Parijnanashram III

Lore & Background

Swami Parijnanashram III was born to Shantābai and Shankarnārāyan Laxman Shukla (Bhat) on June 15, 1947, at Shirali in Karnataka. He did primary schooling at Shirali until age six under the watch of Swami Ānandāshram. In 1953 his family moved to Mumbai, where he studied at Poddar High School, Santa Cruz. At age 12, he was chosen by Swami Ānandāshram to be his shishya and was ordained in a ceremony at Shivaji Park, Mumbai, on March 1, 1959, attended by over 10,000 devotees. He studied under his guru for seven years until Swami Ānandāshram's death on September 16, 1966, after which he became the sovereign head of the Saraswat community.

His progressive outlook led to large-scale development, including reviving the Rathōtsav (Car Festival) in 1973 after a 35-year suspension, constructing housing societies, and establishing an institution for physically and mentally challenged children. He was an animal lover who built deer parks and top-quality cow-sheds. He also established an archaeology museum at Chitrapur and a wireless station and observatory near Shirali. His progressive views caused friction with orthodox members, leading to his abdication as Mathādhipati in 1979, with full relinquishment by 1981. After abdication, he traveled across India and abroad, settling at a matha in Karla, where he continued welfare work for all people regardless of community or status.

Reader's Guide

Swami Parijnanashram III's significance lies in his unique combination of spiritual leadership and technical curiosity. He was likely the first Indian religious saint to hold a first-grade Ham Radio license, and under his regime a wireless station and observatory were established near Shirali, reflecting his interest in technical spheres. His developmental projects—such as reviving the Rathōtsav, building the Ānandāshraya shelter for the aged, and founding the Swami Parijnanashram Educational and Vocational Centre for the Handicapped in Bolinj—demonstrated a focus on self-sufficiency and social welfare. The vocational centre, completed on October 31, 1985, initially trained 60 children and later expanded to accommodate 302 children with 56 teachers. His legacy also includes the Shāntisukhada organization for women's empowerment, the Parijñānāshraya housing colony, and the deer park at Govardhan Hillock. After his abdication, he extended his welfare programs to downtrodden people irrespective of caste, creed, or status. He died on August 29, 1991, in Bangalore, and his samādhi is at the Karla Matha. He did not accept a shishya to succeed him.

Did You Know?

• He revived the Rathōtsav (Car Festival) in 1973 after it had been suspended for 35 years.
• He established a wireless station and an observatory post near Shirali.
• After abdicating in 1979, he became the first guru of the community to travel abroad.