Sacchidananda Bharati I (, Devanāgarī: श्रीसच्चिदानन्द भारती - 1), was a Hindu sant and religious leader of the 17th century. He was the Jagadguru (literally worldwide spiritual master, sometimes translated "pontiff") of the Hindu matha (monastic or similar religious establishment) Sringeri Sharada Peetham from 1623 to 1663, and is believed to have saved it from attack by spiritual means.
Early life
Sacchidananda was born Narasimha in the 1607 A.D. 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. This village was in Madurai District and is presently located in the Dindigul district (from 1985 onwards) of Tamil Nadu.
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 advised him in favor of celibacy and persuaded him to become a sanyasin (Hindu monk).
Sachchidananda Bharati was ordained pontiff of the Sringeri Sharadha Peetam in 1623. When he ascended the pontificial chair, the southern part of India was beset with civil war and turmoil. During this period, Venkatappa Nayaka was the ruler of Ikkeri.(See Nayakas of Keladi). 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. 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).
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. The King of Ikkeri, Virabhadra Nayaka (See Nayakas of Keladi) 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. 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.
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.
Sachchidananda Bharathi-I is considered by his devotees to have saved Sringeri and contributed to its fame. He was also regarded as a good administrator, and well regarded and respected by all people of all faiths and all sections of society.
Biographies
The most popular biography of Sachchidananda Bharati is by R.Krishnaswami Iyer who based his biography on Sanskrit manuscripts from the period.
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.
Compositions, Hymns and Works
Sri Sacchidananda Bharati (I) is said to have composed Gurustutisatakam ()which details the lives of all the Acharyas of Sringeri from Adi Sankara till the 24th Pontiff Sri Abhinava Narasimha Bharati. He has also composed other hymns and metrical works such as Meenakshi Satakam (), Meenakshi Ashtakam () in the remembrance of His stay in Madurai and visit to the Goddess Meenakshi temple, Rama Bhujanga (), Kovidashtakam and Ramachandra Mahodayakavyam. Rama Bhujangam has been composed in Bhujanga Prayaata meter belonging to the Bhujanga group. (See Sanskrit prosody). Many authors have referred in their articles to a notable verse in the Rama Bhujanga which means that this Bhujangam (snake) is said to drive away the lust and anger (rats) when it is enshrined in one's heart. He also refers here to the Lord Rama in Sri Rama temple in his native Village Jandrapatti.