66th Vardhanti Mahotsava of Sri Mahasannidhanam
The 66th Vardhanti of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam was celebrated at Sringeri in a glorious manner. The Mahotsava included special Pujas and Yagas performed for the welfare of humanity, cultural offering by eminent musicians and a reverential Guru Vandana by devotees in honour of Sri Mahasannidhanam.
The celebrations commenced on April 9, 2016 with the Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homa and the Mahasankalpa for the Maharudra Mahayaga in the divine presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam. The day also marked the 104th Aradhana of the 33rd Acharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. At noon, Sri Mahasannidhanam performed a special Aradhana Puja at the Adhisthanam of His Parameshti Guru.
The following day (April 10, 2016), the Mahasankalpa for the Shatachandika Mahayaga was performed in the divine presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus.
On April 11, 2016, after granting an early Darshan at Guru Nivas to the many devotees who had come from across the country, Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekara Bharati Sannidhanam crossed the river Tunga to reach its northern banks for the traditional Aalaya Darshan (darshan at all temples including that of the presiding deity, Goddess Sharadamba). This was followed by an elaborate and special worship by Sri Mahasannidhanam amid sonorous Vedic chants, at the shrines of Lord Sthamba Ganapati, Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani in the hillock temple dedicated to Lord Malahanikareshwara. As Sri Mahasannidhanam offered worship to Lord Sthamba Ganapati, Sri Sannidhanam also had Darshan at the temple. The evening Darshan at Guru Nivas was packed to capacity and, Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sri Sannidhanam gave Darshan to all assembled devotees.
Vardhanti Day, April 12 2016, dawned early for the eager devotees as thousands flocked to Narasimha Vanam for Anhika Darshan of Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam. Devotees queued up from the wee hours of morning to catch a glimpse of the Jagadguru engaged in His morning Anushtanam and to perform Bhikshavandanam. Following the Anhika Darshan, devotees had Darshan of Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekara Bharathi Mahaswamiji in Sacchidananda Vilas and were blessed with Bhikshavandana Prasada.
Thereafter, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam proceeded to the northern banks of the Tunga for Aalaya Darshan at every temple. Then Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam performed a special Puja to the exquisitely adorned Goddess Sharadamba. Post the Puja, Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti of the Maharudra Mahayaga at the Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharati Yaga Shala.
The Guru Vandana, the public function organized by disciples in honour and reverence of the Jagadguru, commenced at 6 PM at Guru Nivas with Vedic invocations and a devotional song in honour of Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam. Authorities of Sri Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram, the Kshetram for the Peetham, offered Prasada of Sri Ramanathaswamy to Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam. Sri V. R. Gowrishankar, the CEO and Administrator of the Sharada Peetham, and the Pandits of the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Maha Pathashala offered Phala Samarpanam on behalf of all devotees.
In his address, Sri Gowrishankar, stated that one of the most important days in the life of every person is the day he realizes the purpose of his life. It is extremely rare to find people who have not only realized this, but have also lived accordingly, fulfilled their purpose and even guided others along the right path. It is the fortune and blessing of the devotees of the Peetham that such rare personages have been the Acharyas of the Peetham. Sri Gowrishankar extolled the qualities of Sri Mahasannidhanam in guiding disciples and also called for devotees to strengthen their devotion towards the Guru. Sri Gowrishankar then recalled that a century ago, in 1916-17, the Kumbhabhisheka of Goddess Sharadamba temple had been conducted by the 34th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji. Many Maharajas of the time had come to offer their respects on that occasion when the currently existing Sharadamba temple structure had taken shape. Sri Gowrishankar then joyfully said that he had received the divine directive from the Jagadgurus a few days back to celebrate the centenary of this Kumbhahisheka in this Durmukha year. He mentioned that while the roof of the temple had been covered to prevent damage from rains, it would be remodelled and the Vimana above the Garbha Griha of Goddess Sharadamba would receive a gold covering as part of this celebration. He added that with the cooperation from all devotees, this would be completed before the next Sharadamba Maharathotsava that will take place in February 2017. Sri Gowrishankar then stated with happiness that the grand 32 foot statue of Sri Adi Shankaracharya would also be dedicated in 2017 – the centenary birth anniversary year of the 35th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then released a DVD, “Uttaradhikari Shishya Sweekara of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji”, containing excerpts of the historic Shishya Sweekara function that had taken place in January 2015. Sri Mahasannidhanam also released Sadvidya, the annual souvenir of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala, a Tamil book “Guru Amuda Stuti” brought out by the devotees at Rajapalayam, and special issues of Telugu spiritual magazines “Vishakha Vipra Vani” and “Darshanam”.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam mentioned that it is the Punya of all devotees that we have been blessed with a Guru like Sri Mahasannidhanam. Sri Sannidhanam recalled how His Parameshti Guru (Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji) had accepted to His Shashtiabda Poorti Celebrations only with the intent of observing Dharmic activities, performance of Yagas and Devata Aaradhana. Sri Sannidhanam said that it has been with this very intention, that the Vardhanti Celebrations of His Guru also take place. Sri Sannidhanam also mentioned that it is essential for all to receive the Grace of Bhagavan. However, Bhagavan does not grace without testing whether we are fit enough to be a recipient of His Grace. Sri Sannidhanam recounted an incident from the Mahabharata to illustrate this. Arjuna, upon the advice of Lord Krishna, undertook penance to please Lord Shiva and acquire divine weapons. Lord Paramashiva became pleased but decided to test Arjuna first. One day, Arjuna had to contend with a hunter to claim rights over a boar that he had just shot with his arrow. The quarrel over the boar became a drawn-out battle between Arjuna and the hunter. In the battle, Arjuna finally managed to hit an arrow that caused a small injury to the hunter. At that time, the hunter revealed himself to be Lord Shiva and expressed His joy over Arjuna’s valour and blessed him with many divine weapons including the Paashupataastra. Sri Sannidhanam explained that such Grace of the Lord can come about only when we have the guidance of the Guru, and for this we need to be devoted to the Guru and act according to the Guru’s directions. Sri Sannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam expressing happiness over the Dharmic activities on the auspicious occasion of the Vardhanti of His Guru.
Sri Mahasannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, explained the greatness of the incarnation of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. In particular, Sri Mahasannidhanam laid emphasis on the numerous Stotras composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya for the benefit of all. Sri Mahasannidhanam recounted the import of the first verse of the Vishnu Shatpadi and spoke on the importance of Vinaya i.e. humility. Sri Mahasannidhanam recounted the Upanishadic description of how Sage Yajnavalkya, himself being a Brahma Jnani, had expressed great humility in offering salutations to all those who are established in Brahman. When King Janaka had organised an assembly of scholars and sages, and declared that he was offering a thousand of the finest cows to the one who is a Brahma Jnani in the assembly, everyone remained silent. At that time, Sage Yajnavalkya stood up and asked his disciples to take the cows to his ashram. When questioned, Sage Yajnavalkya said: नमो वयं ब्रह्मिष्ठाय कुर्मो गोकामा एव वयं स्मः i.e. “I offer my salutations to all those here who are established in Brahman. I am just in need of these cows.” Sage Yajnavalkya was then questioned in various ways by the assembly of sages and scholars. He answered them all and then finally himself placed a question which none could answer. Everyone then accepted him to be a Brahma Jnani. Sri Mahasannidhanam pointed that what is to be noted here is that despite being a Brahma Jnani, Sage Yajnavalkya displayed such exemplary humility as to first offer his salutations to all Brahma Jnanis. Sri Mahasannidhanam stated that as our humility must increase with increase in knowledge and wisdom, Sri Adi Shankaracharya beseeches the Lord in the Vishnu Shatpadi for removal of ego and bestowment of humility. Sri Adi Shankaracharya also beseeches the Lord for control of the mind and senses, for compassion and empathy towards all beings, and for using all these blessings to cross the ocean of Samsara.
Sri Mahasannidhanam also explained another Upanishadic description of Lord Brahma instructing the Devas, Asuras and humans. Lord Brahma gave them all the same Upadesha – a single syllable – “द”. The Devas understood this as “दाम्यता” (the quality of controlling the senses). As the gods are always immersed in happiness, they will never have the inclination to engage in Brahma Vichara (enquiry about Brahman). Whether one is a god or a human, liberation comes about only on engaging in Brahma Vichara. That the Devas too are eligible for liberation by engaging in Brahma Vichara has been stated by Bhagavan Veda Vyasa in His Brahma Sutra – तदुपर्यपि बादरायण: सम्भवात्. Hence the Devas understood the Upadesha to represent the quality of controlling their senses and engaging in enquiry on the Truth. Lord Brahma next asked the humans as to their understanding of the Upadesha, the humans replied “दत्त” i.e. engage in charity. This is because humans have a tendency to accumulate wealth and rarely does man get the inclination to engage in charity. When the Rakshasas were asked, they replied that they had understood the Upadesha to mean “दयध्वम्” i.e Be compassionate. Rakshasas by nature do not have compassion and hence such an instruction to them. When writing His Bhashya on this section of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada has said, “Those talked of as gods, humans and demons actually represent humans of different nature. The instruction to control senses is for those humans who are always engaged in the pleasures of the senses. Those men who do not have an iota of compassion are equivalent to Rakshasas and it is for them that the instruction to cultivate compassion was given.” So we must not think that only the instruction of engaging in charity was meant for us humans. The other two are also meant for humans if they have the respective attributes associated with the gods and demons.
Sri Mahasannidhanam with these illustrations stated that the teachings of Sri Adi Shankaracharya are valid not only in the present times but for all times to come. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam blessing all devotees to act in accordance to these teachings, act along the path of Dharma and lead a pure and purposeful life.
Sri Mahaasannidhanam then performed a special elaborate Puja with Panchamrita Abhisheka to Lord Chandramoulishwara that night.
The grand 66th Vardhanti celebrations concluded on April 14 2016 with the Poornahuti of the Shatachandika Mahayaga in the divine presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus, Sri Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sri Sannidhanam.