Satyabodha Tirtha

Biography

Satyabodha Tirtha was born in Raichur, which is located between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers in the Indian state of Karnataka. Most of the information about his life is derived from the hagiography Satyabodha Vijaya written by Kanchi Vadiraj Achar. Born in 1710 into a traditional Deshastha Madhva Brahmin household, he was named Ramacharya. His father's name was Hariyacharya and mother's name was Aralabai. He was believed to be an avatar of Markhandeya rishi. He started studying shastras at the age of eight. The name conferred on him when he became the head of the Uttaradi Math monastery was Satyabodha Tirtha. Upon assuming the pontificate of the Uttaradi Mutt, he built a Brindavana to his guru at Mana Madurai and performed an aradhana in his honour. Satyabodha Tirtha travelled extensively all over India, winning over adversaries in philosophical, scholarly discussions, thereby acquiring shishyas and considerable wealth, landed properties and tamrapatras from kings and nawabs.

Peace treatise between two Kings

Satyabodha Tirtha has played a prominent part in the history of India. Once it so happened that Murari Rao of Gooty was occupying the Fort of Trichanapalli. Nizam-ul-mulk had put a seize to this fort in order to get back this fort. He was unsuccessful though he tried it for 3 months. Then the Nizam was told that if Satyabodha Swami were brought to Trichanappally from Ramanathpur and kept in jail, Murari Rao who was an ardent devotee would come out of the fort and yield. Satyabodha Tirtha brought about treaties between these two Warring Kings and established peace in the Country.