Bhavani: MARCH 11 – 12, 2012
The Jagadguru at Bhavani
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji travelled from Namakkal on the afternoon of 11th March towards Bhavani. En route, at the request of devotees, the Jagadguru graced the Shankhagiri Cements factory and the Seshasayee Paper Mills. At the mills, the Jagadguru had Darshan of Lord Subrahmanya and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam
Received with great devotion at Bhavani, the Jagadguru in His Anugraha Bhashanam delved upon some of the instructions given by Sri Adi Shankaracharya to better oneself. The Jagadguru said a person engaging in charity must never think, “What publicity will I get out of the charity?” One must perform charity without expecting anything in return. Such an attitude is indeed very rare. If one expects something in return, it is equivalent to desiring difficulties for oneself. This is because the charity can be returned only when the donor begins to suffer and is in need of something.
The Jagadguru next talked about the importance of humility. Some turn out to be very well learned. But they harbor a feeling of superiority. Humility must be in proportion to the extent of learning. One only needs to understand the example set by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, when Bhagavan Veda Vyasa came in the guise of an elderly Brahmana. The Brahmana said to the Acharya – “I hear that you have written a Bhashya on the Brahma Sutras, Will you provide an answer to a question and explain a Sutra?”. The disciples were angered that their Acharya was being questioned thus, but the Acharya said – “सूत्रार्थविद्भ्योऽस्तु नमो गुरुभ्यः, सूत्रज्ञताऽहंकृतिरस्ति नो मे तथापि यत्पृच्छसि तद्ब्रवीमि ।” – “There are many who know the meaning of Bhagavan Veda Vyasa’s Brahma Sutras, and I salute them all. I do not hence claim to be the sole person to know the meaning of the Sutras of Veda Vyasa. Yet I shall answer whatever be your question.” Such was the humility exhibited by Sri Bhagavatpada despite His being at the pinnacle of learning. Hence one should have the humility to answer any question, however learned one may be.
The Jagadguru added that the Shastras say – न कश्चिन्नापराध्यते – “Everyone commits a mistake at sometime or the other.” Hence one with immense power must have patience, one with wealth must engage in charity, while the learned one must remain humble.
Concluding the Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that the Acharyas of Sringeri have in the past graced Bhavani, the place of confluence of 3 rivers namely Cauvery, Bhavani and Amudha. The Mahaswamiji also remembered His own visit to Bhavani 25 years back and blessed the gathering.
On the morning of 12th March, the Jagadguru visited the famous Sangameshwarar Temple, where the three aforementioned rivers meet, giving the Kshetra the name “Dakshina Prayag”. In the temple, Poorna Kumbha Swagatam was given to the Jagadguru by the temple authorities and archakas. Special poojas were performed in the Sannidhis of Lord Sangameshwarar, Goddess Vedanayaki, Lord Subrahmanya, Lord Adikeshava perumal and Goddess Soundaravalli thayar.
The Jagadguru then visited nearby Kashi Viswanathar – Visalakshi temple where again “Purana Kumba” was given and special poojas were performed in both the sannidhis.
Starting from Bhavani towards Gobichettipalayam, the Jagadguru on the request of devotee Sri Dasappan, had Darshan at the Ajeya Ganapati, Ajeya Kali and Ajeya Rama temple at Thottianur.
