Sringeri Jagadgurus perform Vyasa Puja, undertake Chaturmasya Vrata
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam of Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham performed Vyasapuja and undertook Chaturmasya Sankalpa on July 16, 2019 along with His successor-designate, Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam, at Guru Nivas, Narasimha Vanam in Sringeri.
During the course of the elaborate worship, three groups of Acharyas were worshipped by the Jagadguru. The Jagadguru first worshipped Lord Krishna surrounded by the four Sanatkumaras. This was followed by worship to the Vyasa Panchakam with Bhagavan Veda Vyasa in the centre and surrounded by His four principal disciples, namely, Maharshis Sumantu, Jaimini, Vaishampayana and Paila. The Acharya Panchakam had Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the center surrounded by His four primary disciples – Sri Padmapadacharya, Sri Sureswaracharya, Sri Totakacharya and Sri Hastamalakacharya.
Then the Guru Parampara Stotram was recited and Tulasi Archana was offered to all the previous Acharyas of the Peetham.
Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam then took the Chaturmasya Vrata Sankalpa, wherein They pledged to stay in one place, spending more time in solitude and contemplation, and in reflection of the Vedantic import. Devotees from various parts of the country beheld Sri Mahasannidhanam taking His 45th Chaturmasya Sankalpa and Sri Sannidhanam taking His fourth Chaturmasya Sankalpa.
Pada Puja to the Jagadguru was offered on behalf of all devotees. Offerings on behalf of various royal scions were then submitted by the Sringeri Math CEO Sri VR Gowrishankar. Sri Sannidhanam then distributed Tirtha Prasada to all devotees.
In accordance to the practice of having Darshan of the presiding deity before commencing the Vrata, the Jagadgurus had Darshan at the Adhishtanams of the predecessor Acharyas, and at all the temples including those of Goddess Sharadamba, Lord Vidyashankara and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus also had Darshan at the temple of Bhagavan Veda Vyasa in Narasimha Vanam. A couple of days earlier, the Jagadgurus had Darshan at the Lord Malahanikareshwara temple.
On the following day (July 17, 2019), the Ubhaya Jagadgurus performed Uttara Puja. Sri Sannidhanam then blessed devotees with Vyasakshata.
The Ubhaya Jagadgurus are observing the Chaturmasya Vrata from July 16 to September 13, 2019. During the Chaturmasya, the Jagadgurus will perform many special Pujas like the Shravana Somavara Puja and Krishna Janmashtami Puja, and also observe several Vratas like the Kedareshwara Vrata, Anantapadmanabha Vrata, etc. at the Guru Nivas. The Sringeri Jagadguru will also conduct and preside over the Mahaganapati Vakyartha Vidwat Sabha – an all India conference of Sanskrit scholars – for about two weeks in September starting from the Ganesha Chaturthi day.
The Chaturmasya invitation 2019 that includes the important days during the Chaturmasya can be downloaded here