Rajapalayam: Apr 4-14, 2017
Sharadamba Temple Kumbhabhishekam
ARRIVAL AT RAJAPALAYAM
The arrival of the Sringeri Jagadgurus, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam at Rajapalayam infused great joy in the devotees of Rajapalayam. Upon reaching Rajapalayam in the evening of April 4, 2017, the Jagadgurus were accorded a grand welcome. Sri Sannidhanam was then led in a grand procession. After arrival at the Rama Mandiram building, Dhuli Pada Puja was performed by Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha and family. After Veda Ghosha and a prayer, Swagata Patrikas in Sanskrit and Tamil were read by Vidwan Mani Dravida Shastri. Sri PR Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha speaking on the occasion devotedly welcomed the Jagadgurus.
Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam pointed out that for success in all rightful endeavours, man needs the guidance of a Guru. Devotion to the Guru fetches us all welfare. Sri Sannidhanam explained this with the illustration of the Guru Bhakti of Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana towards Sage Vishwamitra.
SRI MAHASANNIDHANAM’s ANUGRAHA BHASHANAM
Goddess Sharadamba
Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam said that while it is the same Divine Mother who blesses us with wealth and prosperity (as Goddess Lakshmi), with knowledge (as Goddess Sharada) and with victory over opposing forces (as Goddess Durga), the pursuit of knowledge is of paramount importance because विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानम् – the wealth of knowledge bestows all. Hence it is necessary for all to do the Upasana of Goddess Sharada, the bestower of knowledge. After Sri Adi Shankaracharya consecrated Sri Sharadamba and established the Dakshinamnaya Peetham at Sringeri, the successor Acharyas have also consecrated Goddess Sharadamba in various places in order to facilitate people living there to perform Upasana of the Goddess.
The Sharadamba Temple at Rajapalayam
Sri Mahasannidhanam said that it was His Sankalpa to have a Goddess Sharadamba temple in Rajapalayam and accordingly, the Shilanyasa (laying of the foundation) had been performed during His Vijaya Yatra in 2012. Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha and family had readied the temple in a couple of years and patiently awaited the arrival of the Sringeri Jagadguru for the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka. Sri Mahasannidhanam said that the auspicious time had come now with He bringing along Sri Sannidhanam for the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka.
Sri Mahasannidhanam also remembered the dedication and devotion of Sri PAC Ramaswamy Raja (the late father of Sri Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha) who had made arrangements for the observance of the Chaturmasya of His Guru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji) in 1957 at Courtallam and those of Sri Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha for the observance of His Guru’s Chaturmasya in 1964 also at Courtallam. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended the Anugraha Bhashanam stating that He was mentally offering Pranams to His Guru, whose Paramanugraha was the cause for the coming up of the Sharadamba temple.
Thereafter, the Jagadgurus arrived in the premises of the Abhinava Vidyatirtha Bharati Pathashala.
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THE SERENE ATMOSPHERE IN RAJAPALAYAM
During the stay at Rajapalayam, Sri Mahasannidhanam performed the Chandramoulishwara Puja every night. In the mornings, the Jagadgurus gave Darshan. In the evenings, Carnatic music concerts, by eminent musicians such as Malladi brothers, and Bhajans were organised. Upanyasams by eminent speakers such as Swami Omkarananda also took place. The entire campus of the Pathashala wore a festive look. Incoming devotees also noted the beautiful Vigraha of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji inaugurated during Sri Mahasannidhanam’s Vijaya Yatra in 2012 and the Vata Vriksha planted by Sri Mahasannidhanam during that Yatra. It was a sight to behold and an ambience to experience for all who witnessed the nightly Sharada Chandramoulishwara Pooja performed by Sri Mahasannidhanam. A tranquil atmosphere pervaded the premises for the entire stay of the Jagadgurus.
SRI RAMA NAVAMI
On April 5, 2017, Sri Mahasannidhanam performed a special Puja on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami, marking the birth of the Lord in His Avatar as Sri Rama. Sri Sannidhanam was present during the Mahamangalarati. At the end of the Puja, the Rama-Janana-Sarga from the Bala Kanda of Sri Valmiki Ramayan was read out by Sri Mahasannidhanam.
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GRAND KUMBHABHISHEKAM OF THE SHARADAMBA TEMPLE
Pre-Kumbhabhishekam Activities
On April 6, 2017, a Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homa was conducted in the morning in the precincts of the newly constructed Sharadamba temple. The Ubhaya Jagadgurus graced the Poornahuti of the Homa at noon.
In the morning of April 7, 2017, the Sankalpa for the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of the Sharadamba temple was performed. Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam blessed the event with Their divine presence.
After the Sharada Chandramoulishwara Puja in the evening of April 8, 2017, Navaratna Nyasa was performed by Sri Sannidhanam in the Garbha-grihas of Sri Sharadamba, Sri Rajaganapati and Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
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Kumbhabhishekam
At about 8:30 am on April 9, 2017, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam first offered Pushpa to the Vigraha of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji in the Pathashala premises. From there, the Jagadgurus arrived at the temple of Goddess Sharadamba. After invoking the Grace of Goddess Sharadamba, the Navagrahas and His Guru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji), Sri Mahasannidhanam along with Sri Sannidhanam entered the Garbha Griha of Goddess Sharadamba. Sri Mahasannidhanam then performed the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka of Goddess Sharadamba. Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam also performed the Prathishta Kumbhabhisheka at the shrines of Sri Rajaganapati and Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Thereafter the Jagadgurus performed the Kumbhabhishekas of the Vimana Shikhara and the Rajagopuram.
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The Temple Architecture
The architecture of the temple, with the front Gopuram and the large Praakaara inside, has been designed so as to resemble the Sharadamba temple at Sringeri. A large Mandapam, an Ardha Mandapam and then the Garbha Griha, all in granite, exist inside the temple that houses the beautiful Panchaloha Vigraha of Goddess Sharadamba. Beautiful sculptures of Sri Rajarajeshwari, Goddess Sharadamba, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam adorn the outer top of the side doors.
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PUBLIC FUNCTION AFTER THE KUMBHABHISHEKAM
In the evening, a public function was organized as part of the Kumbhabhisheka. Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Subrahmaneya Rajha submitted a citation to Sri Mahasannidhanam offering the temple to the Sringeri Math.
At the request of the organisers of Rajapalayam, Sringeri Math CEO Gowrishankar released a biography of Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Subrahmaneya Rajha penned in Tamil. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Gowrishankar said that Rajha and his family belong to that rare category who have been born with material, cultural and spiritual wealth, and have taken efforts to nurture and improve what they have received from their ancestors. Sri Gowrishankar spoke at length over Sri Rajha’s philanthropism, humility, support for Vedic education and learning, and Guru Bhakti.
Sri PR Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha then explained how he has experienced the Grace of the Guru at various junctures in his life. He also spoke on the importance of Guru Bhakti.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then released a Sanskrit book (with Tamil translation) on His Paramaguru, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji. The book contains a poetic work titled “Jagadguru Charitramritam” penned by Sri Bhashya Swamigal and first published in 1963. The reprint has been brought out by the Lingammal Raju Trust in Rajapalayam and was offered with Pranams by Smt. Sudarsanam Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha.
Sri Sannidhanam’s Anugraha Bhashanam
Offering Actions Unto The Lord
Sri Sannidhanam began His Anugraha Bhashanam by quoting the Gita verse –
यत्करोषि यदश्नासि यज्जुहोषि ददासि यत् ।
यत्तपस्यसि कौन्तेय तत्कुरुष्व मदर्पणम् ॥
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you offer as a sacrifice, whatever you give away, whatever penance you do, offer it to Me.
Some immediately question “What do I get if I offer everything to the Lord?”. Even in the worldly sense, when a citizen having a precious item in his possession offers it to the ruler of the land, he gets rewarded. Likewise, offering unto the Lord fetches us many fold benefits in the path of welfare. Our offering does not bring about any change for the Lord. It is for our own Shreyas that we offer all unto the Lord.
Sri Sannidhanam then commended Sri Rajha for having built the beautiful temple for Goddess Sharadamba. He mentioned that it was divine Sankalpa that Sri Mahasannidhanam had performed the Kumbhabhisheka for the Goddess Sharadamba at Sringeri (in February) and had then come to perform the Kumbhabhisheka to Goddess Sharadamba at Rajapalayam.
Sri Mahasannidhanam’s Anugraha Bhashanam
Dharma Shraddha
Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam stressed the importance of Astikyam – faith in the Vedas, in God, in the law of Karma, the existence of other worlds, Punarjanma and in Dharmic conduct. Sri Mahasannidhanam said that it is important for us to pray that our Shraddha in Dharma increases. When Shraddha increases, we engage in noble deeds that benefit all around us.
Our Guru Bhakta Mani
Sri Mahasannidhanam then praised the Dharmic bent of mind and Sattvic tendency of Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Subrahmaneya Rajha. In constructing the magnificent temple for Goddess Sharada and offering it to the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sri Rajha has practised the tenet of the Gita that one must engage in actions without any selfish inclinations — “कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन”.
Sri Mahasannidhanam then praised the devotion of Sri Rajha towards His Guru, Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji. Sri Mahasannidhanam remembered the contribution of Sri Rajha towards the installation of the Murti of His Guru in the Adhishtanam at Sringeri and his offering of a garland of 108 silver coins containing the names of His Guru’s Ashtottara Shata Namavali. Sri Rajha has also installed Murtis of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji in the Pathashala in Rajapalayam and in his house named “Abhinava Vidyatirtha Kripa” at Sringeri.
Sri Mahasannidhanam said that He had received the Prerana from Goddess Sharadamba to go on a Vijaya Yatra to conduct the Kumbhabhisheka at Rajapalayam, and had accordingly commenced the Vijaya Yatra. Sri Mahasannidhanam then blessed Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Subrahmaneya Rajha and his son Sri PR Venketarama Raja, with the CEO, Sri Gowrishankar, honouring them. The event ended with Sri Ramasubrahmaneya Raja offering his heartfelt gratitude on the occasion and attributing everything to the Grace of the Sringeri Jagadgurus.
At night, Sri Sannidhanam conducted the Rathotsava of Goddess Sharadamba in the temple.
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SPECIAL ANUGRAHA BHASHANAM
On April 13, 2017, Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed the devotees of Rajapalayam with a special Anugraha Bhashanam. Sri Mahasannidhanam explained that having had the fortune of having taken birth as a human being, the human body is to be utilised as a boat to cross the ocean of Samsara that is filled with sufferings of all kinds. i.e. one has to engage in Dharmic actions, purification of the mind, service to the Guru and the study and practice of Vedantic tenets, culminating in Atma Jnana – Self-knowledge. Before the Anugraha Bhashanam, Swami Omkarananda spoke on the topic – “Acharya-upasanam” describing the greatness of the Guru. After Sri Mahasnnidhanam’s Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam blessed the teachers and students of the Pathashala and also examined advanced Vidyarthis of the Pathashala.
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PHOTO EXHIBITION ON THE 35TH ACHARYA INAUGURATED
As part of the Birth Centenary Celebrations of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji, the 35th Acharya of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation of Chennai organised a Photo Exhibition titled “Pictures of Perfection”. The exhibition was inaugurated by Sri Sannidhanam on April 6, 2017 in the TTD Kalyana Mandapam complex in Rajapalayam. Sri Sannidhanam spent about an hour going through the photo exhibits depicting the early life of the Acharya, His Sadhana, His Vijaya Yatras across India, temple consecrations, and His many initiatives undertaken for the sustenance and propagation of Sanatana Dharma.
In the public function organised in the premises, Sri H Raja, National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, spoke on the greatness of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham and the life of the 35th Acharya. Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam extolled the qualities of His Paramaguru. Dignitaries including Sri H Raja and Guru Bhakta Mani Sri PR Ramasubrahmaneya Raja were felicitated on the occasion.
The following evening, Sri Mahasannidhanam graced the photo exhibition and walked through the various booths admiring and relishing the depiction of the life of His Guru.
Residents of Rajapalayam as well as devotees visiting Rajapalayam visited the exhibition in good numbers. The exhibition concluded on April 10, 2017.
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QUIZ COMPETITION
A Quiz Competition with the theme “Holy India” was organised at Rajapalayam by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation of Chennai with participation invited from various districts in and around Rajapalayam. A total of 46 teams of 3 members each participated with great enthusiasm. Various rounds of the quiz competition across a range of topics (including the Itihasas, Bhagavad Gita, Tirukkural, Lives of Saints and Sages, and the Sringeri Sharada Peetham) were held from April 7 to April 10, 2017. Eventually three teams from Rajapalayam and one team from Trichy took the first four places. The teams were rewarded with cash prizes and books by Smt. Sudarsanam Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha in the divine presence of Sri Sannidhanam in a public function organised by the Foundation in the Pathashala premises on April 11. In His Anugraha Bhashanam delivered on the occasion, Sri Sannidhanam, illustrating the life and achievements of His Paramaguru (Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamiji), stated that all endeavours Jnanis engage in are for “Loka-Sangraha” – the benefit of the masses.
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TEMPLE VISITS IN RAJAPALAYAM
On April 8, Sri Sannidhanam visited the Meenakshi Chokkanathar temple and the ParvataVardhini Ramalingeshwara Swamy temple and had Darshan. On April 12, Sri Sannidhanam had Darshan at the Vettai Venkateshwara Swamy temple.
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SHATA CHANDI MAHAYAGA
A Shatachandi Mahayaga was conducted in the Sharadamba temple from April 10 to April 14 2017. The Sankalpa took place in the divine presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus on the morning of April 10. As part of the Mahayaga, the Durga Saptashati was chanted by 10 Ritwiks a hundred times. Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam graced the Mahayaga everyday. In the afternoon of April 14, 2017, the Poornahuti of the Shatachandi Yaga took place in the divine presence of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus.
Having distributed Mantrakshata and blessed the devotees in the morning, the Jagadgurus started towards Vathirairuppu late afternoon. En route, Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam graced the NA Ramachandra Raja Gurukulam School in Rajapalayam and blessed the management, teachers and children.
Thereafter, the Jagadgurus arrived at Srivilliputtur and had Darshan at the shrine of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the Sringeri Shankara Math in Srivilliputtur. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Mahasannidhanam hailed the Kshetram of Srivilliputtur, famous for the woman saint, Goda Devi or Andal, and blessed the assembled devotees.
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