[Chaturamnaya] Life and Teachings of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswamigal - 8

[S Jayanarayanan]

 (Continued from previous post)

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

PART 4. UNPARALLED GURU BHAKTI

Numerous were the differences between the Paramacharya and the Acharya. The Paramacharya never
laughed and only smiled while the Acharya always had a smiling face and laughed freely.
The Paramacharya was never interested in non-Sastraic matters while the Acharya had a variety
of interests and was full of life. The Paramacharya attained perfection by treading the path of
Vichara while our master did it by ascending the heights of Yoga.

Such temperamental differences, however, posed no bar to their intimacy produced by mutual love.
The bond between the Paramacharya and our Guru was beyond comparison. The Acharya was ever ready
to serve his Guru and never stood on any form of prestige.

Since 1923, the Paramacharya began periodically to enter into a state, frequently referred to as
Antarmukha Avastha. During these periods his behavior was unpredictable. This change in all his
actions and habits was disconcerting to the common people. Though he remained without food or
sleep days together, these never affected him. He was ever beaming with spiritual lustre.
However, the body showed signs of emaciation.

Exemplary Care

During such moods the Paramacharya had to be attended on with particular care. Sometimes he used to
go away into the riverbank and people feared he might drown himself or move away into the forest.
Acharya used to bring back his Guru to the safe interior of Sacchidananda Vilas. The Acharya's
exemplary care of his master is itself sufficient testimony to his boundless devotion to the Guru.

As a truly realized Advaitin the Paramacharya had equal vision, but nevertheless did not hesitate
to exhibit his regard for the Acharya openly. He had also told the Acharya directly that he regarded
him as his Guru remanifest.

As the Acharya's studies in Tarka (logic) progressed, Paramacharya insisted that his disciple
speak regularly in the annual Vidvat Sadas (assembly of scholars) held during the Chaturmasyam.
The Acharya used to rehearse on a chosen topic and would be assisted by the Paramacharya,
whenever necessary. But with the passage of time, the need for prior rehearsal ceased.

In 1936, it was decided that the Acharya proceed to Bangalore and stay there for some time,
concentrating on his studies under Sri Ramachandra Sastri. The separation between the
Acharya and Paramacharya lasted two years. However, they communicated with each other frequently
through letters. After Acharya's return to Sringeri in 1938, Paramacharya had to leave on a tour
without him. The interchange of soul stirring letters continued.

(To be continued)
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