[Chaturamnaya] Life and Teachings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswamigal - 21

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from previous post)





http://svbf.org/journal/vol4no3-4/teachings.pdf





Premonition of End





The Acharya’s speeches also subtly reflected the recognition that the time to relinquish the mortal
coil was nearing. For instance, in 1986 at Chennai he said, “Brahman shines in the form of
consciousness. If one were to get the direct realization of this entity one will fulfill the
purpose of a human birth. This is what the scriptures say. Experience is also like that. The more
absorbed we become in Brahman the more we realize all that is happening in the universe is merely
an illusory sport.”




Again, in Bangalore in July 1989, his benedictory discourse was spoken from the standpoint of a
Knower of Truth. Uncommonly, he even commented on this holy address to a disciple at Sringeri,
in August 1989.




He said, “I remember that, while at Bangalore, I went one day to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
That morning, I had been in Nirvikalpa Samadhi for a long period of time. Though I engaged in my
normal activities, my mind was particularly indrawn that day. Perhaps, that is why I spoke about
the viewpoint of a Knower of Truth and about Samadhi. I now get a feeling that I shall not be
discoursing on those lines again.”





Final Days





>From the second week of September 1989, he was not well. During this time, he asked his secretary
to read to him, texts like Mohamudgara, Siva Maanasapuja Stotram and Brahmanuchintanam. He said,
“Instead of mourning and wailing when one is sick, one can read holy works, such as these. This is
what my Guru has taught me. But now I not able to read, and so you read them out to me.”




In the early hours of the morning of September 21, 1989, he experienced chest pain and uttered
“Narayana.” His assistant came running. The Acharya’s first reaction was, “Have I spoken so loudly
that I woke you up?” The characteristic of extreme compassion never deserted him even then.
During the latter half of the morning he shed his mortal coil.




The Acharya did not live to see the bridge across the Tunga completed. Small matter though, for is
he not, himself, the ultimate bridge enabling his disciples to cross the ocean of transmigratory
existence?





(To be continued)