Jagadguru Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal, more popularly known as "Mahaperiyava" and also as the Sage of Kanchi, was the 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. 

​​Shri. Mahaperiyava fondly called as Jagadguru or Mahaswamigal has been greatly regarded and revered as a divine and living God form by millions of staunch devotees across the globe.
 

Sri Mahaperiyava Sharanalayam, connotes a shelter for devotees that is rendered and safeguarded by Mahaperiyava with his immense grace and choicest blessings. 

​It has been proven time and again at Sharanalayam that everything in life happens by the will and grace of Shri MahaPeriyava. 

“MahaPeriyava" is none other than Lord Maha Dev. His very presence, feel and existence all aim to lead the world in the path of dharma. 

​​​He is a divine sage, he has shed his mortal coils, he is no longer bound by anything; he is omnipresent and revered as God. He is Sadha Sivam –eternal bliss, yet, mingled with us mere mortals and a Savagnyan.  He knows our past, the present and the future. 

​​​Shri. Mahaperiyava gets everything done through devotees and now His family has become very large. His responsibility has increased multi-fold as He has to take care of all of us. We all as a part of Sharanalayam are truly blessed to be amidst Periyava’s edifice which is close to his heart. Mahaperiyava always blesses us all immensely. We need to simply surrender to Him and take a vow to walk on the path of dharma. Rest, He shall guide us throughout our life.

Mahaperiyava was born as Swaminathan Sastri on 20 May 1894. He spent his childhood years in Villupuram in Tamil Nadu. He was the second child of Shri Subrahmanya Sastri and Mahalakshmi. His father, Subrahmanya Sastri, hailed from a Kannada-speaking Smarta Brahmin family who worked as a teacher. His mother, Mahalakshmi, also belonged to a Kannada Brahmin lineage, with roots in the village of Eachangudi near Tiruvaiyaru.

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Swaminathan underwent his upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) in 1905 at Tindivanam. During this time, he displayed a keen passion for Vedic studies. When Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI, the 66th Acharya attained siddhi (spiritual liberation) in Kalavai, Swaminathan's maternal cousin was appointed the 67th Acharya. However, shortly thereafter the 67th Acharya attained siddhi due to a sudden illness and Swaminathan was unexpectedly chosen as the 68th Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.

 

​​In 1907, at the tender age of 13, Swaminathan was formally installed as the 68th Acharya under the monastic name Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.

 

​​Mahaperiyava underwent training and excelled in studying the Vedas, Puranas, Hindu scriptures, and ancient Indian literature. He achieved great progress at a young age and over the next few years continued His education under the tutelage of distinguished pandits. In addition to mastering the spiritual subjects that were part of His training regime, He showed keen interest in subjects like mathematics, astronomy, and even photography.

 

​​Mahaperiyava undertook several extensive spiritual journeys across India, spreading his profound wisdom and teachings. He encouraged devotional practices, performing Vedic rituals and reciting Vedic hymns. He preached about devotion and supported the chanting of shlokas and hymns and writing the holy name of Lord Rama. He endeared Himself to devotees and to the common people and they affectionately called Him as “Mahaperiyava”.  He always tried to resolve people's challenges. This led devotees to revere Him as a Jagadguru. He devoted his life to Kamakshi Amman.  

 

Mahaperiyava adhered to the Advaita Vedanta philosophy that was expounded and popularised by Adi Shankaracharya, the renowned Hindu philosopher and reformer. He played an important role in renovating numerous temples across India and encouraged the widespread recitation of sacred texts. He guided Vedic priests in refining their pronunciation of Sanskrit texts and implemented the intricate teachings of the Agama Sastras. His visionary leadership led to transformative social changes, including welcoming devotees from all backgrounds into temple premises.

 

​​He attained moksha on January 8, 1994 at Kanchipuram.​ Even today cores of devotees pray to Him to deliver them from the various challenges that life throws at them and their implicit faith in Him is unwavering and resolute. 

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