Jayendra is the one who was charged with murder; he may be a Shankaracharya in
a wider sense but he does not hold one of the four principal seats, nor has he
ever been acknowledged by anyone who has claims on one. The guy you are
refering to is...
Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal
अज्ञानां
जाह्नवी
तीर्थं
विद्यातीर्थं
विवेकिनाम् ।
सर्वेषां
सुखदं तीर्थं
भारतीतीर्थमाश्रये
॥
To the ignorant, You are verily the holy Ganga,
To the wise, You are the seat of Knowledge,
To everyone, You bestow what is good,
O Bharati Tirtha, I seek refuge in You!
Inspiring Life Sri Bharati Tirtha, the present Jagadguru of the Sringeri
Sharada Peetham, a sanyasin of the highest paramahamsa order, is arguably the
foremost scholar today of Vedanta and sastras.
In 1966, he approached the then Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha
Mahaswamiji as a bachelor at the age of 15 seeking his blessings and
instruction in the sastras. The Sringeri Acharya was then observing chaturmasya
at Ujjain. Sitarama Anjaneyulu (that was the Acharyas name in his
poorvashrama) had come with great vairagya growing in him.
As the great Acharya was returning after bath in the river Sipra, Sitarama
Anjaneyulu prostrated before him and sought his tutelage, which was granted.
The very next day the Acharya started teaching him. He soon became a gem of a
scholar and a dear disciple.
What prompted the boy who had just finished high school studies, and who was
advised by his father to go for higher education, to leave his home? Why did he
go all the way to Ujjain from his home in Narasaraopet in Guntur District of
Andhra Pradesh? It must have been predetermined so by Goddess Sharadamba, the
presiding deity of Sringeri Mutt.
When the same question was put to brahmachari Sitarama Anjaneyulu, he
replied: I had the good fortune of having the darshan of the Jagadguru quite
early in life. Once I was asked to talk in Sanskrit by my teacher before His
Holiness in Vijayawada. I got a special prize from him. At that time, it struck
me that His Holiness was my teacher and my saviour. His beaming smile was
giving me a message. I thought I got what I wanted.
His Holiness has since been in my mind always. I used to feel that I was
guided by His Holiness whenever there was a problem. This feeling grew in me to
such an extent that I could not stay in my place.
Since then Sitarama Anjaneyulu did not leave the lotus feet of the Acharya.
He accompanied the Acharya during all his tours.
Within eight years he finished the study of Krishna Yajur Veda, Purva and
Uttara Mimamsa, Nyaya Sastra and many other treatises and commentaries. He also
became a poet in Sanskrit.
Childhood Days Sitarama Anjaneyulus childhood is worth recalling in the
context of his spiritual background. He was born into a Smartha family bearing
the name Tangirala, of Apasthamba sutra, Krishna Yajur sakha, Kutsasa gotra,
living in Alugumallepadu village in Palnadu area of Guntur, on the banks of
river Naguleru. He was born on April 11, 1951 as a result of long prayer and
vrata (fast) by his father Venkateshwara Avadhani and mother Ananthalakshmamma.
Venkateshwara Avadhani had studied the Vedas , though learning English was the
current fashion.
The pious couple desired very much to have a son after begetting four
daughters. Avadhani used to wake up early in the morning, bathe in the river
and worship Lord Bhavani Shankara, the local deity, with Rudrabhishekha. This
he did for a year.
He also used to perform Sri Rama Navaratrotsava. He took a vow to name his
child after Sita and Rama if his wish was fulfilled. The Lords Shankara and
Rama were kind to him. He was blessed with a son. For her part
Smt.Anantalakshmamma had sought Lord Anjaneyas favour and promised to name the
male child born to her Anjaneyulu. Hence the infant was named Sitarama
Anjaneyulu.
Sitarama Anjaneyulu even at the age of three evinced signs of great devotion
towards the Gods. The name of Lord Shiva was on his lips constantly. During his
boyhood days he used to forget himself worshipping the Lord.
Outside school hours, he always devoted time to Sanskrit studies. By the time
he was nine, he had considerable command over the language. He was aware of its
subtleties. Scholars and poets, including the Kavi Samrat Sri Viswanatha
Satyanarayana, praised him for his eloquence. He won a number of prizes and was
invited by All India Radio Vijayawada to participate in Sanskrit programmes.
At night, he learnt the Vedas from his father. He studied Samhita, Brahmana
and Aranyaka so well that he could take part in the Guntur District
Vedapravardhaka Vidwat Pariksha. He passed the examination with honours.
Command over Languages Sri Bharati Tirtha was seen more often talking in
Sanskrit than in Telugu, his mother tongue. Quite early in life, he completed
his study of grammar, literature, logic and philosophy. With an inborn love of
Sanskrit, he composed poetry at a very early age. Even at games he would talk
in verse. Rules of prosody were never violated. Rhyme, rhythm, irony,
suggestion: every poetic beauty came naturally to him. Even ordinary things of
life found expression in his poetry.
The mastery of His Holiness in Indian languages is well known to devotees.
The Sringeri Mutt has under its preview Andhra, Tamilnadu, Karnataka and
Kerala. People of these states visit him to pay their respects and are
naturally drawn by his amazing versatility in the languages together with a
command over the local idiom.
In 1974 on the day in which he was initiated into Sanyasa, His Holiness spoke
in Kannada for the first time at the felicitation meeting with such a telling
eloquence that all those present, including ministers, High Court judges,
members of the Legislature and University professors, could not control their
admiration while listening to him. A few months after Sishya Sweekaram both the
Holinesses started on a Vijayayatra to Rameshwaram. Enroute at
Gobichettipalayam, the Acharya delivered a speech in chaste Tamil, electrifying
the devotees as they had never expected such a clear language flow from someone
whose language was not Tamil and who had not been taught Tamil by anyone. The
eloquence with which he delivers speeches in Telugu, his mother tongue, is
indeed a matter of rare experience.
Sri Bharati Tirtha accompanied his Guru in his tour of the northern parts of
India, and lectured in Hindi. His benedictory speeches were highly appreciated.
Even scholars in Hindi language and literature were fascinated with his
melodious Sanskritised Hindi.
All his speeches have one thing in common. They are built brick by brick on a
sound proposition. They are forceful, thought-provoking and inspiring. The
language is always within the reach of the listeners. He reminds us of the
ancient sages who taught in the gurukulams.
Devotion to Guru The Guru Gita instructs : One should meditate on ones
Guru through out ones life. Even though one enjoys independence, one should
not show even a fraction of indifference in ones attitudes towards ones
Guru. For Sri Bharati Tirtha (also Sri Sannidhanam), His Guru Sri Abhinava
Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal (also Sri Mahasannidhanam) was everything. He never
let the fact that He had been given a separate identity as the Peetadhipati,
distract Him at any time. Sri Sannidhanams mind was ever engrossed on his guru.
Those who have had the great fortune of seeing both the Acharyas together,
could have noticed the great reverence with which Sri Sannidhanam conducted
himself in the presence of his Guru. Sri Sannidhanam used to visit Sri
Mahasannidhanam every morning, offer His prostrations at the most sacred lotus
feet of His beloved Guru and only then commence the days work. Whenever Sri
Mahasannidhanam spoke to Sri Sannidhanam, the latter would reverentially bend
forward and listen. Whenever They walked together, Sri Sannidhanam would never
over-step his Guru. Whenever both of Them were to occupy Their seats, Sri
Sannidhanam would wait for Sri Mahasannidhanam to be seated first. Sometimes
when Sri Sannidhanam arrived a little later than Sri Mahasannidhanam to attend
a function, He would pay his respects to His Guru first and only then take his
seat. Sri Sannidhanam would listen to Sri Mahasannidhanams discourses
intently. While conducting the Vidwat Sadas (an assembly of scholars),
Sri Sannidhanam would ensure that whatever He talked met with Sri
Mahasannidhanams approval.
Admiring the divine relationship between Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri
Sannidhanam, Dr. Mandana Mishra, a reputed educationalist and Sanskrit scholar,
once said to Mahasannidhanam : We have read that Shankara's disciples went
with him. How was He? How were his disciples? I was only conjecturing. Now I
have come to the conclusion that they must have been like this. It is so
satisfying.
Ideal Pontiff For the convenience of the increasingly large number of
devotees and pilgrims coming to Sringeri, the most compassionate Guru, Sri
Mahasannidhanam, had decided in the mid 1980s to construct a bridge across the
river Tunga to link the Mutt complex on the northern bank with Narasimhavanam
on the southern bank. He had entrusted the design and construction of the
bridge to a reputed concern with the requisite expertise. The top management of
the company held His Holiness in great regard and undertook the task with
dedication. Sri Mahasannidhanam lucidly explained the requirements and His
conception of the bridge. He unfailingly kept Himself fully posted with the
developments. Unmindful of the strain, He regularly visited the construction
site, keenly observed the work and, whenever appropriate, proffered
encouragement and sagacious counsel. By His grace considerable progress was
made by the time He attained Maha Samadhi in September 1989. Actively interested
in the quick completion of the noble task commenced by His Guru, His Holiness
finally inaugurated the bridge on 21st May 1990. On the day, Sri Sannidhanam
named the bridge 'Vidyatirtha Sethu'.
The Sharada Dhanvantari Charitable hospital run by the Math at Sringeri is
the brainchild of Sri Mahasannidhanam who strongly felt that the residents of
Sringeri and of the neighboring areas should be given proper medical
facilities. The 100-bed hospital received constant attention from Sri
Mahasannidhanam who took all steps to modernize it in all respects. Now Sri
Sannidhanam, whose very life-breath is the fulfillment of His beloved Guru's
wishes, is taking fruitful steps to add more facilities so that the hospital
becomes an ultra-modern health center. The hospital now has separate units for
'Ayurveda' and 'Homeopathy' too. A 'Photo Gama Isotope Scanner' was installed
in the hospital in November 1992.
Sri Mahasannidhanam always gave priority to the needs of Vedic Scholars. He
was very firm in His view that in order to protect the Vedas, we must protect
Vedic Scholars. Sri Sannidhanam is fully aware of His beloved Guru's
praiseworthy intentions. Following Sri Mahasannidhanam's magnanimous attitudes,
Sri Sannidhanam has compassionately announced a lifetime allowance of Rs.1000/-
per month to deserving Sastra Pundits. Paying a fitting tribute to Sri
Mahasannidhanam, Sri Sannidhanam had a beautiful and majestic granite
Adhistanam (Samadhi temple) built at Narasimhavanam. Sri Sannidhanam performed
the Kumbabhisheka of the Adhistanam on the 12th of May 1993.
At Sringeri, under Sri Bharati Tirtha, the Mutt has undergone many changes.
Now one can write to the office in any of the Indian languages, or in English.
Under the directions of His Holiness, a lot of improvement has been made in
the Veda Patashalas. Most competent and well-learned Scholars have been
appointed to teach the students. Free food, textbooks and comfortable
accommodation have been provided to the students. Sri Sannidhanam not merely
supervises the schools, but also teaches the senior students. He personally
conducts tests, encourages deserving students, tries to help the slow learners
and encourages even the teachers through some programmes. The Veda Patashala
has been producing competent Scholars who settle down in various parts of the
country and serve as Pundits or Purohits. As for performances of Homas and
Yagnas Sri Sannidhanam personally supervises them so that the scriptural
injunctions are implemented to the last letter. The Mutt conducts Sata Chandi
Homas, Sahasra Chandi Homas, Atirudra Homas and the like for the welfare of the
world and Sri Sannidhanam, an authority on the scriptures, sees to it that
they serve their purpose.
Sri Sannidhanam, being aware of the increasing inflow of pilgrims and
devotees, has had new guest houses built and named them 'Sri Sharada Krupa' and
'Yatri Nivas'.
Sri Sannidhanam is accessible to the devotees twice a day, in the morning
during the Theertha Prasadam distribution and in the evening. His Holiness
receives everyone cheerfully, with a smile. He poses tender questions, listens
to what they have to say and offers valuable suggestions. He accepts Bhiksha
and witnesses the Pada Puja, which the devotees perform to His Guru's and to
Goddess Sharada's Padukas.
Even though His daily schedules are very tight, His Holiness attends to all
His pontifical duties with admirable enthusiasm and sincerity keeping in mind
not only the rich traditional values of the Sringeri Guru Parampara but also
the great responsibility entrusted to Him by none other than His peerless
Preceptor, Sri Mahasannidhanam.
Scholar Par Excellence Once, a scholar approached Him and sought
clarifications regarding a particular portion in Ghana (a mode of Vedic
chanting). Though not having practiced Ghana chanting, Sri Sannidhanam at once
recited the same beautifully and the scholar was stunned.
On another occasion, a group of Ghanapatis came for the Darshan of Sri
Sannidhanam. His Holiness was pleased to see such learned ones. When He
enquired about their studies, the senior-most Ghanapatigal, informed with pride
that they all had completed the entire study of Ghana and that they could
recite any portion that His Holiness would require them to recite. Sri
Sannidhanam was immensely happy at their confidence and asked them to recite a
portion of their choice from Vedas. The scholars however insisted that Sri
Sannidhanam choose the portion for their recital. With a bewitching smile, Sri
Sannidhanam suggested a particular portion. To their own surprise none of those
Ghanapatis could recollect and recite that particular portion. Finally, it was
Sri Sannidhanam who recited the initial lines of that portion with the
appropriate intonation. It was only then that the wonder-struck Ghanapatis
could recollect that portion and recite it.
Sri Sannidhanam's unquestionable scriptural knowledge would be evident to
anyone who has watched His Holiness during the Vidwat Sadas dedicated to Lord
Ganapati, conducted every year for 10 days commencing on the fourth day of the
bright fortnight of the lunar month of Bhadrapada. The Sadas is held every
evening in the august presence of His Holiness. Learned scholars and
philosophers, invited from all over India and Nepal, assemble in the Sadas. It
is customary for each Vidwan to choose some text and analyze it in the mornings
with other Vidwans and discuss it in detail in the evenings in the august
presence of His Holiness. His Holiness encourages candid communication among
the scholars, and intervenes when any issue remains undecided and settles the
same in His characteristic style. The most impressive aspect in the Sadas is
Sri Sannidhanam's off-hand quoting of Sastraic passages and His encouragement
to young scholars and debutants.
For the past many years, during the Chaturmasya period, His Holiness has been
conducting classes in the Brahma Sutras to a select band of sincere devotees.
The students invariably assert that they are delighted by the lucid way in
which His Holiness makes them understand the text.
Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada in his Mathamnaya Sashana said that any sage
occupying the position of the Jagadguru of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the
unbroken apostolic succession is an incarnation of himself. Sri Bharati Tirtha
is a worthy example.
---------------------------------
© 2000 - 2007. All rights reserved. Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
All dates and times are with respect to Indian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Mar 15, 2007, at 9:13 PM, Richard J. Williams wrote:
Vaj wrote:
I would of thought the Shankaracharya of the South
dissing Mahesh as a phony would've dislodged most
TB fingernails...
You mean the Shankaracharya of the South that's out on bail on a murder
charge? Talk about mud and phoney!
No.
---------------------------------
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