Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal was the head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham.
He had been admitted to a hospital this morning after he complained of breathing problems. He suffered a cardiac arrest, news agency PTI reported. He had been in poor health for much of last year.
Born Sri Subramaniyam on July 18, 1935, Jayendra Saraswathi was head of the Kanchi Mutt or Hindu monastery established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and had a huge following in South India. The Mutt runs several schools, eye clinics and hospitals. The junior pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi will succeed Jayendra Saraswathi.
The rites of the guru, described as 'Brindavana Pravesha Karyakramam' in vedic parlance, will commence from tomorrow, according to the mutt.
His body has been kept at the Kamakoti Peetam for his followers to pay last respects. Many of the devotees who visited the mutt were in tears and described him as a 'jagathguru.'
He had been named as the successor to the Mutt by Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal and was given the title Sri Jayendra Saraswathi on March 22, 1954.
The Shankaracharya was among those charged in a 2004 murder of a Kanchipuram temple employee. Sankara Raman was found murdered within the Kanchi temple premises in September 2003. On November 11, 2003, on Diwali day, Jayendra Saraswathi was arrested from Mahbubnagar in Andhra Pradesh. After two months in jail he got bail. In 2013, he and 22 others were cleared of the charges.
Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among those who expressed their condolences.
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. pic.twitter.com/pXqDPxS1Ki
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 28, 2018
I 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. #JayendraSaraswathi pic.twitter.com/2gcjDFgJmV
- VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) February 28, 2018
Deeply saddened by the demise of Jayendra Saraswati ji, the Shankaracharya of the Kanchipuram Kamakoti Peetam math. With his demise we have lost a great saint of present times, who has been a guiding force for the millions. My prayers for the liberated soul.
- Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 28, 2018
We regret to hear about the passing away of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi. May his soul rest in peace. Our thoughts go out to his close associates and millions of his followers around the world.
- Congress (@INCIndia) February 28, 2018
(With inputs from PTI)Saddened at the Mahasamadhi of Kanchi Acharya Pujya Jayendra Saraswati ji
- Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 28, 2018
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