A revolutionary by blood turned monk by his choice

 Nitish Dambal, Dharwad

He was a monk, he was freedom fighter, he was a social reformer, he was a great scholar, he was a professor and he was a character with blend of spirituality and revolution, the name is Shri Bharatikrishna Theertha Ji.

Swamiji was so sharp in studies since childhood. Cleared Master of Arts in 7 subjects i.e. Sanskrit, Philosophy, and Classical subject, English, Mathematics, History and Political Science in just one academic year from Bombay

University in 1904 which is still a record. Widely known as the ‘Father of Vedic Mathematics’, Shri Bharatikrishna Theertha Ji has conducted research in Atharvana Veda over a period of 10 years. ‘Ekadhikena Purvena’ is the most significant sutra (formula) contributed by swamiji which provides solution to many mathematical problems.

During early days, Venkataramanan (purvashrama name of swamiji) fought for freedom against British under the guidance of Gopalkrishna Gokhale. He was also in regular contact with revolutionaries like Aravind Ghosh, Barindra Ghosh and many others. He strongly believed that, only armed revolution works to attain freedom rather than non-violence method. Collection of hand bombs, ammunitions and using them against British was his frequent task. Due to his revolutionary activities British enrolled Venkataramanan name in most dangerous people list.

Parallel to revolution Venkataramanan attracted to spirituality which made him to reside at Shringeri Sharada Peetha for 8 years and was guided by Shri Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati, Shri Chandrashekhar Bharati. Later, on July 16, 1919 he received sanyasa deeksha from Shri Trivikrama Teertha Swamiji of Dwaraka peetha and renamed as Shri Bharatikrishna Teertha Ji.

Revolution was in his blood. In all his discourses, swamiji enlightened the people about Hindu Dharma and significance of freedom movement, for which he was arrested too. This triggered the people and British received strong opposition for their fallacious act. In 1925 Shri swamiji became Jagadguru of Govardhan Peetha, Puri.

Swamiji’s affection towards Vedic Maths was endless. 100 digit huge numbers were easily multiplied and divided. Taught Vedic formulas would make maths much easier and insisted teachers to implement in their teachings.  Swamiji had profound knowledge in Ayurveda, Sanatana Dharma, and Vedanta. Besides swamiji treated every Hindu equally and abolished the discrimination. Made Shri Jagannath temple accessible for all Hindus irrespective of caste and country. In 1958 Swamiji visited America and gave lecture on Bharateeya Sanskriti, philosophy etc in many colleges, Universities and Churches.

From 1883 to 1960, 77 years of life span Shri Bharatikrishna Teertha swamiji lived for Rashtra, Dharma and social harmony. Swamiji is still remembered in every mathematical problem which needs to be solved by Vedic sutras.