Today, on January 23, 2015 the 36th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji anointed His successor. In a traditional ceremony, the Jagadguru initiated Brahmachari Sri Kuppa Venkateshwara Prasada Sharma into Sannyasa and bestowed upon him the Yoga Patta (monastic name) of Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati.
Our namaskaram to both the Sringeri Acharyas.
Categories: Announcements
We had the blessed darshan of both the acharyas along with Goddess Saradambika at HER mUlasthanam [Srungeri] on Friday, the 30th, 2015! Divinity flew thru them and no words to describe ! Jaya Jaya Sankara! Hara Hara Sankara!
Thanks. For the entire article , let us not talk of Who is original
No comparison , each has its own merits and strength , we are too small to judge
Let us take the Best. Out of both the acharya of both the mutts
Great and Divine Event! The videos and pictures are worth preserving for posterity! If Sri Matha Sishyas are serious about their lineage from Bhagavan Adi Sankara and Advaitha Guru Parampara, the unnecessary comments by some correspondents listed above should be eschewed and A Samadhrishti towards all Acharyas and Sri Mathas should be cultivated and maintained! That is what will gladden Maha Periyava who is watching everything! Hara Hara Shankara, Jaya Jaya Shankara!
i am really proud these types of post comes through our paramachariyar site. sri gurubhyonamaha g.balaji
Biography Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji
Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji was born as Sri Kuppa Venkateshwara Prasada Sharma on the auspicious Naga Panchami day — July 24, 1993 — in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. Born as the second son of Sri Kuppa Shivasubrahmanya Avadhani and Smt. Seetha Nagalakshmi, He belonged to the Kaundinya Gotra and is a native of Anantavaram, Guntur District in Andhra Pradesh. His family has a long lineage of illustrious Vedic Pandits who were all ardent disciples of the Srungeri Jagadgurus.
Family Background
In 1961, when the 35th Jagadguru of Sringeri, Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Mahaswamiji visited the Anantavaram village, the Sri Prasada Sharma’s grandfather’s elder brother, Sri Bhairagi Shastri welcomed the Jagadguru with sincere devotion, performed Pada Puja and received His blessings. In 1985, Sri Shastri also had the good fortune of welcoming and serving the present Jagadguru of Srungeri. Sri Prasada Sharma’s grandfather’s elder brother, Sri Kuppa Venkatachalapati Yaaji, embraced Sannyasa in 2002 with the permission of the Srungeri Jagadguru.
Sri Prasada Sharma’s grandfather, Sri Kuppa Ramagopala Vajapeya-Yaaji is an eminent Vedic Pandit of the Krishna Yajur Veda and has performed the Shrauta Yaga of Vaajapeya. Deeply devoted to the Jagadgurus of Srungeri., Sri Vajapeya-Yaaji has participated in many Vedic ceremonies at Srungeri Sharada Peetham.
Sri Prasada Sharma’s father, Sri Kuppa Shivasubrahmanya Avadhani studied at the Jagadguru Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Shastra Samvardhini Pathashala in Hyderabad, that was established by Jagadguru Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji. He became an eminent Pandit in Veda and Veda Bhashya with great devotion to the Jagadgurus of Srungeri. He is presently the Principal of the TTD Veda Vigjnana Peetham in Tirumala and Project Officer, S.V. Institute of Higher Vedic Studies, TTD
Childhood
From a young age, Sri Prasada Sharma developed a deep devotion towards Lord Krishna and visited the Krishna temple near his home, every day. Seeing his son’s devotion, Sri Shivasubrahmanya Avadhani performed his Upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) at the age of fve. His frst lessons in Krishna Yajurveda were taught by his grandfather, Sri Kuppa Ramagopala Vajapeya-Yaaji. Showing rapid progress, Sri Prasada Sharma continued his studies up to Krishna Yajur Veda Krama under his father.
He grew up in an environment steeped in devotion to God and adherence to a Vedic way of living. Hamsaladeevi is a holy place in Andhra Pradesh where the Krishna river meets the ocean. Tere, on the banks of the river, is a beautiful temple dedicated to Venugopala Swamy. For the last 95 years, without a break, his family has conducted an annual Bhagavata Saptaha at this temple. Sri Prasada Sharma attended this sacred event from an early age. He also accompanied his father on pilgrimages to holy places such as Ayodhya, Haridwar, Hrishikesh, Kashi, Kalady, Madurai, Mathura, Pashupathinath (in Nepal), Rameswaram and Ujjain.
Education in Srungeri
Starting in 2006, when he was 13 years old, Sri Prasada Sharma began to accompany his father and grandfather who were participating in the Dharmic events at Srungeri Sharada Peetham. During his frst visit, the Darshan of the present Jagadguru, Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji had a profound impact on him. He visited Sringeri again in 2008, and during his subsequent visit in early 2009, he expressed to the Jagadguru his desire to study Shastras under Him. Touched by the young boy’s sincerity and impressed with his intelligence, the Jagadguru blessed him and Sri Prasada Sharma took refuge under the Lotus Feet of the Jagadguru in June 2009.
Under the guidance of the Jagadguru, he rapidly gained mastery in written and spoken Sanskrit. Srungeri Vidwan Sri Tangirala Shivakumara Sharma taught him Sanskrit poetry and literature. He also learned the basics of Vyakarana Shastra under Sringeri Vidwan Sri Krishnaraja Bhat.
Observing his Guru Bhakti, humility, intelligence and dedicated application to his studies, the Jagadguru was pleased and decided to personally teach him the Shastras. The Jagadguru began to teach him the Tarka Shastra in 2011. Sri Prasada Sharma grasped the teachings quickly and the lessons moved at an intense pace. Even during the hectic Vijaya Yatra of 2012-13, the Jagadguru continued to teach him without missing even a single day. The Jagadguru soon transformed him into a great Tarka scholar. When he spoke at Srungeri Sharada Peetham’s prestigious Ganapati Vakhyartha Vidwat Sadas, an annual conference of the nation’s foremost Shastric Pandits, the attendees were taken by surprise at the young man’s scholarship.
Under the guidance of the Jagadguru, Sri Prasada Sharma also studied Mimamsa Shastra. He regularly attended the nightly Chandramoulishwara Puja performed by the Jagadguru. During this Puja, he also chanted the entire Krishna Yajur Veda Moola and the entire Yajur Veda Krama.
Sri Prasada Sharma always had a pleasing and helpful demeanor. Stories about his intelligence and learning capabilities spread quickly. Soon, other students started seeking his help. While pursuing his own learning, he also began teaching the Vedas, Sanskrit literature and Tarka Shastra to other students. He subsequently began his studies in Vedanta under the Jagadguru.
Through these five and half years of intense study (2009-15) under the direct tutelage of the Jagadguru, Sri Prasada Sharma became steeped in the Vedic tradition and blossomed in many ways as a student, scholar, teacher and devotee. The Jagadguru was pleased by his Guru Bhakti, devotion to God, deep immersion in his studies, scholarship and respect towards elders. He was beloved by all and had developed a strong inner core of dispassion and discrimination for pursuing a spiritual path.
Conclusion
The Srungeri Guru Parampara lineage has been central to the preservation and growth of Sanatana Dharma. The induction of Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamiji is therefore an event of historic importance to followers of Sanatana Dharma throughout the world.
Jaya Jaya Sankara, Hara Hara Sankara
Guru’s grace continues. Truly blessed.
Kanchi & Sringeri comparison were there even during Mahaswami time. In fact Pujyasri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, even visited Sringeri, to stop this kind of bickering among the devotees. The so called “Devotees”, out of ignorance, think one mutt is superior. In fact Kanchi mutt is the “Mother of all Sankara Mutts”. One can see Kanchi Mutt letter head saying ” Moolamnaya Peetam” meaning root of all.
Sir thankyou it was a big event and the speakers should have done the home work
Namaskarams to all Peetams and Acharyas.
Thank you Mr.T.N. Sankaran. This is an added details to ” Moolamnaya Peetam”. Copied from “Vasantha Panchami”. Just highlighting.
For all sanathana dharma and Adi Acharya devotees, tomorrow is a very important day. On this auspicious day, Adi Acharya received spatika lingams from Lord Shiva from Kailash and established five sankara matams in India.
Adi Sankara’s yatra to Kailasa, the abode of Lord Siva, is one of the most notable events in the history of the Acharya. During the course of his peregrination in the Himalayan region, Sankaracharya desired to have darshan of Sri Paramesvara having his abode in Kailas. Sankara managed to reach Kailas quickly because of His yogic power. He had darshan of Lord Paramesvara and Devi Parvati. According to tradition, Sankara adored Paramesvara by singing two hymns, known as “Sivapadadi-kesanta stotram” and “Sivakesadi-padanta stotram”. Immensely pleased with Sankara’s prayers, Paramesvara blessed Sankara, presented him with five sphatika (crystal) lingas and instructed him to arrange for the worship of the lingas for the sake of the welfare of the universe, indicating also the mode of worship. Paramesvara also handed over to Sankara the palm-leaf manuscript of Soundarya Lahari, which is noted as Siva’s own hymn in praise of the Parasakti. From available biographical information, it is learnt that Sankaracharya placed one of the five sphatika lingas got at Kailas and kept the Yoga Linga for his own personal worship and that of his successors at Kanchi. (Source:: http://www.kamakoti.org)
It is also believed that Lord Nandhikeswara ate the manuscripts of last 51 slokas of Soundarya Lahari that was composed on Parvathi by Lord Parameswara Himself. Sri Sankaracharya returned with the first 49 stanzas and the Lingams. Acharya was sad that he lost half of Soundaryalahiri. In his prayers, Uma Devi blessed Him to write the remainder of the slokas to complete it Himself! The sphatika Lingams are Eswara Swaroopams and Soundaryalahiri is Devi Swaroopam. There is another version of the story around Soundarya Lahari where ambal gave pratyaksha darshanam to acharyal when He was in meditation that prompted Him to write the beauty of ambal as Soundarya Lahari.
The five lingams Acharya obtained are Mukti Lingam, Vara Lingam, Moksha Lingam, Bhoga Lingam and Yoga Lingam. The Mukti Lingam was consecrated at Badhrinath in Uttarakhand. The Vara Lingam was consecrated at Neelakantha Dakshinamurthi_Adi_Sankara_PeriyavaKshetram in Nepal. The Moksha Lingam was consecrated at Chadambaram in Tamil Nadu. The Bhoga Lingam was consecrated at Kudali in Karnataka & The Yoga Lingam was consecrated at Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu.
Mahaperiyava established a practice to celebrate this day in a grand manner in our Sri Matam and started distributed laddus on this day as prasadam to all devotees. Even during Mahaperiyava’s padha yatra days, this was done in all the places He stayed during yatra. Even today, this tradition continues in Sri Matam.
Given the fact that tomorrow is a weekend, devotees in and around Chennai, please plan to go to Sri Matam attend Lord Chandramouleeswarar puja to get the blessings. Others should spend time to pray Adi Acharya and bless us with gnanam. Nothing can please Mahaperiyava than worshipping Adi Acharya.
Don’t forget to chant Thotakashtakam & Adi Shankara Ashotram tomorrow.
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara
I am really blessed to have Darshan of both Acharyars. Thanks a bunch Mahesh!
அத்வைத தத்துவமாகிய ” ஏகன் அநேகநாகி அநேகன் ஏகனாகின்றான்” Mahaperiyava Charanam.
Thanks brother Mahesh, for this posting. The photos are perfect and eye-catching, which shows your love towards our Dharma. I was fortunate to watch almost all events yesterday in Sankara channel. The Patnapravesam was also unique in the night. Let us all pray to Shri Jagaamba & Shri Chandramouleeswara to unite us all together . Vade Bharata Mataram || Vande Veda Mataram ||
Let us not get into any controversy like Kanchi mutt, Shringeri Mutt etc. Let us be true to the Great Shankaracharya. He is the one to be seen in all these Acharyas be of Kanchi or Shringeri. Let us leave this matter to individuals
Dear Sir that was i was pointing out the speakers if you heard them carefully deep respect to Shrigeri acharya i only said somewere i felt sad hearing the speakers
Yes. Great Tradition kept alive. I could not stop tears when both the swamiji s went inside the sanctum sanctorum of Godess Sharadamba. What a great parampara Shankaracharya started1!!
May Divine Blessings through the Great Acharyas be bestowed on our beloved Great Country and the whole World march towards a phase of Eternal Bliss, Peace and Prosperity and guided by the Great lineage of Acharyas, Rishis Saints and Gurus belonging to various sects of this great Country….
Shri Singeri Sharada Peetam is now going to be decorated by the presence two Aacharyaas.Shri Bharathi Theertha Mahaa Swamigal who took to Sanyasa under the Great Saint Shri Abinava VidyaaTheertha in early 1970s.I am reminded of the darshan of Shri Sannidhanam when the Aacharyaas.shri visited Shri Kapaleeshwara temple.The love i felt from both the saints was beyond words.I felt the same when Sri Vidhusekara Bharathi Swamigal offered Pada Pooja to Shri Bharathi Theertha.In the evening itself in the anugrahabaashanam Shri Mahaa Sannidhanam has claimed that the choice of Shri Vidhusekara was made by Mother Sharadhaamba Herself and he had no role to play. I thank Maheshji for posting this rare event in this site.Lots of Love.Muraliji.
Yesterday I saw the event live on TV blessed seeing it,Same time felt sad somewere when most of the speakers were telling about the four mathas only and did not mention about kanchi,
Sir, I too had the same feeling when watched the speech of Mr.Gowrishankar
Thankyou for your opinion i did not highlight it the speakers were speaking indirectly how sringeri madam was out of all contorversies than rest of all sad part in the Great event which is very rare also the lady speaker speech was double meaning
Varadharajan ji,
Kanchi Mutt is the root. Dakshina amnaya means Southern region. Kanchi is the Moolamnaya peetam. Also people in the Kanchi Sankara mutt circle know, that there is a Sringeri Mutt at Kootali, Karnataka, which is a senior mutt. There is a belief that Sringeri mutt is branch of Kanchi that was started by Vidyaranya Swamigal (one of the Kanchi Sankaracharya who travelled to Karnataka). Vidyaranya Swamigal is also believed to be Abinava Sankara. Vidyaranya swamigal is the saint who was behind the Hindu Dynasty (Vijaya nagara Saamrajyam) after Malikabur invasion of South India.
Just my two cents and please forgive me, if I am factually incorrect.
thank you sir i do not know the history but i have a great respect for the acharyals and feel bad if the comparison comes.
I am reminded of Balaperiyava’s initiation into Sanyasa Asrama.
Dear Sri Mahesh, Thanks a ton for Posting and sharing this noble picture…
Sri Gurubhyonmamha…
1/23/15
Very, very moving to read the article. I am touched by the young person taking sanyasa ashrama at this very young age. Divine person. May all these spiritual leaders inspire/guide us to follow the Sanathana Dharma.
vj