If the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham positively deviated from its celebrated traditions during the past quarter century, the ancient Hindu monastic institution owes it to Jayendra Saraswathi’s charting an independent course for it after becoming the 69th Shankaracharya. This, sadly, led to an uncharitable campaign against the pontiff but least stopped his spirited efforts in transforming the ritualistic Math into a socially vibrant centre of knowledge and activity.