Jagadguru’s Chaturmasya at Mumbai – The Anugraha Bhashanas
Thousands of disciples and devotees coming from all parts of the country had Chaturmasya Darshan of Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal at the Sringeri Shankara Math, Chembur, Mumbai. The Jagadguru graciously acceding to the requests of the devotees blessed the devotees with Anugraha Bhashanas in chaste Hindi every Sunday and Wednesday from August 5th to September 12th.
Summaries of few of the Anugraha Bhashanas are given below:
On Aug 5th, the Jagadguru underlined the importance of human birth, in which alone there is an opportunity to adhere to Dharma. This Dharma is that which results in happiness in this birth and the next. Eventhough man desires happiness – the results of good deeds, he seldom desires the performance of good deeds. And while man wants to stay away from the results of sin (sorrow), man takes efforts and indulges in sinful acts! All should remember the sayings of our Shastras that the fruit of action (whether good or bad) is shared by four people. The one who actually performs the deed, the one who aids the action by giving money, the one who gives enthusiasm for doing the deed and the one who approves the action. The Jagadguru also said people should try and follow the ancient tenet “Atmavat Sarvabhuteshu” – “Think of others as your own self”.
On Aug 8th, the Jagadguru highlighted the context in which the Gitopadesha was given by the Lord. The three main causes of Arjuna’s confusion were – ‘Why must I kill these people who are my kith and kin’, ‘Why must I engage in killing?’ and ‘Even if I do fight, will I win?’. The Lord clarified – ‘What is destroyed is only the physical frame while the Soul is eternal’, ‘Engaging in war is the Svadharma (one’s own duty) for a Kshatriya’, and ‘Do not set your eyes on the fruits of action. Be a kartavyanishtha – Do your duty without worrying about anything else’. The Jagadguru pointed out Arjuna was led astray by Moha (attachment) and Shoka (sorrow). Hence we must overcome these impediments and adhere to our Svadharma.
On Aug 12th, Paramatma or God is the Supreme Sentience that is responsible for Creation and the Cause that dispenses the fruits of our actions. At the same time, God is an ocean of mercy as can be seen in the case of many such as Vibhishana, Draupadi, Prahlada. Yet if we feel that God who is impartial does not show mercy to us, it only means that we do not have in us total devotion and surrender as Prahlada and the others had. People ask “Maharaj, I feel that God does not have pity on me. Otherwise would I be like this?” for which the reply is “Who protected you when you were in your mother’s womb when you were totally incapable? The Lord protected when you were in that state. Will He not protect you now? Have belief and devotion in God.” The benefit of performing action can be obtained only if the action is performed with total devotion.
On Aug 14th, the Jagadguru pointed out that one should pray to God for removal of one’s ahankaara (ego) and to help control one’s mind. Prayers must also be placed at the Lotus Feet of God so that we may cultivate compassion. And the final supplication must be for seeking Divine mercy to cross over this samsaara. This rare human birth is a treasure and to make it successful, we should lead a life of detachment, compassion and devotion to God.
On September 9th, the Jagadguru explained that the ultimate objective of man’s life – Moksha or salvation – can be obtained only by Jnana or knowledge. One must perform a number of Sadhanas and possess the necessary disciplines to attain Jnana. To illustrate a few such qualities, the Jagadguru mentioned the teaching of the Lord in the Bhagavad Gita – “Amaanitvam adambhitvam ahimsaa kshantir-aarjavam. Aacharyopasanam shaucham sthairyam-aatmavinigrahaH”.
Amaanitvam implies the absence of self-esteem, meaning that one striving along the spiritual path must not cultivate pride such as ‘I have been born into a very illustrious lineage’, ‘my father has been a great personality’ etc.
Adambhitvam implies modesty – restraining from proclaiming one’s own virtues. Sri Sri Sannidhanam here said that many perform Puja only to win a credit of appreciation from others and even do not engage in proper worship if onlookers are absent. Sri Sri Sannidhanam also recounted an incident related to His Parapara Guru, Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, the 32nd Pontiff of the Sringeri Peetham. One of the then British commissioners, Bowring, wanted to find out for himself the truth behind the austerity of the Jagadguru that he had heard from many quarters. He visited the Jagadguru’s camp one midnight, found the Mahaswamigal in solitude, engrossed in intense worship. He went back as a transformed personality.
Ahimsa implies abstinence from causing injury by thought, word and deed. Many a time, people do not have mental peace despite having good health, sufficient wealth and a good status in the society. This is the result of having violated the principle of ahimsa through thought in the past i.e. when people would have harboured thoughts of causing harm to others. Hence ahimsa should always be practised.
Kshanti – Tolerance. One in the spiritual path must have the qualities of patience and endurance even if others cause injury – mental, verbal or physical.
Aacharyopasanam – A seeker should engage in doing acts of service to the preceptor who teaches the means of attaining Moksha. Sri Sri Sannidhanam recounted the instance where Sri Adi Shankara’s disciple, Sri Giri, despite being dull-witted earned the Grace of the Preceptor through exemplary Guru Bhakti and was blessed instantly with knowledge – an expression of which is the famous Totakashtakam in praise of Sri Adi Shankara. Sri Giri himself became famous as Sri Totakacharya.
Shaucham – One in the spiritual path must maintain purity of the body and the mind.
Sthairyam – implies steadfastness whereby all efforts of the aspirant are concentrated exclusively in the path of Moksha.
Atma Vinigrah – implies self-control, i.e., control of oneself, of the aggregate of the body and the senses.
On Sep 12th, the Jagadguru stressed the importance of Tapas (austerity) in its 3 forms – physical, verbal and mental. The Jagadguru stressed that it is essential to study the Vedas with proper intonations (Swara) to avoid the sin which would otherwise accrue.
In His Anugraha Bhashanas, the Jagadguru stressed the need to adhere to the teachings of the Sastras in life, explaining that, while it is good to listen to or read the discourses, welfare can come about if and only if the teachings are put into practice in life.