Keshavashram

Swami Keshavāshram
Religion	Hinduism
Philosophy	Shaivism, Dharma
Personal
Born	Talgēri(family name) Kandlur(?),Karnataka
Died	1823 (9th day of the Mārghashīsha month) Shirali, Karnataka
Guru	Swami Sharkarāshram II
Honors	FIFTH Guru of Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins

Swami Keshavashram (Devanagari: केशवाश्रम्, Ke.sha.vā.shram) was the fifth guru of the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin community,that is, the Fifth Mathādhipati(Head of the Chitrāpur Matha) of the community. His reign was from 1785 to 1823, a period of 38 years (42 years including his period as disciple of Swami Shankarāshram II). He became the head of the community after his teacher(guru) Swami Shankarāshram died in 1785.

Under his administration, the Chitrapur Math acquired land and property. He was able to consolidate the Sāraswat Community both in numbers(increased the number of followers) and in faith (weaned away many from Dvaita Vaishnava practises). He died in 1823 at Shirali. His samādhi(shrine) is located at Shirali.

(Note: In this article Swamiji will refer only to Swami Keshavāshram)

Swami Keshavāshram became the Fifth head of the community after his teacher (guru) Swami Shankarāshram II attained Mahā-samādhi in 1785 in the month of Maagha. The official taking over took place on the tenth day of the month. Swamiji had the advantage of being under his guru for 4 years and could hence could easily take charge of the administration of the Chitrāpur Matha and the community in general.

Swamiji was a very able administrator and he could acquire land and fixed property for the Chitrāpur Matha. This resulted in the expansion of the matha. He would personally supervise the administration and finance of the matha whenever he had the spare time. He was well versed with the scriptures but at the same time had a keen mathematical prowess. In the 42 years in charge with the matha administration(38 years as the Mathādhipati and 4 as disciple to his guru), he could consolidate the community as a whole.

...
Wikipedia