Guru Parampara

sada shiva samarambham shankaracharya madhyamam !
asmadacharya paryantham vande guru paramparam !!

I greet every on the ocassion of Guru Purnima or Vyasa Purnima. It is celebrated on ashada paurnima every year. On this day Sage Veda Vyasa was born to Matsyagrandhi (Satyavayi) & Sage Parashara on an island in river Ganga.

Our Guru Parampara is (Sringeri & Other Amnaya Peethams of Adwaitha Sampradaya):

Divine Group :

1. Lord Shiva in the form of Dakshina Murthy
2. Narayana or Lord Maha Vishnu
3. Brahma

Semi Divine Group:
1. Vashista
2. Shakti
3. Parashara
4. Vyasa
5. Shuka
6. Gauda Pada
7. Govinda Bhagavathpada
8. Shankara Bhagavathpada

Jagadugurus (Sringeri Tradition):
1. Shankaracharya
2. Sureshwaracharya
....
12. Vidyaranya Tirtha (Sage who built & mentored Vijaya Nagara Kingdom)
....
32. Sri Nrusimha Bharathi
33. Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusihma Bharathi
34. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi
35. Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha
36. Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamigal (Present)

Dakshina Murthy is a form of Shiva. He gives us knowledge. Since he is giver of knowledge / Gnanam, he has no agnanam. Daskha thought Shiva did not respect him & tried to do a Yagam with out Shiva. As a result of which, his Yagam was disrupted, his human head was burnt and Sati Devi left her body. Daksha was given with head of a Goat / lamb (Aja Mukham - Pashu Prayam - like an animal).

So, if we try to disrespect knowledge givers or Gurus, it means that we are behaving like animals. Animals can not distinguish between Good & bad. But Humans can. Also, it implies that we are doing an act which is equal to eating grass and following a flock of sheep.

Dakshina Murthy sits under a Vata Vruksham in Dhyanam facing South. He does not speak a single word. Sages sit under the tree facing him for gnanam. Dakshina Murthy is younger and Sages are old. With out opening his mouth, Dakshina Murthy transfers knowledge to the knowledge seekers. Even Shishyas spend time in silent meditation in front of him.

Maha Vishnu obtained knowledge from Dakshina Murthy which he passed on to Lord Brahma who was born in the lotus from Nabhi of Maha Vishnu.

People who chant Vishnu Sahasram know the shlokam "Vyasam Vashishta naptaram ..". It describes Guru Parampara & Family of Vashishta.

Brahma started "Srushti" - process of creation. He created Vashishta from his "Manassu". Brahma asked Vashishta to take part in Srushti process by becoming "Prajapathi". Vashihsta was born with Vairagya and refused to become Prajapathi & chose the way of "Tapassu". Vashishta is first among Saptarushi's. His wife is Arundhathi. The newly married couple will be shown Arundhathi star at the end of marriage ceremony. She has "Akshaya Kumkuma" & Jasmin flowers that never fade. A newly married girl needs both of them for rest of her life. That is the greatest wealth she possesses on this earth.

Vashishta's son is Shakti. Shakti Maharshi died (I think in rivalry between Vashishta & Vishwa Mitra.) . Vashishta wanted to commit suicide by jumping into water. He tied himself with ropes & creepers. He jumped into Ganga. Ganga dried immediately and appeared as woman infront of him. She told him that she can not take away the life of Vashishta. Then he saw Shakti's wife who was carrying. The male baby inside her womb was chanting Vedam. The baby learnt from father inside mothers womb.

Vashishta took care of the baby after his birth. He was named Parashara. Parashara is great sage. Once he wanted to cross river Ganga. He went to nearby fisherman's kings house to arrange for a boat. The fisherman was eating food. He asked his daughter to help Parashara. Her name is Satyavathi. She was also called as Matysagrandhi as her body smelled of fish. She was found inside stomach of a fish.

Satyavathi was very beatiful. She helped Parashara to cross Ganga. While crossing Ganga, Parashara wanted to have a son with Satyavathi.

Sathyavathi accepted - but asked for 2 boons:

1. Her body should smell of pure Gandham for a distance of 1 Yojanam (10 miles).
2. She has to remain a "Kanya" even after sleeping with sage Parashara. Also, others should not see when they sleep together.

Parashara gave those boons. They slept on a small sand island in Ganga river. He created fog so that others can not see them. Vyasa was born as a result through a process called "Sadyoda Garbham". He was black in color and was named Krushna Dwaipayana. Sathyavathi's body lost the odor of fish & started smelling chandanam. The smell could be felt for a distance of 1 yojanam, hence the name Yojana Grandhi.

Vyasa was born as 5 year old boy (not 1 day baby). He had vairagya & vedic knoweldge. He left with his father. He told his mother that He would come to her when ever she thinks of him in her mind.

Vyasa later on divided Vedas into 4, wrote 18 purana's & Maha Bharatham. He likes Badarika Phalam (Regu Pandu). He lives in Badarika Vanam and got the name Badarayana. Vyasa lived in present day "Basara" for many years. Mahan Kali, Maha Lakshmi & Maha Saraswathi in Basara are installed & worshipped by Vyasa. Basara's original name is Vyasapuri.

Vyasa's son is Shuka. Shuka was born with out involvement of women. Vyasa did penance for 1000 years & Shiva gave him boon that son will be born to him. He returned to Himalaya's thinking of woman to give birth to a son. There was Apsarasa named Ghruthachi in sky. He was generating fire in "Arani" in Vedic way. He looked at her. She was scared and assumed the form of a parrot (Shuka Pakshi). He was staring at her and had "Veerya Skalanam" - {sperms came out of his body}. His veeryam fell on churning "Arani" and a handsom young boy took birth while churning his "Veeryam". He had parrot color body, parrot beak like nose and spoke as sweetly as a parrot. He was named Shuka. Shuka narrated Bhagavatham to us.

Shuka is avadhotha & continuously roams. He does not wear clothes and he has no distinction of men & women.

Shuka's direct disciple is Gaudapadacharya. Gaudapada lived for 5000 years. He is the first person to write commentary on Upanishad's in Adwaitha Sampradaya. He wrote "Karika's" on "Mandukyopanishad". We call them as Gaudapadiya Karikas. Gauda Saraswath Brahmins of Chitrapur, Konkan Region claim that Gaudapada belongs to their community.

Gaudapada's shishya is Govinda Bhagavathpada. He used to live on the Bank of Narmada river. He lived for 2000 years. He is the Guru of Shankaracharya. He taught 4 vedas and Brahma Sutrams to Shankaracharya in 4 years.

Shankaracharya wrote commetaries for Brahmasutra's, Upanishads, Vishnu Sahasram, many independent works like Viveka Chudamani & stotrams like Dakshina Murthy Stotram.

Shankaracharya established 4 mutts - Puri, Sringeri, Dwaraka & Badari.

The Guru parampara in Sringeri is an unbroken lineage from Dakshina Murthy.

Guru can give you every thing in 3 worlds. Bali Chakravarthy conquered 3 worlds with Anugraham of his Guru - Shukracharya. When Guru anugraham was lost, even Bali Chakravarthy lost his control over 3 worlds to Vamana Murthy.

"Pooja moolam guror padam;
Mantra moolam guror vakyam;
Moksha moolam guror kripa "

The feet of guru should be worshipped & meditated up on. Guru's words should be taken as sacred Mantra's & Guru krupa will ensure us the Moksham.

You should not see if Guru is younger to you or older to you. Dakshina Murthy stotram tells that Guru is young and Shishya are old. Even Shankara - Sureswhara is Young Guru - Old Shishya combination. You have to worship Guru all the time - with out any hesitation. You can visit Guru even with out taking bath if you are in deep trouble.
Guru paduka will give you gnanam, aishwaryam and moksham.

Let us all worship Guru on this Guru Purnima day !

With humble pranams at lotus feet of Jagadguru Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamigal

- Nachiketha

Mandana Mishra Panditha / Sureshwaracharya - First Pontiff of Sringeri

There lived a scholar named Kumarila Bhattu in present day Prayaga. He had great faith in Veda's. In 8th century, nastika vada's and anti vedic traditions were conquering India. Some of traditions are Baudda, Jaina, Charuwaka etc. He wanted to know what nastika's were doing. So, he went joined a baudda aarama in diguise. He was learning what nastika's were propagating against Veda's.

One day, when Baudda guru was making anti vedic comments, tears fell down from his eye and all present over there witnessed it. So, Baudda's spied on him and found that Kumarila Bhatta was pro Vedas. When he was sleeping, buddist monks pushed him from top of a hill. Some people say that he was thrown out from top of huge building. He woke up and realized that he was in air. He sreamed "If Vedas are pramana (eternal), I would survive."

Surprisingly, he survived. He simply lost one eye. There was no other physical damage to him. This so because he used "If" in his words. Had he said "Vedas are eternal and I would survive", he would not have lost his eye also.

Buddist monks saw this and realized that Vedas are eternal. They committed suicide. Many buddist monks died.

Since Kumarila Bhatta is indirect cause for those deaths and He also went in disguise to Buddist monks, he wanted to leave his body through "Prayopavesham". "Pryayopavesham" is the vedic way of committing suicide. One way is to go to a forest and sit there meditating on god. Some cruel animal would come and it would kill him for pray. The person should not resist the wild animal.

He entered "Tushaagni". That means he was sitting on bank of Ganga. He covered himself with husk. Or He sat in between heap of Husk and fire was put to the husk. The fire slowly spreads and kills the person finally.

Adi Shankara, as per directions of Veda Vyasa, he started propagating Adwaitha as described in scriptures. He reached Prayaga and wanted to debate with Kumarila Bhatta - a very great scholar in Purva and Uttara Mimamsa's of Vedas.

Purva mimansa talks about Karma Kanda and Uttara mimamsa speaks about Gnana Kanda. Kumarila Bhattu was considered the greatest scholar in Mimamsa's in those days. He was doing prayopavesham in between in fire of husk. Shankara went and met him. Shankara asked him to come out of that fire and debate with him. Shankara promised Kumarila Bhattu that he would grant Kumarila Bhattu Moksha finally.

Kumarila Bhattu disagreed and he wants to get rid of all his negative actions in the present birth and get rid of all sins. Kumarila Bhattu wanted Shankara to go to Mahishmati Pattanam in Kashmir & meet his prime disciple Mandana Mishra Panditha.

So Shankara went to Mahishamati through his yoga shakti to meet Mandana Mishra. Mandana Mishra is very big scholar. He is an avatara of Chaturmukha Brahma. It was curse of Durvasa muni that Brahma had birth of Mandana Mishra. His wife's name is Ubhaya Bharathi. She is an incarnation of Saraswathi. He learnt from Jaimini - prime diciple of Veda Vyasa.

Mandana Mishra believed in Karma margam. He used to believe firmly that his actions would give him moksha. He did not have respect for Sannyasi's. The parrots in house used to debate on various topics of Vedantha ! So you can imagine how great scholar he was !

The day Shankara reached Mandana Mishra's house, the latter was performing Shradda of his father. He closed all the doors of his house so that others can not come and see the ritual. Veda Vyasa & Jaimini were Bhoktas in Shraddam. Thats the Shakti of Mandana Mishra.

As per Sastra, a brahmin can not eat in front of non brahmins. He can not perform Shradda karma in presence of nastika's and other caste people. Also, we can not perform Shraddam in presence of a Sannyasi.

Shankara entered the house of Mandana Mishra through roof top using his Yoga Shakti. Thats possible through certain Yoga practices & Sri Vidya Upasana. You can enter closed buildings, visit different places with mano & vaayu vegam.

Mandana Mishra had zero respect for Sanyasi's. He used to think that Sanyasa is way to escape from rituals and responsibilities. As he was performing Shradda Karma, he should not get angry. He should remain calm. Else, pitru devatha's will not be happy. Any pitru karma will have mantra "akrudhani shauchani hi " - Means with out anger and with full neatness. This will be chanted repeatedly many times. Also, brahmacharyam is needed.

So, Mandana Mishra can not have any anger. But he doesnt like sanyasi's as they dont have yagnopavitam, waist thread (mola thadu) and Shikha Mudi. They will be tied to the "dandam" (stick) they hold in their hand. For a gruhasta or brahmachari, the yagnopavitam & mola thadu will be removed after death and just before "Dahana Karma".

They had very interesting conversation. We watch lot movies and lot of them have double meanings with filth meaning. Their conversation also had two meanings, but none of them have filth meaning.

Example:

Mandana Mishra: Sura peetha (Meaning 1: Did you drink liquor (Kallu). Meaning 2: Is liquor yellow in colour)

Mandana mishra meant 1st meaning. Shankara took the second meaning.

Shankara: Sura na peetaha . Shwetah (Liquor is not yellow. It is white in colour.)

Mandana Mishra: How do you know the colour of Liquor ? You are a Sanyasi !

Shankara: I know only colour. But looks like you know the tatse !

Vyasa intervened and explained the importance of "Abhyagati". Abhyagati is a guest who visited our house with out our invitation and with out any prior notice. Athidhi is our guest whom we invited. Serving Abhyagati is great when compared serving Sanyasi. More over, Abhyagati is Vishnu Swaroopam. In Vamana Avataram, Vamana was Abhyagati to Bali Chakravarty. Vyasa tried to calm down Mandana Mishra.

Adi Shankara was requested to be Bhokta in Vishnu stanam. This clears that Sanyasi can be bhokta in Shraadaam in Vishnu stanam but not Vishwe Devara and Pitru stanams.

Shankara refused as there were other brahmins available.

Shankara was offered bhiksha at Mandana Mishra's house. Shankara refused to take prakruta bhiksha (food). Instead he wanted Vaada Bhikhsa (Debate).

The debate started next day. Mandana Mishra requested Vyasa to be the judge. Vyasa said "Let Ubhaya Bharathi be the judge". She is Mandana Mishra's wife. She was equally scholar to men. This incident clearly proves that women had equal right in India in anient times. They were well educated. Only foreign invasions spoiled rich culture and heritage of India.

Ubhaya Bharathi is a pativrata. She was never biased. She always gave proper judgments with out any partiality.

Many scholars came to their house to witness the debate. If Shankara looses in debate, He would become disciple of Mandana Mishra and get married in the life. If Manadana Mishra looses, he should become Sanyasi and disciple of Shankara. This was the bet of the debate.

Ubhaya Bharathi was judge and also she had to take care of all scholars who visited their house. She had to cook food for all & do other host services. So, she told that she would listen to their debate while doing house hold duties. In her absence, garlands will listen to the debate. She made two garlands and put them around the necks of Shankara and Mandana Mishra. The person whose garland would fade away is the looser.

After 21 days of debate, Mandana Mishra's garland faded. She gave verdict that Shankara won and her husband lost.

She told shankara that Shankara won only 50% Manadana Mishra. Since he is married, other 50% of him She her self. So Shankara should win against her.

They had deabted for 29 days. Ubhaya Bharathi was participant as well as judge for this debate. She realized that she was loosing. She knows that Shankara is a bala sanyasi. He took Sanyasa at the age of 8. So he does not know any thing about "kaama Satra". So She asked him about Kama Satra.

Shankara doesnt know anything. She gave him 30 days times to learn it and come back for debate.

At the same time King of Kashmir died. Shankara did parakaya pravesham in to King's body and learnt Kaama Sashtram from queens. His disciples protected his body in cave.

Few days later, queens realized that a Sanyasi did parakaya pravesham into kings body and learning sex. Because, they knew that king was expert at it, but why he is asking basics every night ! They informed the same to ministers. Some cowboys inform ministers that a monks body was getting protected in a cave. Ministers go and try to burn the body. But by that time Shankara learnt kamasastram from queens completely and goes back into his own body. By this time his hands & legs were burnt. He prays to Lord Laskmi Nrusihma through Karavalamba stuthi and gets back his hands and legs.

He goes back to Ubhaya Bharathi and debates with her about Kama sastram for 1 days. Finally she accepts that she lost. Mandana Mishra agrees to take Sanyasa. Adi Shankara ascended Sarvgna Peetham in Kashmir after this debate. This site is currently under protection by United Nations and is located in Pak Occupied Kasmir.

Ubhaya Bharathi wanted to finish her avatara and goes back to her abode. Shankara prays her and requests her to bless people on earth. Shankara, Mandana Mishra and Ubhaya Bharathi walked all the way from Kashmir to Sringeri. It is Ubhaya Bharathi who is blessing devotees as Sharadamba from Sringeri.

Mandana Mishra was given Sanyasa dikha and was given name "Sureshwara". He is the greatest scholar after Shankara in those times. He is elder to Shankara in age. He is also called as "Vartikacharya." He wrote commentary on Shankara's Brahma Sutra Bhashyam, Dakshina Murthy stotram. He is first jagadguru of Sringeri. His samadhi can be seen besides Sharadamba temple in Sringeri. His samadhi and Sharadamba temple share common wall.

Shankara - Sureshwara guru - shishya relation proves verse in Dakshina Murthy stotram - Guru is young and Shishya is old. It also proves that it has got nothing to do with age to accept a person as guru.

A Tribute to Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha

Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha was a sage, philosopher, able administrator and founder mentor of Vijaya Nagara Kingdom. He was Jagadguru of Sringeri Shanrada Peetham for a short span of 6 years from 1380 AD - 1386 AD. The Hindu Community of South India, Brahmin community in particular must be thank ful to Him for thier life time for the wealth He has given them. Had He not established Vijaya Nagara Kingdom, Hinduism in South India would have been wiped out by other religions in 14th century itself. It is the boon of Sri Vidyaranya to every brahmin in South India that he is able to perform Sandhya Vandanam every day as prescribed in scriptures.

Vidyaranya was born as Madhava in Ekashilapuri - the present day Warangal. Ekashilapuri was capital city of Kakatiya Kindom that ruled the present day Telangana before Nizams took over it. There is a huge shila or stone in that city. If you stand on that Shila, you can see entire city. Thats how the city got the name Ekashilapuri. We can find this stone even today. This city also had another name - Orugallu. He is hardly known to any common person in this region.

Madhava had a younger brother named Keshava. These two brothers adorned Sringeri Sharada Peetham one after the other - the younger being first with a yoga patta of Sri Bharathi Krishna Tirtha for 47 years (1333 AD - 1380 AD). To best of my knowledge, Keshava and Madhava are the only brothers who headed a major monastery in the world in any tradition.

It was Keshava who first left home and started travelling in South India in persuit of Atma Gnanam. Keshava finally reached Sringeri where Jagadguru Sri Vidya Shankara Tirtha Mahaswamigal readily accepted him as a disciple. The Jagadguru gave him Sannyasa deeksha with ascetic name of Sri Bharathi Krishna Tirtha in 1328 AD.

Some time later, Madhava also left home in search of his younger brother and reached Sringeri. Upon reaching Sringeri, He realized that Keshava was given Sanyasa Deekha. Madhava also took Sanyasa Deeksha under Sri Vidya Shankara Tirtha and was given ascetic name of Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha in 1331 AD. It is very clear that they both were brahma chari's before they took Sannyasa deeksha. In Sringeri Guru parampara, all Jagadguru's are Brahmachari's before they took Sannyasa with an exception of Sri Sureshwaracharya. It is also very rare that two sibblings accept Sannyasa deeksha.

In 1333 AD, Sri Vidya Shankara Tirtha entered lambika yoga after installing Sri Bharathi Krishna Teertha as Head of Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. Even though Sri Bharathi Krishna Tirtha was younger to Sri Vidyaranya, the former headed Sharada Peetham first by virtue of His seniority in accepting Sannyasa. After this, Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha went on for a Desha Sanchara - visiting holy places in India.

When Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha was meditating in Matanga Hills, two Kshatriya brothers - Harihara and Bukka approached Him. They were forcibly converted to Islam by Mohummad-bin-Tuglaq. Vidyaranya blessed them and converted them back to Hinduism. He guided them to build a new Hindu Empire to rule South India. This city was initially named as Vidyanagara in respect of Sri Vidyashankara Tirtha. Later on it became popular as Vijaya Nagara. The city is in the form of a Sri Chakra with Virupaksha temple at it's center. Since then, Sringeri Jagadguru's are called as "Karnataka Simhasana Pratishtapanacharya" .

Vidyaranya was Royal Guru, Minister & Mentor in Vijaya Nagara Kingdom. Once there was a draught in the empire. King Harihara approached Vidyaranya. Vidyaranya told the king that he would pray Goddess Lakshmi to shower gold in the kingdom. The king collected the gold that fell in his fort. What ever gold that fell in citizen's houses / farms was taken by the citizens. He worshipped Mahalaksmi using Kanakadhara Sthavam of Shankaracharya. In past 1400 years, there was a rain of gold only twice in India - first as requested by Adi Shankara & second being this incident of Sri Vidyaranya Tirtha.

The name Vidyaranya means forest of education. He had done justice to the name given to Him. He is the greatest among all scholars in Adwaitha philosophy in post Shankara period. Jagadguru has written more than 1800 works. When Vijaya Nagara kingdom collapsed, His disciples had hidden all His works in caves and under ground storages. Now only 80 works are available. Importantworks among them are Bhashyam (commentary) for 4 Vedas, Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam, Sarva Siddantha Sangraham, Vedantha Panchadashi and many others. He has given pointers on usage of various matra's on various ocassion. We see lot of self declared guru's using Veda Mantra's with out any knowledge in the present world.

He has given us the biography of Adi Shankara - Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam. There are many Shankara Vijayam's available to us in the literature. But most widely accepted biograpgy is Madhaviya Shankara Vijayam. Sarva Siddantha Sangraha compares Adwaitha philosophy with 16 other major schools of thought like Charvaka, Jaina & Bhauddha etc. It is not at all a criticism of those traditions.

Madhwa's argue that Vidyaranya was defeated in a debate with Akhyobhya Tirtha. I feel that it is a baseless statement. Vidyaranya was busy with establishing a Hindu Empire in South India. He had written 1800 vedantic works. I dont think that He would waste time in useless discussions. Added to this, Madhwa's say that Sri Vedanta Deshika, a Sri Vaishnava follower of Sri Ramanujacharya, was the Judge for this debate. The cooked up story mentions that the debate was on Mahavakya "Tatwamasi". Already Sri Ramanujacharya has written in favour of "Tatwamasi". I dont really think an ideal disciple would give his verdict againt His Guru's words. This story is completely a fake story. Vidyamanya Tirtha of Palimar Mutt, Udupi has been doing some thing similar in the recent past and declaring himself that he won against Jagadguru's of Sringeri. It is better if we dont spend much time on this topic.

During His time, many branches of Sringeri Mutt were established. They are Kudli Mutt, Virupakha Peetham in Hampi, Bandigade Mutt & Tirtha Mattur Mutt . Hariharapura - a small village near Sringeri is the agraharadonated by King Harihara. Hariharapura Mutt was established during the time of Sri Sureshwaracharya - the first Jagadguru of Sringeri. Vidya Shankara temple was constucted under his guidance.

Vidyaranya was a constructive force in the times he lived. He inculcated unity among the citizens of the region. Now a days, we find lot of self declared Swamiji's. They are more interested in money making business than real welfare of their visitors. The modern day self declared guru's have are interested to travel to Western countries & donations than spending time in Dhyana / Meditation. Vidyaranya was an ideal Guru. Even though He mentored Harihara & Bukka to establish a Kingdom that spanned whole South India, He never lived a luxurious life in Palaces. He lead 100% monastic life as prescribed by Vedas. Even though there was a rain of golden coins in Vijaya Nagara, He never touched a single gold coin. He is a role model for all of the present day Sannyasi's.

The vision of Sri Vidyaranya lead to preserving of Sanatana Dharma in South India. Other foriegn religions could not penetrate beyond Vindhya Mountains as they did in North India. This vision clearly lacks in present day selfish politicians. Vidyaranya's vision helped the integrity and soverignity of the region. He preserved the native's regions rich culture and tradition. The present day politics are divisive. Politicians do not possess even 1% of the vision of Vidyaranya. The politicians divide the people based on many factors for their personal benifits. Neither the rulers nor the ruled show any interest in preserving our rich Indian culture and tradition.

The democratic Governments of Karntaka & Andhra Pradesh are showing little interest in recognising Vidyaranya. As I mentioned in the beginning, people of Warangal & Telangana region hardly know Him. The hereditary democratic poloiticians encroach hundreds of acres of land in the name of trusts and memorials. But there is no memorial for Vidyaranya so far in Telangana region.

Vidyaranya is role model for all of us - youth, students, writers, rulers, administartors, vedantic scholars and Sannyasi's. He had been through all these phases in his life of 90+ years. Sri Vidya Shankara - Bharathi Krishna Tirtha - Vidyaranya period marks the rise of Sringeri Sharada Peetham and Sanatana Dharma in particular in South India.

Homage to this serene Vidyaranya, Who holds aloft the torch of discrimination, Knowledge of the Real form unreal and helps the devoted across the sea of birth!!

References:

1. Interview with Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamigal by Sri B Santosh Kumar.

2. Official website of Sringeri Sharada Peetham

3. Official website of Hampi Vidyaranya Mutt.

4. A talk on Vidyaranya in Bhakti TV by Brahmasri Mudigonda Shankara Sharma on April 11, 2009

5.Remembering Madhava Vidyaranya at Seriously Sandeep.

6. Vidya Tirtha Vilasa, Website of Kamakoti Bhakta Mandali.

Welcome to Nachiketha's Blog

Namaste !

Welcome to my blog on Adwaitha. There are multiple blogs / email groups on this particular topic over WWW and many experts have been posting their opinions.

I am a beginner in learning Vedantha and I will keep posting my views and ideas on this topic when ever I get some free time. All the readers must note that what ever is posted in this blog, is solely my personal view and do not intend to hurt any. More over, my intension is not to create any controversy. I don't claim myself as an expert and may commit some mistakes now and then !

My posts will be concentrated on following:

- Adi Shankaracharya - Sringeri - Tradition
- Adwaitha
- Chora Prasangam (Bhagavatham)
- Stree Prasangam (Ramayanam)
- Juda Prasangam (Maha Bharatham - Only Selected Topics)
- Upanishads (Katha, Kena and few Sanyasa Upanishads)

Thanks & I Hope Sringeri Jagadguru Showers infinite Blessings on me and all readers of this Blog !