Shankara Jayanti Celebrations 2011
Jagadguru in Bhashya Parayanam at Adi Shankaracharya temple on May 7th during the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations
Jagadguru performing Mahamangalarati
on Shankara Jayanti day
The Shankara Jayanti Celebrations took place from 4th to 8th May all over the country. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji observed the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations at the new temple of Sri Adi Shankaracharya at Sringeri.
During the construction of the temple, the Jagadguru had celebrated the Shankara Jayantis at Siddapura, Bangalore, Kundapura, Hassan and Kalady over the last 5 years.
The Celebrations commenced on Vaishakha Shukla Prathama (May 4th). Ekadasha-vara Rudra Abhishekha with Mahanyasa was performed daily at the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Parayana of the four Vedas, the Prasthanatraya Bhashya, Madhaviya Shankara Vijaya – the traditional account of Sri Shankara’s life, was performed daily. The Mahaswamiji was present at noon for the Mahamangalarati and engaged in Bhashya Parayana and engaged the Vedic scholars in chanting Yajur Veda Ghana.
Vedic scholars from all over India took part in the Veda Sammelan conducted on the occasion in the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji’s presence. Examinations were conducted for advanced students of the Vedas by the Peetham’s Veda Poshaka Sabha.
Jagadguru performing Abhisheka
on Shankara Jayanti day
In the evenings, the Jagadguru presided over a Sabha at Pravachana Mandiram. As part of the Sabha, Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Parayana and Upanyasas on the life and teachings by eminent scholars took place. This was followed by Mangalarati and Ashtavadhana Seva. The Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was taken in a procession along the streets of Sringeri by the Vidyarthis of the Sringeri Pathashala.
On 8th May, Shankara Jayanti day, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji performed an elaborate Puja to Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the afternoon. The Mahaswamiji concluded the Puja with the grand ‘Kanakabhisheka’ to the Vigraha of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Anugraha Bhashanam on Shankara Jayanti
In the evening Sabha, the Jagadguru rendered an Anugraha Bhashanam highlighting expressed great joy in having celebrated the Shankara Jayanti at the new temple of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and expressed that everyone had assembled here to worship Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankacharya with Shraddha and Bhakti and receive His Grace. The Jagadguru explained an ancient shloka to help understand the greatness of Sri Adi Shankaracharya –
नानाम्नायपरिश्रमं कलयतां नास्त्येव शास्त्रेषु धीः
सत्योरप्यनयोर्द्वयोः प्रविरला सा हि क्षितौ साहिती ।
अप्येतासु सतीषु नास्ति विनयो नाचारभक्तिक्षमा-
चातुर्यः स च सा च सा च स च ताश्चालम्ब्य खेलन्त्यमुम् ॥
(For those who are well versed in all the Vedas, an interest in the study of the Shastras does not arise. Even if someone is proficient in both the Vedas and the Shastras, it is very rare to see in him the literary skills of a poet. Even if we can find someone who is qualified in the study of the Vedas, Shastras and is a great poet, we do not find in him the qualities of humility, Aachaara, devotion, forbearance and wisdom). It is only in Adi Shankaracharya that all these qualities – scholarship in the Vedas, Shastras, literary skills, humility, Aachaara, devotion, forbearance and wisdom – find refuge and delight!)
Maharathotsava and Felicitation of scholars and students
Ghanapatis chant as the Jagadguru walks facing the Ratha during Adi Shankaracharya Maharathotsava
After the Kumbhabhisheka of the Adi Shankaracharya temple in February, the Jagadguru had directed that the day after the Shankara Jayanti would be celebrated as Adi Shankaracharya Maharathotsava. Consequently, at Pravachana Mandiram on the morning of May 9th (Vaishakha Shukla Shashti), the Utsava Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was placed on the Maharatha at Sringeri. The Mahajanas of Sringeri reverentially extended a formal invitation to the Jagadguru to come and conduct the first Adi Shankaracharya Maharathotsava. The grand Rathotsava took place along the main Bharathi Street of Sringeri with the jubilant Jagadguru chanting Yajur Veda and the Ghanapathis chanting in tandem.
Ghanapatis chant as the Jagadguru walks facing the Ratha during Adi Shankaracharya Maharathotsava
CEO & Administrator of the Peetham, Sri V R Gowrishankar announced that under the Jagadguru’s direction, scholarships will be given by the Veda Poshaka Sabha to students wishing to pursue higher studies in the Vedas and to study the Veda Bhashyas.
In His Sanskrit Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru pointed out that Aachaara (precept and discipline) is essential for young scholars as even the Vedas cannot purify those bereft of Aachaara (Aaachaaraheenam na punanti vedaaH). People respect those who are well-read & accomplished, and follow what they do, even as the Lord says in the Gita. Hence, it is necessary to cultivate Aachara for one’s own good as well for setting an example to others.
Vedic scholars were honoured while successful Vidyarthis were awarded certificates and shawls. Gold rings were awarded to Vedabrahmasri Renduchintala Yajnanarayana Ghanapathi, Tirupati (KrishnaYajur Veda), Vedabrahmasri G Shivasubrahmanya Ghanapathi, Hyderabad (Rig Veda) and Vedabrahmasri C Srikrishna Shrowthi, Chennai (Sama Veda). Dr. Harish of Gudemarnahalli Chayamma Trust felicitated the three scholars.
Vedabrahmasri C Srikrishna Shrowthi, Chennai, who was awarded the gold ring in Sama Veda and his young students cleared the Poorva Bhaga with the Jagadguru
A total of around 50 advanced students appeared for the exams in Krishna Yajur Veda, Shukla Yajur Veda (Kanva and Madhyandina Shakhas) and Sama Veda (Kauthuma and Ranayani Shakhas). 10 of these successfully passed the Ghana level examination (Uttara bhaga in the case of Sama Veda) and 30 passed the Krama level examination (Poorva bhaga in the case of Sama Veda). A highlight was the young students of Vedabrahmasri C Srikrishna Shrowthi, all of whom were aged between 10 and 12 and had cleared the Poorva bhaga Sama Veda exam with flying colours.