Swami Parijnanashram III (Devanagari: परिजनाश्रम, ; June 15, 1947 – August 29, 1991) was the tenth guru of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community. He succeeded his teacher Swami Ānandāshram in 1966 after the latter died.
Swami Parijñānāshram III was one who had a keen thirst for knowledge - be it Vedic or technical. His progressive outlook resulted in large scale development which gave the community and its head matha (Monastery) - The Chitrāpur Matha the financial stability it needed. He aimed at making the Chitrapur village a self-sustaining viable township with an agricultural, industrial and commercial life of its own with an underlying spiritual base. His progressive outlook also included compassion. Under his regime, several health-care facilities were developed. He was an animal lover and constructed deer parks, top quality cow-sheds and regularly visited and cared for the animals there.
He was a person who was highly interested in technical spheres of knowledge. He possessed a first grade Ham Radio license (Probably the first religious saint to possess such a license in India). Under gis regime, a wireless station and an observatory post were established near Shirali. He kept a keen interest in archaeology and established an Archeology museum at Chitrapur. His sense of compassion was well known by people both within and outside the community. He would visit devotees in hospitals regularly irrespective of status or wealth.
This development oriented mindset was something that was usually never anticipated from a religious figure. This progressive outlook did not go well with certain orthodox members of society. Swami Parijñānāshram felt restrained by the lack of acceptance from certain sections of society and which finally resulted in his abdication of the post of the gead of Chitrapur Math (Mathādhipati) in 1979. He relinquished the title of the head of the Community fully by 1981. After this, he travelled all across India and even went abroad (The first guru of the community to do so), before he settled down in a matha constructed under his regime, at Karla. He continued his service for the welfare of the people even though he was not Mathādhipati of the community. This allowed him to extend his welfare programs to the down-trodden people irrespective of community, caste, creed or status.
Swami Parijñānāshram died on August 29, 1991, while he was staying at Bangalore. His body was later flown to Karla where his samādhi is situated (at the Karla Math). He had not accepted a shishya (Disciple) to succeed him as the head of the community.
Early days Swami Parijñānāshram was born to Shantābai and Shankarnārāyan Laxman Shukla (Bhat) on June 15, 1947, at Shirali in Karnataka. He was named Ravīndra Shankarnārāyan Shukla (Bhat). He did his primary schooling till the age of 6 at Shirali, under the watchful eyes of the incumbent head of the community Swami Ānandāshram. Even before he was born, his mother Shāntabai claims to have known that her offspring was Divine, even while she was pregnant. Claims include she having dreams like the Vision of a 7 hooded serpent, the impulse to offer her offspring to Lord Bhavānishankar during the aarti and so on.
In 1953, Shankarnārāyan Shukla (Bhat) and his family shifted to Mumbai where the education of young Ravīndra was done at Poddar High School, Santa Cruz in Mumbai. He studied there till he was ordained to be the shishya of Anandashram Swami. As a child he was an avid collector of stamps and coins- a hobby he pursued even after becoming the head of the community.
Ordination
At the age of 12, Parijnanashram was chosen by the incumbent guru Anandashram Swami to be his shishya (disciple). He was ordained as the successor to Swami Ānandāshram in a grand ceremony of initiation as a disciple at Shivaji Park, Mumbai on March 1, 1959. At this ceremony, he was christened Parijñānāshram. This ceremony was attended by over 10,000 devotees. The religious heads of other Saraswat mathas were present at the ceremony and they blessed him too.
He studied under his guru for a long period of 7 years until Swami Ānandāshram attained Mahā-samādhi on September 16, 1966. After the Mahā-samādhi, he took over as the sovereign head of the community of Sāraswats. This long period of tutelage under his guru allowed Parijñānāshram to attain a great command over the Sanskrit scriptures. He toured along with his guru everywhere and thus could attain hands-on experience in the matters of spirituality as well as administration.
Developmental activities Swamiji took charge of the finances of the matha and used it for large scale developmental projects. These projects were not just aimed at social development but also technical improvements. His eagerness to make the various institutions under the community self-sufficient was his ultimate aim. So that way, even if the generosity of the community waned, the institutions would not suffer.
Social development schemes There were a number of social development schemes executed under the aegis of Swamiji. He was responsible for the restarting of the Rathōtsav ("Car Festival") in 1973 which had been suspended for 35 years due to financial insecurity. Other ventures included the construction of housing societies, starting an institution for the physically and mentally challenged children as well as construction of temples and a matha.
Reviving the Rathōtsav:The Rathōtsav or Car Festival was a gala celebration which united the entire community. This was suspended indefinitely by Swami Ānandāshram due to the financial situation that had crippled the community.Under Swamiji's reign, the Rathōtsav was revived in 1973 as the financial position of the matha was strong. Over 2000 people attended the Rathōtsav of 1973. Ānandāshraya: This was a shelter for the aged built at Shirali close to the Chitrapur Math. It was completed on March 30, 1980, and could house around 40 couples. This was a promise that Swamiji had given to his guru. The cost of its construction was initially put by Swamiji through his personal funds. The remainder was from money collected from the philanthropic members of the community. Ānandāshraya provided these "orphaned" elders a place to stay and enjoy the last days of their lives with love, dignity and self-respect. They could attend all the activities at the Chitrapur Math which helped quell their spiritual desires.
Swami Parijnanashram Educational and Vocational Centre for the Handicapped: This institute was a vocational training cum school for children who were physically and mentally challenged. This was established in Bolinj, in the suburb of Virār, Mumbai. It initially provided vocational training for 60 children (Aged between 3-18) under 5 different departments viz.: The Deaf and Mute; The Mute/Speech Impaired; The Physically Challenged; The blind; The Mentally Challenged. This was a unique project pursued by Swamiji after his abdication. This institute was a revolutionary project completed in conjecture with the State and Central Government on October 31, 1985. It is an actively functioning institution which runs on funds from the Government and large number of charitable institutions/individuals. It can now accommodate 302 children who are given training in life skills by 56 professionally trained teachers.
See their webpage here
Development at Karla:
Swamiji personally supervised in the construction of an ashram by name Jñānānand in the town of Kārla in Maharashtra. He used this as a retreat while touring in Maharashtra and eventually as his abode after his abdication. He also constructed a temple for goddess Durga called the Sri Durga Paramēshwari Mata Madir. The samādhi (Shrine) of Swamiji is also located at Karla.
Shāntisukhada:Shāntisukhada was an organization founded under the aegis of Swamiji that was aimed at woman empowerment. Poor and destitute women of the village of Malavali in Maharashtra were provided with free sewing machines and imparted with training in tailoring so as to make them financially self-sufficient. Parijñānāshraya: This was a housing colony of cottages built by the Kanara Saraswat Association (See here) at the Panchavati hills nearby. It gave the members of the community a place to stay in amidst serene surroundings. This housing scheme was built on the lines of the houses at the Tirupati (Tirumala) hills. Renovation of Panchavati temple: The temple constructed by Swami Pāndurangāshram on the Panchavati hills near Shirali by the name Panchavati Dhyān Mandir was renovated. Besides the renovation of the main structure, gardens blooming with roses and cacti were laid around the temple. Establishment of Deer park at Govardhan Hillock:Swamiji, being an animal lover, supervised the establishment of a deer park atop the Govardhan hillock which is close to Shirali. This deer park is now a tourist attraction. Moreover, the trees planted in the deer park have become home to several species of birds and can be a haven for bird watchers too.
Other developmental projects The other projects undertaken during the regime of Swamiji were aimed at commercial, industrial and technical progress. The main project was the Chitrapur Gram Vikas Yojna (Chitrapur village development scheme). Other projects have been mentioned below:
Chitrāpur Gram Vikās Yojana (Chitrapur Village Development Scheme): This was a project that aimed at making Chitrapur Village a self-sufficient viable township with a blend of agricultural, commercial and industrial life with an underlying base of spirituality. This project aimed at utilising the land around the Chitrapur Math for socio-economic development. The various sub-projects that resulted from this Scheme are: Development of cottage industries: Cottage industries like Printing press, Handlooms, Power looms, Small-scale mills etc. were started. Funds were allocated for the establishment of new industries as well as for upgrading of existing ones. These cottage industries provided a regular source of employment for the people and the profits from these industries produced a constant source of income for the matha as well. Encouragement of agriculture: The Gram Vikas Scheme regularly allocated funds for improving agriculture in the regions owned by the matha. Use of better fertilizers, improving quality of grains sowed etc. were parts of this agenda. The property at Kembre and Bengre farms were utilized which resulted in the matha attaining self-sufficiency in terms of rice, vegetables and coconuts. Improvement in Dairy farming: The cowsheds under the matha were modernized. The sheds were made larger, more roomy and airy for the cattle. Investments were made to purchase better Gujarati Surti cattle which provided more milk. The quality of feed given was also improved. Archaeology Museum at Shirali:Swamiji had a keen interest in archaeology and history. He personally created a museum of archaeology with many rare artifacts and idols that he had collected. This museum was opened in 1974 and provided the people a glimpse into the world of archaeology. Wireless station and observatory post at Panchavati Hills: