[Advaita-l] JAGADGURU SRI CHANDRASEKHARA BHARATI MAHASWAMI – MYSTIC AND SEER - 2

[S Jayanarayanan]

 (Continued from previous post)
 
 
(Book condensation from Tattvaloka, July 1999, Volume XXII No. 2 )
 
http://www.svbf.org/journal/vol5no1-2/mystic.pdf
 
Guru Lineage
 
Of the long lineage of Jagadgurus of Sringeri
Sharada Peetha, dating back to the eighth
century, only three of them were born in
Sringeri, Karnataka. They are the 31st, 32nd and
34th Pontiffs, the last being Sri Chandrasekhara
Bharati Mahaswami.
 
Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami
belongs to the rare category of those who are
born to teach, born to be exemplars of mankind.
He spent most of his 62 years in Sringeri. Except
for his two tours—in 1924-1927 and 1938-1940—
he was at Sringeri. The Kala Bhairava temple
had a special fascination for him. One finds the
peace  of  the  place  in  the  Jagadguru’s
countenance, in his unhurried steps and, in fact,
in everything he did.
 
Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Mahaswami was
born in a family noted for its godliness, strict
observance of scriptures and vast erudition. His
grandfather, Eswari Subba Sastri had performed
kotilinga archana along with mahanyasa. He was
a medhavi — a man of profound intellect and
great detachment. Though his only son, Gopala
Sastri, could not match his father in his erudition,
he outshone him in his detachment. Gopala
Sastry’s wife Lakshamma was a true pativrata.
 
Though 11 children were born to them, each
of them died in their infancy. Gopala Sastry bore
this series of misfortunes with great fortitude
and courage. But even he, for all his deep sense
of true religious spirit, could not help feeling the
pangs of sorrow in his heart. Some suggested
that a pilgrimage to Gokarna would solve their
problem.
 
The couple sought the blessings of Sri
Narasimha Bharathi Mahaswami, whom they
looked up to for everything. When they met the
Acharya, due to his spiritual insight, he could
see the happy events in store not only to their
family but also for the Peetha. It is said that the
Acharya, while assuring them of the success of
their pilgrimage, added that it would be in the
best interest of their to-be-born son to be
dedicated to Goddess Sharadambal.
 
When the couple reached Gokarna they were
in the best possible spiritual mood. On being told
that their horoscope indicated putra dosha, they
performed the necessary propitiatory rites. Then,
on the Sivaratri day, which they spent in prayer
and fasting, their minds dwelt on the parents of
Adi Sankara. Had not Sivaguru and Aryamba
similarly worshipped Lord Siva with great
devotional fervour, also on a Sivaratri day
centuries earlier, for a son? Had not the great
Lord Vrishabesvara granted their boon? Would
they not be similarly blessed by Mahabalesvara?
 
One night Mahabalesvara appeared in the
dreams of Gopala Sastri and Lakshamma, and
assured them that they would be blessed with
an illustrious son. Their hearts were filled with
ecstacy.
 
 
(Continued in next post)