[Chaturamnaya] Life and Teachings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswamigal - 15

[S Jayanarayanan]

 (Continued from previous post)

http://svbf.org/journal/vol4no2/teachings.pdf

Phenomenal Memory

He had a phenomenal memory. Asked about the accuracy of his recollections relating to numerous
apparently trivial details, he clarified, "I used to remember details of all works that were
carried out in my presence. In fact, I could even recall the exact number of nails used for a
particular task as also the number of strokes with which each nail was driven in, provided the
task was done in my presence."

His kindness finds manifestation even when punishment had to be meted out to an erring staff.
On an occasion an employee of the Mutt was extremely careless and this resulted in a substantial
loss. The administrator decided to recover the lost amount from the concerned staff's salary and
suitably fixed a recovery rate. When he reported the matter to the Acharya, his heart melted in
compassion and he said, "I concede that punishment has to be given but what you have imposed is
too much. Care should be taken to ensure that no trouble is caused to his family and himself.
You have been recovering some fine until now. That is sufficient. No further recovery is
necessary."

 
Interest in the Environment

The Acharya had special interest in trees, fields, gardens and protection of the environment.
On the occasion, the Acharya gave advice about rose plants to the gardener at the Bangalore Mutt.
The gardener heeded Acharya's suggestions and was thrilled to find reward soon. Unfortunately for
him, the Acharya had left for Sringeri before he could convey the glad tidings to him.

Undeterred, he left for Sringeri in a Mutt lorry. By the time he reached Sringeri, the plant had
fully bloomed and he was all the more enthusiastic about showing it to the Acharya. As he approached
the Acharya's place of stay, the Acharya was conversing with some disciples.

Upon seeing the gardener with the pot he got up and came rushing down the steps to see the flower.
He asked the gardener to place the pot on the ground and bent and lovingly stroked the rose.
He called the disciples and explained in detail about the beautiful flower.

A devoted lady once carried a special variety of rose plant that bore flowers with spotted pink
petal. She presented it to the Acharya, explaining the difficulties she encountered while growing it.
Imagine her surprise during her next visit when she found a number of such roses being offered for
night puja! Noticing her, the Acharya presented two of them to her with his bewitching smile.

Many of the Acharya's devotees who have been fortunate to walk with him in the lush green forests
of Narasimahavanam, have observed how he used to get delighted at the enchanting scenery nature has
gifted to Sringeri. He used to keep his palms joined and utter the ninth verse of Dakshinamurti Stotram.
In that verse, nature is spoken of as a constituent of God's form. Is this not a case of
one Master appreciating the work of another?

(To be continued)
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