Jagadguru at Vidyaranyapura Agrahara
Jagadguru worshipping Lord Dattatreya at Vidyaranyapura
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.
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.