27th Vardhanti Celebrations of Sri Sannidhanam
Ahnika Darshanam of Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam on His 27th Vardhanti
The 27th Vardhanti of Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam was celebrated at the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri on August 5, 2019 (Naga Panchami). At around 7:30 a.m., Sri Sannidhanam gave Ahnika Darshan to thousands of devotees at Sri Sacchidananda Vilas in Narasimha Vanam.
The Celebrations had commenced on August 2, 2019 with a Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homa. Poornahuti of the Homa took place in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam. Thereafter, Sri Sannidhanam graced the Sankalpa for the Maharudra Yaga in the Adhishthana Mandapam in Narasimha Vanam. Sri Rudram was chanted for 1331 times for four days as part of the Yaga. Every evening , Rudra Kramaarchana, Shivasahasranama, Rudratrishati and Ashtavadhana Seva were performed.
Sri Sannidhanam worshipping Lord Kalabhairava in Narasimha Vanam a day prior to the 27th Vardhanti
On August 4, 2019, Sri Sannidhanam performed a special Puja at the Kalabhairava temple in Narasimha Vanam.
On August 5, 2019, the Vardhanti Day, after granting Ahnika Darshan, Sri Sannidhanam graced the Guru Vandana Sabha at 10 am in Guru Nivas. The Sabha began with Vedic chants and prayer. Phala-Samarpanam was performed to Sri Sannidhanam on behalf of all devotees of the Math by Sringeri Math CEO Sri V R Gowrishankar and the Pandits of the Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Mahapathashala.
Sri Sannidhanam blessing devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam on the 27th Vardhanti day
Sri Sannidhanam then blessed the gathering with an Anugraha Bhashanam. Speaking on the greatness of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada, Sri Sannidhanam explained that Bhagavatpada established the correct import of the Vedas through His commentaries and travelled throughout the country gracing innumerable people.
One of the names of Bhagavatpada that is said when chanting His Ashottara Shatanamavali (string of 108 names) is “द्विसप्ततिमतोच्छेत्रे नमः” – one who defeated 72 opposing schools of thought. However Bhagavatpada did not categorically reject other Darshanas or philosophical schools of thought. Even when criticising other schools of thought, he accepted those facets that are in tune with the Vedas and only pointed out the fallacies in those aspects that stand in opposition to what the Vedas state. That is why Bhagavatpada in His Bhashya writes that the Vedanta Shastra’s primary purpose is to put forth what the import of the Vedantic statements in the Upanishads are – वेदान्तानां ऐदम्पर्यं निरूपयितुं शास्त्रं प्रवृत्तम् , and that the fallacies in other Darshanas are to be pointed only to remove all objections and clearly state the Vedantic import – वेदान्तवाक्यानि व्याचक्षाणैः सम्यग्दर्शनप्रतिपक्षभूतानि सांख्यादिदर्शनानि निराकरणीयानि.
As the Shrutis (Vedas), Smritis, and the various Rishis may seem to state differing opinions on matters pertaining to Dharma, we have to look up to a great personage to understand the nuances of Dharma.
श्रुतिर्विभिन्ना स्मृतयश्च भिन्नाः नैको मुनिर्यस्य वचः प्रमाणम् ।
धर्मस्य तत्त्वं निहितं गुहायां महाजनो येन गतः स पन्थाः ॥
Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada is that great personage who showed us all the true import of Vedic Dharma.
Sri Sannidhanam recounted a famous verse highlighting the greatness of Vedanta and Bhagavatpada –
शास्त्रं शारीरमीमांसा देवस्तु परमेश्वरः ।
आचार्याः शङ्कराचार्याः सन्तु मे जन्मजन्मनि ॥
(How many ever be the births I have to take, may the Vedanta Shastra be my Shastra, Parameshwara be my Lord and Sri Adi Shankaracharya be my Acharya)
Bhagavatpada Himself has defined the Guru as one who has known the Vedanta Tattva and ever strives for the upliftment of the disciple – अधिगततत्त्वः शिष्यहिताय उद्यतः सततम्. It is our fortune that we have such a Guru for us in Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam. Recounting that His Guru had taught Him all the Shastras and had blessed Him with the holy order of Sannyasa, Sri Sannidhanam stated that the second line of the above verse could very well be chanted “आचार्याः भारतीतीर्थाः सन्तु मे जन्मजन्मनि”.
Sri Sannidhanam also joyously mentioned that the 70th Vardhanti of Sri Mahasannidhanam would be celebrated in a befitting manner in 2020 and blessed that everyone participate in the Dharmic events that would take place then and be a recipient of the Gracious Blessings of His Guru.
Sri Sannidhanam performing Mahamangalarati to Lord Chandramoulishwara on the 27th Vardhanti day
Sri Sannidhanam then performed the Shravana Somavara Puja to Sri Chandramoulishwara Sphatika Linga. At night, as per the tradition on Vardhanti day, Sri Sannidhanam performed a special Puja to Sri Chandramoulishwara Sphatika Linga.
The following day at noon (August 6, 2019), Poornahuti of the Maharudra Yaga took place in the divine presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus.