Centenary Celebrations of Seeta Ramachandraswamy temple, Ashwathapura
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam arrived at Ashwathapura near Moodbidri by evening on Apr 12, 2015. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus were accorded a grand reception at the temple town housing the century-old temple of Sri Seeta Ramachandra Swamy. The temple had been constructed by the Deshastha Brahmanas of the region, under the inspiration of the renowned Sri Brahma Chaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj, and consecrated by Sri Brahmananda Maharaj in the early 20th century. After Dhuli Pada Puja was performed, Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed the huge gathering with an Anugraha Bhashanam.
Sri Mahasannidhanam spoke about the Guru-Shishya association between the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and the devotees of the temple. The Jagadguru recounted the Prathishta of Sri Adi Shankaracharya Murti by His Guru (the 35th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji) in 1956. Sri Mahasannidhanam quoted a verse from the Uttara Rama Charita and explained how the ambience and devotion-filled atmosphere in the temple have remained unchanged amidst all other changes and developments. After the Sabha, Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Mahaganapati temple, whose foundation had been laid by His Paramaguru (the 35th Acharya) and whose Prathishta had been performed in 1991 by His Guru, Sri Mahasannidhanam. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja inside the premises of the Seeta Ramachandra Swamy temple.
On 13th April 2015, Sri Mahasannidhanam offered Puja to Seeta Ramachandra Swamy and performed Sahasra Kalashabhisheka. Sri Sannidhanam was present during the Mahamangalarati. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then performed the Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka atop the Vimana of the temple and many thousands of devotees watched the spectacle with reverence. After granting Darshan, the Jagadgurus graced the Poornahuti of Sri Rama Taraka Homa which was performed in the precincts of the temple.
In the evening, a Guru Vandana Program was organized by the devotees. A Binnavattale, detailing the grace of the Sringeri Jagadgurus on the town and the community, was offered. Having been disciples of the Sringeri Jagadguru since the time of Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji who had blessed them with a Srimukha, the devotees of Ashwathapura had been graced by the 35th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, through visits to Ashwathapura in 1956, 1971, 1972, 1978 and 1989. The citation also recalled visits of Sri Mahasannidhanam (Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji) in 1978 (along with His Guru for performing Brahma Kalashabhisheka), 1991 (for consecrating Sri Mahaganapati), 1998 (during the conduct of Shatachandi Yaga), 1999 (for inaugurating Savitri Sabhaangana) and in 2004.
Families of erstwhile priests, currently serving priests and staff of the temple were honoured in the presence of the Jagadgurus. Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed many devotees who played a role in the grand event, including Dr. Mohan Alva who provided accommodation facility for thousands of devotees near the small town.
Anugraha Bhashanam of Sri Sannidhanam
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam said that Sri Ramachandra personified Dharma – Sri Sannidhanam said that the glory of Sri Rama was known even to the Rakshasas (demons). The famous statement – रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः (Sri Rama is Dharma personified) – was uttered by Mareecha to Ravana, when the former advised the latter not to interfere in the matters of Sri Rama.
नमः सतां शरण्याय जगन्मङ्गलमूर्तये ।
सीताकान्ताय रामाय पवित्राद्भुतकीर्तये ॥
Invoking the above verse glorifying Sri Rama, Sri Sannidhanam pointed that Sri Rama is शरण्यः (one worthy of surrendering to). Even in the Ramayana, we find Vibhishana, brother of the evil Ravana, surrendering to Sri Rama, for Sri Rama had vowed to protect anyone who surrendered to Him. –
सकृदेव प्रपन्नाय तवास्मीति च याचते ।
अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो ददाम्येतद् व्रतं ममे ||
Sri Rama is also जगन्मङ्गलमूर्तिः for He brings about the welfare of the world. By remaining devoted to Sri Rama, by His remembrance and by offering Puja to Sri Rama, we obtain His Grace. Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself says that constant Japa of Rama Nama removes the fear of death, as outlined in the following verse by the Acharya –
सदा राम रामेति रामामृतं मे
सदाराममानन्दनिष्यन्दकन्दम् ।
पिबन्नवन्हं नन्वहं नैव मृत्यो-
र्बिभेमि प्रसादादसादात्तवैव ॥
Even if we do not realize the importance of Rama Nama, it gives us benefit just as Agni inherently burns, regardless of whether one understands the power of Agni or not. Sri Sannidhanam then narrated an incident from the Poorvashrama life of His Paramaguru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji). When the Mahaswamiji, whose name in Poorvashrama was Srinivasa Shastri, was only 8 years old, he had accepted a challenge to visit a pond alone on a new-moon night. The pond was believed to be haunted but the young Srinivasa Shastri went alone to the pond, dipped a portion of his clothes in the water to show that he had indeed visited the pond, and came back. Later, when enquired by elders as to how he had mustered the courage, he simply replied “I was chanting Rama Nama. What harm can befall me when Sri Rama is with me?”. Such was the profound devotion and faith that the Mahaswamiji had, even as a young child! Sri Sannidhanam called for such firm devotion to Sri Rama.
Speaking of His own experience, Sri Sannidhanam said that as a disciple, He observed that His own Guru (Sri Mahasannidhanam) was comparable to Sri Rama Himself in matters of Dharma Nishta (adherence to Dharma). Sri Sannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam with a beautiful prayer that He remain devoted to His Guru for all times, just as Anjaneya remained devoted to Sri Rama.
Anugraha Bhashanam of Sri Mahasannidhanam
Sri Mahasannidhanam then blessed the gathering with an Anugraha Bhashanam, starting off with the uniqueness of the Avatara of Sri Rama. Not only did Sri Rama annihilate evil forces, He shone as an epitome of Dharma. Sri Mahasannidhanam observed that present-day people often say that it is impossible to be Dharmic. Even those who are usually Dharmic, sometimes fail to uphold Dharma and do not feel bad about it. Our resolve of sticking to Dharma seems easily broken under trying situations. However, despite many difficulties, Sri Rama never swerved from the Dharmic path.
To highlight Sri Rama’s strict adherance to Dharma, Sri Mahasannidhanam quoted an incident from Sri Rama’s life. Becoming the crown prince and a successor to the throne of Ayodhya was Sri Rama’s birthright. Yet, Sri Rama, just a day before his coronation as the crown prince, was faced with the order of going to exile for fourteen years. Unflustered, Sri Rama obliged. History informs us of many princes who brushed aside their own father to usurp the kingdom. However, it was only Sri Rama who stuck to Dharma even under such trying circumstances – by following the order of his father. The Jagadguru stated that it is for this reason that we continue to remember and revere Sri Rama, though so many kings have ruled after Him. Even after Dasharatha left his body, and Bharata called for Sri Rama to return from exile, Sri Rama refused because He had given His word and returning prematurely would amount to swerving from a promise. It is in Sri Rama, proclaimed Sri Mahasannidhanam, that we observe the adherence of every minute aspect of Sanatana Dharma.
Even a great personality falls when he resorts to Adharma. Anjaneya Himself had mentioned the greatness of Ravana by saying that Ravana would have gone on to rule even the heavens, if only he had not succumbed to Adharmic ways –
यद्यधर्मो न बलवान् स्यादयं राक्षसेश्वरः ।
स्यादयं सुरलोकस्य सशक्रस्यापि रक्षिता ॥
Hence, we must realize that being Adharmic, despite listening to the Ramayana, is sure to bring about our downfall. By listening to Ramayana, we must realize that we have to live a Dharmic life like Sri Rama – रामवत् वर्तितव्यम्. Our lives will be purposeful only if we understand this and live accordingly.
The Jagadguru emphasized that our nation, since time immemorial, has been one where Dharma assumes foremost importance. To continue this sense of Dharma, many Dharmikas and Mahatmas have graced people with their lives and teachings. The Seeta Ramachandra Swamy temple, inspired by Sri Gondavalekar Maharaj a hundred years ago, is a testimony to this fact.
Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed happiness at the unity, enthusiasm and efforts of the devotees of Ashwathapura, stating that such unity is the strength in Kali Yuga – सङ्घे शक्तिः कलौ युगे. He remembered the words of His Guru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji) that if a wall has to be built, everyone need not keep bricks and build the wall. Rather, it would suffice if everyone helped the builder (of the wall) by fetching bricks. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam expressing that He had observed such coordination in the conduct of the Centenary Celebrations of the temple and had taken great joy in performing the Brahma Kalasha Abhisheka at the temple.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja. Afterwards, He had Darshan and offered Mangalarati at Sri Mahaganapati temple where His Guru had laid the foundation stone and He had performed the Prathishta in 1991.
On 14th April morning, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Anjaneya temple. Following this, the Jagadgurus had Darshan at Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple (consecrated by Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, the 35th Acharya, in 1956). After gracing the devotees with Darshan and Phalamantrakshata, the Jagadgurus graced the Poornahuti of Pavamana Homa and Anjaneya Homa peformed in the premises of Sri Seeta Ramachandra Swamy temple. The Jagadgurus returned to Sringeri by evening.