Shenkottai: MAY 8-10, 2012
The Jagadguru at Shenkottai
Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji arrived in Shenkottai on 8th May evening to a grand reception that went around the streets of Shenkottai. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that one must be wise enough to know what has to be sought from the Lord. If a King is pleased with you and asks you to ask whatever you wish, it will be foolish if you wish for something meagre or insignificant. Similarly, our prayers to the Lord who can grant us anything must not be for useless tinsel. The Jagadguru conveyed that we have to approach the Lord with a prayer for the removal of our ego.
It is true that all people have ego. Moreover, power, position, education etc. feed one’s ego and makes a man commit sin. Realize that it is the nature of your karma to return an appropriate result. So it is essential to understand that one must not sin, and for this realization, one must shed the ego and develop humility. The Jagadguru illustrated this by giving an account of Rishi Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. King Janaka once called for a conference of learned men and wished to give away a present of a thousand cows to the one who was a Brahma Jnani. When others questioned the knowledge of the Rishi, he first replied that he did not claim to be the only Brahamana and offered his respects thus – नमो वयं ब्रह्मिष्ठाय कुर्मः – My salutations to all Brahma Jnanis. He then went on to answer all the questions and established his knowledge. The Jagadguru also recalled a similar reply given by Sri Adi Shankaracharya when Bhagavan Veda Vyasa came in the guise of a elderly Brahmana and questioned the Acharya.
The Jagadguru then spoke of praying for reducing one’s desires. The Vedas declare that desire is verily like an ocean and has no end just as like the vast ocean seems to have no end – समुद्र इव हि कामः । न वै कामस्यान्तोस्ति । न समुद्रस्य । People never get satisfied and keep on increasing their desires and spend their entire lives in trying to satisfy their desires. Where is the time to engage in serving the needy, to improve one’s spiritual welfare?
The Jagadguru also mentioned that one must pray for compassion to bloom in one’s heart. Compassion is the inclination to remove the suffering of others. The Jagadguru also said that it is inappropriate to expect anything in return after doing a favour or rendering help or giving charity.
दातव्यमिति यद्दानं दीयतेऽनुपकारिणे ।
देशे काले च पात्रे च तद्दानं सात्त्विकं स्मृतम् ॥
Quoting thus from the Bhagavad Gita on the nature of charity that can be termed as Sattvic, the Jagadguru said that one must pray to the Lord for granting us such a bent of mind. When we pray thus – for quelling our ego, removing our desires and giving us a charitable bent of mind – our lives will turn out to be purposeful. Sri Adi Shankaracharya has said that everyone should pray in this manner.
The Jagadguru remembered that it was in Shenkottai, that His Guru observed Navaratri Utsava in 1957 after observing Chaturmasya in Courtallam. The Jagadguru also recalled His first visit to Shenkottai in February 1975. The Jagadguru said that every resident will be fortunate as a new Sringeri Shankara Math is going to be constructed in Shenkottai.
On May 9th morning, the Jagadguru laid the foundation stone for the Sringeri Shankara Math at Shenkottai. After granting Darshan to devotees, the Jagadguru graced the Poornahuti of the Chandi Homa. In the evening, the Jagadguru graced the little town of Panpozhi and had Darshan at the Bhoo Neela Sameta Sundararaja Perumal temple. In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru stressed on chanting the Lord’s name and taught the “Hare Rama” mantra to all those assembled directing them to spend at least 10 minutes every day in chanting the Lord’s name. The Jagadguru then proceeded to the beautiful temple of Thirumalai Kumaraswamy on a hillock and had Darshan of Lord Kumaraswamy and Goddess Kali.
On May 10th morning, the Jagadguru had Darshan at the temples of Dharma Samvardhani Sameta Kulashekhara Nathar Swamy, Sundararaja Perumal and Navaneeta Krishnar temple in Shenkottai. After giving Darshan to the devotees, Poornahuti of Rudra Homa was conducted in the Jagadguru’s presence.
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The Jagadguru Visits Amar Seva Sangam
In the evening, the Jagadguru graced the town of Ilathoor and then arrived at Amar Seva Sangam, Ayikudi. The Sangam provides succour to a number of physically and mentally challenged people including hundreds of children and teaches them to lead a meaningful life overcoming all obstacles. Sri Ramakrishnan, President and Sri Sankararaman, Secretary welcomed the Jagadguru. Sri Ramasubrahmanya Raja of the Ramco Group was also present. The Jagadguru laid the foundation stone for an “Early Intervention Centre” for mentally challenged children” and for an “Additional Tailoring Unit”.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, praising their efforts in serving the needy, the Jagadguru said “Manav Seva” is “Madhav Seva” – service to mankind is indeed service to God. The Jagadguru also commended the activities of the Seva Sangam stating that even people with such challenges desire to be happy and it is wonderful to note that the Sangam is engaged in this service. The Jagadguru also said that the Peetham would bear the costs of the Vinayakar temple to be built at the location.
The Jagadguru then had Darshan of Balasubrahmanya Swamy temple at Ayikudi and moved towards Sundarapandiyapuram.
