Sringeri News Bulletin - December 2007
Jagadguru at Vidyaranyapura Agrahara
The Jagadguru went to the ancient Agrahara of Vidyaranyapura near Narasimha Vana, Sringeri on Dec 22nd 2007. He had Darshan at the recently renovated Lord Sri Rama temple and blessed the Agrahara residents by walking along the main street of the Agrahara.
Jagadguru worshipping Lord Dattatreya at Vidyaranyapura
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashana said that the credit for protecting Sanatana Dharma from external influences in South India in the 14th century goes to Sri Vidyaranya alone. The 12th Jagadguru of the Peetham is a shining example of the fact that Sannyasis, who remain aloof in general, do engage in actions for the welfare of the society as and when the situation demands. The Agrahara named after such a towering personality as Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya has a number of temples also including a shrine for Sri Vidyaranya Himself. The Agrahara was once replete with the study and teaching of Veda and Sastras. About 40 years back, the number of Agrahara residents engaged in Vedic studies dwindled and there arose a feeling of neglect towards the temples. In accordance to the directions of Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal), the residents had started renovating the temples of the Agrahara. The Jagadguru expressed joy over the interests of the present residents of the Agrahara in continuing this effort, and blessed the gathering and the Agrahara to regain its past glory.
The Jagadguru pointed out that the Jnanavataras of each Yuga are Lord Brahma in Krita Yuga, Lord Dattatreya in Treta, Bhagavan Veda Vyasa in Dwapara and Sri Adi Shankaracharya in Kali Yuga. The Jagadguru commended the devotion expressed by the residents towards Jnanavatar Lord Dattatreya. The Jagadguru performed a Puja to Lord Dattatreya and dedicated a Silver Kavacha, offered by the Bapat family of the Agrahara.
Jagadguru graces the Rajiv Gandhi Kendriya Samskrita Vidya Peetham, Sringeri
The Jagadguru graced the annual day function of Rajiv Gandhi Kendriya Samskrita Vidya Peetham, Rashtriya Samskrit Sansthan at Sringeri on Dec 19th 2007. The Jagadguru giving His Anugraha Bhashana in Sanskrit explained that our Sastras, which were written by Maharishis for the welfare of the world, were protected and adhered to by our ancestors and passed on to us. The present generation would be failing in its duty if the Sastras are not studied and adhered to. Today, many feel that the study of the Sastras is not useful in the present times. However one must realise that the real purpose of the Sastras is the development of the individual - self-improvement. If this was not true, why did our ancestors, who were by no means short of intellect or discrimination, show great faith and dedication in the study of the Sastras? Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada and other great people of ancient times have attained fame because of an intense study of the Sastras. Those, whom we remember today with devotion and revere as a role model, had attained such a position because of their proficiency in the Sastras.
The Jagadguru underlined this fact providing the instance of Sri Anjaneya - Lord Sri Rama expresses great joy during his first meeting with Sri Anjaneya impressed by the latter's learnedness - bahu-vyaaharataanena na kincit apa-shabditam - Not a single ungrammatical word has been uttered though (Anjaneya) has spoken extensively. The Jagadguru said that one must never be satisfied with one's acquired knowledge. Contentment must be entertained only in the case of one's accumulated wealth.
The Jagadguru, who had released four books in Sanskrit earlier, expressed happiness over the efforts being taken by scholars of the Vidya Peetham in penning Sastric works. The Jagadguru evoked the Grace of Goddess Sharada to bless the students of the Peetham in their efforts to gain knowledge.
Festivals at Sringeri celebrated with renewed vigour
The early morning Ardrotsava procession
inside the Malahanikareshwara temple at Sringeri
Following the Jagadguru's return to Sringeri, devotees once again experienced the joy of being in Sringeri and witnessing various Pujas performed by the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru performed Kartika Somavara Puja on 26th November and 3rd December. Mahapradosha with special Homas and Puja to Lord Shakti Ganapati (inside Goddess Sharada's temple) was reverently observed on 6th December while Subrahmanya Shashti was celebrated on 15th December.
Kalabhairavashtami Puja by the Jagadguru
The Jagadguru offered special worship to Goddess Kalikamba on December 21st. During this occasion, Shatachandi Yaga was performed from 19th December at the Kalikamba temple. The Jagadguru graced the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga on December 23rd.
Ardrotsava took place on December 24th with Mahamangalarati to Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani being performed early morning in the Jagadguru's presence. A procession of the Utsava Murtis then took place in the presence of the Jagadguru. The procession included three circumambulations of the hillock and continued along the main streets of Sringeri.
Kalabhairavashtami was celebrated on Dec 31st 2007 with the Jagadguru worshipping the guardian deity of Sringeri installed by Sri Adi Shankara in the east. The Jagadguru graced the Deepotsava held in the evening. On earlier dates, deepotsavas were also held in the temples of Durga, Kalikamba and Kere Anjaneya in the presence of the Jagadguru.