Shata Jayanti (Birth Centenary) Celebrations of 35th Jagadguru
The birth centenary of the 35th Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji (1917-1989, Sannyasa in 1931, Peetharohanam in 1954) took place in Sringeri with great enthusiasm. A number of events took place on the occasion with the Blessings of the Sringeri Jagadgurus.
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Laksha Archana at the Adhishthanam of the Jagadguru
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Special Laksharchana was done inside the Adhishthanam of the Jagadguru in Narasimha Vanam by chanting 10,000 Avrittis of the Ashtottara of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji took place from October 10 to October 17, 2017.
Group chanting of Ashtottara Parayanam at the Adhishthanam
Group chanting of Ashtottara was performed by devotees from in and around Sringeri every morning at the Adhishthanam of the Mahaswamiji from October 10 to 19, 2017.
Smarana Saptaham
In the evening of October 11, 2017, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam inaugurated the Smarana Saptaham (organised by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation, Chennai) held at Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Kalyana Mandapam near Kalikamba temple.
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Sri L Ganeshan, Member of Parliament (Madhya Pradesh), Rajya Sabha Former Justice of Karnataka High Court, Justice N Kumar and Sringeri Math CEO V R Gowrishankar were present. Justice N Kumar and Sri L Ganeshan spoke on the greatness of the Mahaswamiji.
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Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam said that the life of His Paramaguru is itself a great message just as the life of Sri Rama is. He undertook many Vijaya Yatras solely for propagating Dharma amongst the masses. Once the Mahaswamiji had said that as Dharma has to be constantly adhered to throughout one’s life, Yatras have to be undertaken to constantly remind them of the tenets of Dharma.
Sri Sannidhanam also said that the purpose of remembering anecdotes pertaining to the Mahaswamiji is to purify ourselves. One of the nama-s in the Ashtottara of the Mahaswamiji is – Chitta-nairmalya sandaayine namaH – one who confers the state of having a pure mind.
Sri Sannidhanam stated that the Smarana Saptaha would be for those who have directly experienced the grace of the Jagadguru.
Sri Sannidhanam also remarked that it was a divine coincidence that the Shata Jayanti celebrations commenced the previous day – October 10 – Ashwayuja Krishna Panchami – the Pattabhisheka day of His Paramaguru (16 October 1954) and the Pattabhisheka day of His Guru ((19 October 1989).
Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam explained the famous shloka – “विवेकिनं महाप्रज्ञं धैर्य-औदार्य-क्षमानिधिम् …” composed by Him out of divine inspiration on His Guru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji) after the latter’s Videha Mukti. Sri Mahasannidhanam stated that the verse describes the exemplary character of His Guru.
Explaining the first term “विवेकी”, Sri Mahasannidhanam said that His Guru had great Viveka – One who could differentiate between what is beneficial and what is not, could know what is to be given as a teaching, who is qualified to receive the teaching, and how to act in the present keeping in mind the future. He always used to say that a person occupying the Peetham must have a vision of the next 25 years, take decisions and engage in activities in such a way that the upcoming generation will also benefit. He was a Mahaprajna.
“महाप्रज्ञ” means one who has great “Prajna”. Quoting the verse, “बुद्धिस्तात्कालिकी प्रोक्ता मतिरागामी गोचरा । स्मृतिरतीतविषया प्रज्ञा त्रैकालिकी मता”, Sri Mahasannidhanam explained the meaning of the word “Prajna” and went on to state how His Guru had not had a great intellect (बुद्धि) to discern the needs of the present, but also acted keeping in mind the future (मति) and remembering what had occurred in the past (स्मृति).
Sri Mahasannidhanam then mentioned an incidents to highlight this aspect in His guru. Once during the Vijaya Yatra in 1967, a child accidentally fell in front of one of the Math’s vehicles. Though the child miraculously escaped unharmed, an angry mob gathered. At that time, the Acharya stepped out of His car, walked towards the angry mob directing its attention towards Him and asking them to speak to Him on the issue. The entire mob immediately calmed and fell at His Feet, and received His blessings. Such was the Acharya’s “Prajna” and धैर्य – the courage and ability to remain steadfast and calm under all circumstances.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then spoke on the औदार्य – the quality of broad-mindedness, magnanimity and showering unbounded grace on those who are in need. Sri Mahasannidhanam mentioned that before initiating Him into Sannyasa, the Acharya had never ever asked for His horoscope. This was because the Acharya felt that it was more essential that the person, who has to bear the responsibility of the Peetham, possess the necessary characteristics i.e., Rather than examining the horoscope, it was essential to examine whether the person has Vairagya (dispassion towards worldly matters), Bhakti and Shraddha towards Sri Adi Shankaracharya & Goddess Sharada, inclination towards study of the Shastras & understanding the Vedanta Tattva, as well as empathy, compassion and a tendency to help others.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then narrated an incident to show that His Guru was indeed an epitome of forbearance – क्षमानिधि. Once a person serving in the Math had committed a blunder. The Acharya seemingly in a rage stated that the person never come before Him again. However a few days later, the Acharya Himself sent for him. When the person hesitated, the Acharya smilingly said that His reprimanding was only for that day and blessed the person. Such was the Acharya’s forbearance.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then stated that amongst the Mahatmas who lived in the later half of the 20th century, His Guru was the foremost. Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed that it was His great fortune (Punya-vishesha) that such a great personage (Mahatma) as Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji came to be His Guru.
Sri Mahasannidhanam said that it was fitting that the Smarana Saptaham was taking place as part of the birth centenary celebrations in the Abhinava Vidyatirtha Kalyana Mandapam.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then blessed Justice Kumar and appreciated the speech of Sri L Ganeshan.
On the occasion, a book in Kannada script containing Sri Adi Shankaracharya Sahasranama was also released by Sri Mahasannidhanam.
A Natya Samarpanam, based on compositions of Sringeri Jagadgurus, then took place in the premises.
Earlier in the day (October 11), Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti of Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homa organised by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation, Chennai and performed by the Foundation’s Chief Patron & Sringeri Math CEO Sri V R Gowrishankar.
Many distinguished speakers, close disciples and ardent devotees spoke during the Smarana Saptaham. Sri Sannidhanam graced the function every day from October 12 to October 17 and blessed the devotees.
As part of the Smarana Saptaham, Dr. HV Narasimhamurthy of Kundapura spoke on the topic “Childhood to Sannyasa”, Sri KL Srinivasan of Bengaluru on “Epitome of Guru Bhakti”, Sri K N Venkatanarayana of Bengaluru & Vedabrahmasri T Dakshinamurthy of Sringeri on “Propagation of Sanatana Dharma”, Mudigonda Sri Shankara Sharma of Hyderabad on “Peerless Preceptor”, Sri V A Gadgil of Pune and Smt. Shailaja R Hegde of Sringeri on “Multifaceted Jagadguru”, Dr. G Lakshmipati of Coimbatore on “Personification of Perfection”, Justice RS Ramanathan of Chennai & Prof. A Subramonia Iyer of Kalady on “Bestower of Divine Grace”, Swami Veereshananda Saraswati of Ramakrishna Math, Tumkur on “Sage Par Excellence”, Vedabrahmasri Kuppa Shivasubrahmanya Avadhani of Tirupati on “Unparalleled scholar”, Smt. Anantalakshmi Natarajan of Bengaluru on “Simplicity beyond description”, & Sri V Vaidyanathan of Chennai on “Phenomenal Administrator”. Sri A Ramaswamy of Mysuru and Sri KM Balasubramanian of Bengaluru also shared their experiences with the Acharya.
During the Saptaham, people who had served in the Math during the time of the Mahaswamiji including some who are still in service, were honoured by the Vidyatirtha Foundation.
The concluding function of the Saptaham took place in Guru Nivas, as described in the events of the Jayanti day.
Sangeeta Samarpanam
From October 12 to October 17, Sangeeta Samarpanam organised by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation, Chennai took place. Nama Sankeertanam by various artists and groups took place as part of the event.
Photo Exhibition
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A Photo Exhibition titled “Pictures of Perfection” was put up by the Vidyatirtha Foundation, Chennai on the Life of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji at Sri Sharada Prasada building, behind Sri Vidyashankara temple, Sringeri. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sringeri Math CEO Sri VR Gowrishankar in the morning of October 11 and was open for devotees until October 18 from 9 am to 8 pm.
3D Video presentation
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A 3D Video presentation on the Mahaswamiji had been inaugurated in the divine presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam at Sri Sacchidananda Vilas in July. The 20-minute presentation contained the Acharya engaging in Ahnika, meditation, discoursing on Sadhana & Samadhi, as well as doing the Chandramoulishwara Puja. The presentation was available for public viewing at the Pravachana Mandiram every day with about a dozen shows taking place in the morning and evening from July 22 to October 20, 2017. Sri Sannidhanam witnessed the final screening on October 20 and conveyed his blessings to the organisers led by Sri Vidyashankar of MM Forgings, Chennai.
Photographs and Sayings at the Adhishthanam complex
More than a hundred archival photographs of the Mahaswamiji along with His golden sayings were put up around the Adhishthanam complex on October 16, 2017. These beautiful photographs and sayings numbering more than a hundred, continue to be present in the Adhishthanam for devotees to behold and read & get benefitted.
Akhanda Parayanam of Ashtottara
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Akhanda Parayanam of the Ashtottara of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji took place in front of the Adhishtanam from 8 am to 8 pm on October 17, 2017 – the day prior to the 100th Jayanti. The Parayanam was done by devotees from various taluks in Chikmagalur District. The conclusion took place in the divine presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam.
Sri Mahasannidhanam performs Special Puja on the 100th Jayanti
On the Ashwayuja Krishna Panchami day (Naraka Chaturdashi, Deepavali day) marking the 100th Jayanti day of Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, Sri Mahasannidhanam performed a special Puja at the Adhishthanam. During the Puja, Sri Mahasannidhanam offered to the marble Vigraha of His Guru, a Rudraksha Mala with a golden pendant of Adi-Shankaracharya (submitted by the Sevakas in Sringeri Math) and a golden Ashtottara Mala (containing the Namavali on 108 gold coins and weighing a total of 1.5kg). Sri Sannidhanam was present during the Mangalarati of the event.
Sabha by Pathashala & Shata Rudrabhisheka
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Earlier, in the morning of the Jayanti day, Vidyarthis and Pandits of the Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala assembled at the Adhisthana Mandapa for a Sabha. The Sabha began with Veda Parayana and salutations to the Jagadgurus of Sringeri. This was followed by a couple of Vidyarthis recounting the life of the Jagadguru. The Sabha was presided over by Vidwan B Krishnaraja Bhat who spoke in Sanskrit on the life of the Mahaswamiji. Vedabrahmasri T Dakshinamurthy spoke in Kannada narrating incidents from the life of the Jagadguru.
Evening Sabha on 100th Jayanti
An evening Sabha was organised at Guru Nivas on the Jayanti day in the divine presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam. A larger than life marble statue of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji adorned the stage. The Sabha marked the concluding function of the Smarana Saptaham organised by the Vidyatirtha Foundation, Chennai.
The Sabha began with Veda Ghosha and was followed by a rendition of Guru Dhyanam (a pentad of verses composed by Sri Mahasannidhanam on His Guru and beginning with अज्ञान-ध्वान्त-विध्वंसि-सहस्र-
Sri Mahasannidhanam then released a comprehensive biography on Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, authored by Sri RM Umesh and titled “The Multifaceted Jivanmukta”. Sri Mahasannidhanam also released the Kannada translation (“Yoga, Sakshatkara mattu Jivanmukti”) of the book “Yoga, Enlightenment & Perfection of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji”.
This was followed by releases of a perpetual calendar containing divine words of the Mahaswamiji, pictorial story books (authored by Ms. Meenakshi Lakshmanan) on the Mahaswamiji in English, Kannada, Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.
Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam expressed that the day is most auspicious as it is both Naraka Chaturdashi (the day Lord Krishna put an end to the demon, Narakasura & brought about the welfare of mankind) and the Jayanti day of His Paramaguru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji.
Sri Sannidhanam expressed that qualities such as Paropakara (helping others) and Paandityam (scholarship) were natural to His Paramaguru. He quoted the first verse of Pushpadanta’s Shiva-mahimnaH stotram and stated that though no one can lay claim to fully knowing the divine qualities of the Acharya, remembering the greatness of the Acharya, as was done part of the Smarana Saptaham, is sure to fetch us benefit. Sri Sannidhanam also added that the words & teachings of a Jnani like His Paramaguru would have the desired effect based on the ripeness of the person hearing them.
Sri Sannidhanam also recounted an incident which highlighted the compassion of His Paramaguru. A person serving in the Math at the time was known for faults in his character. When some devotees brought this to the notice of the Acharya, the Acharya remarked that keeping such a person inside the Math was more appropriate than sending him away into the society wherein he could pose further problems. The Acharya, thus being fully aware of the person’s defects, contained to remain compassionate on him in the interests of the society.
Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam explained that the celebration of the Shatamanotsava is to remember the Acharya with Bhakti and Shraddha and to obtain their Kripa. After Shankara Bhagavatpada, the only Acharya to travel throughout in Bharatavarsha inclusive of Nepal. While His immediate predecessors had toured in South India, the 32nd Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Nrisimha Bharati Mahaswamiji had toured northern parts of the country too as mentioned in one of the Names in His Ashtottara – द्वारकादि-महाक्षेत्र-यात्रा-सन्
Sri Mahasannidhanam mentioned that His Guru was so broad-minded that He followed the maxim – युक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं बालादपि शुकादपि – Whatever is rightfully & logically said is acceptable, whether it comes from a child or even a parrot. Once when Sri Mahasannidhanam made a suggestion in relation to the administrative affairs of the Math, His Guru had rejected it. However, a couple of days later, His Guru told Him, “What You had suggested can be implemented immediately, as it is appropriate.”
Sri Mahasannidhanam also said that His Guru always spoke in a manner that brought about joy and cheer – This is mentioned in one of the names in His Ashtottara – अमृतोपमभाषण: – so much that everyone felt that he alone was the most favoured devotee of the Acharya. Kalidasa describes this trait in his Raghuvamsha when describing the nature of the king Aja – अहमेव मतो महीपतेरिति सर्वः प्रकृतिष्वचिन्तयत्.
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He would always wish the welfare of others, and would even go to the extent of bearing difficulties personally during Vijaya Yatras only to ensure that others do not suffer. He was an exemplar in how to not only desire the Paropakara of others, but in showing how to act accordingly. The characteristics of a Guru, as explained by Bhagavatpada Adi Shankara – अधिगततत्त्वः (one who has Self-Knowledge) & शिष्यहिताय उद्यतः सततम् (one who constantly strives for the welfare of the disciples) – fit Him to a T.
Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that it is His great fortune that He obtained such a Mahatma as His Guru, was able to serve Him and become a recipient of His Grace.
Sri Mahasannidhanam praised the book authored by Sri RM Umesh titled “The Multifaceted Jivanmukta” containing life, upadeshas, extensive details of Vijaya Yatras and photographs of the Mahaswamiji. Sri Mahasannidhanam said that the author had written the book after receiving His blessings and guidance.
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Sri Mahasannidhanam appreciated the Vidyatirtha Foundation and blessed the members of the foundation for conducting the celebrations in a grand manner.
Sri Mahasannidhanam concluded His Anugraha Bhashanam invoking the Grace of His Guru and blessing all.
Sri Sannidhanam performs Rudra Kramarchana & Puja
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Sri Sannidhanam also performed a special Puja with Rudra Krama Archana at the shrines at night. Sri Mahasannidhanam was present for the Mahamangalarati. Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Aksharamala Stotram (penned by Sri Mahasannidhanam) was chanted at the end of the Puja.
Celebrations in other branches
The birth centenary celebrations were celebrated in a number of Sringeri Math branches including Kalady, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Guntur, Madurai, Srirangam, Coimbatore, Salem etc. The overseas branches in USA & Canada also observed the birth centenary in a fitting manner.
A special program was organised at Kalady on October 8, 2017 where the Princess of Travancore delivered a special address on the Mahaswamiji. A Bhajan competition was also held on the occasion.
The Jnanodaya School Bengaluru that was founded under the guidance & inspiration of the Acharya in 1988 organised a special event to commemorate the occasion on October 20, 2017. CEO Gowrishankar addressed the gathering of students & faculty in the event.
Many devotee groups across South India chanted the Ashtottara and remembered the life & teachings of the Acharya by organising lectures.
Twelve Shatachandi and Maharudra Yagas
Special mention has to be made of the year long celebrations & conduct of Yagas for the welfare of humanity in association with the birth centenary of the Acharya. With the blessings of the Sringeri Jagadgurus, 12 Shatachandi Yagas were performed every month at the Sringeri Shankara Math, RA Puram, Chennai while 12 Maharudra Yagas were performed every month at the Sringeri Shankara Math in Melmangalam, Tamil Nadu with the respective Poornahutis taking place each month on the Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi day (the birth Tithi of Sri Jyeshtha Mahasannidhanam).