Sringeri News Bulletin - April 2008
150th Jayanti of the 33rd Acharya
On April 2nd, the 150th Jayanti of the 33rd Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal was observed. Mahamangalarati was performed at noon in the Jagadguru's presence while the Jagadguru Himself performed a special Puja at night. Earlier in the morning, the Vidyarthis of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala, founded by the Mahaswamigal, observed the Jayanti at the Samadhi shrine with an assembly in the morning. Ardent devotee and elderly scholar, Dr. N.S.Dakshinamurty delivered a lecture recounting the life and teachings of the Mahaswamigal.
Pathashala Varshikotsava
Jagadguru giving Anugraha bhashanam
On April 4th, the 113th annual day function (Varshikotsava) of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala took place. The Jagadguru graced a function held in the morning to commemorate the event. Outstanding Vidyarthis were felicitated. The Jagadguru released Sadvidya, the Pathashala Souvenir and gave a Sanskrit Anugraha Bhashanam calling for greater attention and dedication towards the study of the Vedas and Sanskrit. In the evening, a cultural programme was conducted by the Vidyarthis that included a Sanskrit drama 'Karna Bhaaram' and a Kannada Yakshagana.
Ugadi and Aradhana of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrismha Bharati Mahaswamigal
On April 7th the Jagadguru had Darshan at all the temples of the Peetham on the auspicious occasion of Chandramana Ugadi. In accordance to tradition, a detailed Panchanga Shravana took place at Goddess Sharada's shrine in the evening. This year, the dawn of the Sarvadhari Samvatsara coincided with the (96th) Aradhana of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal. The Jagadguru performed an elaborate Aradhana Puja at noon and worshipped at the Samadhi shrine in the night after the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja.
58th Vardhanti of Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal
Jagadguru releasing DVD on
centenary celebrations Bangalore Shankara Mutt
The 58th Vardhanti of the Jagadguru was celebrated in all grandeur from 7th April to 12th April. Maharudra Yaga and Sahasrachandi Mahayaga were conducted with the Jagadguru gracing the commencements of the Yagas that were performed for the welfare of humanity. While the Maharudra Yaga commenced on 7th April at the Sampradayika Bhavanam opposite Goddess Sharada's temple, the Sahasrachandi Mahayaga started on 8th April at Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam. On April 10th the Jagadguru worshipped Lord Stambha Ganapati, Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani at the hillock where the Malahanikareshwara temple is situated.
On Vardhanti (April 11th), thousands of devotees had the fortune of having the early morning Anhika Darshan of the Jagadguru and performed Bhiksha Vandanam. The Jagadguru then paid His obeisances at the Adhishtanams of His Guru, Parmaguru and Parameshthi Guru and came over to the northen bank of the Tunga. Sri Sri Sannidhanam then had Darshan at all the temples and performed a special Puja to Goddess Sharada. Following this, the Poornahuti of the Maharudra Yaga took place in the Jagadguru's presence.
In the evening, the Jagadguru inaugurated the Internet browsing facility at Vidya Nidhi Knowledge Centre, an initiative of the Peetham to spread computer education to children and students in and around Sringeri. About 1800 students have availed the free six-month computer course at the Centre that started functioning 3 years ago. Currently the Centre has 150 students.
The evening public function was held at Pravachana Mandiram as a mark of respect, devotion and honour towards the Jagadguru. The function that began with Veda Ghosha and Prayer was attended by disciples from various states as well as a number of dignitaries including the royal scion of Mysore, Sri Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wodeyar, and former Chief Minister of Goa, Sashikala Kakodkar. A number of ardent disciples expressed their heartfelt devotion towards the Peetham and the Jagadguru. Sanskrit scholar Sri Vasant Rao Gadgil spoke in Sanskrit and Marathi, Chairman of Sri Sharada Institute of Management at New Delhi, Dr. Swami Parthasarathi in English, President of Sri Bharati Tirtha Seva Prathishthana at Bangalore, Sri B.S.Dwarakanath in Kannada, Sringeri Math Asthana Pauranika Sri Bachampalli Santosh Kumar Sharma in Telugu, while ardent disciple Sri Srinivasa Raghavan addressed in Tamil.
The Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar, mentioned that with the Grace of the Jagadguru, a new branch of the Peetham, "Sringeri Dham" had started functioning near Jammu on March 21st. He also said that the Peetham has now embarked on a noble cause in taking care of children whose parents were serving sentences in prison. Presently, about 110 such children are being provided boarding, lodging and education.
A number of book releases were then made by the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru first released a book in Kannada 'Punya Kshetra Sringeri'. Authored by Sri T V Shivakumara Sharma, this book embellished with numerous photographs, serves as a comprehensive guide to Sringeri, its history and the Acharyas. The Jagadguru then released a Tamil book titled "Dharma Shraddaiyum Bhagavad Bhaktiyum". This book contains a series of discourses by the Jagadguru, compiled by Smt. Sharada Ramanan of Chennai. The Jagadguru also released special issues of three spiritual magazines in Telugu - Shankara Kripa, Vishakha Vipravaani, and Darshanam. A book titled "Essentials of True Devotion" containing the Jagadguru's discourses in English compiled and translated by Sri Suresh Chandar was also released. The Jagadguru also released "The Centenary Celebrations of the Bangalore Shankara Math - A hundred years of spiritual glory and service" - a commerative DVD of the Centenary Celebrations held last year. Produced by Sri Shankara Advaita Research Centre, this DVD, besides containing footage of the Centenary Celebrations, traces the history of the Bangalore Math at Shankarapuram, detailing its development and the visits graced by the Acharyas of the Peetham.
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam recounted the unbounded Grace of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal and attributed all the developmental activities of the Peetham to the Anugraha of Goddess Sharada and His Guru, and to the efforts of the Administrator Sri Gowrishankar.
The Jagadguru then performed an elaborate Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja with Panchamrita Abhisheka. Sri Rudram, Purusha Suktam, Narayana Suktam were chanted. The Jagadguru blessed all after the Mahamangalarati took place at around 11:30 PM thus marking the end of an eventful Vardhanti day at Sringeri.
On April 12th, the Poornahuti of Sahasrachandi Mahayaga took place in the presence of the Jagadguru.
Sri Rama Navami Celebrations
Jagadguru performing Shri Rama Navami
April 14th, Sri Rama Navami was celebrated at Sringeri. The Jagadguru performed an elaborate Puja at noon to Sri Ramachandra. At the end of the Puja, the Sri Rama Janana Sarga from the Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayanam was read out by the Jagadguru. As part of the Rama Navami celebrations, Carnatic music concerts were held at Pravachana Mandiram from April 7th. Valmiki Ramayana Parayana was performed at the temple of Sri Kothandrarama Swami temple adjacent to Goddess Sharada's temple throughout the Vasanta Navaratri. On April 15th, the Pattabhishekha Sarga was read out in the presence of the Jagadguru at Pravachana Mandiram.
Jagadguru touring Karnataka and Goa
Acceding to the request of disciples, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal started on a month-long Vijaya Yatra from Sringeri on 26th April.
The Jagadguru started on April 26th on a tour of Karnataka and Goa for 1 month and will observe Sri Shankara Jayanti at Sri Kundeshwara Swami temple at Kundapura in Udupi district. The Jagadguru shall return to Sringeri on May 26th.
On 27th evening, the Jagadguru started for Goa. At the Karnataka-Goa border, devotees and dignitaries including the Goa Chief Minister, Sri Digambar Kamath and Speaker Sri Pratap Singh Rane, welcomed the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru proceeded to Sakhale and halted at the 500-year old Vitthal Mandir.
On 28th, the Jagadguru worshipped at the Shanta Durga temple in Karapur, near Sakhale and reached Madagaon by evening.
On 29th, after blessing the devotees at Madagaon, the Jagadguru graced the Shruti Sanjeevini Pathashala, being run by the Peetham and returned to the Vitthal Mandir in Sakhale.
On 30th, the Jagadguru performed Puja at the Vitthal Mandir. In the evening, the Jagadguru proceeded to Keri and laid the foundation stone for the first Sringeri Shankara Math in Goa. Then the Jagadguru had Darshan at the Vijaya Durga temple. Subsequently, the Jagadguru returned to the Vitthal Mandir and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam in a function commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Mandir.