Shankara Jayanti Celebrations 2016
The birth anniversary of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada, the rejuvenator of Santana Dharma, was reverentially observed at Sringeri by Their Holinesses Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekara Bharati Mahaswamiji from May 7 2016, to May 13 2016. An assembly of Vedic scholars from across the country gathered to participate in the celebrations led by Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannindham, and to pay their respects to Bhagavatpada. The Jayanti celebrations witnessed an array of Vedic and scholarly activities that paid a fitting tribute to the great philosopher-saint.
Daily Events
The traditional observances at the Adi Shankaracharya temple on the northern bank of the river Tunga commenced on May 7, 2016. Every morning, until the Shankara Jayanti day, Mahanyasa Poorvaka Shata Rudra Abhisheka was performed to the Vigraha of Bhagavatpada. Parayana of the four Vedas, the Prasthanatraya Bhashya and Madhaviya Shankara Vijaya (the biography of Sri Shankara’s life) was performed daily.
Vedic scholars from all over India took part in the Veda Sammelan conducted on the occasion by the Peetham’s Veda Poshaka Sabha. Under the auspices of the Sabha, examinations were conducted for advanced students of the Vedas.
Throughout the Jayanti Celebrations, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam, after conducting exams and granting Darshan to devotees in Guru Nivas on the southern bank of the river Tunga, crossed the river to the temple of Adi Shankaracharya. The Jagadgurus engaged the Vedic scholars in Upanishad Parayana (including the Taittiriya, Aitareya, Kaushitaki, Chandogya and Brihadaranyaka Upanishads). Archana to Sri Adi Shankaracharya, accompanied by group chanting of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada’s Ashtottara followed by Mahamangalarati, concluded each day’s morning program at the temple.
In the evenings, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam presided over a Sabha at the Pravachana Mandiram. During the Sabha, it is customary to perform the Parayana of the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Parayana. This year, devotees had the fortune of listening to Sri Sannidhanam Himself performing the Parayana of the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya. Following this, Asthana Vidwan Sri T V Shivakumara Sharma gave a summary of the Sargas whose Parayana had just been completed. Upanyasas on Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s life and teachings were conducted by eminent scholars. The scholars who rendered Upanyasas in the Jagadgurus’ presence this year were Vidwan Umakanta Bhat of Melkote, Vidwan Sri Madhusudana Shastri Hampiholi of Dharwad, Vidwan Sri MV Narasimhamurthy of Tirupati and Asthana Vidwan Mahabaleshwara Bhat of Sringeri. The Upanyasa was followed by Mangalarati and Ashtavadhana Seva in the presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus. The Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was taken in a procession along the streets of Sringeri by the Vidyarthis of the Sringeri Pathashala.
Shankara Jayanti Day
On May 11, 2016, Shankara Jayanti day, Sri Mahasannidhanam performed an elaborate Puja to Sri Adi Shankaracharya from around noon. Vedic scholars as well as the assembled devotees, feasted their eyes on Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam paying obeisance to Bhagavatpada. Sri Mahasannidhanam concluded the Puja with the grand ‘Kanakabhisheka’ to the Vigraha of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
In the evening, a Sabha was organized at the Pravachana Mandiram in the divine presence of the Jagadgurus. After the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Parayana took place, the Administrator and CEO, Guru Seva Dhurina Dr. V R Gowrishankar spoke about the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations as a 5-day event, as constituted by the 33rd Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. He also mentioned that, under the umbrella of the Shaankara Tattva Prasaara Abhiyanam of the Peetham, hundreds of centres in various districts of Karnataka have begun the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations, and that the Celebrations were also in full swing in various branch Maths of the Peetham across the nation.
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam then released 3 books on the occasion. The first book released was Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Volume 2 containing, in Kannada script, final seven Sargas (cantos) of the biographical work on Bhagavatpada by Sri Vidyaranya, the 12th Acharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The book also contains Kannada translation and notes by the late Vidwan Ranganatha Sharma. Sri Mahasannidhanam also released two books containing the verses of Srimad Bhagavad Gita in Devanagari and Kannada script.
Anugraha Bhashanam by Sri Sannidhanam
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam stated that the Supreme Lord incarnates when Dharma is in decline, protects the noble, destroys evil and brings about the welfare of the world. The very basis of the Avataras is Paropakara – the welfare of people –
परोपकृतिकैवल्ये तोलयित्वा जनार्दनः ।
गुर्वीमुपकृतिं मत्वा अवतारान् दशाग्रहीत् ॥
Such was the situation before the advent of Sri Adi Shankaracharya that non Vedic schools of thought had gripped the social and even political strata of the country. Kumarila Bhatta, an incarnation of Lord Subrahmanya, had just striven to uphold the Karma Siddhanta – the path that stresses the need for the performance of Vedic rituals, and had established the Vedas as the supreme pramana (means of knowledge). It was then that Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s advent took place in the 8th century CE. Sri Adi Shankaracharya wrote profound commentaries on the Prasthana Traya, propagated the essence of the Jnana Kanda (Upanishads) of the Vedas, and also explained how the various paths help people at different stages in their spiritual journeys.
Some may wonder whether one has to adhere to the Karma Kanda or move directly towards the Jnana Kanda. While both may seem contradictory to each other, Adi Shankaracharya explained that one has to engage in Karma until one’s mind gets purified and then resort to the path of Jnana.
Sri Sannidhanam then explained that given the service rendered by Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the fact that the great Acharya revelled in the bliss of the Atman, it is most apt that worship be offered to the Acharya. Our Shastras too dictate that such a Knower is most worthy of worship for the one who seeks welfare – तस्मादात्मज्ञं अर्चयेद् भूतिकामः.
Sri Sannidhanam explained that His Paraapara Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji ordained that Shankara Jayanti be observed as a five day celebration.
On the occasion, Sri Sannidhanam also emphasized the need to learn as well as teach the accounts in our Puranas and Itihasas as well as the life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Vidyaranya states that the listening to the narration of the life of Sri Adi Shankaracharya cleanses our minds, removes the ill effects of the Kali Yuga and grants all our earnest desires – सैषा कलिमलच्छेत्री सकृच्छ्रुत्यापि कामदा.
Sri Sannidhanam expressed joy that by the Grace of His Guru, the Sri Shankaracharya Ashtottara Shatanama Parayana Yajna had been observed across Karnataka and that many had begun chanting the Ashtottara every day. He ended His Anugraha Bhashanams invoking the blessings of Bhagavatpada for all to tread the spiritual path and attain Shreyas.
Anugraha Bhashanam by Sri Mahasannidhanam
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that Sri Vidyaranya had extolled the extraordinary contribution of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in His Shankara Digvijaya. Speaking of the Jivatman, philosophers of various schools gave different interpretations. The Buddhists denied the very existence of the Atman – हन्तुं बौद्धो अन्वधावत्. The Charvakas proclaimed that the Jivatman is nothing but the physical body and hence subject to total annihilation on physical death.
The Tarkikas explained that the Jivatman exists, but is neither the body nor the senses nor the mind. The Atman is neither born nor dies. The Atman is Nitya – beyond destruction, and takes up different physical bodies in different life times. In order to logically explain this, the Tarkikas stated that a child, without being taught in any manner, is able to drink milk from its mother because it has done so in its previous lifetimes. Immediately a question may prop up, “If this is the case, should we not remember all that we did in our previous lifetimes?”. The Tarkikas then gave the reply, “It is not necessary for everything from the past lives to be remembered. However, the very survival of the child depends on its ability to feed in the present lifetime, and so it is able to remember this activity and acts accordingly to sustain its very life.” Thus did the Tarkikas logically expound the existence of the Atman across lifetimes – तदनु कथञ्चिद् स्वात्मलाभः कणादात्.
The Mimamsakas such as Kumarila Bhatta stressed the importance of the performance of the Karmas as expounded in the Vedas, such as ज्योतिष्टोमेन स्वर्गकामो यजेत (let the man desirous of the heavens perform the Jyotishtoma sacrifice) – कौमारिलाद्यैः निजपदगमने दर्शितं मार्गमात्रम् , and laid down the path to one’s own good.
The Saankhyas mentioned that the Atman is never subject to suffering, but did not explain further – साङ्ख्यैः दु:खं विनीतं परम्. The Yogis explained the importance of limbs of Yoga such as Pranayama (control of breath) and postulated that it is possible to achieve an exalted state of being via such practices – अथ रचिता प्राणधृत्यर्हताऽन्यैः.
However, Bhagavatpada Sri Adi Shankaracharya did not stop with merely ensuring the existence of the Jivatman, or merely showing the path to spiritual welfare, or merely rejecting all suffering for the Atman, or merely explaining the Sadhanas that need to be done. Sri Adi Shankaracharya postulated that in accordance to the Upanishads, the Jivatman is non-different from the Supreme Entity, the Parabrahman – इत्थं खिन्नं पुमांसं व्यधित परशिवं शङ्करः शङ्करांशः
It must be firmly understood that this non-difference expounded by Bhagavatpada is in accordance to what is stated in the Vedas. He Himself stated that whenever one engages in philosophical enquiry, the Vedas must be resorted to as the supreme authority – श्रुतिमतस्तर्को अनुसन्धीयताम्. Otherwise, if one were to merely use his intellect and arrive at a philosophical stance, it is always possible for another with a better intellect to come up with a totally contradictory stance. In order to explain the supreme authority of the Vedas, Bhagavatpada stated – वेदस्य हि निरपेक्षं प्रामाण्यं रवेरिव रूपविषये.
We find that the Vedas proclaim “तत्त्वमसि” not once but nine times. This repeated emphasis is present to indicate the importance of what is stated and is called as अभ्यासः. With such a proclamation in the Vedas, Bhagavatpada expounded the philosophy of Advaita that the Jivatman is non-different from Parabrahman.
Sri Mahasannidhanm explained that it is most fitting as well as our duty to observe the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations and revere Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Mahasannidhanam also expressed happiness over the conduct of the Sri Shankaracharya Ashtottara Shatanama Parayana Yajna across Karnataka over the past few months.
Adi Shankaracharya Maha Rathotsava
On the morning of May 12, 2016, the Mahajanas of Sringeri arrived at the Pravachana Mandiram and reverentially extended a formal invitation to the Ubhaya Jagadgurus to conduct the Adi Shankaracharya Maharathotsava. Sri Sannidhanam graced the Maharathotsava with His divine presence. The Ustava Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was placed on the Maharatha and the grand Maha Rathotsava of Sri Adi Shankaracharya took place along the main Bharati street of Sringeri amidst the chanting of four Vedas, Bhajans to the accompaniment of musical instruments and the chanting of the Ashtottara Shatanama of Bhagavatpada.
Valedictory function of Veda Poshaka Sabha
In the evening, the Valedictory function of the Veda Poshaka Sabha was held in the august presence of Their Holinesses Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam. Administrator and CEO of the Peetham, Guru Seva Dhurina Sri V R Gowrishankar expressed happiness at having such a conference of Vedic scholars. He explained how the Veda Poshaka Sabha of the Peetham came to be in existence. He called for increased participation and mentioned that fittingly, the honorarium for the attending Vedic scholars as well as for the successful students in the examination were being increased this year.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that the Vedas are the supreme Pramana and that it is our foremost responsibility to study the Vedas, preserve them and pass on to the next generations. This is what our ancestors did and this is why we have so many Vedic scholars in our midst today. It is for the sustenance of the Vedas and the nurturing of Vedic scholars that His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji had commenced the Veda Poshaka Sabha about forty years back. Sri Mahasannidhanam pointed out that while the first batch of the students passing the Ghanapatha exam had received Rs. 500 as an award, successful students today receive Rs. 30,000 for the same exam.
Sri Mahasannidhanam also said that His Guru had also started the Sura Saraswati Sabha for the propagation of Sanskrit. This Sabha conducts exams in Sanskrit and many thousands across all age groups participate in these exams.
Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that the Veda Poshaka Sabha was originally being conducted during the Janma Mahotsava of His Guru – Ashwayuja Krishna Chaturdashi. Later Sri Mahasannidhanam felt that it was fitting to conduct the Sabha during the elaborate Shankara Jayanti Celebrations. Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed immense joy at the participation of the scholars and students in the Sabha. Sri Mahasannidhanam also encouraged students who were unable to clear the renowned Sringeri Vedic exams must feel inspired to come again and pass in flying colours. Sri Mahasannidhanam then praised the fourteen year old son of Vedabrahmasri Chandramouli Shrouti of Chennai for having passed with distinction the Rahasyaanta Sama Veda at such a young age. Sri Mahasannidhanam also praised the father for having performed the Upanayanam of his son at the age of five and for having taught the Vedas for eight and half years to be able to make his young son such a well-versed Vedic scholar.
Mahamangalarati to the Murti of Bhagavatpada and Ashtavadhana Seva then took place.
All Vedic scholars were then blessed by the Jagadgurus and felicitated, in Their divine presence, by the Peetham’s CEO Sri V R Gowrishankar.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then awarded gold rings for excellence in Vedic scholarship to Vedabrahmasri Suswaram Subrahmanya Sharma of Srisailam, in Rig Veda, Vedabrahmasri Chandramouli Ghanapaathi of Chennai in Krishna Yajur Veda, Vedabrahmasri Srinivasa Ghanapaathi of Chennai in Shukla Yajur Veda and Vedabrahmasri Aditya Sharma of Chennai in Sama Veda.
Then followed the felicitation of 69 successful students out of the 99 who appeared for the advanced Vedic exams. 20 of these 69 students who had cleared the Ghanapatha level examination were first felicitated – 3 in Rig Veda, 5 in Krishna Yajur Veda, 2 in Shukla Yajur Veda Kaanva Shaakha, 3 in Shukla Yajur Veda Maadhyandina Shaakha, 7 in Sama Veda Kauthuma Shaakha. The remaining 49 successful candidates had successfully cleared the Kramapatha level examination – 1 in Rig Veda, 27 in Krishna Yajur Veda, 6 in Shukla Yajur Veda Kaanva Shaakha, 6 in Shukla Yajur Veda Maadhyandina Shaakha and 9 in Sama Veda Kauthuma Shaakha.
The Shankara Jayanti Celebrations ended with the Teppotsava on the evening of May 13, 2016, in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam.