23rd Vardhanti Celebrations of Sri Sannidhanam
On 19th August, 2015, Shravana Shukla Panchami (celebrated as Naga Panchami in Karnataka), the 23rd Vardhanti of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam was celebrated at Sringeri. Devotees deem it a great blessing to have the Darshan of the Sringeri Jagadgurus on the Vardhanti day. With Sri Sannidhanam’s Vardhanti falling during the Chaturmasya period when devotees make it a point to have Darshan of the Jagaduru, enthusiastic devotees arrived in large numbers at Sringeri and obtained the double benefit.
At about 7:30 AM, Sri Sannidhanam gave Anhika Darshanam to all devotees in the inner hall of Sri Sacchidananda Vilas in Narasimha Vanam. Devotees queued up, had the Anhika Darshanam of Sri Sannidhanam and offered Bhiksha Vandanam. At about 10:00 AM, Sri Sannidhanam blessed all devotees assembled at Guru Nivas with an Anugraha Bhashanam. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam underscored the importance of observance of one’s Dharma by extolling the virtue of Lord Sri Rama and paying homage to Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the rejuvenator of Sanatana Dharma.
Commencing His discourse with an invocation to Goddess Sharadamba, Sri Sannidhanam declared that Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, on account of His yeoman service rendered to mankind, is most worthy of worship and the respect of all followers of Sanatana Dharma. Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada rejuvenated the Dharma that is most essential for our shreyas (spiritual welfare). Sri Sannidhanam stated that if in present times, we are able to follow that Dharma, earn spiritual welfare and bask in dhanyataa-bhaava (the feeling of blessedness) as a result, then it is entirely due to the supreme service done by the Mahapurusha Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
Sri Sannidhanam explained that the Dharma revived by Sri Shankaracharya is called Vaidika Dharma since it takes root in the Vedas, and that the Dharma commonly referred to in modern times as Hindu Dharma is, in essence, Vaidika Dharma or Sanatana Dharma. Our Dharma has been existing since time immemorial and will continue to exist, and hence the attribute Sanatana (eternal).
Elaborating on the permanence of our Dharma, Sri Sannidhanam explained that several noble personages, in this Kali Yuga and the three prior Yugas (namely, Dvapara, Treta and Krita Yuga), have attained the highest good by following our Dharma with utmost faith. Our forefathers lived with a singular determination to always tread the path of Dharma. The pursuit of Dharma was of paramount importance to them, even more than wealth and other material pursuits. Such was their steadfastness that even when difficulties plagued them while in pursuit of their Dharma, they wouldn’t nurture the slightest worry and would only continue to follow their Dharma with the same faith.
Sri Sannidhanam then cited the life of Sri Rama as an ideal of how man should conduct himself. When King Dasharatha asked his son to embrace vanavasa (living in exile in the forest), Sri Rama readily agreed, with not the slightest hesitation, and declared that respecting and following His father’s words was a greater Dharma to Him than ruling the kingdom. Sri Rama’s ready acceptance saddened the helpless king, who was duty-bound to fulfill wife Kaikeyi’s two boons: Sri Rama’s exile into the wilderness and Sri Bharata’s Pattabhisheka (coronation as crown-prince). To indicate the unbounded greatness of Sri Rama and His staunch adherence to Dharma, Sri Sannidhanam quoted Sri Rama’s response to his mother Kaikeyi:
वनभुवि तनुमात्रत्राणमाज्ञापितं मे
सकलभुवनभारः स्थापितो वत्समूर्ध्नि ।
तदिह सुकरतायामावयोस्तर्कितायां
मयि पतति गरीयान् अम्ब ते पक्षपातः ॥
Sri Sannidhanam explained that Sri Rama readily agreed to a life in exile stating that He only had to protect His own body in the forest while the young Bharata was entrusted with the duty of protecting the entire kingdom. In view of the easier duty entrusted upon Sri Rama and the tougher one upon His brother Bharata, Sri Rama opined that Kaikeyi, despite being the mother of Bharata, was actually partial towards Sri Rama and had greater affection for Him. Sri Sannidhanam called upon everyone to observe the extent of goodness and Dharmic frame of mind possessed by Sri Rama. Sri Rama had not the slightest grief over having to embark on vanavasa, in the same way that He displayed neither joy nor grief when informed, just the previous day, that He would be made the crown prince of the entire kingdom and that the pertaining ceremony would be conducted the following day. Sri Sannidhanam attributed this to the fact that Sri Rama had no desire towards anything except treading the Dharmic Path.
Persisting further on Lord Rama’s glory, Sri Sannidhanam quoted another verse from the Champu Ramayana where Sri Rama questions the reason for His father’s grief.
भीतो भूभरतः किमम्ब भरतः किंवा वनात्पावना-
त्त्रस्तोऽहं सगरान्ववायककुदस्तातः कुतः शोचति ।
दिव्यायाः सरितो निवापकरणाल्लघ्वीं प्रतिज्ञामिमा-
मावाभ्यामभिपूरयिष्यति न चेत्पुत्री कथं स्यादयम् ॥
(Sri Rama says to Kaikeyi: “Has the brave Bharata become afraid, given the prospect of ruling over the kingdom? Have I expressed fear in relation to going and living in the serene forests (Dandakaaranya), where several sages have performed intense Tapas? Have not our ancestors, the descendants of Emperor Sagara, upheld vows such as the seemingly impossible one of bringing down the heavenly river Ganga to the earth and further down to the netherworld to offer Pitru-Tarpanam (scriptural rite for the deceased) to the souls of their forefathers? What reason exists for father, coming in such an illustrious lineage as that of Emperor Sagara and having begotten able sons as I and Bharata (capable of fulfilling our respective assignments), to fret over the fulfilment of such an ordinary vow (of fulfilling the two wishes of Kaikeyi)?”)
Sri Sannidhanam pointed out that just as we look up to Sri Rama as an exemplar in following Dharma, Sri Rama quoted His ancestors’ firm adherence to Dharma as an example to substantiating His stand on embracing Vanavasa. Sri Rama cited events connected to the Ashwamedha Yaga (horse sacrifice) performed by Emperor Sagara of the Suryavamsha (solar dynasty). When Lord Indra stole the sacrificial horse and hid it in the Paataala Loka, the emperor’s 60, 000 sons set out in search of the horse. Having searched the whole of Bhu Loka in vain, they ventured down to the Patala Loka and commenced their search. On reaching Paataala Loka, the men found Maharshi Kapila in deep penance with the horse stationed right next to him. Concluding that the sage had stolen the horse, the men prepared to confront the sage. However, the all-knowing sage, disturbed out of his penance, reduced the 60,000 princes to ashes by a mere glance directed at them.
Sagara Maharaja’s grandson soon went to Patala Loka in search of his relatives and on coming to know about the turn of events, decided to perform Pitru-Tarpanam (scripturally-ordained rituals for the deceased) for his dead uncles. He learnt that since his 60,000 uncles were Mahapurushas (noble personages), their tarpanam could not be performed with ordinary water springing forth from this earth; it could only be performed with water from the holy river Ganga, which at that time was flowing in Swarga Loka (heaven). Despite the seeming impossibility of the task, Amshuman avowed to bring Ganga down to Bhu Loka (earth) and perform tarpanam for his deceased relatives with her water. He made intense efforts in this regard, but could not fulfill his vow in his lifetime. The succeeding kings in the lineage also spent their lives in pursuit of the same end. Finally, King Bhageeratha, by virtue of his intense efforts and penance, succeeded in bringing the holy Ganga to Bhu Loka and performed Tarpanam for his deceased ancestors.
Sri Sannidhanam concluded the aforementioned illustration by stating that Dharma was thus singularly important to our ancestors who followed it with immense faith and it is only Dharma that brings about our shreyas.
Sri Sannidhanam then switched focus to the life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the rejuvenator of Sanatana Dharma, and invoked everyone to always remember the Adi Guru and tread the path delineated by Him. Sri Sannidhanam declared that within a short lifespan of just 32 years, Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada had accomplished that which cannot normally be accomplished in even 32 yugas! Such great, incomparable service He has rendered to humanity! Pointing to yet another significant attribute of Sri Shankaracharya, Sri Sannidhanam affirmed that, despite the immense service rendered, Sri Shankaracharya expected nothing in return. Sri Bhagavatpada’s life itself is testimony to that, as outlined in this succinct verse glorifying His varied accomplishments.
अष्टवर्षे चतुर्वेदी द्वादशे सर्वशास्त्रवित् ।
षोडशे कृतवान् भाष्यं द्वात्रिंशे मुनिरभ्यगात् ॥
By the age of eight, Sri Shankara had mastered all the four Vedas. By twelve, He had mastered all the Shastras. By sixteen, He had authored all the Bhashyams (commentaries), and at thirty-two, having accomplished His incarnation’s mission, He proceeded towards His heavenly abode in Kailas. Sri Sannidhanam explained that Lord Parameshwara, in His incarnation as Sri Adi Shankaracharya, spent only that much time on earth required for the accomplishment of the mission and purpose of His incarnation. Over and beyond that, Sri Adi Shankaracharya did not spend even an extra moment to see if anyone would reciprocate His benevolent gesture. Sri Shankaracharya protected Dharma, established the four Mutts and handed them over to His Shishyas (four main disciples) and completed His Avatara. Sri Sannidhanam stated that Sri Shankaracharya’s desire was that His Shishyas in these four Peethams continue to protect and propagate Dharma. Of the four Peethams, the Dakshinaamnaaya Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, which has been in existence since the time of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, follows till date the same system and sampradaya (tradition) that was existent during the Adi Guru’s time.
Speaking about the illustrious Guru Parampara of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sri Sannidhanam declared that all Mahatmas who have adorned this illustrious Peetha have protected Dharma in the same manner (as Sri Adi Shankaracharya). Sri Sannidhanam spoke about the 32nd Acharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Vruddha Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, who underwent immense difficulty to protect this Dharma. The reason being that, just five days after Sri Vruddha Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji’s Sannyasa, His Guru attained Videha Mukti. Even then, despite all the difficulties He faced, He protected this Dharma with utmost faith, and handed it over to His Shishya. His Shishya, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, undertook many efforts to protect and propagate our Dharma and handed it over to His Shishya, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji. Sri Sannidhanam stated that Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji practised, protected and taught our Dharma to several shishyas and, as a result, several shishyas walked the Dharmic Path. Sri Sannidhanam declared that the one term ‘Jivan Mukta’ was sufficient to describe such a great Mahatma. Sri Sannidhanam further declared that to even see such a Mahatma, one must have accrued immense punya (merit)! Adorned by such Mahatmas is this Dakshinamnaaya Sharada Peetham! Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji’s Shishya, Jagadguru Srimad Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, toured several regions over several years on various Yatras, propagated Dharma in various corners of the country and kindled the Dharmic spirit in people. Sri Sannidhanam stated that His Guru, the Shishya of Jagadguru Srimad Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, has also tread the same Marga (path) as Sri Adi Shankaracharya and His successors. Sri Sannidhanam declared that nothing could be a greater fortune than being the Shishya of such a Guru, and that this fact gave Him immense joy and dhanyata bhaava (feeling of blessedness).
In conclusion, Sri Sannidhanam stated that it gave Him immense happiness to see everyone assembled on the occasion of His Vardhanti. In the same way that the Math has a Guru Parampara, Sri Sannidhanam explained that the Math also has a Shishya Parampara and that all devotees belong to that Shishya Parampara. Sri Sannidhanam expressed deep joy over the fact that devotees show the same faith and devotion towards Him, as they have been showing towards His Guru. Calling upon devotees to continue the Shishya Parampara, in the same way that this Guru Parampara has been continuing, Sri Sannidhanam conveyed His Guru’s and His blessings. Pointing to the fact that many shishya families have been attached to the Math for several generations spanning several decades, Sri Sannidhanam invoked assembled devotees to ensure that their succeeding generations also continue in this tradition. Sri Sannidhanam concluded the Bhashanam by affirming that His blessings would always be with devotees.
Immediately after Sri Sannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam arrived at the main hall of Guru Nivas. It was a divine and joyful sight for all devotees to behold the smiling countenance of Sri Mahasannidhanam as He walked in, blessed Sri Sannidhanam, who had by then stood up reverently, and waited for His Guru to adorn the Asana. After the Jagadgurus took their respective Asanas, devotees offered their devoutful Pranams to Them. Sri Sannidhanam blessed the devotees with Bhiksha Prasada.
As part of the Vardhanti Celebrations of Sri Sannidhanam, Dr. AG Ramesh, ophthalmologist from Chennai and a sincere devotee of the Sringeri Jagadgurus, conducted an eye camp at Sringeri. Students from local schools were screened for eye defects and select students needing immediate attention were marked up for treatment after taking the blessings of the Jagadgurus.
At night, Sri Sannidhanam performed an elaborate special Puja to Lord Chandramoulishwara. The Puja began around 8:30 PM and proceeded till 10:15 PM. After worshipping Lord Ratnagarbha Ganapati, Sri Sannidhanam performed Malaapakarshana Snana to the Chandramoulishwara Sphatika Linga, followed by Panchamrita Abhisheka; and Abhisheka to the chants of Sri Rudra, Chamaka, Purusha Sooktam, and sections of the Mahanarayana Upanishad. Thereafter, Sri Sannidhanam performed Archana and Mahamangalarati. The entire Puja was unique in that Sri Mahasannidhanam was seated right across Sri Sannidhanam and guided His Shishya Swamiji in all aspects of the Puja. The cherishable day came to a close with Sri Sannidhanam blessing one and all at the end of the Puja.