His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Padmabhushana Dr. Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji
His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Padmabhushana Dr. Balagangadharanatha Maha Swamiji (1945-2013) inherited the Natha lineage as early as at thirty years of age on the auspicious day of 24th September 1974. He became a seer of the Adichunchanagiri Math, inspired by the desire to serve the countrymen and thread the path of Spirituality. He became the 71st pontiff of the Adichunchanagiri Dharma Peetha and worked tirelessly to realize his vision of revolutionising the society through Spiritual, Educational, Social and Cultural activities of the Math.
He travelled all round the World and the country understanding the needs of the people. Having comprehended the prime requisites of this hour he plunged to take up various initiatives aiming at the integral development and progress of the nation. This objective could be achieved only by involving in Jnana and Karma Paths, as described in the famous scripture of Bhagavad-Gita. Param Pujya Maha Swamiji as a true Sanyasi dedicated his whole life for service to the society at large. His Holiness was truly an enlightened and realized soul for he treated all people alike, without discriminating on the basis of caste, creed, sex or status. His approach towards handling different problems was truly scientific and logical.
He implicitly understood the importance of education to the masses in alleviation of poverty. This led to the establishment of Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust in 1973, through which several educational institutions and schools have been set up. At present, 550 such Institutions are functioning across the country aiding the government in educating the rural and semi rural children. This campaign of Jnana Dasoha ranges from providing primary education to the rural poor to making available professional education to meritorious students. He not only emphasized modern system of education but also advocated traditional teaching systems. His Holiness Mahaswamiji, was a great visionary with a perfect blend of science and spirituality which is evident by his gesture of establishing orphanages and care centres for destitute women and children. Women in distress are provided succour by training them in various skills and vocational activities to earn their livelihood.
Being a patriot in real sense, he took up disaster management and rescue activities whenever calamities struck in any part of the country. The Math provided free food grains, clothing and essential drugs to the victims of calamities. They were given medical aid at times of infliction from earthquakes, cyclones etc. Through his Go-Green Earth movement he aimed at achieving ‘One Person One Plant’ theme which resulted in planting of around five lakh trees today in and around Bengaluru. Establishment of Goshalas, Vanamahotsava & Jalavardhana programme were all the results of his concern for society, human beings and animals. His humane touch alleviated woes and distresses of many people who viewed him as a realized Jagadguru and saviour of masses. Many titles and honours were conferred on him but his humbleness only added on to his glory and pomp.
Param Pujya Mahaswamiji mingled without any discrimination with the local people and participated in Utsav’s & Jathas. Personality development , women empowerment programmes, mass marriages, free Health camps and counselling services were also conducted by the Math. It is the collective responsibility of the community to continue and preserve the devoted services of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Dr. Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji.