Sringeri News Bulletin - September 2007
Mahaganapati Vakyartha Vidwat Sadas
The annual Mahaganapati Vakyartha Vidwat Sabha, a conference held in the august presidentship of the Jagadguru took place in the Shankara Math, Chembur every evening from Sep 15th to Sep 27th. Sanskrit scholars from various parts of the country deliberated on Sastras such as Vedanta, Mimamsa, Nyaya and Vyakarana.
The Valedictory function was held on Sep 27th. Swami Dr. Parthasarathi Member of Prime Minister's Advisory Council and the Chairman of Sri Sringeri Sharada Institute of Management at New Delhi was the chief guest and Sri Patang Rao Kadam, Minister, Maharashtra Government and Sri V. Shankar, Secretary of the South Indian Education Society were also present on the occasion.
Sastra scholars presented with gold rings
with the Jagadguru
. In the valedictory function, every scholar was awarded with a gold chain, shawl and cash award while gold rings were awarded by Dr. Harish, USA to Vidwan Sri Viswanatha Gopala Krishna Sastry of Rajahmundry (Nyaya Sastra), Vidwan Sri Babudas of Kalady (Vedanta) and Vidwan Sri Vishnu Namboothiri of Payyanur (Vyakarana).
During the function, the Jagadguru gave an Anugraha Bhashana in Sanskrit and released a book in Nyaya Sastra titled "Tattvachintamani Vivechanam - Shabdakhandam" - a new commentary on Gangeshopadhyaya's Tattvachintamani edited by Dr. Rajaram Shukla of Varanasi and published by the Shankara Advaita Research Centre at Sringeri. The Jagadguru also released the "Mahaganapati Vakyartha Vidwat Sabha 2006", a book on the Proceedings of the discussions of the previous year's Sabha. The Jagadguru also released a book, "Practice of Management in the Light of Bhagavad Gita" containing lectures of Dr. Swami Parthasarathi.
The Jagadguru also released the following CDs (A) Bhakti Sudha Tarangani - Vol. 1, an audio CD of selected hymns composed by Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, with music set by Sri Shenkottai Harihara Subramanian and sung by the Sringeri Sisters. (B) "Vardhanti Vaibhavam" - A VCD containing documentary on the Vardhanti Celebrations of the Sringeri Jagadguru and His Anugraha Bhashana. (C) Bhakti Sudha - Audio CD and sung by the Sringeri Sisters. (D) Jagadguru's Compositions Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 - Audio CDs of hymns composed by the Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal and sung by the Sringeri Sisters
Completion of Chaturmasya and Visit to Mahalakshmi temple
Jagadguru having Darshan at Mahalakshmi temple
The Jagadguru completed the Chaturmasya Vrata with the observation of Uma Maheshwara Vrata on Sep 26th. As per the tradition, the Jagadguru having completed the Chaturmasya Vrata visits temples for Darshan. At Sringeri, it is customary for the Jagadguru to cross the Tunga and have Darshan of all deities including Goddess Sharada and Lord Malahanikareshwara on this day. This year, having completed the Chaturmasya Vrata at the Sringeri Shankara Math at Chembur, Mumbai, the Jagadguru visited the famous Goddess Mahalakshmi temple at Malabar Hill in the evening. Located beside the seashore, the temple built in the later half of the 18th century is the oldest temple in Mumbai dedicated to Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. The Jagadguru had Darshan of the Goddesses, blessed the temple officials and returned to the Chembur Math.
Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja at Siddhi Vinayak Temple
Jagadguru performing Puja on Vinayaka Chaturthi
at Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Mumbai
On Sep 15th, the Jagadguru visited the Siddhi Vinayak temple at Prabhadevi, Mumbai and performed Vinayaka Chaturthi Puja to the famous deity. The Kalasa Prathisthapana and Kumbhabhisheka of the two century old temple had been performed by the Jagadguru during His 1994 Vijaya Yatra to Mumbai. After the Puja, the Jagadguru blessed the temple authorities and the thousands of aseembled disciples and returned to the Chembur Math. He then the performed special Puja traditionally performed to Lord Ganapati by the Sringeri Jagadgurus on the auspicious day.
Vratas and Pujas during Chaturmasya
Jagadguru performing Sri Krishna Puja
on Gokulashtami
The Jagadguru performed a special Puja on Sep 22nd on the occasion of Vamana Jayanti. Earlier, the Jagadguru performed the Varamahalakshmi Vrata on 24th August. The Jagadguru worshipped Sri Krishna on the night of Sri Gokulashtami (4th September). He also observed the Anantapadmanabha Vrata on Sep 25th.
Disciples deem it a privilege and fortune to have Darshan of the Jagadguru during the Shravana Somavaras that occur during the Chaturmasya. This year, devotees in large numbers witnessed the Jagadguru's elaborate worship of Lord Chandramoulishwara on each of the five Shravana Somavaras and received His Blessings.