Sannyasa Sweekara Swarna Mahotsava
The commencement of the 50th year of Sannyasa of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam was celebrated in a grand manner at Sringeri on Shobhakrit Samvatsara Ashwayuja Krishna Dvadashi (November 10, 2023).
Sri Mahasannidhanam, who is a repository of various noble qualities, has unparalleled scholarship in the Shastras and showers his grace on disciples. Sri Mahasannidhanam had embraced Sannyasa Ashrama on Ananda Samvatsara Ashwayuja Krishna Dvadashi (November 11, 1974). He has ever since ceaselessly adhered to the Sannyasa Dharma and engaged over the past 50 years in many activities for the spread of Sanatana Vaidika Dharma, and is revered widely across the globe.
Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam has resolved that the Swarna Mahotsava (golden jubilee celebrations) of the Mahaswamiji’s Sannyasa Sweekara be celebrated for a year from the current Ashwayuja Maasa to the next (Oct/Nov 2023 to Oct 2024) with the observation of various Vedic rituals, Dharmic activities, cultural events and charitable activities.
As part of the Mahotsava and the inauguration, many Dharmic activities for the welfare of mankind including Ati Rudra Mahayaga (October 30 to November 10) and Sahasra Chandi Mahayaga (November 6 to 10) took place during the Ashwayuja Krishna Paksha. These two events comprising of Shiva Aradhana and Ambika Aradhana took place as part of the Panchayatana Devata Aradhana. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam undertook the Sankalpa and graced the Poornahutis of both these Mahayagas that involved 121 and 100 Ritwiks respectively.
Earlier, Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homa took place on October 28 as part of Mahaganapati Aradhana. Mahavishnu Aradhana and Surya Aradhana will take place during the Margashira and Magha months respectively.
Shankara Giri
Many years ago, Sri Mahasannidhanam wishing to highlight the greatness of Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada took the sacred Sankalpa to consecrate, on a hillock in Sringeri, a beautiful 32 foot granite statue of Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada surrounded by figures of His four primary disciples including Sri Sureshwaracharya (the first Acharya of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham).
Accordingly with the Mahaswamiji’s Anugraha as the principal support, the statue had been readied with great effort on the hillock named Shankaragiri. The other murti readied was that of the 12th Peethadheeshwara of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya who is well-known for having founded the Vijayanagara empire and for having penned many great works including the commentaries for the four Vedas.
As part of the inauguration of the statue, a number of Homas were performed in the Shankara Giri premises from November 3 to 9, 2023 including Rakshoghna (रक्षोघ्न) Homa, Vastu Puja Homa, Navagraha Homa, Bhairava Homa, Narasimha Homa, Sharabha Saalva (शरभ साळ्व) Homa, Pratikriya Shoolini Durga Homa, Panchakshari Homa, Medha Dakshinamurti Homa and Anjaneya Homa. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornhutis of these Homas.
On November 9 (Ashwayuja Krishna Ekadashi), Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam performed the consecration of Sri Anjaneya Swami at the Shankara Giri premises and offered worship. Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam then performed a special Puja at Sri Adi Shankaracharya temple in the Sringeri Math premises. Prasthana Traya Bhashya Parayana was conducted in the temple by scholars of Vedanta from November 6 to 10.
On November 10, sacred waters from the Tunga river and the silver murti of Bhagavatpada (usually kept inside the Sharadamba temple) were brought in a procession from the Rajagopuram to Shankaragiri.
Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sannidhanam arrived at Shankaragiri and inaugurated the beautiful statue of Bhagavatpada by lighting a lamp. Sri Sannidhanam then performed Abhisheka, Archana and Mahamangalarati from atop the 32 foot statue. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed Mahamangalarati to the silver murti placed at the base of the statue. Sri Shankaracharya Stava (composed by Sri Mahasannidhanam) was then chanted by scholars and devotees. Thereafter, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam inaugurated the statues of the four principal disciples, Sri Sureshwaracharya, Sri Padmapadacharya, Sri Hastamalakacharya and Sri Totakacharya. This was followed by the inauguration of the statue of the 12th Acharya, Sri Vidyaranya Mahaswamiji. The Jagadgurus also inaugurated the state-of-the-art auditorium on the occasion. Sri Mahasannidhanam also had Darshan of Sri Anjaneya Swami in the premises while Sri Sannidhanam graced the Poornahutis of the Atirudra and Sahasrchandi Mahayagas.
In the evening, Sri Sannidhanam once again went to Shankara Giri and inaugurated the amphitheatre featuring dancing water fountains. In addition, the Shankaragiri complex will also feature a museum and a library amongst its other attractions.
Guru Vandana Sabha
The evening Guru Vandana Sabha organised on the occasion began with Veda Ghosha, Prarthana, Shaankara Stotra Gayana and Guru Vandanam. Paying rich tribute to the illustrious Guru Parampara of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri Math CEO Sri VR Gowrishankar stated that more than 1200 years, the Math has been dedicated to the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana Dharma as directed by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and guided by the magnificent Acharyas who have adorned the Peetham. He recalled the great efforts that had been taken with the blessings of Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam for constructing the 600 tonne heavy and 32 foot tall statue of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya at Shankara Giri.
The following eminent scholars of Vedanta were specially honoured and blessed by Sri Sannidhanam on the occasion with a silk-laced shawl, memento and an award of Rs 1 lakh.
1. Mahamahopadhyaya Vidwan R Mani Dravid Shastri, Chennai
2. Asthana Vidwan of Sringeri Math, Sri M. A. Nagaraja Bhat, Sringeri
3. Vidwan Dendukuri Narayana Shastri, Vijayawada
4. Vidwan Sri K. S. Maheshwaran Namboodiri, Chennai
5. Vidwan Kuppa Vishwanatha Shastri, Tirupati
6. Vidwan Sri Shrihari Shivram Dhaygude, Tirupati
7. Vidwan Sri Ganesha Ishwara Bhat
8. Vidwan K Kartik Sharma
9. Vidwan PR Vasudevan Namboodiri
Asthana Sthapati, Sri Shankara Sthapati briefly addressed the gathering and explained the nuances behind sculpting murtis as per the Shilpa Shastras. He gratefully recalled how he had been blessed by Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam who graced his shilpa-shala near Bengaluru during the 2015 Vijaya Yatra. During the visit to the shilpa-shala, the Jagadgurus had offered worship to the stone out of which Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya has now been sculpted. The Sthapati declared that it was solely due to the consecration of the stone by the sparsha (touch) of the Jagadgurus that the statue has come out so well.
In a short but emotional speech, the architect of Shankara Giri, Sri Sundaram, said that he was alive today and in good health solely due to the blessings of Jagadgurus Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam. His daughter, Shalini, also an architect who worked on the design at Shankara giri attributed the success of the project entirely to the blessings of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus.
Sringeri Math CEO Sri VR Gowrishankar honoured the Sthapati and the architect and various Seva-kartas including Ms. Anasuya of Bangalore who contributed to the construction at Shankaragiri. Sringeri MLA Sri TD Rajegowda and former MLA Sri Jeevaraj were also honoured as were various civic authorities.
Sri Sannidhanam then released the following books
- Shankara Giri – A brochure describing the greatness of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya, while highlighting the gratitude expressed to the Jagadguru by the Sringeri Acharyas, and furnishing details about Shankara Giri.
- Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Series – 1 – Divine Mother Aryamba – This book contains noble virtues of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya’s noble mother as described in the Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya.
- Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Series – 2 – Adi Shankaracharya – Epitome of Excellence. This book highlights the noble traits of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the invaluable lessons that we can learn from His illustrious life.
- Madhaviya Shankara Digvijaya Series – 3 – Elevating Insights – Containing suktis or wise sayings that Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya has weaved into the Digvijaya text.
- Suvarna Bharati Series – 1 – Vande Lokagurum – A tribute by Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam. This is the English translation of the Sanskrit video series blessed by Sri Sannidhanam on His revered Guru. (The video series is available on the “sharadapeetham” youtube channel)
- Bhaje Re Lokagurum – Volume 1 of a series containing the glory of Sringeri Jagadguru Mahasannidhanam as experienced by Sannyasis, scholars and devotees.
- The Divine Names of Sri Adi Shankara – a description of Sri Shankaracharya Ashtottara Shatanamavali (published by Tattvaloka)
- Devi Sharada in Kashmir – a description of the historic consecration of Goddess Sri Sharada temple at Teetwal near Line of Control in June 2023 (published by Tattvaloka)
- Paramahamsa – A Kannada book containing musical notations for the compositions penned by Sri Sadashiva Brahmendra
Sri Sannidhanam then commenced His Anugraha Bhashanam with an invocation to Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada –
स्तुवन्मोहतमस्स्तोमभानुभावमुपेयुषः |
स्तुमस्तान् भगवत्पादान् भवरोगभिषग्वरान् ||stuvanmohatamasstomabhānubhāvamupeyuṣaḥ |
stumastān bhagavatpādān bhavarogabhiṣagvarān ||
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam stated “On this sacred day, our Parama Pujya Guru, the 36th Acharya of this Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji, embraced Sannyyasa Ashrama that was bestowed by our Parama Guru Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamiji. The 50th year of that sacred occasion has commenced today.
On hearing the holy name of our revered Guru, everyone’s heart is immediately filled with respect. The reason for such respect is our revered Guru’s scholarship, tapas, qualification and the various activities towards dharma prachara.
It is Ishwara Sankalpa that the beautiful statue of Bhagavatpada has been inaugurated as part of this Sannyasa Sweekara Swarna Mahotsava,
We have been witnessing unexpected rains in this region during the past week. Our revered Guru often says, ‘If we do the right deed, then Lord Varuna will not trouble us in any way and simply allow us to continue with our activities’. We have witnessed it several times in the past and we have witnessed it today as well and today’s program was conducted in a smooth manner.
The essence of our Sanatana Dharma is contained in one of these two aspects – to live as a satpurusha engaged in paropakara and to become a recipient of Bhagavan’s Grace.
The foundation of this world is Dharma and the life-force of our Sanatana Dharma is the Advaita Siddhanta of the Upanishads. Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada expounded the Siddhanta through His commentaries and showed the path of welfare to the entire world. When we stand in front of His 32 foot statue inaugurated today, we feel a sense of humility and gratitude for having taught us the path to welfare.
Another aspect is that when we stand in front of the statue, we see the vast sky and space – the akasha beyond the murti. Akasha is expansive and all-encompassing – how many planets, stars , etc are contained in it! Likewise, the Advaita Siddhanta expounded by Sri Shankaracharya includes all – the Tattva, Marga and Sampradayas within Sanatana Dharma. This is because Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada reconciled and explained that all Darshanas or philosophical schools have their place as they are correct in explaining certain philosophical aspects. Advaita Siddhanta, the all-encompassing philosophy of the Upanishads, is akin to the akasha that contains all the planets and stars.
Bhagavatpada instructed that the Paramatma Chaitanya that we worship in all the forms of devatas are one and the same. Thus, by instructing thus, He showed all devotees the right path.
In order that everyone understand the extent of Bhagavatpada’s life and instructions, our revered Guru Sri Mahasannidhanam had commissioned this work (of installing a 32-feet murti of Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada representing the 32 glorious years of His illustrious life.
When we requested our Guru for a suitable name for the place where the murti has been consecrated, our revered Guru named it ‘Shankara Giri’. Just as Goddess Sharadamba is a resident of both Kashmir and Sringeri, the Shankara giri representing the region where Bhagavatpada stayed and performed Tapas – both Kashmir (Srinagar) and Sringeri – has a hillock named after Shankaracharya.
As part of the Mahotsava, many observances related to the Panchayatana Pujas that Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya instituted are being and will be performed.
We also resolved to honour on this auspicious day nine Vidwans who have attained profound scholarship in the Advaita Siddhanta (Vedanta). Those who have learnt in the traditional manner, excelled and have also trained various disciples have been honoured today – they are like “Navaratnas” and are scholars amongst scholars.
Sri Shankara Sthapati has beautifully sculpted the magnificent murti of Bhagavatpada, in keeping with the specifications in the Shilpa Shastras. Our revered Guru also blessed him with the title ‘Shilpa Ratnam’ after completion of the Rajagopuram in Sringeri. Our blessings to architects, Sri Sundaram and his daughter Shalini, and to everyone else who helped with this construction. Blessings to Sri Ranganathan who has helped set up the water fountain show. Blessings to the elderly lady, Anasuya for her immense support and to all else who assisted in the completion of the effort. Sringeri Math CEO Sri VR Gowrishankar has played a pivotal role in this by spearheading the entire effort. Blessings to the Sringeri MLA, Raje Gowda as well who is present today.