Yadagirigutta: JANUARY 2-3, 2013

Names and Forms Aside, Paramatma is Only One

Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji arrived at the holy temple town of Yadagirigutta on the evening of January 2, 2013. Officials of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple (led by the temple Executive Officer), and devotees (led by Sri Adi Keshavalu Naidu) welcomed the Jagadguru.

In His Anugraha Bhashanam, the Jagadguru said that Paramatma is One and is all-pervading. Just as we know that the same Sun is observed at various places on earth, so too God assumes different names and forms but is essentially one. The names may differ but the consciousness that is divine is only one. We worship God with Sahasranama – a thousand names; this does not mean that we are worshipping a thousand Gods. It is the power of Paramatma that He sports so many names and forms.

What benefit does God get out of creation? We know that even in the worldly sense, everyone acts with some benefit or purpose in the mind. That is why it is said that even a dull-witted person will never do anything without an eye on its benefit – प्रयोजनमनुद्दिश्य न मन्दोऽपि प्रवर्तते । This being the case, what does God get out of creating such a vast universe? This question is raised by Bhagavan Veda Vyasa Himself in one of the BrahmaSutras as – न प्रयोजनवत्वात्. This Sutra is a Poorva-paksha sutra, which means that, it is impossible to accept that God created this Universe because He would have no benefit out of it. Bhagavan Veda Vyasa provides the answer in another Brahma Sutra as – लोकवत्तु लीलाकैवल्यम्. Even in the worldly sense, we find that great kings who have everything, engage in various activities that do not necessarily bring them any benefit. Similarly, all of Creation is a Lila for God.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya too has explained this in His Bhashyam. When the question behind the purpose of Creation that is so vast and stupendous is posed, Sri Adi Shankaracharya states – “यद्यप्यस्माकमियं जगद्बिम्बविरचना गुरुतरसंरम्भेवाभाति, तथापि परमेश्वरस्य लीलैव केवलेयम्” – What seems to be a huge and stupendous task of Creation to us, it is a mere Lila for the omnipotent Parameshwara.

Parameshwara, being all-powerful, takes many forms for the protection of Dharma. Of these, the Avatara of Sri Narasimha is remarkable for protecting the great devotee, Prahlada and killing Hiranyakashipu. Narasimha Upasana has been in our Astika Parampara since time immemorial. The divine presence of Narasimha is seen in many places. Among these Kshetras, Yadagirigutta is one. Many devotees come here to offer prayers to Lord Narasimha and get blessed.

The Jagadguru said that, at first, coming to Yadagirigutta during the ongoing Vijaya Yatra had not been considered. However, Lord Narasimha ensured that the Jagadguru would indeed come for Darshan. The Jagadguru pointed out that everyone has to conform to the Sankalpa (resolve) of Bhagavan. The Jagadguru said that His original program was to start from Karimnagar, go to Jammikunta and reach Warangal the following evening. However, Bhagavan Narasimha willed that He come to Yadagirigutta. Devotees such as Sri Adi Keshavalu, and dignitaries such as Sri Nethi Vidyasagar (member of the Legislative Council, Nalgonda District) and the Executive Officer of the Yadagirigutta temple too had extended devout invitations. And Bhagavan’s Sankalpa fructified. The Jagadguru ended the Anugraha Bhashanam blessing that many Dharmic activities take place in the Yadagirigutta Kshetram.

Photos

Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple, Sringeri Math Foundation Stone & Other Visits

The following day, the Jagadguru had Darshan of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. The Jagadguru also had Darshan at the adjacent Shivalayam. The Jagadguru then laid the foundation stone for the Sringeri Shankara Math and also for temples for Goddess Sharada and Lord Ayyappa and blessed the devout gathering. In the afternoon, the Jagadguru visited the Lotus Temple on the foothills of Yadagirigutta and blessed the ongoing construction activity.