Ailing Karnataka-based Pejavara Mutt seer Swami Vishwesha Teertha passed away at 88, PTI reported. "May Lord Krishna grant salvation to his soul. I would pray for the devotees to give them the strength to overcome their pain," Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa told ANI.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on passing away of Pejavara Mutt Seer Vishwesha Teertha Swami: May Lord Krishna grant salvation to his soul. I would pray for the devotees to give them the strength to overcome their pain. https://t.co/bZxrLFd7fF pic.twitter.com/cGkJ5pjLue
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2019
PM Narendra Modi tweeted: "Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji of Sri Pejawara Matha, Udupi will remain in hearts & minds of lakhs of people for whom he was always a guiding light. A powerhouse of service and spirituality, he continuously worked for a more just & compassionate society. Om Shanti."
I consider myself blessed to have got many opportunities to learn from Sri Vishvesha Teertha Swamiji. Our recent meeting, on the pious day of Guru Purnima was also a memorable one. His impeccable knowledge always stood out. My thoughts are with his countless followers. pic.twitter.com/sJMxIfIUSS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2019
He was hospitalised on December 20 after he developed breathing difficulty, and has since been in the ICU. Reports claimed he suffered from extensive pneumonia. "The condition of Shri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji is very critical and there is further decline in his health status. He remains unconscious and continues to be on life support. Tests have shown severe brain dysfunction," medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, had said in a health bulletin last week.
BJP leader Uma Bharti was one of the first to visit the swamiji. Calling him a "rarest of rare" saint, revered by people from across sections of the society, Uma Bharti said, "For me he is not only a guru, but also like a father. I pray for his health, because Swamiji is much needed for society. My guru is a karma yogi and he taught all of us to become karma yogis," she added. Bharti had taken the sanyasa deeksha from the seer in 1992.
-Inputs from PTI
