Jagadguru bestows “Dharmatma” title on Dr. Yegnasubramanian in Durbar
Jagadguru bestows Dharmatma title on Dr. Yegnasubramanian
The Vijaya Samvatsara Sharan Navaratri Celebrations had a unique event. After the Mahamangalarati of Goddess Sharada took place in the Durbar on the Mahanavami day (13th October 2013), CEO & Administrator Sri V R Gowrishankar offered prostrations to Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji and spoke thus in the Durbar – “The Acharyas who have been adorning the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham have been revered as Raja Gurus. In accordance to the tradition practised in the Samsthanams of Maharajas, the Jagadgurus of Sringeri have also been conferring titles on exemplary individuals who have been significantly contributing to the society. It has been a practice in the Peetham to confer important titles in the Durbar during the Navaratri Celebrations in the sanctum of Goddess Sharadamba. In recent times, and in particular in the current century, this is the first time that the Jagadguru is conferring a title during the Durbar in front of the Goddess. Dr. Srinivasa Yegnasubramanian is an ardent devotee of the Peetham and a devout disciple of the Jagadguru. Though living in America, he has been doing yeoman service towards the cause of the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana Dharma. Since his first Darshan of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji in 1995, he has been carrying out every directive of the Jagadguru with great devotion and with the faith that executing the directives of the Jagadguru amounts to fulfilling the purpose of his life. In 1997, he was instrumental in the conduct of the first ever Ati Rudra Mahayaga held outside India, in the United States (under the auspices of the Peetham). In 2001, the first ever Shatachandi Mahayaga took place in the USA with him playing the major role to ensure its successful conduct. It is to the credit of Dr. Srinivasa Yegnasubramanian that a grand temple for Goddess Sharada was constructed by 2008 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania by the Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation (an institution affiliated to the Peetham) and the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of the temple took place in a massive scale with the conduct of Ati Rudra Mahayaga, Shatachandi Mahayaga and Koti Kumkumarcha – all of them performed by about 200 Ritwiks from India. With the blessings and direction of the Jagadguru, Dr. Yegnasubramanian contributed to the establishment of four branch Maths of the Peetham in four locations along the four directions in the USA – namely those at Stroudsburg, Detroit, Houston and San Diego. Dr. Yegnasubramanian is involved in many activities for the propagation of Sanatana Dharma and for the sustenance of the Vedas. On behalf of the Peetham and under its auspices, he has been organizing annual Veda Sammelans across India and honouring thousands of Vedic scholars. Whenever an endeavour is taken up by the Peetham, Dr. Srinivasa Yegnasubramanian has taken the blessings of the Jagadguru to come forward to contribute his might by way of counsel, finances and support of all kinds. He had given up his profession scientific research, immersed himself in the study of the Shastras, dedicated himself to propagating the Vedas and has been living a pious life by teaching many the Vedic mantras and the aspects of Vedic culture. Taking note of all these factors, and recognizing his dedication towards the Peetham and devotion towards the Jagadguru, and for the continued service to the Peetham and the cause of Sanatana Dharma, the Jagadguru has decided to bestow upon him a title on this auspicious day of Mahanavami of the Vijaya Samvatsara Sharannavaratri.”
Thereafter, the Srimukham of the Jagadguru was read out in Durbar in Sanskrit and a translation was read in Kannada.
The Srimukham issued under the official seal of the Vyakhyana Simhasanadheeshwara, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham began with an invocation of blessings to Dr. Srinivasa Yegnasubramanian. The Srimukham addressed to Dr. Yegnasubramanian reads as follows – “Since childhood, you have been having Shraddha in matters of Dharma. With Bhakti towards Guru and Bhagavan, you have been following the path shown by righteous people. Living in the United States of America, you have been engaged in the propagation of Sanatana Dharma for a long time. You have brought us joy by establishing and maintaining Sringeri Math branches in the USA and in Canada. Conduct of Veda Sammelans, honouring of Vedic scholars, renovation of dilapidated temples, propagation of Bhagavad Gita, protection of thousands of cows, conduct of Mahayagas such as Atirudra – all these extraordinary activities are worthy of utmost praise. With steadfast devotion, you have been rendering yeoman service to the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. Having taken note of all these qualities in you, We are greatly pleased and confer upon you the title of “Dharmatma”. We bless that you and your family be graced with the unbounded compassion of Goddess Sharada and Lord Chandramoulishwara.”
Dr. Yegnasubramanian was then honoured with a shawl, a gold chain and locket. The Jagadguru then gave Dr. Yegnasubramanian the Srimukham conferring upon him the title of Dharmatma. The entire audience of devotees attending the Durbar in the sanctum sanctorum watched the event with rapture even as Dharmatma Yegnasubramanian and his wife, Smt. Rajalakshmi offered their Sashtanga Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Vyakhyana Simhasanadheeshwara Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji.