Jagadgurus in Dakshina Kannada
Belthangady
On April 20 2016, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam started from Sringeri on a six-day Yatra in the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Hassan. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus arrived first at Belthangady to a respectful welcome by devotees led by Belthangady MLA Sri Vasanth Bangera. Dhuli Pada Puja was then performed by Sri Vasanth Bangera. This was followed by offering of Swagata Patrikas to the Jagadgurus. Thereafter, Sri Sannidhanam and Sri Mahasannidhanam graced the devotees with Anugraha Bhashanams. Sri Sannidhanam spoke about the greatness of Sri Adi Shankaracharya while Sri Mahasannidhanam explained the importance of Dharma in our lives. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus proceeded to the premises of the Subrahmanya Sthanika Brahmana Sabha of Belthangady and inaugurated Subrahmanya Sabha Bhavana. Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam spoke on Paropakara – helping others – as the primary Dharma for all mankind. Sri Mahasannidhanam specially blessed the students of the summer camp being conducted to inculcate Vedic values. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then had Darshan at the Sri Venkataramana temple in Belthangady. Sri Sannidhanam performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the premises of the temple. The next morning, a Yajur Veda Ghana Parayanam took place in the temple premises. The Parayanam was led by Vedabrahmasri Meenakshi Sundara Ghanapaathi of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Pathashala of the Peetham and his students. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then gave Darshan to the devotees. In the afternoon, the Jagadgurus laid the foundation for a college established by the Gurudeva Educational Trust, which is run by Belthangady MLA Sri Vasanth Bangera. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then started from Belthangady and, enroute to Mundaje, had Darshan at the Durga Parameshwari temple in Ujire and blessed the assembled devotees.
Mundaje
Arriving at Mundaje on the evening of April 21 2016, the Jagadgurus graced a public function organised in the premises of the Sri Lakshminarayana Swamy temple. Devotees from various residential areas of the Chitpaavan community, comprising of migrants from Maharashtra to Karnataka, assembled to savour the divine occasion of the arrival of the Sringeri Jagadgurus.
After Dhuli Pada Puja and Samarpanam of Swagata Patrikas were performed by the devotees, Sri Mahasannidhanam released two volumes of a text titled “Krishna Yajur Veda Swaahaakaara Paddhati” in accordance to the Satyaashaada Hiranyakesheeya Shrauta Sutras. The first volume contains the relevant information from the Praajaapatya Kaanda to the Aagneya Kaanda while the second volume begins from the Vaishvadeva Kaanda and concludes with the section on Sautra Mantras. The books were compiled and edited by Vedabrahmasri Ramakrishna Vaman Mehendale. Three Vedic scholars – Vedabrahmasri Vivek Lakshman Shastri Godbole of Satara, Vedabrahmasri Amshuman Abhayankar of Darbhetadka and Vedabrahmasri Ramakrishna Vaman Mehendale of Gokarna – were felicitated on the occasion in the divine presence of the Jagadgurus.
Sri Sannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, spoke about the importance of the Guru in our lives highlighting that even Avataras have been exemplars. Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and Sri Adi Shankaracharya had Gurus in Sri Vasishtha, Sri Sandeepani, and Sri Govinda Bhagavatpada respectively. Sri Sannidhanam expressed happiness at the Guru Bhakti of the devotees of Mundane.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam spoke on Adi Shankaracharya’s Upadesha Panchakam and the need to use the human birth to attain Shreyas.
Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed joy at coming to Mundaje and remembered that in 1956, His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, had started on His first Vijaya Yatra, toured the Dakshina Kannada district and graced Mundaje also, while moving towards Kalady for observing Chaturmasya. While His Guru had come in 1956 during the Phalguna Masa of the Manmatha year, Sri Mahasannidhanam said that He had arrived at Mundaje 60 years later in the Chaitra Masa of the Durmukha Samvtsara. Sri Mahasannidhanam also pointed out that the ancestors of the very same Khadilkar family, that had just performed Dhuli Pada Puja, had also welcomed and served His Guru in 1956.
Referring to the exodus of people from their native villages, Sri Mahasannidhanam stressed the importance of being connected with and living in one’s native village by stating that even Sri Rama had great respect towards His motherland that he shunned the opulence of Lanka that was made of gold –
अपि स्वर्णमयी लङ्का न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी॥
Sri Mahasannidhanam also had words of praise for Vedabrahmasri Ramakrishna Vaman Mehendale for bringing out the books that were released on the occasion. When the scholar had first approached Him in Sringeri with a draft of the books for receiving blessings, Sri Mahasannidhanam had examined the draft and pointed out that the categorization of Mantras were not completely in accordance to the Satyaashaada Shrauta Sutras. Sri Mehendale had, in all humility, accepted this fact and once again worked on the draft for many months and submitted it again to Sri Mahasannidhanam. Happy with the modifications, Sri Mahasannidhanam had only then blessed the books with a Srimukham, a benedictory message. Sri Mahasannidhanam praised Sri Mehendale for having worked and ensured that the books were completely in accordance to the Sutras. Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed joy at having released the books and conveyed His blessings to the scholar. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam conveying His Blessings for the devotees of Mundaje.
After the function, Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple. Sri Mahasannidhanam performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the temple premises and then had Darshan of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy and performed Mahamangalarati at the sanctum sanctorum.
The following day, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam performed Navaratna Nikshepa at the Sri Parashurama temple that is being renovated at Sannyasakatte in Mundaje. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam mentioned that it was fitting that the temple was being renovated, as Lord Parashurama, who had displayed both Brahma Varchas (spiritual splendour) and Kshaatra Varchas (valour) in His incarnation, was the object of worship of the Chitpaavan community. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then gave Darshan to devotees at the Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple. They also graced the Poornahuti of the Gayatri Homa performed on the occasion. In the afternoon, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus started from Mundaje towards Darbhetadka and enroute had Darshan at the Sri Janardana Swamy temple in Ujire. Sri Mahasannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, mentioned that it was fitting that a special shrine had been consecrated for Lord Shiva in the temple, signifying that Lord Hari and Lord Hara are but different forms of the same Singular Supreme Divinity. Sri Mahasannidhanam also blessed the young children attending a month long summer camp organised for inculcating values of Sanatana Dharma.
Darbhetadka
On the evening of April 22 2016, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam arrived at the hamlet of Darbhetadka, a remote village in Dakshina Kannada district, not too distant from Dharmasthala. The devotees here too, hailing from the Chitpavan community, welcomed the Jagadgurus with great reverence. After Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by elderly devotees, Vedabrahmasri Amshuman Abhayankar, a Krishna Yajur Veda Ghanapaati, who had studied in the Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala at Sringeri, welcomed the Jagadgurus with great joy and reverence. The Swagata Patrika was then read by Vidwan Mundaje Mahadeva Marathe, who has had the fortune of studying Nyaya Shastra at the Lotus Feet of Sri Mahasannidhanam and is currently studying Vedanta Shastra at the Lotus Feet of Sri Mahasannidhanam.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam explained that the Vedas state that when Prajapati (Lord Brahma) began His Creation, He had first brought forth serpents – “प्रजापतिरकामयत प्रजाः सृजेयेति । स तपोऽतप्यत । स सर्पानसृजत”, then birds – “स द्वितीयमतप्यत । स वयाँस्यसृजत”, and then had undertaken a special penance to bring forth humans – “स तृतीयमतप्यत स एतं दीक्षितवादमपश्यत् तमवदत्ततो वै स प्रजा असृजत”. This illustrates the importance of the human birth. Having obtained the human birth, we must use our faculty of Viveka (reason – the ability to distinguish between Dharma and Adharma, and, what fetches us welfare and what brings about suffering), give up Adharma and adhere to Dharma as advocated in the Shastras. Sri Sannidhanam advocated that we must all follow our Sva-Dharma as explained in the Vedas and Dharma Shastras.
Sri Mahasannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, spoke elaborately on the Vedic way of life. Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that people had so much faith in the Shastras that they never questioned as to what material benefit would ensue out of Vedic studies. They studied the Vedas and Shastras considering it as their duty – “ब्राह्मणेन निष्कारणं षडङ्गो वेदोऽध्येयो ज्ञेयश्च”. Sri Apastamba Rishi has explained that a Brahmachari must be a Tapasvi (one who lives in accordance to Niyamas or rules laid down during the time of Upanayana, such as being devoted to the teacher, not sleeping during the day etc.), a Riju (one whose thoughts, words and deeds are in conformance with each other), and Mridu (soft spoken) and Arooksha (one who never insults and is always intent on acting in accordance to Dharma). In such a Brahmana, all divinities exist. Sri Mahasannidhanam also stated that Sri Adi Shankaracharya has said ब्राह्मणत्वस्य हि रक्षणे रक्षितः स्याद्वैदिको धर्मः (the Vedic Dharma is protected only when the Brahmanatvam is protected). Hence a Brahmana has to realize the responsibility he has to fulfill and act accordingly. It was to ensure this that the 33rd Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji, had founded the Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala at Sringeri. Today, those who have studied in this Pathashala are spread from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and are well respected. Sri Mahasannidhanam also had words of praise for Sri Amshuman Abhayankar, who had studied in the Pathashala, and is now running a Pathashala in Darbhetadka and teaching students the Veda Vidya. Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed joy at coming to Darbhetadka and blessed the devotees.
Thereafter, Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Kaala Kaama Parashurama temple. Sri Mahasannidhanam performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja and the Srichakra Puja. Thereafter. Sri Mahasannidhanam also had Darshan of Lord Kaala Kaama Parashurama.
The following morning, Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Durga Parameshwari Praarthana Mandira in Kokkada near Darbhetadka, where Goddess Durga is worshipped in the form of Jyoti. Sri Sannidhanam blessed the gathering of devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam on the greatness of Goddess Durga.
On the occasion of the Jagadgurus’ visit to Darbhetadka, a Pavitreshti, a Shrauta Yaga was organised in the premises of the Kaala Kaama Parashurama temple. Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam spent more than an hour near the Yagashala as offerings were made to Lord Yajneshwara with chants of Vedic hymns. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then gave Darshan to the devotees and blessed them with Asirmantrakshatras.
Dharmasthala
On April 23, 2016, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus arrived at Dharmasthala, the famous temple town of Sri Manjunatha Swamy. The Jagadgurus were accorded Poorna Kumbha Swagata by the Dharmadhikari of the temple, Sri Veerendra Heggade, and were taken in a grand procession from the entrance gate of the temple town. Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by the chief priest of Sri Manjunatha Swamy temple. Sri Veerendra Heggade then reverentially welcomed the Jagadgurus on behalf of all devotees of Dharmasthala. He said that every occasion of the visit of the Sringeri Jagadgurus to Dharmasthala has been special. He recounted that his father, Sri Ratnavarma Heggade, had had the fortune of welcoming the 35th Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji in 1956. His father had also been blessed to offer the “Hasta Laaghava” to the Jagadguru, to personally welcome the Jagadguru dressed in His royal Durbar attire. Sri Heggade also remembered that the Jagadguru had come once again with His Shishya (the present Mahasannidhanam) in 1976. He remembered that on the occasion, the 35th Acharya had pointed out that Lord Vasudeva (Vishnu) and Lord Vamadeva (Shiva) were essentially non-different and were the different aspects of the same Divinity, and that people unnecessarily debate over the greatness of one form over the other. The Acharya had also conveyed that the oneness of various forms is represented in a Gopuram having sculptures of all the various forms. He recounted how the 35th Acharya had once pointed that we concentrate well when asked to count a bunch of currency notes, but fail to do so when doing Japa or when chanting an Ashtottara Shatanamavali. Sri Heggade also mentioned that he had personally observed in many occasions that the present Sri Mahasannidhanam gave utmost importance to Bhakti and Shraddha in devotees and never to position, wealth or status.
Sri Mahasannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, said that the relationship between the Sringeri Jagadguru Mahasamsthanam and the Dharmasthala Kshetram has been a long and strong one. This is corroborated by the fact that the 32nd Acharya had written a Srimukham to the Heggade family in 1866. Sri Veerendra Heggade has strengthened the bond between the two Kshetrams. Sri Mahasannidhanam also remembered with joy how Sri Heggade had welcomed His Guru and Himself in 1976, and His own visit to Dharmasthala in 1991. Now that He had come to Dharmasthala with His Shishya (Sri Sannidhanam), it once again highlights the bond between Sringeri and Dharmasthala, pointed Sri Mahasannidhanam. He also mentioned that Sri Heggade would offer something every time he has Darshan. He had once offered a beautiful Vigraha of Lord Shiva in a meditative pose, and that Vigraha has been placed in the Dhanvantari hospital in Sringeri now.
Sri Mahasannidhanam said that though there have been many religions flourishing in India since millennia, there has been no dispute that all have faith in the presence of the Supreme Being –
यं शैवाः समुपासते शिव इति ब्रह्मेति वेदान्तिनो
बौद्धा बुद्ध इति प्रमाणपटवः कर्तेति नैयायिकाः ।
अर्हन्नित्यपि जैनशासनरताः कर्मेति मीमांसकाः
सोऽयं वो विदधातु वाञ्छितफलं त्रैलोक्यनाथो हरिः ॥
(May the Lord of the three worlds, whom the Shaivas worship as Shiva, the Vedantins as Brahman, the Buddhist as Buddha, the Naiyayikas as Karta (the Doer), the Jains as Arhan, and the Meemamsakas as Karma, grace us with what we desire).
Sri Mahasannidhanam then praised Sri Heggade for his noble qualities and the services being rendered by the administration of the Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy temple in the fields of education, healthcare and social welfare schemes. All these efforts are being done with the notion that what is being offered to Sri Manjunatha Swamy by devotees must reach people in need. Today, Dharmasthala occupies an important position amongst the pilgrim centres in the entire world due to all these efforts of Sri Heggade. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam conveying His blessings to one and all.
On the occasion, as a mark of reverence and to commemorate the importance of the occasion, the temple authorities displayed photos of the previous visits of Sri Mahasannidhanam and His Guru to Dharmasthala. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja that was attended by devotees led by Sri Veerendra Heggade and his family.
At 8:30 a.m. on the following morning, April 24, 2016, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam went to the Sri Manjunatha Swamy where they were received by the Dharmadhikari, Sri Veerendra Heggade and the temple authorities. The Acharyas then had Darshan of Sri Manjunatha Swamy. The Acharyas then visited the Manuscript and Archival Library, and the Manjusha Car Museum of the temple. In the museum, Sri Veerendra Heggade also showcased the Packard car that was used by the 35th Acharya of the Peetham and being maintained in the Museum.
The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then inaugurated the new 500 room Sahyadri Guest House at Dharmasthala to accommodate the increasing inflow of devotees. The Jagadgurus then graced a public function where they were formally welcomed by the Dharmadhikari, Sri Veerendra Heggade. Karnataka State Minister of Housing, Sri Ambareesh, and Belthangady MLA Sri Vasanth Bangera also attended the function and received the blessings of the Jagadgurus. Sri Heggade offered a large sculpture of Lord Ganapati to Sri Mahasannidhanam and a silver Vyasa Peetham to Sri Sannidhanam. The Jagadgurus blessed the gathering with Anugraha Bhashanams. Later Pada Puja took place in the residence of Sri Veerendra Heggade following which the Ubhaya Jagadgurus blessed the Heggade family members.
Starting from Dharmasthala at 4 p.m., the Jagadgurus, en route to Puttur, visited the Sri Rajarajeshwarai temple at Mathadabettu and had Darshan. The temple was recently renovated with the blessings of the Sringeri Jagadgurus and Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed the devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam on the greatness of the Divine Mother.
Puttur
Arriving at Puthur on the evening of April 24 2016 to a grand welcome, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus had Darshan at the Mahathobhara Mahalingeshwara Temple. After Dhuli Pada Puja was performed and the Swagata Patrikas were offered, the Jagadgurus blessed the devotees with Anugraha Bhashanams. Puttur MLA, Smt. Shakuntala Shetty, attended the function and received the Jagadgurus’ blessings. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the premises of Ambika Vidyalaya. On the morning of April 25 2016, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus inaugurated a new building of Ambika Vidyalaya. The Jagadgurus also consecrated a Vigraha of Goddess Saraswati and graced the Poornahuti of the Chandi Homa performed on the occasion. In the public function organised on the occasion, the Nattoja family that runs and administers the Ambika educational institutions offered their respectful pranams to the Jagadgurus. Karnataka State Minister for Urban Development, Sri Vinay Kumar Sorake, was present on the occasion and received the blessings of the Jagadgurus. Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed the students and teachers of the institution with an Anugraha Bhashanam highlighting the importance of a cultured education that provides not only knowledge of various subjects, but also cultivates humility in the student. Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed Sri Subrahmanya Nattoja of Ambika Vidyalaya for his Guru Bhakti and his service to the cause of education.
Sakleshpur
Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam arrived at Sakleshpur on the evening of April 25 2016 to a devout reception. Devotees led the Jagadgurus in a procession to Sri Kanyaka Parameshwari temple. After Dhuli Pada Puja and Swagata Patrikas were offered, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus blessed devotees with Anugraha Bhashanams. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja. On the morning of April 26 2016, the Ubhaya Jagadgurus had Darshan at the Sakaleshwara Swamy Temple. They also had Darshan of Sri Udbhava Ganapati in the temple premises. The Jagadgurus also had Darshan at the Anjaneya Swamy Temple. Then the Jagadgurus inaugurated the Gayatri Vipra Samudaya Bhavana. Thereafter the Jagadgurus gave Darshan to the devotees and blessed them with Asirmantrakshatas. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus started from Sakleshpur the same afternoon and returned to Sringeri by evening.