Jagadguru’s Vijaya Yatra in the states of Karnataka & Goa
agadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji undertook a short Vijaya Yatra in Karnataka and Goa in November-December 2014. The Jagadguru undertook the 12 day journey to spread Sanatana Vaidika Dharma among the masses. The highlights of the Yatra include Kumbhabhishekas of newly constructed temples, foundation stone laying ceremonies, special Pujas and benedictory discourses.
At Kundapura
The Jagadguru Mahaswamiji started from Sringeri on 26th November 2014 and reached Sri Kundeshwara Swami Temple at Kundapura. The Jagadguru was welcomed reverentially with a Poornakumbha, Nadaswara, Chanda Vadya and singing of Bhajans. After having the Darshan of Sri Kundeshwara swami, the Jagadguru graced the Guruvandandana Sabha organised by the devotees of Kundapura to commemorate the Silver jubilee of Peetharohanam of the Jagadguru. After the Dhuli Padapuja, Vidwan Vasudeva Jois, an alumnus of Sringeri Pathashala spoke eloquently on the greatness of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji. In the Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru elaborated on the simple and profound instructions of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Jagadguru said that following Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s instructions to abstain from anger, lust and ego and to remain in the association of noble men, will help every man to make his life purposeful. The Jagadguru added that since the time of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji it has become a custom for the Sringeri Jagadguru travelling towards the Uttara Kannada district and Goa to camp in Kundapura acknowledging the great devotion shown by Kundapura devotees. Then the Jagadguru performed the Chandramoulishwara Puja and blessed the devotees.
On 27th November morning after giving Darshan at Kundeshwara Devasthana the Jagadguru proceeded to Sri Mahalingeshwara Swami temple for Darshan. The Jagadguru then arrived at Sri Ananta Padmanabha Sabha Griha, Hangaluru. After gracing the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga in there, the Jagadguru blessed one and all with an Anugraha Bhashanam highlighting the greatness of the Goddess. The Divine Mother of the univers takes forms such as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati to protect the world under different situations. The Jagadguru expressed joy in noting that the Sabha Griha, which He had inaugurated 13 years back, was being used for many Dharmic activities.
On 28th November morning, the Jagadguru arrived at the Sri Sita Ramachandra Swami temple of Rama Kshatriya Sangha for Punah Prathishta and Kumbhabhisheka. The Jagadguru performed elaborate Puja to the beautiful Murti of Sri Ramachandra Swami, Goddess Sita, Sri Lakshmana and Sri Anjaneya Swami. After the Kumbhabhisheka, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji blessed all the assembled devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam. The Jagadguru said that it was a great blessing for the devotees of Kundapura that the installation and Kumbhabhisheka of this temple was done by His guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji. Then the Jagadguru highlighted the importance of the Guru in one’s life and explained how can one become qualified to receive the grace of the Guru. The Jagadguru then blessed all devotees assembled with Mantrakshata. The Jagadguru then performed Ashwattha Gopura Shila Nyasa and had Darshan at Sri Mahakali Temple and blessed one and all assembled with an Anugraha Bhashanam.
In the evening en route to Haladipura, the Jagadguru graced Sri Veera Hanuman Temple, Naagur. It may be remembered that the Jagadguru had consecrated the 27 foot tall statue of Sri Veera Hanuman in 2011. The Jagadguru then graced Mankuli in Bhatkala inaugurated the “Devadiga Samudaya Bhavana”. In the Anugraha Bhashanam delivered to a huge number of assembled devotees whose Kulaguru is the Sringeri Jagadguru, the Jagadguru highlighted the importance of Paropakara – helping others.
At Haladipura
By 28th November evening, the Jagadguru reached Sri Krishnashrama Math Haladipura and was given a traditional Poornakumbha welcome by the Mathadhipati, Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji. In the Math premises, the Jagadguru had Darshan at the Sannidhis of Sri Lakshminarasimha, Durgaparameshwari, Chandramoulishwara, Sharadamba and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Jagadguruthen performed Sri Sharada Chandramoulishwara puja and Srichakra Puja.
On 29th November morning, the Jagadguru graced Karki Daivajna Math, where Sri Sacchidananda Jnaneshwara Bharati Swamiji gave a respectful welcome and performed Padapuja. The Swamiji then spoke expressing his gratitude to the Jagadguru and prayed for the Jagadguru’s blessings for all devotees assembled there and aor the developmental activities in the Math. The Jagadguru blessed the assembled devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam and elaborated on the greatness of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada and His works. The Jagadguru added that if we follow even a single Upadesha given by Bhagavatpada, we will be benefitted. The Jagadguru then explained the shloka “अविनयमपनय विष्णो” from Vishnu Shatpadi Stotram.
The Jagadguru then returned back to Haladipura Krishnashrama Math where Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji performed Padapuja and organised a Guruvandana Sabha. The Guruvashtaka Stotram by Bhagavatpada was recited. Then Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji delivered a speech in Konkani welcoming the Jagadguru and expressed that similar to God taking the Avatara of Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and Adi Shankaracharya, God has taken the form of the Sringeri Jagadguru and has come to the Math to bless all. Then the Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam elaborated the importance of a Guru in one’s life and how God and Guru notes only the Bhakti in everyone. The Jagadguru added that Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji has been leading the devotees of Haladipura as a role model in Guru Bhakti. Then the Jagadguru graced the Rudra Homa Poornahuti conducted in the Math premises and left for Goa in the evening.
In Goa
On the evening of 29th November 2014, the Jagadguru reached Varenyapuri, Verna in Goa. The Jagadguru was first received at the state border and then in front of the Sri Mahalasa Narayani (महालसा नारायणी) Devi temple in Verna with a traditional Purnakumbha. The Jagadguru had Darshan of Sri Mahalasa Narayani Devi and lit the traditional lamp in the newly constructed Dhyana Mantapa and gave a brief Anugraha Bhashanam. The Jagadguru said that 39 years ago, He had come with His Guru, Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, the 35th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham for laying the foundation stone for this temple. The Jagadguru had performed the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of the Goddess in 2005. The Jagadguru noted that it was the Divine Will of Goddess Mahalasa Narayani that the same Swamiji had laid the foundation stone, performed the Prana Pratishtha Kumbhabhisheka, and inaugurated the Dhyana Mantapa. Once again, it was divine will that the Jagadguru had come to perform the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of Goddess Sri Sharadamba, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Swarnaakarshana Bhairava and Sri Samhara Bhairava in the temple premises.
On 30th November 2014, the Jagadguru gave Darshan to all the devotees and accepted the Phala Pushpa, Padapuja kanike from them. In the evening the Jagadguru visited an ancient Shiva temple, a Hanuman temple and a Malhaara swami (Shiva) temple and returned back to the Sri Mahalasa Narayani temple. There the Jagadguru did Ratna nyasa in the place readied for the installation of Sri Sharadamba and Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
On 1st December morning, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji first performed a short Puja to Goddess Sri Mahalasa Narayani and then performed the elaborate Puja-Prana Prathishta-Kumbhabhisheka Pratishtha of Sri Sharadamba, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Swarnaakarshana Bhairava and Sri Samhara Bhairava. The Kumbhabhisheka rituals performed by the Pandits of Sringeri Math had started a couple of days before, and ended with the Jagadguru performing the Prana Prathishta and Kalashabhisheka atop the Vimanas.
Dignitaries have Darshan of the Jagadguru in Goa
Hon’ble Defence minister of India, Sri Manohar Gopalkrishna Prabhu Parrikar and Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had Darshan of the Jagadguru after the Kumbhabhisheka. In the evening, before the Guruvandana function, Hon’ble Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha and her spouse, ex. Cabinet minster of India, Dr. Ram Kripal Sinha had the Jagadguru’s Darshan. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Sri Laxmikant Parsekar and Speaker of Goa Assembly, Sri Rajendra Arlekar then had Darshan and received the blessings of the Jagadguru. The Governor stayed for the entire Guruvandana Programme and delivered an inspiring speech. Later in the evening, Minister in charge of the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) Sri Shripad Naik had Darshan and received the blessings of the Jagadguru. Former Chief minister of Goa, Smt. Shashikala Kakodkar who had invited Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirhtha Mahaswamiji and Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji for the foundation ceremony of the temple in 1975 also took the blessings of the Jagadguru in the morning of 1st Dec 2014 and attended the Guruvandana Programme in the evening.
Guru Vandana Programme in Verna
Earlier in the evening, the Jagadguru opened a plaque and formally inaugurated the Dhyanamantapa and arrived for the Guru Vandana Program. Many dignitaries from all walks of life participated in the Guruvandana Programme, paid their gratitude to the Jagadguru, talked about the greatness of the temple and its relationship with Sringeri.
The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam said that everyone takes birth on this earth, lives for some years and then leaves the body one day or the other. During his lifetime, man regards many people to be his friends, relatives and well-wishers, and helps them all. However, when he leaves the body, will any of these people be able to accompany him? Eventhough he helped many of them with affection, none of them would be able to accompany him in his journey after death. No one would even be able to understand what his plight would be after death. The Shastras proclaim that only Dharma accompanies man after death, whereas all near and dear ones return after doing the last rites –
मृतं शरीरमुत्सृज्य काष्ठलोष्टसमं क्षितौ ।
विमुखा बान्धवा यान्ति धर्मस्तमनुगच्छति ॥
In the Mahabharata, when Maharaja Yudhishthira decides to ascend to heaven, he is accompanied by his wife Draupadi and his four brothers. During the course of the journey, his wife and brothers are unable to go along with him and stop by one-by-one. However a dog accompanies Yudhishthira all the way. In the end, a celestial chariot appears and the charioteer asks Yudhishthira to step in, but denies entry for the dog. Yudhishthira declines the offer to board the celestial chariot if the dog too would not be allowed into it. Pleased with Yudhishthira’s compassion, Lord Indra Himself appears and tells Yudhishthira, “The dog is a personification of Dharma. It is Dharma alone that has accompanied you all the way to the doorsteps of heaven.”
Hence we must all adhere to Dharma in our lives. The Jagadguru expressed joy at the consecration of shrines for Goddess Sharada, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Swarnaakarshana Bhairava and Sri Samhara Bhairava and blessed all.
On 2nd December 2014 morning, the Jagadguru gave Darshan to the devotees of Goa and blessed the organisers and volunteers involved in the Kumbhabhisheka programme before departing to the next camp at Karwar.
At Karwar, Ankola and Idagunji
On 2nd Dec 2014 evening, the Jagadguru reached Karwar and was received with traditional Poornakumbha Swagatam. After the Dhulipadapuja, a Sabha programme was conducted in which the Karwar Mahila Bhajana Mandali sang a beautiful Swagata song with Harmonium and Tabla accompaniments. Then the devotees offered an Abhinandana Patra. In the Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru mentioned that His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji founded the Karwar Sringeri Shankara Math and installed Goddess Sharadamba. The Jagadguru also recalled the efforts of late Sri Ramachandra Nagappa Shetty in the establishment of the branch Math at Karwar that caters to many thousands of Astikas as a Dharmic centre.
The Jagadguru then stated that we must always remember Sri Adi Shankaracharya for His contribution to the sustenance of Sanatana Dharma in his short life of 32 years. His life and achievements are themselves testimony to the fact that Sri Adi Shankaracharya is an Avatara Purusha like Sri Rama and Sri Krishna. He had mastered the Shastras by the age of twelve. However, even today, the best of scholars feel that mastery of the Shastras is a far-away ideal. Sri Adi Shankaracharya completed His Bhashyas by the age of sixteen.
Even now, new insights into Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhashyas are acquired despite years of study and teaching. We must all feel fortunate to be able to revere Sri Adi Shankaracharya as our Guru. By penning Prakarana Granthas and Stotras, Bhagavatpada has made the Vedantic knowledge available to all, and has given His teachings in simple language.
However, it is important to note that while we seem to understand the teachings, we fail in putting them to practice. The Jagadguru narrated an incident from the Udyoga Parva in the Mahabharata. After the Pandavas had spent their periods of Vana Vasa (living in the forest) and Ajnaata Vasa (living incognito) in the Virata kingdom, and after the wedding of Abhimanyu and princess Uttara, Dhritarashtra was worried as to what would happen next. One night he called Vidura and asked his counsel. Vidura dwelled on a number of matters relating to ethics and the nature of Dharma, which has become famous as Vidura Neeti. Dhritarashtra however wished to hear about Vedantic tenets. At the behest of Dhritarashtra, Vidura prayed to Rishi Sanat Sujata. The Rishi appeared and taught the essence of Vedanta to Dhritarashtra. It is to this teaching that Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada has written a commentary called the Sanat-Sujateeya Bhashyam. Dhritarashtra, however, having listened to the wise words of Vidura and the Vedantic teachning of Rishi Sanat Sujata, went to sleep and the very next morning, felt perturbed again. Forgetting all that he had heard the previous day, he summoned Sanjaya and asked him to go as a messenger to Yudhishthira to convey that Yudhishthira would be well wherever he is, and that he not come to ask back his kingdom. Thus did Dhritarashtra fail to understand what he was taught. Today, everyone is akin to Dhritarashtra. The Jagadguru opined that everyone must strive to follow Dharma and the instructions of Bhagavatpada, and attain spiritual welfare.
On 3rd December 2014 morning, the Jagadguru had Darshan at various temples in and around Karwar. These included Mahalasa Narayani temple, Bindu Madhava Temple in Kodibaga, Ishwara temple and Siddhivinayaka temple. It is to be noted that the Jagadguru performed Kumbhabhisheka in this Siddhivinayaka temple during His previous Yatra to Karwar on 22nd May 2011. Then the Jagadguru gave Darshan to devotees of Karwar after which He graced the Poornahuti of the Rudra Homa conducted on the occasion.
In the evening, an elaborate Guruvandana programme was organised by Sri Ganapati Ulvekar in the magnificent open auditorium in the Sri Rabindranath Tagore beach. In the Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji said that everyone naturally desires happiness and detests suffering. However are these desires satisfied? We cannot say so because many keep on suffering and remain unhappy. We can reason this out as follows: people desire happiness but do not go after the proper means to obtaining it. People detest sorrow and suffering but hold on to actions that lead to suffering. This is equivalent to a student failing to touch his textbooks and desiring to pass his exams in flying colors. The Shastras state that Dharma leads to happiness and Adharma leads to sorrow. Our ancestors have stated that it is man’s nature to abstain from good deeds though desiring Punyam, and to engage willfully in actions leading to sin despite the aversion to suffering:
पुण्यस्य फलमिच्छन्ति पुण्यं नेच्छन्ति मानवाः ।
न पापफलमिच्छन्ति पापं कुर्वन्ति यत्नतः ॥
This strange behaviour is seen in many of us. This is the reason for our aforementioned desires to not fructify. This truth must be realized and the nature to hold on to Dharma and give up Adharma, must be cultivated.
In the morning of December 4th, 2014, the Jagadguru visited Padmapushpa Veda Vedanta Gurukulam of Karwar and enquired the details about the activities of the Gurukulam and blessed the couple Sri Shivamurthy and who are teaching and running the Gurukulam and involved in the Vaidika Dharma Samrakshanam.
In the evening, the Jagadguru visited the temple of Sri Mahaldev and Sri Mahasati devi at Araga in Karwar. The residents being staunch devotees of the Sringeri Jagadguru, performed Dhuli Padapuja and prayed for the blessings of the Jagadguru. Giving His whole hearted blessings, the Jagadguru said that the Guru and His will guide them forever and expressed the happiness over their maintenance of the temple and their devotion to the Sringeri Jagadgurus.
The Jagadguru also blessed the gathering of Kshatriya Kumara pantha Samaja. Ardent devotees of the Sringeri Jagadguru, the members of he Samaja had done elaborate arrangements for the visit of the Jagadguru with beautifully made pathways and flowery decorations. The Jagadguru praised their great devotion and compared it to the pure devotion that the Nishaada King Guha had towards Sri Ramachandra in the Ramayana, and blessed that by the grace of Sri Sharadamba the Samaja will prosper very well.
Reaching Ankola in the evening of December 4th, the Jagadguru was received with traditional Poornakumbha Swagatam. Then Jagadguru then had the Darshan of Sri Arya Durgamba. After the Dhuli Padapuja, the Swagata patrika was read and offered at the Lotus Feet of the Jagadguru. The Jagdguru released an Audio CD “Amritavani” containing Anugraha Bhashanams of the Jagadguru and a few Bhajans. Giving an Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru mentioned that it is the grace of Sri Durgamba that during this Yatra to Ankola, that the Jagadguru is performing Sri Chandramoulishwara Puja at Arya Durgamba temple in Ankola. The Mahila Bhajan Mandali sang devotional songs after the Sabha programme and during the Chandramoulishwara Puja.
In the morning of 5th December 2014, the Jagadguru had Darshan at Sri Mahasati temple and blessed the Uttara Kannada Banta Samaja at Keni (केणी) in Ankolaa. The Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam to the huge gathering of devotees, mentioned that everybody needs happiness and peace, which can be obtained only through devotion and service to Guru and God. The Jagadguru blessed the members of the Samaja mentioning that it has become customary for the Sringeri Jagadguru to grace the Samaja whenever there is a Vijaya Yatra to Ankola. The extensive arrangements and the discipline of the devotees in receiving the blessings of the Jagadguru were highly appreciated.
From Keni, the Jagadguru reached Sri Vitthala Sadashiva Temple and graced the Poornahuti of Sahasra Modaka Mahaganapati Homa, had Darshan at the Shrine. The Jagadguru blessed one and all assembled with an Anugraha Bhashanam and had made special mention of the devotion of the members of the Kannada Vaishya Samaja. The Jagadguru kept giving Darshan to the large gathering of devotees until 2 pm.
In the evening, the Jagadguru laid the foundation stone for the Ganapati and Anjaneya temple of the Konkana Karvi Samaja at Belakeri. The Jagadguru then blessed the Samaja with an Anugraha bhashnam and Mantrakshata. After the night Chandramoulishwara Puja at Arya Durgamba temple, the Jagadguru performed Puja to Arya Durgamba.
On the morning of 6th December 2014, the Jagadguru visited various temples like Shanta Durgamba in Ankola town and lit a traditional lamp to mark the commencement of Ankola Urban Co.op. Bank Centenary Celebrations.
In the evening, the Jagadguru visited the Ashram of Divige Sri Raamaananda Saraswati Swamiji and blessed him wholeheartedly, and mentioned that the Swamiji was a recipient of the abundant blessings of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji.
The Jagadguru also graced Kumta and blessed various communities including the Desha Bhandari Samaja, Harikanta Samaja, Kshatriya Kumara Pantha Samaja. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru asked all the communities to celebrate the Shankara Jayanti festival as a token of paying gratitude towards the great philosopher saint, Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who had worked for the upliftment of our Sanatana Dharma. The Jagadguru added that ardent devotee, Sri Patanjali Veenakara Rao would guide them all in the conduct of the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations.
By late evening, the Jagadguru reached Idagunji and was received with traditional Poornakumbham from the authorities of Sri Balaganapati temple and had Darshan of Lord Sri Balaganapati. After the Dhuli Puja the temple authorities offered Abhinandana Patra and the Jagadguru blessed one and all with an Anugraha Bhashanam highlighting the greatness of Sri Mahaganapati as the remover of obstacles.
On the morning of 7th December 2014, the Jagadguru performed an elaborate Puja to Sri Balaganapati at Srikshetra Idagunji Ganapati temple. The Jagadguru blessed the activity of constructing a Ratha to the Lord and blessed the temple authorities with Mantrakshata. The Mathadhipati of Haladipura Krishnashrama Math, Sri Vamanashrama Swamiji also participated. The Jagadguru also visited Nilagodu (निलगोडु) Sri Yakshi Chaudeshwari Devi temple, graced the Ganapati Homa Poornahuti and blessed Sri Mahadeva Ambiga for his devotion to Goddess and Guru.