Basar: DECEMBER 24-25, 2012
Seek the Grace of Jnana Saraswati
On the evening of December 24, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji entered Basar. At the request of devotees, the Jagadguru graced the Brahmana Nityannadana Satramu and Arya Vaishya Nityannadana Satram and blessed the devotees.
The Jagadguru then had Darshan at the Bhagavan Veda Vyasa Sannidhi. Thereafter, the Jagadguru proceeded to the main temple of Goddess Jnana Saraswati, consecrated by Bhagavan Veda Vyasa, and had Darshan. Dhuli Pada Puja was then offered to the Jagadguru. After the Jagadguru was welcomed in Sanskrit and Telugu, the Jagadguru blessed the devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam.
The Jagadguru recalled the first visit of His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji to Basar forty six years ago in 1966. The Jagadguru also remembered His visits to Basar with His Guru in 1976 and 1982. The Jagadguru also recollected that He had come to Basar in 1985 and in 1989 before the current visit.
The Jagadguru said that Basar Kshetram is pervaded by the divine presence of Goddess Saraswati, who was consecrated by Bhagavan Veda Vyasa. It has been closely associated with the Kshetram of Sringeri, where Goddess Sharada was consecrated by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
The Jagadguru then said that every seeker of knowledge needs the Grace of Goddess Saraswati. It is knowledge that has to be acquired, not wealth or power. The Shastras call one devoid of knowledge as an animal – विद्याविहीनः पशु:. The importance given by us to knowledge is evident from that fact that we perform aksharabhyasa to invoke the grace of the Goddess before we begin a child’s education.
Goddess Saraswati is like a Kalpavriksha – a wish-fulfilling tree for education and acquiring knowledge. Hence it is essential to beseech Her with Bhakti – unflinching contemplation on the Goddess. It is essential to focus the mind and pray. One must keep aside one’s status, wealth and power when praying.
The Jagadguru recalled the humility expressed by Arjuna in front of Bhagavan and highlighted this characteristic of being worthy of emulation when engaging in Bhakti. The Jagadguru then posed the question: “Why is the Rajagopuram of a temple so tall?” It is to convey the message of God’s stature in comparison to our own standing. Hence one must pray with humility and true devotion. When great personages like Bhagavan Veda Vyasa and Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada exhibited such devotion, what does it say about the emphasis that we should place on devotion?
Bhagavan says in the Gita: न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
There is nothing here in this world, that is as sacred as Jnana (knowledge).
As this Jnana is obtained by the Grace of Goddess Saraswati, She is referred to in Basar as Jnana Saraswati. The Jagadguru said that those residing in Basar Kshetram were blessed. The Jagadguru also recounted that the tradition of the residents of Basar to receive the Sringeri Jagadguru arriving at Basar devotedly, serving Him and conducting the Puja to Goddess Jnana Saraswati by the Lotus Hands of the Jagadguru.
The Jagadguru also expressed happiness at the development of the temple over the last couple of decades, and ended the Anugraha Bhashanam blessing the devotees.
Photos
Puja & Sringeri Math Foundation Stone
On the morning of December 25, the Jagadguru offered Puja to Goddess Jnana Saraswati and Mahalakshmi and Mahakali. The Jagadguru then laid the foundation stone for Sringeri Shankara Math at Basar.
Photos
