Kallidaikuruchi: MAY 5-7, 2012

The Lord’s Incarnation and Our Duty

At about 6:30 pm on 5th May evening, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji arrived at the large Agrahara of Kallidaikurichi located on the banks of the river Tamraparani. The Jagadguru was led in a procession across the streets of the Agrahara and first had Darshan of Lord Ganapati, Goddess Sharada and Adi Shankaracharya in the Sringeri Shankara Math at Kallidaikurichi. In His Anugraha Bhashana, the Jagadguru spoke about the significance of the Avataras (incarnations) of the Lord and the ensuing duty of man.

What does it mean when we say “the Lord protects Dharma” when He incarnates? Protection of Dharma means that the Lord removes all obstacles by destroying evil forces which stand in the way of adhering to Dharma. Our duty after the Lord’s incarnation is to adhere to Dharma. However it has to be examined whether we are indeed following Dharma. Let us consider the following: Suppose the raw materials for cooking have been procured; the food has been prepared and served. It is for the hungry man to consume the food. The food has not been prepared for those who procured the raw materials, or prepared the food or the person who serves food. Yet if the hungry man complains that he continues to be hungry even though the prepared food is right in front of him, whose fault is it? Is it not his duty to consume the food and satiate his hunger?

Similarly, is it not our duty to follow Dharma when the Lord has incarnated, protected Dharma, and given us a human birth? Can we study the Vedas, perform Yagas, worship the Lord and attain Jnana if we had taken birth in any other form? Though the Lord has given us all that is needed for the practice of Dharma, do we utilise this opportunity? The sincerity and focus that one must show towards Dharma has been directed elsewhere by every one of you these days. The mind is not under control and goes after various objects.

There was a time when people refused to go after objects or prosperity if it came in the way of their observing Dharma. There have been instances in the past when the king sent for scholars while they were engaged in Anushtanam, they used to send the king’s emissary back saying that they would come only after finishing their Anushtanam. When such a scholar once went to the king after finishing his Anushthanam, the king expressed that he was made to wait for an hour. The scholar replied, “My Anushtana is for the good of all in the country.” Such was their dedication to their Dharma.

Today, we become happy when we realize that we had such ancestors. But our happiness and contentment stop right there. How many feel that we should follow in their footsteps and lead our lives like they did? They put Dharma and the Lord ahead of everything else. Today people have wealth, status, comfort and worldly fame as their main focus. What is the point of the Lord incarnating and taking efforts to reestablish Dharma? What is the guarantee that one will get born as a human in the next birth?

The Guru can only show the people the path. We can point out if a man takes a wrong path or is about to fall into a pit. But if he refuses to listen, what can be done? Similarly if people even after being told, continue to do Adharmic activities, what can be done? Only when people adhere to Dharma does the land become bountiful. Hence realize the significance of the Lord’s incarnation, your human birth and adhere to Dharma.

Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada established the four Amnaya Peethams only to ensure that there would be someone to keep reminding the masses of the importance of Dharma and bring those who have drifted from the Dharmic path back into the fold.
The Acharyas who have followed in the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham have consecrated Goddess Sharada in many places. Hence it is essential to worship Sharada, the Goddess of knowledge, as well as the Guru who is the bestower of knowledge.

The Jagadguru remembered that it was His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji who established the Shankara Math at Kallidaikurichi and consecrated the Murtis of Goddess Sharada and Adi Shankaracharya. The Jagadguru also remembered the efforts of late Guru Bhakta Ratnam Kittamani Iyer. The Jagadguru praised the devotion of the residents of Kallidaikurichi, which came to be known as “Kalyanapuri” in Sanskrit as per the direction of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji.

The devotees felt blessed to be listening to the Jagadguru’s Anugraha Bhashanam at Kallidaikurichi after a period of 17 years when the Jagadguru had last visited in 1995.

The following day, on 6th May 2012, the Jagadguru gave Darshan to devotees in the morning. The Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Mahayaga conducted on the occasion took place in the Jagadguru’s divine presence.

In the evening, the Jagadguru visited Bhajanai Madam at Ambasamudram and later Darshan at Rukmani Satyabhama Sameta Venugopala swamy temple, Brahmadesham and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam. The Jagadguru also graced the Amrita Vidya Peetham at Rangasamudram.

On 7th May, the Jagadguru blessed the residents of Kallidaikurichi with Mantrakshata and arrived at Papanasam at around 11 am. Pada Puja and Bhiksha Vandanam was offered by devotees at the Sringeri Shankara Math, Papanasam. At around 5 pm, the Jagadguru had Darshan at the Lokanayaki Ambal Sameta Papanasha Swamy temple. The Jagadguru then graced Keezhambur and had Darshan at the Bhoo Neela Sameta Venkatachalapathy temple and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam and then proceeded towards Alwakurichi