59th Vardhanti of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji
The 59th Vardhanti of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji was celebrated in all grandeur for 13 days from 28th March to 9th April 2009. Atirudra Mahayaga and Shatachandi Mahayaga were were performed for the welfare of humanity. The Shatachandi Mahayaga commenced on 28th March at the Pravachana Mandiram in the Jagadguru’s presence.
Ati Rudram View of Priests
On 29th March, about 140 Ritwiks received the Jagadguru’s Blessings at the Sankalpa function of the Ati Rudra Mahayaga that was conducted in Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam.
On March 31st, the Jagadguru offered special worship at the shrines of Lord Stambha Ganapati, Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani at the hillock where the Malahanikareshwara temple is situated.
Jagadguru’s Anhika Darshanam on Vardhanti
On Vardhanti (April 1st), 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 Shatachandi Mahayaga took place in the Jagadguru’s presence.
In the evening, a Guru Vandana programme was held at the main hall of Guru Nivas 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. Sanskrit scholar Sri Vasant Rao Gadgil of Pune spoke in Sanskrit and recounted the greatness of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and its Acharyas since the time of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Administrator & CEO of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar, explained the Peetham’s efforts, that had been undertaken during the previous year, with the Jagadguru’s blessings towards the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana Dharma. He made special mention of the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundations in USA and Canada, where a new temple for Goddess Sharada and a Sringeri community hall had been inaugurated with the performance of many Vedic rituals.
A number of book releases were then made by the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru first released an audio CD pack containing compositions of the 33rd Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. The CD pack titled “Bhakti Sudha Tarangini Volume 2 and Volume 3” comprises of the Mahaswamiji’s stotras in praise of Lord Shiva, Narasimha, Krishna, Padmanabha and Goddesses Lalitamba, Rajarajeshwari and Kanyakumari. The series also includes hymns on Lord Dattatreya, Sri Hanuman and ends with Bhavabandha muktyashtakam. All the compositions have been sung by the Sringeri sisters. Volume 1 of this series was released in September 2007. The Jagadguru also released another audio CD containing songs on Goddess Sharada, titled “Natajana palini”. The Jagadguru released Bhagavatpada Charitam, a Sanskrit poem in 108 verses penned by elderly scholar Dr. N.S Dakshinamurti on the life of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The work was released as 5 books each containing translation to the Sanskrit verses in English, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil.
The Jagadguru released a book on a Sanskrit work Tattvabodha with English translation and notes, penned by Dr. Swami Parthasarathi, Chairman of Sri Sharada Institute of Management at New Delhi. The Jagadguru also released a Kannada book titled “Sringeri Vidyaranyapura Itihasa” describing the history of one of the oldest Agraharas still in existence, namely Vidyaranyapura in Sringeri. The Jagadguru also released special issue of a Telugu spiritual magazine, Vishakha Vipravaani.
Anugraha Bhashanam Volume 6 DVD
The Jagadguru also released “Sringeriyin Sirappum Acharyalin Amuda Mozhigalum” containing a description of the uniqueness of Sringeri as well as a compendium of spiritual instructions in Tamil given by the Jagadguru during various occasions. The Jagadguru also released Volume 6 of the Anugraha Bhashanam DVD Video Series containing two Bhashanams. In the first Bhashanam, titled “Sri Shankara’s Elucidation of Advaita”. The Jagadguru points out that the consecration and worship of deities in temples, and the performance of actions enjoined in the scriptures, are not against the pristine philosophy of Advaita (non-dualism) as explained by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Rather, they are most essential towards attaining Self-realisation. The Jagadguru in His own simple yet lucid inimitable style explains how Sri Adi Shankara has clarified various objections and doubts cast over Advaita. In the second Bhashanam titled, “Types of Miseries and the Real Medicine”, the Jagadguru delves on the types of miseries encountered by man and the futility of attempts to eradicate them. The Jagadguru emphasises the importance of Vedanta elucidating that only the direct realisation of one’s own true nature, as described in Vedanta, can deliver man from misery. The Peetham’s prestigious award called “The Sharada Peetham Award” was bestowed on renowned scholar Sri Hurugalavadi Lakshmi Narasimha Shastri. Sri Shastri has authored a number of books in Kannada and English pertaining to the Vyakhyana Simhasana at Sringeri, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, and the Acharyas of Sringeri. Sri H L N Shastri was felicitated with a certificate, a silk shawl, a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh and a Vigraha of Goddess Sharada.
Sharada Peetham Award to Sri L.N.Shastry, Mysore
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam spoke of the greatness of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the purpose of establishing the four Amnaya Peethams. The Jagadguru also recounted the efforts of His Parameshthi Guru who rediscovered Sri Shankaracharya’s birthplace Kalady about a century ago. The Jagadguru made special mention of Sri H L N Shastri and commended his devotion and endeavours to place before the public the glory of the Peetham and the lives and teachings of its Acharyas. After the function, the Jagadguru 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 9th, the Poornahuti of Atirudra Mahayaga took place in the presence of the Jagadguru.