Pujya Sri Mahaswamy Divya Charitram Part#13

5. Administration of Mutt (1911 -1915)

Mutt Administered by District Court A few concerned devotees had petitioned the District court that the administration of the mutt should be taken up by the court while Swamigal was a minor and until he reached the age of twenty-one. Even though there was not enough property in the mutt to be administered, the court considering the benefit of the mutt, ordered the mutt to be administered under the “Guardian and Wards Act”. Sri C.H.Venkataramana Iyer, an illustrious personality from Kolijivadi village near Coimbatore was appointed as guardian by the court. The administration of the mutt was under guardianship from 1911 to May, 1915. On the day of Sankara Jayanthi in the year 1915, Swamigal took over the administration of the mutt on the completion of his 21st year. The administration of the mutt was taken over in name, but the actual work was taken care of by an agent, one Sri Pasupathi Iyer. He was an able administrator who volunteered to do the job without compensation and hailed from Thirupathiripuliyur. Swamigal does not sign any document, instead Sri Mukham stamp is placed on documents.

The Sankara Jayanthi celebration in the year 1915 was celebrated in a grand manner with devotees pouring in from all parts of the country. Swamigal released a monthly magazine ‘Arya Dharmam’ which was targeted in simplifying and making Shastras easily understandable to the public. The magazine was published by Sri T.K.Balasubramania Iyer from Srirangam Vanivilas printing press. Changes to the administration of the mutt were made to achieve efficiency. For the sake of devotees, the history of the mutt was published in different languages. The relics and artifacts belonging to the mutt were examined and studied by Sri T.K.Gopinatha Rao and collated into a book, which was also then released.