Palakkad: APRIL 4 – 5, 2012
Jagadguru welcomed to Kerala, graces Palakkad
On the evening of 4th April, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji entered Kerala to a rousing reception at the state entry point of Walayar.
Under the direction of the Kerala State Chief Minister, Tourism Minister Sri A P Anilkumar presented the Venkotta Kuda (an official honour from the Government) welcoming the Jagadguru as a State Guest as per tradition. District Collector P.M. Ali Asgar Pasha, District Superintendent of Police M.P. Dinesh and other top officials were present.
State President of Kerala Brahmana Sabha V. Ramalingam, Chief Co-ordinator of the visit of the Swamiji, Sri Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of the Reception Committee N.N. Ramachandran, Convenor S.N. Varadharajan, V.S. Vijayarghavan, former M.P also welcomed the Jagadguru.
The Jagadguru was given a Guard of honour and the police band played the welcome song.
En route from Walayar towards Palakkad, the Jagadguru was given a civil reception by Palakkad Municipality at Chandranagar junction. The Swamiji was then received at Sree Sarada Sankara Kalyanamandapam at Nurani Village in the town, with Poornakumbha. Dhooli Pada Pooja and Swagatha Pathrika Samarpanam was performed by Palakkad Citizens and Nurani Grama Samudayam.
It is the fortune of Kerala that the Lord incarnated as Sri Adi Shankaracharya in Kalady in Kerala. here. The Shraddha and Bhakti is observed in the people of Kerala has come traditionally. The Jagadguru then spoke about the importance of human birth – जन्तूनां नरजन्म दुर्लभं – all our limbs and senses are suitable for adhering to Dharma and for worshipping the Lord.
शुभैः प्राप्नोति देवत्वं निषिद्धैर्नारकीं तनुम् ।
उभाभ्यां पुण्यपापाभ्यां मानुष्यं लभतेऽवशः ॥
A heavenly body of a Devata is obtained if a lot of Punya Karma has been done. A lowly body of an animal is obtained if many sins have been committed. If both Punya and Paapa Karma have been done, one gets the body of a human.
Hence one must realize in this human birth that the suffering one faces is due to his past Adharma and the joy obtained is due to the Dharma adhered to in the past lives. Consequently, one must shun Adharma and practise Dharma now.
Only the Lord decides what constitutes Dharma. But the Lord does not appear before everyone and instructs what is Dharma and what is not? It is the Veda that is the command of the Lord. That is why it is said “वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलम्”
The Jagadguru ended the Bhashanam saying that Palakkad has been visited by the Acharyas of the Peetham and expressed happiness at being in Palakkad after a gap of 21 years.
On 5th April, the Jagadguru had Darshan at the Ganapati temple in the Agrahara. The Jagadguru then graced Singannalur Narasimha Veda Pathashala being run with the support of the Peetham.
En route to Thrissur, the Jagadguru graced Tattamangalam, blessed the devotees, had Darshan at Gopalakrishna Swamy temple Darshan and gave an Anugraha Bhashanam.
