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Ubhaya Jagadgurus grace Nagara and Karanagiri hamlets

On 28th December 2015, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam gave Darshan at 8:30 am to devotees at Sringeri and started towards Karanagiri in Hosanagara, Shimoga District.

En route, the Acharyas visited the Neelakanteshwara Swamy temple in Nagara, had Darshan and performed the Shilanyasa ceremony for the renovation of the ancient temple.

The Acharyas then arrived at the Siddhi Vinayaka temple at Karanagiri around 11:30 am, and were welcomed by a huge gathering of devotees led by Sri S Gangadhara Aithal and the temple authorities.

Raja Mata Pramoda Devi Wodeyar and Maharaja Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar of the Mysore Royal family, as well as former Karnataka Chief Minister & Shimoga MP, Sri B S Yeddyurappa and MLA Sri B Y Raghavendra were amongst the many dignitaries who offered a devout welcome to the Jagadgurus.

Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam first had Darshan of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka and then graced the Poornahutis of the Laksha Modaka Homa, Sahasra Narikela Homa, Ganapati Atharvasheersha Homa, Durga Homa and Rudra Homa.

In the public function organised on the occasion, a Binnavattale offering a formal respectful welcome to the Sringeri Jagadgurus was read out. Sri Gangadhara Aital was felicitated by the temple authorities for his contributions.

In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed happiness at the various Dharmic activities such as the Laksha Modaka Homa and Sahasra Narikela Homa had taken place at the temple in Karanagiri, sanctified by the divine presence of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka, who is akin to a Kalpa Vriksha (wish fulfilling heavenly tree) to all devotees.

Sri Mahasannidhanam spoke about Sanatana Dharma and Bhaarateeya Samskriti and described that we look up to divine personages as Sri Rama for upholding Dharma.

Sri Mahasannidhanam also pointed out that there have always been two categories of people in this land – The Astikas, who have firm faith in God and in Dharma, and the other being Nastikas, who have no such faith and lead a life purely driven by the pursuit of enjoyment.

We even have instances from the times of Sri Rama, where Nastikas disturbed acts of Dharma. Demons such as Subaahu and Mareecha had scant regard for Dharma and caused havoc when sages such as Vishwamitra performed Yagas. Did they gain anything out of disturbing the performance of Yagas? They gained nothing out of it and were worse than people who trouble others for their own gains.

When such was the case even in the time of Sri Rama, there need be no surprise that people belonging to both these categories exist today. Whenever acts of Dharma have been performed, there has always been a set of people that state that all such acts are pointless. There have always been people who have questioned why various offerings are being made into the sacrificial fire.

We, as Astikas, have firm faith in the Shrutis (Vedas), Smritis and Puranas and act in accordance to the Dharma expounded therein. We have always been following what our Shastras state. We do not perform a Yaga with the feeling of putting these objects into the fire. We perform the Yaga with the pure feeling of performing a humble offering to the Lord who is the Support of the entire Universe.

Sri Mahasannidhanam recounted an incident from the life of the 16th century saint-scholar, Sri Appayya Deekshita, renowned for his scholarship, a Aahitaagni and a devotee of Lord Shiva. Once when he was rewarded with a shawl by the king of the land, he offered it into the sacrificial fire. Coming to know of this, the king became angry and came to Sri Appayya Deekshita and questioned, “O renowned scholar! How is it that you have taken the impunity to offer the shawl that I had so respectfully awarded, into the sacrificial fire?”. Sri Dikshita in turn asked the king to come along with him to the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram. When the king did so and arrived at the temple, he saw to his amazement, that the shawl was clad around the Vigraha of Lord Nataraja! The king then prostrated to Sri Appayya Dikshita and begged his pardon.

This true incident points to the fact that what we offer to the Lord via the sacrificial fire indeed reaches the Lord. Our Shastras state – अग्नौ प्रास्ताहुति: सम्यगादित्यमुपतिष्ठते | आदित्याज्जायते वृष्टिर्वृष्टेरन्नं तत: प्रजा: || It is also said that just as the Sun draws water from the earth in summer and returns it manifold by causing rain – सहस्रगुणमुत्स्रष्टुमादत्ते हि रसं रविः – so too do the performance of such Yagas please the Lord and bring about manifold benefit to one and all.

Sri Mahasannidhanam stated that there need be no doubt that the Lord gets pleased by such Dharmic acts, and blesses everyone and hence such Dharmic activities must be continued.

Sri Mahasannidhanam had words of praise for Sri Gangadhara Aitaal, who has offered his all at the service of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka. Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that such acts of Dharma, as initiated and performed by Sri Aitaal, can spring up only when there is Bhakti – devotion, and Tyaaga – the sense of sacrifice.

Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed happiness at the presence of the Rajamata and Maharaja on the occasion. He conveyed His Blessings to them and also to dignitaries led by Sri BS Yeddyurappa and Sri BY Raghavendra.

Sri Mahasannidhanam then blessed Sri Gangadhara Aitaal with a Vigraha of Lord Siddhi Vinayaka.

Rajamata Pramoda Devi Wodeyar and Maharaja Yaduveera Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar of the Mysore Royal family made offerings with Pranams to Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam and received blessings.

Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam then blessed all the assembled devotees. Asirmantrakshatas were then distributed to all.

The Acharyas returned to Sringeri the same evening.

Ardrotsava celebrations at Sringeri

Ardrotsava (also known as Arudra-darshanam) took place on December 26, 2015 with the Mahamangalarati to Lord Malahanikareshwara and Goddess Bhavani being performed early morning in the divine presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam. Earlier, at around 5:15 am, the Acharyas had Darshan at the temple of Goddess Sharadamba before arriving at the hillock temple of Lord Malahanikareshwara.

After the Maha-mangala-arati at the Malahanikareshwara temple, Ashtavadhana Seva comprising of Chaturveda Seva, took place. A large number of devotees were present for the Mahamangalaarti and the grand procession. A procession of the Utsava Murtis of Lord Nataraja and Goddess Bhavani then began with the Jagadgurus leading it. The procession included three circumambulations around the sanctum sanctorum, with each Pradakshina getting longer and descending down the hillock. Sri Sannidhanam then led the procession along the main streets of Sringeri till the municipality building. The function concluded with the Ashtavadhana seva and the utsava murtis were taken back to the Malahanikareshwara temple amidst the chantings of Sri Shivanandalahari (composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya). The previous night, Andhakasura Vadha was celebrated in front of the Pravachana Mandiram in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam.

Shatachandi Mahayaga at Kalikamba temple in Sringeri

On 24th December 2015, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam offered a special Puja to Goddess Kalikamba, the guardian deity installed in the northern direction of Sringeri by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam was also present during the Mahamangalarati and blessed the Seva Kartas with Kumkuma Prasadam.

The following day, the Jagadgurus graced the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga that was performed in the temple on the occasion. The Jagadgurus blessed the devotees, led by elderly scholar and former Principal of Sri Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala, for organising the event.

Sri Subrahmanya Shashti celebrations at Sringeri

Sri Subrahmanya Shashthi was celebrated at Sringeri on December 17, 2015. Pavamana Abhisheka and Rudra Abhisheka were performed at the shrine of Sri Balasubrahmanya swamy located on the northern banks of the river Tunga. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam had Darshan at the temple at noon. Mahamangalarati to Sri Balasubrahmanya Swamy took place in the divine presence of the Acharyas.

In the evening, Deepotsava took place in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam. Mahamangalarati and Ashtavadhana Seva took place. Vidyarthis and Pandits of the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala chanted Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada’s composition Sri Subrahmanya Bhujanga Stotram. Following this, Deepotsava took place in Sri Sannidhanam’s divine presence at the Ashwattha Katte in Narasimha Vanam. Earlier, Sri Sannidhanam also graced the Deepotsava held in the Subrahmanya Swamy temple in the Sacchidanandapura Agrahara of Sringeri.

Jagadgurus bless Shatachandi Mahayaga and Rudra Yaga at Vidyaranyapura

With the blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam, a Shatachandi Mahayaga was conducted by ardent disciple, Sri SP Nagendra Bhat of Vidyaranyapura Agrahara, Sringeri. The Yaga commenced on 12th December 2015 and was conducted for 5 days.

On 16th December 2015, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam graced Vidyaranyapura Agrahara for the Poornahuti of the Yaga.

On 17th December 2015, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam graced the Agraharam for the Poornahuti of the Rudra Yaga.

In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam mentioned that Sri Nagendra Bhat has been fortunate to serve His revered Guru, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji (the 35th Acharya of the Peetham). Sri Mahasannidhanam also expressed joy at the fact that that Sri Nagendra Bhat is unique in having been blessed with the opportunity to continue to engage in Guru Seva for four decades to three Acharyas of the Peetham. Sri Mahasannidhanam also commended the way of life of Sri Nagendra Bhat who has been upholding Sadachara, Anushthaanam and Brahmacharya Vrata. Having received many Mantropadeshas from Sri Mahasannidhanam Himself and performing the related Anushtanams regularly, Sri SP Nagendra Bhat is leading a life of piety, ardent Guru Seva and Sri Chakra Aradhana.

Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed Sri Nagendra Bhat for undertaking the noble Sankalpa of performing Shatachandi Mahayaga as well as conducting Rudra Yaga, Chaturveda Parayana, Devi Bhagavata Parayana and Lalitopakhyana Parayana on the occasion of his Shashtyabdapoorti. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended His Anugraha Bhashanam blessing Sri Nagendra Bhat, his elder brother, Rig Veda Ghanapati Veda Brahma Sri Kalasheshwara Bhat and his family, and all the devotees assembled.