Chinna Jeeyar Swamy was an Indian religious teacher and yogi known for his spiritual discourses on Sri Vaishnavism. He is one of the youngest acharyas in India who has mastered various branches of Vedic Dharma. In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
Wiki/Biography
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy was born as Arthamuri Sriman Narayana Charyulu on Saturday, 3 November 1956 (age 66 years; in 2022) in the village of Arthamuru in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign according to his date of birth is Scorpio; however, according to his official website, his zodiac sign is Libra. He attended Sri Gowthami Vidya Petam Oriental High School in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. After his father’s death, Chinna Jeeyar started saving money to support his family.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy during his youth
Physical appearance
Height: 5′ 7”
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Brown
Family & Caste
He belongs to a Tamil family.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Akulamannada Chilakamarri Venkatacharyulu, died when Chinna Jeeyar was very young. Chinna Jeeyar’s mother, Akulamannada Chilakamarri Alivelu Manga Thayaru, passed away at Chinna Jeeyar Swami Ashram in Muchinthal, Shamshabad Mandal on 11 September 2020.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy’s mother picture, Alivelu Manga Thayaru
Chinna Jeeyar has three sisters and one brother.
Wife
There is not much information about his marital status.
other relatives
His grandfather, Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar, also known as Peeda Jeeyar Swami, guided and educated him in Sri Vaishnava Sanskrit and Tamil and other Hindu scriptures.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and Peeda Jeeyar Swami
religion
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy follows the tradition of Thenkalai Sri Vaishnavism, which is a sect within the Hindu Vaishnavism tradition. The Thenkalai tradition is considered with respect to goddess Lakshmi and god Vishnu.
Career
Practicing Asceticism
Jeeyar was trained in the Vaishnava tradition by his grandfather, Pedda Jeeyar Swamy. After his death in 1981, Chinna Jeeyar practiced Asceticism at the age of 23 and became the head of the Srimad Ubhaya Vedantha Acharya Peetam in Nadigadapalem, a village in Andhra Pradesh. Since then, he has performed thousands of samasrayanam. According to him, his understanding of kainkarya (service) includes modern social services such as providing education to tribal children and housing for the elderly, orphans, the disabled, and the underprivileged. He has performed many Vedic rituals, yajnas, and homams for the prosperity and well-being of mankind. He has asked young people to spread the message of Sri Ramanuja and has given lectures on various subjects.
Set up an organization
Jeeyar Educational Trust (JET)
Jeeyar Educational Trust is a non-profit organization established by Chinna Jeeyar Swamy in 1982. Since then, the organization has been providing charitable and philanthropic services in India as well as internationally. JET has established various schools of Vedic Research, and has imparted education to many Vedic scholars. Later, Jeeyar Educational Trust expanded its branches in many places including Hyderabad (1983), Narayankund Nepal (1985), Rajahmundry India (1991), Madras India (1993), and JET USA Inc. USA (1995). The belief helps educate students in the Vedic tradition. In 1984, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy established the Jeeyar Educational Trust Vedic University on the South bank of the Krishna river in Sitanagaram, Guntur district. The school started with 70 students. On May 3, 1987, he established the Pancharathra Religious School at the premises of Kakatiya Cements, Jagayyapeta, Andhra Pradesh.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy blessed his students
Vikasa Tarangini
In 1992, he established another non-profit service organization called Vikasa Tarangini. The organization provides free education to blind and underprivileged tribal and fishermen children, health care services, free cancer screening camps for women, disaster relief activities, pure drinking water, free clothing and food services, and animal welfare camps. He has spearheaded many spiritual activities and services under the wing of Vikasa Tarangini, which have benefited several communities.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy feeds the cows at the Gaushala in Hyderabad
Controversy
Summons the tribal goddess
In 2022, Telangana Rashtra Samithi supporters showed their anger against Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for ‘disrespecting’ K. Chandrasekhar Rao, an Indian politician, during the inauguration of Ramanujacharya’s ‘Statue of Equality’. Reportedly, KCR’s name was removed from the statue’s commemorative plaque, which was unveiled by Narendra Modi as Rao stayed away from the inauguration event and also the ceremony that followed the inauguration. On March 16, 2022, a video of Chinna Jeeyar surfaced online in which the Vedic philosopher was seen mocking Sammakka-Sarakka, the Jatara tribal goddess. Chinna Jeeyar questions the origin and connection of Sammakka and Sarakka because according to him, they did not descend from heaven, unlike other Brahmin gods. In the video, he is seen calling the goddess “just a forest god” and saying,
It is unfortunate that even politicians and big businessmen are chasing these cheap gods.”
Chinna Jeeyar’s comments reportedly hurt the sentiments of the Adivasi community following which the association filed a complaint against him at the Chikkadpally police station in Hyderabad. Several Adivasi and tribal associations slammed Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for insulting their traditional deities Sammakka and Saralamma, and insisted that he should apologize for his comments and said,
It is the largest tribal festival in all of Asia. He has insulted thousands of tribes.”
In an interview, Chinna Jeeyar defended himself by saying that he did not insult Adivasi people and also said,
The Vikasa Tarangini Trust has probably done more for the Adivasi community than any other trust in India and they do not discriminate on the basis of religion or caste. I might have said something, but I won’t say it today. I might have said that about 20 years ago.
Hatred of Non-vegetarians
On January 17, 2022, leaders of Kula Vivaksha Porata Samiti, Telangana Vidyavanthula Vedika, Inti Party, Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti, Yerukala Sangam, and several organizations representing SC/ST issues have appealed to Nalgonda Town-II police to arrest Sri Vaishnava pope, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy for his eating habits mocked a certain community after Chinna Swamy’s video went viral where he laughed and said,
If you eat pork, you will only think like a pig. If you eat goat meat, you will just follow the group like goats because your own brain stops working. If you take the egg, you will just behave like a chicken – peck at the dirt, place to place, and eat from it.”
Honor
In 2023, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan under the category of spiritualism for his services to millions of people over four decades.
List of Padma award recipients 2023
Facts/Trivia
- According to his official website, he was born on Diwali day.
- After he became an ascetic, his name was changed to Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami.
- Chinna Jeeywar Swamy takes Tridanda with him wherever he goes because it is carried by those who have lived in Tridandi Sanyasa.
- Chinna Jeeyar Swamy performed Maha Yajna with 1008 kundas on Tirumala hill, which is said to reverberate through seven hills. 108 Sri Rama Krathus were started by Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamiji (his grandfather) but after he attained Siddhi, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy completed them and fulfilled their Acharya’s wishes.
- He was a devoted follower of Ramanujacharya, a Hindu philosopher, teacher, and social reformer.
- He is fluent in multiple languages including Tamil and English.
- He was one of the few Jiyars who accepted non-brahmin disciples.
- He is the torchbearer of the Sri Vaishnava tradition.
- In 2017, he proposed a program of celebrations to celebrate the 1000th birth anniversary of Ramanuja Charya Swami to Narendra Modi and also spoke about the installation of a 216-feet tall metal statue of Ramanuja Charya Swami in Hyderabad on the occasion.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy and Narendra Modi discuss the installation of Ramanuja Charya Swami in Hyderabad
- He designed and planned the ‘Statue of Equality,’ a statue dedicated to Ramanujacharya in Hyderabad, India. The statue was inaugurated by Narendra Modi on February 5, 2022.
Chinna Jeeyar standing in front of the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad
- He is also a pioneer in the animal welfare arena and often runs veterinary camps and animal welfare camps for free.
- In 1981, Chinna Jeeyar Swamy went to Badarinath the abode of Lord Narayana and did penance, reciting the Ashtakshari Maha Manthram.
- In 2013, he presided over the inaugural function of the 32nd state conference of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). )
- Many famous People across the world have shared their notes of admiration for the leader after attending the event organized by Jeeyar Educational Trust. On June 17, 2012, Mr. Masanori Nakano, Consul General of the Japanese Embassy, his wife, and Mr. Tsuyoshi Yamane visited Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, paid their respects, and thanked JET for providing proper assistance when they faced problems during the tsunami. They said,
We are deeply moved by the concern and help you have extended. Our people are very moved by the help.”
Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji with Mr. Masanori Nakano, his wife, and Mr. Tsuyoshi Yamane on June 17, 2012
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
