[Advaita-l] Teachings on the Vijaya Yatra - Use a Healthy Body to Seek the Truth

[S Jayanarayanan]

http://vijayayatra.sringeri.net/vijayayatra/vathalagundu-april-20-21-2017/
 
VATHALAGUNDU: APRIL 20-21, 2017
Jagadgurus at Vathalagundu
 
ARRIVAL
 
Sri Mahasannidhanam and Sri Sannidhanam arrived at Vathalagundu in the evening of April 20, 2017 to a reverential welcome. In His Anugraha Bhashanam,
Sri Sannidhanam said that man’s desires must be regulated by Dharma as instructed by the Lord – धर्माऽविरुद्धो भूतेषु कामोस्मि भरतर्षभ. Sri Sannidhanam explained
that man must engage in action to fill his stomach, eat to sustain his body, and use the fit body to seek the Truth – the Truth which liberates from
being born again into this ocean of Samsara –
 
  आहारार्थं कर्म कुर्यादनिन्द्यम्
  कुर्यादाहारं प्राणसंरक्षणार्थम् ।
  प्राणा रक्ष्याः तत्त्वजिज्ञासार्थम्
  तत्त्वं जिज्ञास्यं येन भूयो न जन्म ॥
 
Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam talked about the greatness of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Sri Mahasannidhanam then narrated the story of
King Dileepa who initially disrespected the heavenly cow Kamadhenu and then diligently served Kamandhenu’s calf Nandini. Sri Mahasannidhanam said that
one must never disrespect Mahatmas who have shown us the path of welfare, and must remain grateful to them.
 
TEMPLE VISITS & BIRTHPLACE OF 25th SRINGERI JAGADGURU
 
The following morning, Sri Sannidhanam visited the Kashi Vishwanatha temple, Sringeri Sri Siddhi Vinayakar temple and the Goshala.
 
Thereafter Sri Sannidhanam visited the town of Kunnuvarankottai, the birthplace of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Bharati, the 25th Acharya of the Peetham.
Sri Sannidhanam first visited the Sri Sri Sri Sacchidananda Bharati Swamigal Dhyana Mandapam and then had Darshan at the Vishalakshi Vishwanathar temple.
Devotees conducted a public function in the temple premises to welcome the Jagadguru. Sri Sannidhanam blessed the devotees with an Anugraha Bhashanam.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam given on the occasion, Sri Sannidhanam stated that it is most apt to revere a Mahatma by consecrating His birthplace.
Sri Sannidhanam then proceeded to narrate that recently, work had been taking place at the birthplace of His Guru, Sri Mahasannidhanam, in Machilipatnam
in Andhra Pradesh. To the amazement of all, Sri Sannidhanam revealed that as the land was being dug to lay the foundation for a proposed structure at the
place, an ancient Vigraha of Sri Anjaneya has been found. This is indicative of the fact that the very birthplace of Mahatmas happens at holy spots.
These spots will then have to be revered. Sri Sannidhanam praised the residents of the village for constructing a Dhyana Mandapam in memory of the
25th Sringeri Acharya, and blessed the assembled gathering.
 
Later the Ubhaya Jagadgurus gave Darshan to devotees at Vathalagundu. Devotees offered Bhiksha Vandanam and performed Pada Puja. The Jagadguru started from
Vathalagundu in the evening towards Kodaikanal.