Historic Uttaradhikari Shishya Sweekara
Ceremonies related to the Shishya Sweekara of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peethadhipati, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji commenced at Sringeri on Jaya Samvatsara Magha Shukla Dwiteeya – 22nd January 2015.
At 8 am, the successor-designate, Brahmachari Kuppa Venkateshwara Prasada Sharma first had Darshan of the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji in Guru Nivas, Narasimha Vanam and offered Guru Vandanam. After receiving the Jagadguru’s blessings, the Brahmachari accompanied by Vedic Pundits proceeded to the northern banks of the Tunga and entered the temple of Goddess Sharadamba. Inside the temple, the Brahmachari participated in the Poornahuti of the Mahaganapati Homa held near the Shakti Ganapati shrine. He then had Darshan of Goddess Sharadamba. CEO & Administrator of the Peetham, Dr. V R Gowrishankar and senior devotees then accompanied the Brahmachari for Darshan at the temples of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Torana Ganapati, Sri Kodanda Rama Swami, Malayala Brahma, Sri Sureshwaracharya, Sri Vageeshwari Vidyaranya, Sri Vriddha Narasimha Bharati Samadhi, Sri Janardana Swami (along with Sri Anjaneya and Sri Garuda), Sri Vidyashankara, Sri Balasubrahmanya Swamy and Sri Sakshi Ganapati (inside the Yagashala). He then returned to Narasimha Vanam and had Darshan at the Adhishtanam shrines of the 33rd Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji; the 34th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji and the 35th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji.
The Brahamchari then performed Krichraacharana where he made offerings of Vastra, Hiranya, Dhaanya and Aajyam. The Brahmachari then performed the Ashta-Shraadha ceremony. This ceremony is performed to free oneself of the three debts towards the Devas, Rishis and Pitrus. As part of the ceremony, the Brahmachari made offerings to 18 Vaidika Brahmanas and sought their blessings. The Brahmachari spent the day in Upavaasa (fasting) and Jaagaranam (staying awake all night performing Japa and Parayana).
On January 23, 2015 – Jaya Samvatsara Magha Shukla Triteeya, continuing the unbroken Guru-Shisya lineage that stretches directly back to Sri Adi Shankaracharya at the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, the 36th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji anointed His successor. In a traditional ceremony, the Jagadguru initiated Brahmachari Sri Kuppa Venkateshwara Prasada Sharma into Sannyasa and bestowed upon him the Yoga Patta (monastic name) of Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati.
Over 40,000 people from all corners of the country and abroad, descended upon the sacred town of Sringeri to witness this rare event. Several dignitaries from all walks of life also attended this occasion. The ceremony began at 7:30AM with the Brahmachari performing the Purusha Sookta Homa and Virajaa Homa at the Samadhi Shrines of the previous Jagadgurus. At 9AM the Brahmachari proceeded to the banks of the Tunga river and performed Preshochaarana and Sarva-bhoota-abhaya Pradhana — signifying a vow of non-violence towards all beings. He then discarded his clothes, sacred thread and tuft. As he rose from the Tunga river, Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji blessed His Shishya with Kashaya Vasthram (saffron monastic robes), Danda and Kamandalu. The Guru and the Shishya Swamiji then proceeded to the Samadhi Shrine of Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamiji. There, as per the ancient tradition established by Sri Shankaracharya, the Jagadguru gave the Shishya Swamiji the Pranava Upadesha and Mahavakya Upadesha. Thereafter, the Jagadguru and the Shisya Swamiji began to proceed towards the Goddess Sharada Temple. The Jagadguru walked across the Vidyatirtha Sethu (bridge) across the river Tunga and had Darshan of Goddess Sharadamba. The Shishya Swamiji sat on a decorated boat to cross the Tunga river and performed the Paryanka Shaucha ceremony on the northern side of the river. After completing this ceremony, the Shishya Swamiji entered the Goddess Sharada temple.
It may be remembered here that when establishing the Peetham about 1200 years ago in Sringeri, Sri Adi Shankaracharya consecrated the idol of Goddess Sharada (the Goddess of Learning and Knowledge) and invoked Her divine presence and blessings to ever preside over this Peetham. Since then, the Jagadguru Shankaracharyas of Sringeri have always announced their successor only after Goddess Sharada’s divinely ordained-will is revealed to them. So, the Yoga Patta bestowment ceremony is aptly held in the presence of the divine Mother, Goddess Sharada.
At the temple, the Jagadguru seated the Shishya Swamiji on the Vyaakhyaana Simhasana (throne of Transcendental Wisdom), placed a Saligrama on His head and offered worship. Afterwards, the Jagadguru adorned the Vyaakhyaana Simhasana and the Shishya Swamiji performed Puja to the Lotus Feet of the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru then blessed the Shishya with the Yogapatta of Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati.
Thereafter, both Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan of Goddess Sharada, and gave their first Darshan together. Representatives from various state governments, important temples, Mathadipathis and erstwhile Maharajas submitted their offerings. The Jagadgurus then blessed the devotees and accepted their offerings.
Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam then emerged from the Goddess Sharada Temple to bless an over joyous and overflowing crowd of devotees, and had Darshan at all the temples of the Math. Later, they returned to Narasimha Vana on the southern side of the river. At around 3:30 PM Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam gave Darshan to the huge number of devotees assembled in Guru Nivas to just have a glimpse of the Jagadgurus.
The evening programmes began with a Guruvandana Sabha where Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam graced the devotees with a Anugraha Bhashanam.
Giving His first Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sri Sannidhanam mentioned that the Shastras deem that among living beings, human beings are foremost. However the purpose of our lives will be fulfilled if we take efforts towards Moksha or liberation. For that, one needs the grace of God and grace of great souls. One must have accumulated good deeds over many lifetimes. However, it is very difficult to obtain the grace of a great soul. Hence, Sri Bhagavatpada Shankaracharya has said –
दुर्लभं त्रयमेवैत् दैवानुग्रहहेतुकम् ।
मनुष्यत्वं मुमुक्षुत्वं महापुरुषसंश्रयः ॥
To be born as a human being, to have a strong resolve to attain Moksha, and to be graced by a great soul – all these three are rare and can be obtained only by the Grace of God. Sri Sri Sannidhanam mentioned that because of the Grace of Goddess Sharada, He had obtained the refuge and blessings thereof of a great soul (the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji) in the lineage of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada; a great soul who is essentially Bhagavatpada Himself. Having accepted His reverential request to teach the Shastras, the Jagadguru had taught Shastras such as Nyaya and was always wished for His progress. Sri Sri Sannidhanam said that He could not take credit for any of His accomplishments and they were all due to the Anugraha of the Jagadguru. Sri Sri Sannidhanam ended the Anugraha Bhashanam highlighting the greatness of devotion to the Guru.
Subsequently, Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji gave an Anugraha Bhashanam. Speaking about the importance of Dharma, the Jagadguru said that Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada had established the Chaturamnaya Peethams with Sannyasis as their heads to ensure that the propagation of Dharma will continue for all time. Describing the qualities of a Sannyasi fit to be the head of the Peetham, Sri Adi Shankaracharya says in His work “Mathaamnaaya” that the Sannyasi must be of pure character, should have conquered his senses, should have studied the Vedas and Vedangas, and must have a deep understanding of the Shastras. Sringeri Sharada Peetham has abided by that dictate — this is the uniqueness of the Peetham, that everyone who has headed the Peetham has had these qualities. The Jagadguru said that when selecting a successor-designate, the qualities and character of the individual are looked at; his detachment; his conduct being compassionate and affectionate towards all. The Jagadguru added that it is actually Goddess Sharada who determines who the successor-designate would be. The Jagadguru reflected on the similar event conducted 40 years back related to His own Sannyasa and attributed everything to the Grace of Goddess Sharada and His own Guru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji).
The Jagadguru made special mention and conveyed blessings to Mathadhipatis present on the occasion including Sri Purushottama Bharati Swamiji of Shivaganga Math, Sri Shankara Bharati Swamiji of Yadathore Yoganandeshwara Saraswati Math, Sri Sacchidananda Saraswati Swamiji of Dharmapuri in Andhra Pradesh. The Jagadguru also blessed various representatives of the Karnataka State Government and dignitaries such as Sri Jayachandra, Sri Abhayachandra Jain, Sri Yedyurappa, Sri Shankara Murthy, Sri Ananth Kumar, Smt. Shobha Karandlaje, Sri Ramachandra Gowda, Sri Jeevaraj amongst others.
The Jagadguru said that He had named His successor-designate “Vidhushekhara Bharati” because of the reverence He had for His Paramaguru (Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji). As the same Yogapatta as that of His Paramaguru would not be appropriate, He had chosen “Vidhushekhara Bharati” because “Vidhu” and “Chandra” both refer to the moon in Sanskrit. The Jagadguru said that the Shishya Swamiji is highly qualified, with great scholarship in the Shastras, and has always stayed away from worldly affairs and focused on Shastric studies over the last 5-6 years under His tutelage. The Jagadguru said that it was due to all these qualities that Goddess Sharada had divinely ordained Him to grant Sannyasa to the disciple, and prayed to the Divine Mother that She fully equip the Shishya Swamiji and bestow upon Him the ability to take the Peetham to new heights. The Jagadguru ended the Anugraha Bhashanam blessing the tens of thousands of devotees gathered on the occasion.
Thereafter at about 9:30 PM, the “Adda Pallaki Utsava” of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam took place with Their Holinesses in the splendor of the Durbar attire. It was a a sight to behold as the Peetham’s CEO Sri Gowrishankar and JEO Sri Venkataramanan reverentially led Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam respectively from outside the sanctum of Goddess Sharadamba to begin the Utsava. Sringeri was overflowing with the devotees and everyone felt blessed to behold Sri Mahasannidhanam gracing all from the Golden palanquin and Sri Sannidhanam gracing all from the Silver palanquin. The Utsava ended around 11:30 pm and this concluded the Shishya Sweekara ceremony.