Madhva theology (and theologians), like Michael Jordan, is a good fastball hitter, but struggles always with curve balls, be it asserting Madhvacharya’s greatness or the egalitarian nature of Dvaita philosophy. More recently, the shastric injunction against Madhva gurus crossing the oceans has caused a huge furore.
So here is the latest dispute.
Udupi has eight mathas, whose seers take turn every two years of managing the Udupi Krishna temple and performing worship. This ancient Paryaya (alternate) arrangement changes hands every other year, on January 18th. This year, seven seers, led by the Pejawara seer, opposed the ascension of Puttige seer Sri Sugunendra Theertha, on the grounds that the latter visited America. I suspect more Madhvas are in California than in Mangalore/Bangalore, but rules of Dharmashastras are divine injunctions, if you ask the faithful.
So we have seen the entire spectrum of public protestation and private negotiation deployed: fasts, public demonstrations, law suits, eminent public figures including politicians negotiating behind the scenes. It has been fascinating to watch the different solutions proposed. Madhva scholars of Dharmasastra contended that Dharmashastras are superior to Judiciary and urged the Puttige seer not to ascend the Peetha (seat). Some others were prepared to cede the administrative responsibilities, if the Puttige seer agreed not to ascend the Peetha formally, perform worship and touch the Krishna image. Others pointed out to a precedent when the Admaru seer Vibhudeshatheertha Swami had renounced his Paryaya rights and had designated his junior to perform worship.
I usually don’t to use the word feudal but in this instance, I am forced to break my own rule. Even as they have modernized some aspects of their functioning (especially, by becoming social entrepreneurs on behalf of their community), the mathas of Karnataka hold on to feudal rituals and practices such as wearing a crown, riding in a palanquin or chariot. Even those who profess an egalitarian outlook are not immune to it. This unseemly public sparring aside, if the Udupi seers and Dharamshastrins choose to be literal in interpreting tradition and scripture, then we will continue to be medieval in our outlook. The Udupi temple itself hasn’t become an egalitarian setting and continues to discriminate against women and lower castes. Nothing will change regardless of who assumes Paryaya responsibilities. Udupi will continue to be the same.
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