[1] Saraswat (Sā.ra.swat) is the generic term for the Brahmins or learned people who inhabited the fertile basin between the ancient rivers of Saraswati and Drishadawati in Kashmir.
[3] Their superior intelligence and administrative experience helped them attain several important posts in the regions in which they migrated to.
The common thread that binds all these people is the Guru Parampara and the Chitrapur Math During the reign of the Hindu chiefs of Nagar or Keldi (1560–1768)[5] in the Kanara regions of Karnataka, the Smartha Saraswats held esteemed positions in the government.
[4] The King heeded the words of these envious people and issued an official decree whereby "If the Saraswats did not show him their Guru, a heavy penalty would be imposed upon them".
The intensity of prayer is as quoted: The Saraswats gathered together,And prayed in all humility,Giving up hunger, thirst and sleep...
Such was the intensity The devotees with prayers in their hearts,Unceasingly for long nights and days,Surrendered unto Lord Mahabaleshwar,At Gokarn, that sacred place.
In a dream he appears and assures his devotees that a Sanyasi would arrive at the banks of the Kotiteerththe next day and that he would guide the community as their Guru.
As the dream had proclaimed, a sanyasi clad in saffron robes and carrying the vigraha (idol) of Lord Bhavānishankara in his cloth pouch arrived at the banks of the Kotiteerth (Ko.ti.tī.rth), the village tank.
[8] "Sacred ash smeared on the forehead,The Guru arrived, the Benevolent One,Clad in flaming saffron robes,Resplendent like the Sun!
The Saraswat installed Swami Parijñānāshram I at the Sri Vishveshwar Vithal Temple and brought him to Nāgar and before the king.
But the king refused to accept him as their guru until and unless the Shankarāchārya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham gave his consent.
In the night "Jagadguru" had a dream where he saw that idol of Sharada Devi had lost its lustre as she was upset as her son was denied entry into the temple.
The Swamiji consented to stay on at the Sri Vishweshwar Vithal Temple on the banks of the Kotiteerth in Gokarna which became the first Math or monastery (The Adi Matha) of the Sāraswats.
With Shankarāshram I Swamiji attaining samādhi without ordaining a new successor, the community was again put into a state of peril.
They went to a saintly person, who practised yoga, from the Pandit family in Kollur and asked him if he would take up the reins of the Mathādhipati.
[14][15] Not being the type who liked to wield power,[14][15] Swamiji accepted a shisya (disciple) very soon and spent most of his time practising yoga at Kollur.
His samādhi is located at Shirali Swami Shakarāshram II was considered as the avatār(incarnation) of Lord Dattātreya.
[16][17] He was a true Jñāni (knowledgeable one) and people from all parts of the country flocked to hear his spiritual discourses.
He ordered the construction of temples and mathas, set right existing ones and gradually got over many people from their Vaishnava practises.
He brought about many social reforms like permission to go abroad and taking back the people from the community who had been ostracized for foreign visits.
[39][40] He was responsible for the starting of cottage and small-scale industries like printing press, handlooms and powerlooms, agro-industries in the regions around the math.
Swamiji true to his divine grace made the ultimate Tyāga (sacrifice) by giving up the administration of the matha in 1981.
[43][40] After the Samadhi of Parampoojya Parijnanashram Swamiji, the Karla Math continues to be managed by the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community, under guidance from His successor, H H Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji, the 11th Guru in the Chitrapur Saraswat Guruparampara and spiritual head of the institutions running the Karla Math.
In Him the community found an erudite Vedic Scholar, an exponent of the advaitic Philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, teacher, reformist leader.
Ordained into Sanyas by HH Swami Ishwarānanda Giriji Maharaj as Sadyojāt Samvat Giri [59][60]., He took up the reins of Shri Chitrapur Math in February 1997 as Sadyojat Shankarashram Swami at a well-attended, elaborate Ceremony graced and blessed by H H Shankaracharya of Shringeri Shardamba Peetham.
[43][44] Under Swami Sadyojāt Shankarāshram's guidance, the Shrivali Trust was established which has provided high quality medical care and drinking water to the people.
The Shri Chitrapur Math Charitable Trust today works for the empowerment of the villagers providing livelihood to the underprivileged.
[44] The "Guru Parampara" of the Sāraswat Brahmins is something that they cherish and will always remain as the vital link that connects this small community of people, living in different parts of the globe, together.