealing with the life of that Jagadguru and bearing the title - Sri Ramachandra Mahodaya Kavya Kartru Swarupa Prakasam.R.Krishnaswami Iyer. (1967, P. iii, iv, v, vi). SRI SACHCHIDANANDA BHARATHI - The 25th Pontiff at Sringeri (1623-1663), ENGLISH Edition, MADRAS-18:Jupiter Press Private Limited.
Compositions, Hymns and Works