Jagadguru at the Sringeri Taluk Brahmana Sabha
On January 17, the Sringeri Taluk Brahmana Sabha held a public function in honour of the Jagadguru. Gracing the function held at the Vidya Bharati Kalyana Mantapa in Sringeri, the Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam stressed the importance of Sandhya Vandanam and Gayatri Upasana. It is the duty of a Brahmana to not only uphold Dharma, but also show others the path to it. Hence a Brahmana has to realize the responsibility he has to fulfill and act accordingly. Sri Adi Shankaracharya has said ब्राह्मणत्वस्य हि रक्षणे रक्षितः स्याद्वैदिको धर्मः (the Vedic Dharma is protected only when the Brahmanatvam is protected)
The Shastras opine that गतेऽपि वयसि ग्राह्या विद्या सर्वात्मना बुधैः (knowledge has to be sought by the wise even if the years in which one usually seeks education has elapsed). Hence it is never too late to learn about one’s Dharma.
Many parents perform Upanayanam for their child with great pomp and show. However they do not care if their child performs the Sandhya worship. They seek an excuse that there is no one to teach the child. One has to send the child to a teacher and not expect the teacher to come and teach. Let not wealthy parents harbor the thought – how can I send my child to a Purohit? The wealth of Dharma is far more valuable than what people usually consider as wealth.
What other means of Shreyas can be taught to someone who has abandoned the basic Dharma? It is hence said that for everyone, the following of Svadharma results in great bliss and contentment (सर्ववर्णानां स्वधर्मानुष्ठाने परमपरिमितं सुखम्).
Earlier the Jagadguru graced the Poornahuti of the Chandika Homa held at the premises and released a Kannada book titled “Dharmada Kaipidi” that threw light on questions related to the Sandhya worship and commended the efforts of the author of the book.