Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple
It may be remembered that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji had a beautiful granite temple constructed in Sringeri, consecrated the divine Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in it and performed the Mahakumbhabhisheka on Vikriti Samvatsara Magha Shukla Trayodashi (February 16, 2011) and instituted the Shankaracharya Rathotsava the same year.
The Jagadguru, whose Sankalpa is ever-fulfilled, has now dedicated the Swarna Shikhara of the temple and performed the Mahakumbhabhisheka with this historic event taking place on the auspicious Shankara Jayanti – Vaishakha Shukla Panchami day (Friday, May 6, 2022) of the Shubhakrit Samvatsara.
Dharmic events
With the blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji, the historic Mahotsava pertaining to the Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple and Sri Torana Ganapati temples at Sringeri commenced on April 24, 2022.
Devotees witnessed the conduct of many Dharmic events during the Mahotsava.The Mahotsava began with the conduct of Laksha Modaka Mahaganapati Homa with Asthana Vidwan Sri M Vinayaka Udupa serving as the Pradhana Acharya. Sringeri Math Administrator Sri V R Gowrishankar undertook the Sankalpa. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti.
Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertook the Sankalpa for the Atirudra Mahayaga on April 25 at the Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Sabha Bhavanam. The Mahayaga was conducted with Vedabrahmasri Naadella Ramachandra Sharma of Sringeri Math Pathashala as the Pradhana Acharya. 121 Ritwiks chanted the Rudra Prashna 14341 times over a period of 11 days and performed the Homa on the 12th day that coincided with Shankara Jayanti. Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti on the Shankara Jayanti day.
It was a fitting tribute to the Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the rejuvenator of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma, that Veda Havanas were conducted as part of the Mahotsava.
Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertook the Sankalpa for the Krishna Yajur Veda Havana conducted in Narasimha Vanam behind the Adhisthanam shrines. Vedabrahmasri Kappagantula Ramalinga Ghanapathi of Vijayawada was the Pradhana Acharya for the Havana that began on April 26. As part of the Havana, homa was performed with the mantras from the Samhita, Brahmana and Aranyaka portions of the Taittireeya Shakha of the Krishna Yajur Veda. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti on May 3.
The Rik Samhita Yaga also began on April 26 with Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertaking the Sankalpa in the yagashala in front of the Pravachana Mandiram near the Sharadamba temple. Ritwiks led by Pradhana Acharya Sri Shyamasundara Bhat of Bengaluru conducted the Homa for the next 8 days with mantras from the Rig Veda Samhita. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti on May 4.
The Sama Samhita Yaga too began on April 26 with Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertaking the Sankalpa in the Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Yagashala. Ritwiks led by Pradhana Acharya Sri Chandramouli Shrouti of Chennai conducted the Homa with mantras from the Kauthuma Shakha of Sama Veda Samhita. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahuti on May 3.
The ceremonies pertaining to the Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka commenced on May 1 (Vaishakha Shukla Pratipat) at the Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharati Yagashala (opposite the Sharadamba temple) with Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertaking the Mahasankalpa. Vedabrahmasri Tangirala Seetharama Sharma, the Tantri of the Sringeri Math, officiated as the Pradhana Acharya for the Kumbhabhisheka ceremonies.
Shankara Jayanti Celebrations
As per tradition, the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations commenced with great grandeur from Vaishakha Shukla Prathama (May 1) onwards.
The Veda Poshaka Sabha, established to foster Vedic education, will conduct Vedic examinations. On Shashthi, the Sabha will honour scholars and successful candidates.
A large 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.
Every morning, until the Shankara Jayanti day, Mahanyasa Poorvaka Shata Rudra Abhisheka was performed to the enchanting 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 Sringeri Math’s Veda Poshaka Sabha. Under the auspices of the Sabha, examinations were conducted for advanced students of the Vedas during the previous Paksha (fortnight).
Every day during the Shankara Jayanti Celebrations, Sri Mahasannidhanam had Darshan at the Adi Shankaracharya temple, even as the Shata Rudra Abhisheka was being performed. As directed by Sri Sannidhanam, Vedic scholars chanted various Upanishads at noon. In the presence of Sri Sannidhanam, Archana to Sri Adi Shankaracharya, accompanied by group chanting of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada’s Ashtottara followed by Mahamangalarati took place. After gracing the proceedings, Sri Sannidhanam granted Darshan to devotees in Guru Nivas.
In the evenings, Sri Sannidhanam presided over a Sabha at the Pravachana Mandiram. Asthana Vidwan Sri M Vinayaka Udupa performed the Parayana of the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya. The scholars who rendered Upanyasas in the Jagadgurus’ presence this year were Vidwan Sri Vasudeva Bhat of Shivamogga, Vidwan Sri Ganesh Hegde of Jayapura, as well as Vidwan Ganesha Ishwara Bhat, Vidwan Krishnaraja Bhat & Vidwan Raghavendra of Sringeri.
This year, Sri Sannidhanam blessed the audience with Anugraha Bhashanams every day.
On May 1, Sri Sannidhanam pointed out that by correctly understanding the purport of at least a few of His texts and bringing them into practice in our daily lives, we will earn much merit and thereby sanctify our lives.
One such text where the Acharya leads every sincere spiritual aspirant step by step towards final beatitude or Moksha [liberation] as it is commonly referred to is the Sadhana Panchakam or the Upadesha Panchakam.
Quoting a verse from Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya Mahaswamiji’s Madhviya Shankara Digvijaya, Sri Sannidhanam explained how the Acharya showcased just one difference between Lord Shiva and Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya, amidst a host of other similarities.
अमुना क्रतवः प्रसाधिताः क्रतुविभ्रंशकरः स शङ्करः ||
इयमेव भिदाऽनयोर्जितस्मरयोः सर्वविदोर्बुधेड्ययोः || ६२ ||amunā kratavaḥ prasādhitāḥ kratuvibhraṃśakaraḥ sa śaṅkaraḥ ||
iyameva bhidā’nayorjitasmarayoḥ sarvavidorbudheḍyayoḥ || 62 ||
While Lord Shiva destroyed the yajna of Daksha to teach him a lesson and curtail his pride, Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya made people engage in yajna i.e. by establishing the authority of Vedic Dharma. Barring this sole difference, Lord Shankara and Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya were similar in all other aspects – Both were जितस्मर jitasmara – conquerors of Kama [Lord Shiva’s slaying of Kama and Sri Shankara’s conquest of all desires]; Both were सर्ववित् sarvavit [omniscient] and both have been extolled by the devatas and the scholarly.
On May 2, Sri Sannidhanam spoke about the profundity of the Vivekachoodamani text and explained how Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji’s Bhashya (commentary) on the text was so descriptive and expansive that it was impossible to study and comprehend the commentary within a span of a few days or weeks. In fact, the pursuit would take even a few years! Sri Sannidhanam explained that the Vivekachoodamani is structured as an interaction between the Guru and shishya [disciple], in much the same way that most of the Upanishads are structured.
Sri Sannidhanam recounted two stories from the Chandogya Upanishad, those of Shvetaketu and Indra-Virochana, which illustrate precisely this Guru-shishya interaction and how the Guru leads the shishya towards realisation of the Supreme Truth.
On May 3, Sri Sannidhanam beautifully described the meeting between Bhagavan Veda Vyasa and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Pointing out via the incident that there are a set of rules to be followed when writing a Bhashya (commentary), as formulated by scholars of yore, and only those texts that adhere to such stipulated rules can be considered as a ‘Bhashya’. The all-knowing Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s Bhashyas follow all stipulated rules.
On May 4, Sri Sannidhanam described the role played by self-effort and Ishwara in our lives by referring to a statement of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya in his bhashya –
करोत्येव जीवः कुर्वन्तं हितम् ईश्वरः कारयति karotyeva jīvaḥ kurvantaṃ hitam īśvaraḥ kārayati – Through the right effort, we please Ishwara and He brings about the right outcome for us. It is thus possible to ensure the outcome is favourable through the right, determined effort. Therefore, effort must not be given up at any cost. There will be no gain if there is no effort.
On May 5, Sri Sannidhanam spoke about the tenets of pregnant wisdom and philosophic essence in Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s short Prakarana work – the Prashnottara Ratnamalika.
Shankara Jayanti Day – Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka
On May 6, 2022, Shankara Jayanti day, Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam performed an elaborate Puja to Sri Adi Shankaracharya that commenced around 8 am. Sri Sannidhanam also first worshipped at the Torana Ganapati shrine. The Puja was witnessed by hundreds of Vedic scholars as well as the assembled devotees. Sri Mahasannidhanam performed the Mahamangalarati and Kanaka Abhisheka to the Vigraha of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
The Ubhaya Jagadgurus then ascended the Vimana Gopuram of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple and performed the grand Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka. They also performed the Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka of Sri Torana Ganapati temple.
Having performed the Swarna Shikara Kumbhabhishekas, Sri Mahasannidhanam to the joy of the gathered devotees gave an Anugraha Bhashanam from atop the Torana Ganapati temple and stated – “Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada, who consecrated Goddess Sharada and established the Dakshinamnaya Peetham at Sringeri is greatly revered by us. The shrine for Sri Torana Ganapati was consecrated during the time of our Parapara Guru (Jagadguru Sri Vriddha Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji) for the smooth conduct of all our activities. The abhisheka for the Swarna Shikara of the temple of Goddess Sri Sharada Parameshwari was performed a few years back. It is the blessing of Sri Sharada Parameshwari that a similar Swarna Shikara has been constructed for the temples of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Sri Torana Ganapati and the kumbhabhisheka has been performed. By the Grace of Sri Sharada Parameshwari and Jagadguru Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya, this Swarna Shikara kumbhabhisheka ceremony has been an occasion of immense gratification to all and ushering in all welfare for everyone. May Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya and Sri Torana Ganapati become immensely pleased and bestow on everyone all their desires. May everyone worship Sri Bhagavatpada, Goddess Sharada Parameshwari and Sri Torana Ganapati with immense shraddha and bhakti, and become recipients of Their Grace.”
In the evening Sabha that began with Veda Ghosha, prayer and Parayana of Sri Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya, Sri Sannidhanam released many books on the occasion including
- Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada Mahimaanuvarnanam, a compendium of Sanskrit works written by many great Advaitins extolling the greatness of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya
- Vivekachudamani of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya with commentary of Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji
- Sri Shankaracharya Puja Kalpa
- Panchayatana Devata Stotrani (in 5 different scripts – Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam)
- Vivekachudamani with English translation and notes by Sri Aravinda Rao
- Nirvana Manjari, Nirvana Shatkam and Svaroopaanusandhaanashtakam of Sri Adi Shankaracharya with English translation by Swami Jnanananda Bharati
- Dashashloki, Advaita Pancharatnam and Dhyanyashtakam with English translation by Swami Jnanananda Bharati.
Sri Sannidhanam then released an audio music card titled “Shiva Shankara” comprising of devotional hymns composed by saints and famous composers on Lord Shiva and Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Sannidhanam also released a video music documentary on Sri Adi Shankaracharya titled “Jagadguru NatiH” composed by Dr. Kanniks Kannikeswaran & sung by Carnatic musicians Smt. Ranjani and Smt. Gayatri.
Sri Sannidhanam then blessed the gathering with an Anugraha Bhashanam glorifying the eminence of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya and His invaluable, timeless contribution to humanity. Sri Sannidhanam stated that all observances of the Shankara Jayanti festivities, including the dedication and kumbhabhishekam of the golden vimana atop the Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya Temple in Sringeri, were but small expressions of our gratitude to the great Acharya. Sri Sannidhanam observed that it is impossible to fittingly render gratitude for all that Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya has done solely for the welfare of humanity; still, we try in our own limited ways to express gratitude.
Speaking about the three great contributions of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya – his works, his establishing the four Amnaya Peethams and his conquest of opposing non-Vedic schools of thought, Sri Sannidhanam stated that the inimitable Acharya who laid a clear pathway for us to follow Sanatana Vaidika Dharma is aptly hailed as an incarnation of Lord Parameshwara.
Reputed scholars of later centuries including Sri Vachaspati Mishra, Sri Madhusudana Saraswati, Sri Appayya Dikshita have extolled the great Acharya while commencing their work. For instance, Sri Appayya Dikshita states –
अधिगतभिदा पूर्वाचार्यानुपेत्य सहस्रधा
सरिदिव महीभेदान् सम्प्राप्य शौरिपदोद्गता |
जयति भगवत्पादश्रीमन्मुखाम्बुजनिर्गता
जननहरणी सूक्तिर्ब्रह्माद्वयैकपरायणा ||adhigatabhidā pūrvācāryānupetya sahasradhā
saridiva mahībhedān samprāpya śauripadodgatā |
jayati bhagavatpādaśrīmanmukhāmbujanirgatā
jananaharaṇī sūktirbrahmādvayaikaparāyaṇā ||
To unravel the mysteries of the Advaita Siddhanta and propound it to people, different scholars have adopted different modes of expressions and procedures (prakriya) in their respective texts. Though there may be differences in the method, all scholars ultimately link back to the Advaita philosophy that Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya propounded, in the same manner that the River Ganga which originates from the Lotus Feet of Lord Vishnu reaches the earth, flows through different channels in multiple directions and ultimately confluences into the ocean. The Sri Bhagavatpadacharya’s sooktis (expositions) are the janana-haranee (that which destroys this transmigratory cycle of samsara), likened to the ocean.
Sri Sannidhanam also spoke briefly about one of the books released on the occasion entitled ‘Sri Shankaracharya Mahimaanuvarnanam’, which contains a collection of many hymns and descriptions by varied scholars in praise of Jagdguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, including the famed Totakashtakam, the first shloka ever in praise of the Jagadguru, composed by Sri Totakacharya in the Sringeri kshetra. All scholars in their mangala-shloka (invocatory shloka) have unanimously offered salutations to Jagdguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya before commencing their work.
Sri Sannidhanam also highlighted that Sri Adi Shankaracharya reiterated that the Supreme Divine Consciousness manifests in various forms and instituted the Panchayatana system of worship to drive home this fact. Sri Sannidhanam called for all to chant the Panchayatana devata stotras (that were released in 5 different scripts on the occasion).
Sri Sannidhanam expressed immense joy at the kumbhabhishekam of the Swarna Shikara atop the Sri Adi Shankaracharya Temple and the Sri Torana Ganapati Temple being performed by His Guru Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji Himself and the fact that the Jagadguru had blessed everyone with an Anugraha Bhashanam as well after over a year, the last such Bhashanam being delivered at His 71st Vardhanti celebrations.
After the Anugraha Bhashanam of Sri Sannidhanam, Mahamangalarati 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.
Adi Shankaracharya Maha Rathotsava
On the morning of May 7, 2022, 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 Utsava Murti of Sri Adi Shankaracharya was placed on the Maharatha and the grand Maha Rathotsava of Sri Adi Shankaracharya took place along the main 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.
Veda Poshaka Sabha program
In the evening, a program organised by the Veda Poshaka Sabha was held in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam.
Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam declared that it is a matter of immense fortune to be provided an opportunity in this life to study the Vedas, and urged everyone to study the Vedas with such sentiment of blessedness and gratitude. When knowledge of the Vedas are obtained, everything else will be obtained.
Sri Sannidhanam stated that those who had failed the exams need not lose heart but prepare well instead, clearly factoring all gaps in their preparation and all opportunity areas, and appear for the examination the following year with sound preparation. Sri Sannidhanam also stated that since those who appear for the exams twice and are unsuccessful in the second attempt as well are not eligible, it is essential for all students to come well prepared for the first attempt itself.
Blessing all the scholars, students and teachers assembled and invoking the Grace of Sri Sharada Chandramoulishwara and Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya for all prosperity and welfare, and all astikas who work towards the propagation of the Vedas, Sri Sannidhanam concluded the Anugraha Bhashanam.
As part of the Swarna Shikhara Kumbhabhisheka, special recognition was given to Pathashalas and scholars teaching the Veda as per Sampradaya in their homes. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam blessed 30 scholars, who are either teaching the Vedas in their homes or representing their Pathashalas, with a beautiful marble statue of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and a copy of the Shankaracharya Puja Kalpa book.
Sri Sannidhanam then awarded gold rings for excellence in Vedic scholarship to Vedabrahmasri Venkatakrishna Ghanapaathi (Chennai) in Krishna Yajur Veda, Vedabrahmasri Varad Yogesh Joshi (Aurangabad) in Rig Veda, Vedabrahmasri Kiran Anil Paathak (Alandi) in Shukla Yajur Veda and Vedabrahmasri V. Satyanarayana Shrouti (Kumbhakonam) in Sama Veda.
Then followed the felicitation of 90 successful students out of the 144 who appeared for the advanced Vedic exams. 22 of these 90 students who had cleared the Ghanapatha level examination were first felicitated – 12 in Krishna Yajur Veda, 3 in Rig Veda, 5 in Shukla Yajur Veda Kaanva Shaakha, 1 in Shukla Yajur Veda Madhyandina Shakha and 1 in Sama Veda Kauthuma Shaakha. The remaining 68 successful candidates had successfully cleared the Kramapatha level examination – 20 in Krishna Yajur Veda, 13 in Rig Veda, 21 in Shukla Yajur Veda Kaanva Shaakha, 2 in Shukla Yajur Veda Maadhyandina Shaakha, 8 in Sama Veda Kauthuma Shaakha and 4 in Sama Veda Ranayaneeya Shaakha.
All Vedic scholars were then blessed by the Jagadguru and felicitated by Sringeri Math CEO, Sri VR Gowrishankar.
The Shankara Jayanti Celebrations ended with the Teppotsava on the evening of May 8, 2022, in the divine presence of Sri Mahasannidhanam.
Under the umbrella of the Shaankara Tattva Prasaara Abhiyanam of the Sringeri Math, many centres in various districts of Karnataka have and various branch Maths observed the Shankara Jayanti across the nation.