About Math

Yedeyuru Tontad Siddhling Shivayogi of 16th c, wrote and propagated Vachanas (short sacred poems) in the manner of Sri Basaveshwara and his fellow mystic ports who were called as Sharanar (one who has surrendered to the Divine Head). Along with his 700 disciples, Tontad Siddhling Shivayogi toured widely to create religious awareness. His ardent Disciples namely, Swatantra Siddhlingeshwar, Siddhlingeshwar of Gummalapura, Ghantideva have also penned Vachanas. Shivaganaprasadi Mahadev stay, Siddhlingeshwara of Gummalapura, Halageydeva, and Guluru Siddaveerannodeya have compiled Vachanas of 12th c. Sharanas very systematically under the title, 'Shoony Sampadane'. Prof Bhusanoormath, Poojy J. Ch. Ni and Jolad rashi Doddangouda have published treatise on Vachanas under the titles, 'Shoony Sampadaneya Paramarshe', Sampadaneya Sompu, Bayal Galikeya Bedagu, respectively on the basis of Guluru Siddaveerannodeya 'Shoony Sampadane'. Channanjedeva of Sampadaneya compiled Vachanas based on their themes, Siddabasavaraj has written a treatise on vachanas. Credit of publishing and publishing vachanas of Sharanar in the form of dialogues in Shoony Sampadaneya to Shivaganaprasadi Mahadevayya. Compilation, preservation, interpretation, and critical analysis of the 12th c vachanas took place under the guidance and encouragement of 101 Viraktas (those who have renounced earthly pleasures) in the 16th and 17th centuries. Viraktas who gave a systematic framework, to Shoony Sampadane, set up a Peetha Heritage, which later came to be known as Shoony Sampadaneya Samaya'.

There is an every possibility that Pontiffs of Shoonya Sampadanmath, a Monastery at Guruvarpeth of Gokak, of Belagavi District, must have accomplished the significant task of compiling, preserving, interpreting, writing treatise of Vachanas. The place where this task was performed might have been called as Shoony Sampadan Math. Probably vachanas must have been presented in the form of dialogues by the followers of Sampadana Samaya Tradition as we see them in Shoony Sampadane text. Hence this Monastery is named as Shoony Sampadana Math. This is the only monastery that bears this name in whole of Karnataka. Authorities on Shoony Sampadana Literature, namely, Joladrashi Doddangouda, Mrs Jaya Rajshekhar, Danappa Jatti must have delivered sermons, discourses on the above text at the place where Shoony Sampadana math of Gokak is located now.

Head of 701 pontiff's, namely, Shivayogi Tontad Siddhlingeshwar came down to Gokak to create religious awakening among the people through propagating vachanas and practised penance here. His divine dream of establishing Sampadana Math has been fructified. Presently this Monastery enjoys the unique status of centre of Religion and Culture. His Holiness Gurusiddha Swamiji of 17th c, who belonged to Spiritual Heritage of Great mystic Allama Prabhu, established Sampadan math of Gokak. Later second Gurusidda swamiji, second Rachoti Swamiji, third Gurusiddha swamiji, poojya Chennabsavdevaru, and Basava swamiji were anointed as the pontiff's of the Shoony Sampadana math. Glorious Heritage of Monastery Shoony Sampadan math enjoyed the unique royal status of Religious centre. Relics such as Palanquin, chariot, iron chains which were used to tie camels, horses and elephants are still seen here. Former pontiff's were creators of miracles and unparalleled spiritualists. Once His Holiness Rachoti Swamiji of this Math had gone on pilgrimage with devotees to Yedeyuru and Dharmasthala, while returning, a strange woman, despite warning not to follow them, she followed them till Gokak. Nobody bothered her but Rachoti Swamiji advised her to go to and settle at Metakanatti, a close by village of Gokak and once in every 12 years Divine Fair takes place in her name. Later she came to be known as Goddess Laxmi of Merakanatti.

Earlier Palanquin with her image in it used to be brought to Sampadana math on Divine Fair day. At present the practice is not in practice. But her stone statue in the premises of math is worshipped. Every year in the month of April her worship followed by Dasoha will be arranged says present Pontiff His Holiness Muraghs math Rajendra swamiji.

His Holiness Basava swamiji, he was anointed as pontiff on 22nd August 1952. He was well versed at astrology, dictates of almanac Ayurveda medical science, even he administered Ayurveda medicine to patients. He loved devotees of all caste, creed and status. He had earned the goodwill of all for his righteousness and virtues. His Holiness Murughrajendra Maha swamiji.

An efficient successor of poojy Basava swamiji, His Holiness Murugh Rajendra swamiji a BA graduate, a lover of books, a votary of culture is a brilliant deliverer of spiritual discourses. After he took over as pontiff of Maths, in the year 2004, Monastery has received a new impetus. He is taking the holy math ahead on the path of progress with vigor and verve. He has studied scriptures under the tutelage of His Holiness Mahant Swamiji of Muraghamath at Dharwar for a decade.

Swamiji who firmly believes in the dictum that salvation lies in service, and service to the society is the best form of prayer and penance has dedicatedly dedicated his every breath for the social cause in the manner of pioneer pontiff' of social service, His Holiness Hanagal Kumar swamiji. Swamiji has brought about tremendous development of the society through conduct of Literary, cultural, social, spiritual and economic programmes and conventions. His good moral character, gentle behavior, down to earth attitude, charity acts and simple living have earned the goodwill and respect of the devout of all class and caste. Shri Chennabasaveshwar Education Society established by him runs preprimary, primary, Secondary Schools and job oriented courses such as BPO, Trans Solution, and BCA College in Gokak imparting quality education to create employability among the rural youth. Swamiji has action plans ready on hand for construction of Dasoha will Bhavan, Well equipped Library with rich treasure of classics of all clime and culture, Beautiful Garden for Students to rest, Installation of 100'Stone Statue of Lord Basaveshwara in the spacious premise of Math, Guest House for pilgrims, Rooms for Guest Swamijis, Renovation of the front part of the monastery etc. In a word it is his ardent mission to convert the math into a centre of pilgrims.

His Holiness Murughrajendra Swamiji organizes Sharan Sanskriti Utsava every Year with grandeur and gaiety, during which discussions and deliberations on various issues like Folk Literature, Women's Writings, Agricultural, Social, political problems and challenges take place for the benefit of all sections of Society for four days. Outstanding Achiever in any field is honored with Kayak Shree Award on this occasion. This best practice aims at promoting noble deed or contribution to society. So far Shankar Bidari, IG, Dr Prabhakar Kore, MP, Chairman, KLE Society, Belagavi, Bheemrao Murgod, Globally known Artist, are the recipients of this prestigious Award During the year 2015, to commemorate the tenth year of Swamiji's anointment of pontiff, it was bestowed on Gandhian Sri Anna Hajare for his contribution to make India corruption free. One more mile stone event of the math is organisation of Shivanubhav on every full moon day. Scholarly Lectures delivered on this occasion so far have been published under the titles, Vachan Sampad, Sharan Sampad and Shoony Sampada. Articles of these volumes have earned the appreciation of readers and critics. Seeking his blessings whole society wishes His Holiness Murugh rajendra Swamiji a spiritual icon, along and joyous prospects. Dr Gurudevi Huleppanavar math Belagavi.