Jayendra SaraswathiKanchipuram (TN): Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th Shankaracharya of the Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, whose arrest and acquittal in a sensational murder had triggered a controversy, passed away here on Wednesday following a cardiac arrest.
The 82-year old seer was rushed to a private hospital in the morning after he complained of uneasiness, hospital sources said.
Jayendra Saraswathi was the senior pontiff of the mutt founded by Adi Shankaracharya, receiving the mantle from his predecessor, the late Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
The junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi will succeed Jayendra Saraswathi.
The mutt was established by Adi Shankaracharya about 2,520 years ago.
The rites of the seer, described as 'Brindavana Pravesha Karyakramam' in vedic parlance, will commence Thursday, according to the mutt.
"Brindavana Pravesha Karyakramam of HH Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal will be performed tomorrow from 8 am," the mutt's official Twitter handle said.
The seer's body has been kept at the Kamakoti peetam here for the public to pay final respects. Many of the devotees who visited the mutt were in tears and described him as a 'jagathguru.'
Prime minister Narendra Modi, vice-president M Venkiah Naidu, Tamil Nadu chief minister K Palaniswami, DMK working president M K Stalin, PMK founder S Ramadoss and others condoled the demise of the Shankaracharya.
"Deeply anguished by the passing away of Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Jagadguru Pujyashri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya. He will live on in the hearts and minds of lakhs of devotees due to his exemplary service and noblest thoughts. Om Shanti to the departed soul," Modi said.
Jayendra Saraswathi was at the forefront of innumerable community service initiatives, the prime minister said in a tweet, adding, "he nurtured institutions which transformed the lives of the poor and downtrodden."
Vice-president Naidu recalled the contribution of Kanchi Sankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi in promoting spirituality.
"Pay my respects to Kanchi peethadhipathi Shri Jayendra Saraswati who attained moksha. His contribution for the welfare of mankind and in promoting spirituality will always be an inspiration for others," he tweeted.
Arrest and acquittal
Jayendra Saraswathi was at the center of a controversy when he was arrested in connection with the sensational Sankararaman murder case on November 11, 2004.
Sankararaman was the manager of Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kancheepuram when he was murdered.
The seer had been in jail till January 5, 2005 until he was released on bail. However, Jayendra Saraswathi, along with all other accused, were acquitted of all charges by a Puducherry special court in 2013.
The arrest of both Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi left a blot on the Kanchi mutt for several years.
