Nacharam: DECEMBER 16, 2012

Understand the Importance of Dharma

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji arrived at Sringeri Shankara Math in Nacharam on the evening of 16th December. The Jagadguru first had Darshan at the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya at the Sringeri Shankara Math. Thereafter, the Dhuli Pada Puja was performed and the Jagadguru was formally welcomed with a reading of the Swagata Patrika. Later the Jagadguru gave a Anugraha Bhashanam.

In His discourse, the Jagadguru stated that Sri Adi Shankaracharya was Parameshwara-incarnate with the goal of resuscitating Sanatana Dharma and bringing welfare to the masses. Living for a short span of 32 years, the great Acharya had mastered the four Vedas by the age of 8, the Shastras by the age of 12 and had completed writing His Bhashyas by the age of 16. Over the next 16 years, the Acharya travelled by foot throughout the country, dispelled the anti-Vedic schools and established the Vaidika Dharma, and founded the four Amnaya Peethams along the four directions: Puri in the east, Sringeri in the South, Dwaraka in the West and Badari in the North.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya strived to ensure that everyone should hold on to the path of Dharma and remain happy. We must note that the pleasures and sufferings that we experience today have a direct correlation to the Dharma and Adharma that we have adhered to in our past lives. It is the Vedas that are the authority in terms of Dharma and Adharma for these are beyond the senses – यच्छब्द आह तदस्माकं प्रमाणम्. Our Dharma Shastras say that Dharma that is protected (adhered to) protects us, while Dharma that is overridden (by not adhering to it) causes our downfall:

धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः ।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यः मानो धर्मो हतोऽवाधीत् ॥

However over time, people have failed to realize the significance of Dharma, and have resorted to every possible means to earn their livelihood – उदरनिमित्तं बहुकृतवेशः. They fail to adhere to Dharma forgetting the fact that Ishwara is ever present in one’s own heart as a witness. Others dismiss adherence to Dharma as they feel that one cannot rise in life if one keeps sticking to the Dharmic path by always speaking the truth. The Shastras address this and state that one who resorts to Adharma, Anyaya and Asatya might (temporarily) rise in life, but will (eventually) meet with an imminent downfall:

अधर्मेणैधते पूर्वं ततो भद्राणि पश्यन्ति ।
ततः सपत्नान् जयति समूलं हि विनश्यति ॥

When we listen to Srimad Ramayana or the life of Raja Harischandra, we must understand the importance of Dharma. Hence one must adhere to Dharma with Shraddha and attain Shreyas.

The Jagadguru also pointed out that failure to express one’s gratitude to anyone who has helped us is condemned in the Shastras – कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः. It was the gratitude felt towards Sri Adi Shankaracharya that inspired His Parameshti Guru, Jagadguru Sri Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji to rediscover Kalady, construct temples for Adi Shankara and Sharada there, and to publish the complete works of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.

Sanctified by the presence of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, the Jagadguru said that it is apt that the Murthy of Sri Adi Shankaracharya had been consecrated at Nacharam. The Jagadguru expressed joy at beholding the peaceful countenance of the Adi Shankaracharya Vigraha in the Sringeri Shankara Math at Nacharam.

Photos

Visits & Puja

On 17th December morning, the Jagadguru had Darshan at the famous temple of Sri Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple in Nacharam. The Jagadguru then performed a Puja of Sri AdiShankaracharya at the Sringeri Shankara Math with Abhisheka and Archana. In the afternoon, the Jagadguru started from Nacharam towards Gajwel. Enroute, the Jagadguru had Darshan at Vidya Saraswati temple, Vargal and blessed the devotees.