His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamiji, the 35th Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetam was perfection personified.  The advent of His Holiness took place in Bangalore on the sacred Deepavali day of the year 1917.  His parents named Him Srinivasa.  Invested with the sacred thread at Sringeri, at the age of 13, He decided to stay on there, serving the Sacred Lotus Feet of His Guru, Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamiji.  A year later, the great Guru initiated Him into the Sanyasa Ashrama, granting Him the sacred the name ‘Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha’, making Him the Successor Designate to the Peetam.  

            Soon after Sanyasa, Lord Shiva appeared in the young ascetic’s dream and taught Him Yogasanas.  Subsequently the secrets of Kundalini Yoga were revealed to Him by Goddess Sri Sharadamba Herself.  On a certain occasion, while initiating His disciple into the sacred Nrisimha Mantra, the Guru was surprised to see His dear disciple’s form changing into that of Lord Sri Nrisimha.  The Great Guru was convinced beyond doubt that His disciple was none but an incarnation of the Supreme.

            Effortlessly scaling great heights in Yoga, the young Sanyasi received the initiation into the knowledge of the Atma from Lord Shiva Himself and became a perfect Jeevanmukta, to the immense joy of His beloved Guru.  All this, when He was barely 20 years of age!  After the Mahasamadhi of His Guru in 1954,  He took over as the 35th Jagadguru of this sacred seat of spiritual Excellence.

            His Holiness undertook extensive tours all over the country, spreading the tenets of Sanathana Dharma.  He successfully carried out numerous developmental projects at Sringeri.  Guest houses and dining halls were constructed for the visiting disciples and pilgrims.  Old shrines were renovated and improved.  Religious ceremonies were conducted for the welfare of the world.  A number of branch Mutts were established throughout the country.  His Holiness also brought about an agricultural revolution in Sringeri.  Coconut plantation was successfully tested in Sringgeri.  Barren as well as thorny forest lands inside the Mutt complex were converted into cultivable lands.  Modern irrigation facilities were introduced.  To provide quality medical care free of cost,  His Holiness had a hospital named ‘Sharada Dhanvantari Hospital’ constructed in Sringeri.  

            He set standards galore for mankind when it came to establishment in the Self, observing the duties ordained for an ascetic, Yogic excellence, faith in God and humanitarian outlook.  Until the day of shedding His mortal coil (21-09-1989), this Supreme Sage ensured that every minute of His live was spent for the welfare of the world.