The Sringeri Sharada Peetham's presiding seer, Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamy, recently engaged in devotional observances at the Srisailam temple, culminating in prayers offered to Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramaramba. This visit, occurring on Monday, March 9th, saw temple officials orchestrate traditional honors, including a 'Purnakumbham' welcome, in acknowledgment of the pontiff's presence. During his time at the temple, the Swamy shared insights into the tenets of 'Sanatana Dharma', the historical significance of the Srisailam temple, and expounded upon the devotional verses known as 'Sivananda Lahari' and 'Soundarya Lahari'.
The pontiff's activities at Srisailam also encompassed a more structural, rather than solely spiritual, undertaking. He provided "divine guidance" for the consecration of new idols of Adi Shankaracharya and Sharadamba at the Phaladhara–Panchadhara shrine, a sub-temple of the Srisailam Devasthanam. This ceremony, which formed part of a three-day religious program beginning March 6th, was attended by key temple figures including Executive Officer M Srinivasa Rao. The consecration involved specific rituals such as Dhanyadhivasa, Pushpadhivasa, Shayadhivasa, and Adhivasa homams.
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Successor-Designate's Role
Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Swamy holds the position of Shankaracharya, specifically the Uttara Peetadhipathi or successor-designate, of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. His spiritual lineage traces back to his guru, Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal. From a young age, Vidhushekhara Bharati reportedly received extensive instruction in the Vedas and Shastras, demonstrating proficiency in reciting sacred texts like the Bhagavatham and a talent for Sanskrit. His own guru is said to have been drawn to his spiritual bearing, selecting him as a disciple.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham's Philosophical Stance
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham, as represented through its teachings, emphasizes certain core philosophical concepts. These include the immutable nature of the soul (Atma), described as impervious to conventional physical forces such as cutting, burning, wetting, or drying, thereby being "changeless, all-pervading, stable, immovable and eternal." The institution also appears to address contemporary spiritual disconnect, noting that "God is altogether ignored and this is the cause of all our suffering and misery." Furthermore, a cautionary note is struck against intellectual hubris, asserting that "No man is omniscient. Hence man should not have the ego that he knows all. It is ego that leads man astray and drives him to commit sins."
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