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high philosophy.
Both theory and the akasa and ghata-akasa analogy are Sri Adi Sankara’s and only a mind that has not completely understood the concept of Truth gets confused that leads to arguments. The make-shift hall of ‘Sudharma’ (124, Dr. Radhakrishnan
Salai) where the Acharya is camping to observe Chatur Masya Vrata is packed, as Swamiji’s lecture draws both the lay and the elite. Sri Bharati
Vidya Tirtha, who is on Vijaya Yatra, is following in
the footsteps of his predecessors, who believed in educating the uninitiated.
A scholar, the Acharya’s talk in fluent Tamil is interspersed with apt quotations from several sources. At 15 he became an understudy of Sri
Abhinava Vidya Tirtha and ascended the throne as the 36
larger picture,” he says not without kindness.
Sri Bharati Vidya Tirtha is visiting Chennai after nearly 20 years. Does he find any change? “Well, from one place to another it took about 10 minutes but these days it takes 30,” laughs the Acharya referring to the heavy traffic, in a private interview.
Thousands throng temples and rituals are done
with a never-before fervour and frequency. But negative forces seem to be gaining the upper hand? In other words, life has become a challenge for those who tread the path of honesty. “Good and bad
have always co-existed,” observes the Acharya, gentle surprise lacing the tone. “Ravana lived at the same time as Rama. The latter went through immense sufferings because of the Lanka ruler.
Rishis doing penance were disturbed and hurt by
demons…”
But scriptures speak of divine intervention… “Sure. One must wait. Do your duty with a clean mind
and things will fall in place,” he says.
the potential to ring in positive changes.
“Earlier moral instruction was mandatory in schools.
Now parents should assume that role and guide their
offspring,” he says. Easier said than done,
considering the questioning spirit and the I-know-what- I-want attitude. Why, there is no scope for bed-time storytelling what with the heavy burden of home work, TV shows and Internet.“Yes, television has played a significant role in all this.predecessors did not do it, nor will I.”
Young people are mesmerised by TV. I wonder if it has any beneficial effect on their minds,” observes the Acharya, who again underlines the duty of parents. “Sit with them. Talk about our country’s great heritage and culture. Make them understand
that they may not get the answers for all their
questions. They will understand as they grow up.”
Is bhakti necessary for a person to lead a clean life?
“Yes, prayer and rituals offer solace and strengthen the mind. Your faith in the path that you have chosen gets reaffirmed.” The Acharya’s opinion
on religious leaders and math heads entering
politics… “I can only speak for myself,” smiles Swamiji.“No. Politics is not my cup of tea. Sastras
do not encourage a sanyasi to dabble in the affairs
of state. My
…
Dissemination of knowledge
L
The Veda Poshaka Sabha and Sastra Poshaka Sabha encourage young learners to excel in their studies. Elderly scholars are given monthly honorariums. Under the scheme of Gita Gnana Yagna, individuals who recite all the 700 slokas of the Bhagavad Gita receive a certificate and a cash award of Rs. 21,000. Sri Sankara Advaita Research Centre publishes literature in the subjects of Vedanta, Vyakarana and Nyaya. Knowledge is disseminated through journals such as Tattvaloka (English), Shankara Kripa (Kannada and Telugu), Amman Darisanam (Tamil). Sringeri Vidya Bharati Foundation has units in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, the U.S., and Toronto, Canada.
ocated on the picturesque banks of the Tungabhadra in Sringeri, Karnataka, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sarada Pitam, founded by Adi Sankara, runs many Veda patasalas. It is generally said that the Vedas have no takers and the number of learners is dwindling. “Wrong,” smiles the Acharya. “In fact the number of students, who receive the certificates at our patasala has been increasing,” he says. “No compromises there,” informs a volunteer in an aside. “Even a slight error is enough to disqualify a person. The standard is high.” The Pitam conducts Veda Sammelans and sastra sabhas across the country.
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