Ramanisblog

Tag: Sringeri

  • Rama’s Brother In Law In 2 Million Year Old Karnataka Ramayana

    Karnataka , as we know of it today, was a part of Deccan Plateau and it was  Karnataka Plateau.

    After the formation of linguistic states history of India got murky.

    Earlier India was called Bharavarsha and remained one, albeit ruled by many kings.

    Rama with Kodanda,Bow.jpg
    Lord Rama

    Karnataka ,till the advent of  the Satavahanas in 230BCE  was ruled either by the emperors of the North or by the Tamil Kings as this area was not  a separate entity then.

    Chandragupta Maurya ruled the Karnataka Plateau and died in Sravanabelagola as a Jain ascetic around 239 BCE

    However Karnataka has prehistorical past.

    I shall provide the information based on Geology and Archeology  towards the close of the post.

    The recorded history of Karnataka goes back more than two millennia.

    Meanwhile let us see the references in the Ramayana.

    1.

    Anegundi, believed to be the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha (Kishkinta means in local language a forest where the monkeys lived) in the epic of Ramayana, is at a distance of 5 km from the historical site of Hampi. Anjanadri hill, the birthplace of monkey-god Hanuman, and the mountain Rishimuka are the other places near Anegundi associated with Ramayana. It is said to have one of the oldest plateaus on the planet, estimated to be 3,000 million years old. So, only local story-tellers refer to Anegundi as the maternal home of Bhoodevi (Mother Earth).

    The picturesque village, located on the northern side bank of River Tungabhadra, was said to be the legendary Kishkindha, a kingdom of the monkey Prince Sugriva and the cradle place of the historic Krishnadevaraya dynasty of the glorious Vijayanagar empire and falls in the core zone of Hampi.

    Sage Rishyasrunga.jpg Sage Rishyasrunga.

    2.Pampa Sarovar is mentioned as the place where Shabari (also Shabri), a disciple of the Rishi Matunga, directedRama as he journeyed southwards on his quest to redeem Sita, his wife, from the demon king Ravana. According to the story,Shabari, a pious devotee of Rama, prayed faithfully everyday to see Rama. She lived in the ashram of her guru, Matunga in the place know known as Matunga Parvat, in Hampi. Before her guru Matunga Rishi died he told her she would certainly see Rama. After his death, Shabari continued to live in the ashram awaiting Rama. Many years passed by and Shabari became an old woman, before Rama stopped at the ashram on his journey to Lanka. She proceeded to feed Rama and his brother Lakshmana. Touched by her piety Rama and Lakshmana bowed down at her feet. Then, they narrated to her the incident of Sita’s kidnapping and Shabarisuggested that they seek help from Hanuman and Sugriva of the monkey kingdom who lived further south near the Pampa lake. Pampa sarovar is also famous for the pushti marg vaishnavas, where in Srimad Vallabhacahrya had performed Srimad Bhawwad in the 16th century, in is many bharat darshan visits, also reafirms the importance of the holy place..

    3.Sringer is the place where Sage Rishyasrunga, son of Vibhantaka brought rains to the drought affected kingdom of Romapada.(Balakanda of Ramayana).

    4.There is Rishyasrunga Hill near Sringeri.

    5.Rama’s sister Shanta  was married to Romapada.Romapada was the King of Anga Desa, now in Pakistan, near Mohenjo Daro. His son-in-law  was Rishyasrunga, which makes Rishyasrunga Rama’s Sister’s husband!

    ‘

    A king named Dasharatha will be born into Ikshwaku dynasty who will be very virtuous, resplendent and truthful one to his vow.” Said Sanat Kumara, the Sage.”King Dasharatha will befriend the king of Anga and the king of Anga will beget a fortunate girl named Shanta.

    Shanta is said to be the daughter of Dasharatha and given to Romapada in adoption, and Rishyasringa marries her alone. This is what Sumantra says to Dasharatha at 1-9-19.

    The son of the king of Anga, the earlier king of Anga kingdom, will be known as Romapada, or also know as Chitraratha, and the highly renowned king Dasharatha approaches Romapada. Then king Dasharatha says to king of Anga “oh, righteous one, I am childless and hence I intend to perform a Vedic ritual. Let the husband of your daughter Shanta, Sage Rishyasringa, preside over that Vedic ritual at you behest, for the sake of progeny in my dynasty.

    “On hearing those words of king Dasharatha that benevolent soul Romapada, the king of Anga, considers heartily and agrees to send the one who endows progeny by rituals, namely Sage Rishyasringa his son-in-law.

    The words pradaasyate putravantam are read in some translations as ‘Rishyasringa who already has a son…’ while others read it as ‘a sage who endows progeny by putra kameSti ritual…’ But in Maha Bharata father Vibhandaka says to Rishyasringa to comeback after begetting a son, which Rishyasringa did not concede. So taking this some say Rishyasringa has a son. But it is generally accepted that putravantam as aahitaagni, Vedic ritualist of eminence, according to: j˜ta putra× k®þõa keþo agnŸn adhŸta…according to shruti scripture.

    “On receiving that Brahman, Sage Rishyasringa, at the behest of his father-in-law, that king Dasharatha gets rid of his febrile condition and will accomplish that Vedic ritual, feeling very felicitous in the depths of his heart.

    “That king, the desirer of glory, the knower of virtue and the lord of people, namely Dasharatha will be requesting that best Brahman Rishyasringa with his palms adjoined in supplication for the conduct of ritual, for progeny and even for his heavenly abodes, and that king of all the quarters of earth will accomplish those desires from that eminent Brahman Rishyasringa.’

    Balakanda Ramayana

    6.Ravana in Gokarna.

    Gokarna is the place where Ravana kept the Atmalinga down.

    7.Sage Agastya killed Vatapi .

    There is a lake called Agastya Lake bear Vatapi, now called as Badami.

    Archeological evidence.

    The pre-historic culture of Karnataka (and South India in general) is called the hand-axe culture, as opposed to the Sohan culture of North India. Paleolithic hand axes and cleavers in the shape of pebbles made with quartz and quartzite which have been found in places such as Lingadahalli in Chikkamagaluru district and Hunasagi in Yadgir district, and a wooden spike atKibbanahalli in Tumkur district are examples of old stone age implements.There are reports that a polished stone axe was discovered at Lingasugur in the Raichur district[7][8] Neolithic sites (new stone age) of importance are Maski in Raichur district,Brahmagiri in Chitradurga district etc., with abundance of evidence that man begun to domesticate animals such as cows, dogs and sheep, use copper and bronze weapons, wear bangles, rings, necklaces of beads and ear-rings and have burial chambers. To the end of the Neolithic era, during the Megalithic age, people in Karnataka began to use long swords, sickles, axes, hammers, spikes, chisels and arrows, all made of iron.

    Scholarly hypothesis postulates contacts between the Indus Valley (3300 BCE – 1300 BCE) cities of Harappa and Lothal, citing the discovery of gold found in the Harappan sites that was imported from mines in Karnataka.

    Citations.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pampa_Sarovar

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anegundi

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Karnataka

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  • Who Discovered Kalady Shankaracharya Birth Place

    Adi Shankaracharya is reported to have been born in Kalady,Kerala.

     

    But to my knowledge there seems to be no reference of the birth place during Shankara’s Times or in his contemporary works.

     

    Then how Kalady has been determined as the birth place of Shankaracharya?

     

    This seems to be  a controversial issue.

     

    Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam.imge.jpg
    Sankara Keerthi Sthamba Mandapam.

     

    "Further in case the kanchi mutt relied on chidambaram as adi
> sankara's birth place then why do they have a adi sankara sthupi at kaladi -
> it should have been at chidambaram. Also why are they celebrating the
> sankara jayanthi at kaladi instead of chidambaram ? Please forward facts
> instead of fiction."
>
> Kaladi was unknown to the world until Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava
> Nrsimha Bharati Mahaswamigal, the 33rd Peetadhipathi of Sringeri Sharada
> Peetam, discovered it in 1910 and consecrated shrines for Sri Adi Shankara,
> Sri Sharadambal and Sri Aryambal there. Only in the latter part of the 1900s
> did the Kanchi Mutt construct the Keerthi Sthambam in Kaladi.


If kaladi was unknown to the world then from the time of birth of adi
sankara to the time of the 33rd acharya of sringeri peetam, all the previous
acharyas of the sringeri, dwarka, jyotir mutt, kanchi must have been
searching for a place called kaladi and then Lo! they were enlightened by
the 33rd acarya of the sringeri peetam.




    "

    While his achievements are eternal and unforgettable, his birthplace was forgotten by society for many centuries. In this film, we describe how Kalady was rediscovered by the 33rd Jagadguru of the Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. This film takes you on a visual journey of Kalady from the time of Sri Shankara’s parents, his birth and the miraculous events of his childhood. It also chronicles a contemporary history of Kalady, including the various landmarks and temples associated with his life. The film contains fascinating interviews with ordinary people, former rulers and spiritual leaders who were all influenced by this great philosopher. Through beautiful and heart-stopping images of nature, people and temples, this film provides an unforgettable experience of what Sri Shankara’s life may have been like, and how he touched the lives of Kalady’s residents over the centuries.

    Speaking in lucid Sanskrit, Jagadguru, Sri Bharati TirthaMahaswamiji, the current and 36th Acharya of DakshinamnayaSri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, enlightens us about the life of Sri Shankaracharya and the rediscoverer of Kalady – the 33rd Jagadguru. The 33rd Jagadguru instituted the now internationally observed Shankara Jayanti celebrations and was instrumental in bringing about the first-ever publication of the complete works of Sri Shankaracharya.

    This documentary is dedicated to this reveredMahaswamiji, the 33rd Jagadguru of Sringeri. It is solely due to his untiring efforts that the glory of Kalady and its special place in the legacy of Sri Shankaracharya has been preserved for the world.

    Released in Kalady on May 18th 2010, during theCentenary Celebrations to mark the consecration of the temples for Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Goddess Sharada at Kalady.

    Watch the Film in the Link:

     

    http://vimeo.com/11041181

     

    Citation.

     

    http://www.advaita-vedanta.org/archives/advaita-l/2006-October/017626.html


http://www.kaladyfilm.com/
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  • Date Of Shankaracharya Born In Chidambaram

     

    श्रुतिस्मृतिपुराणानामालयं करुणालयम्|

    नमामि भगवत्पादशंकरं लोकशङ्करम् ||
    Śruti smṛti purāṇānāṃālayaṃ karuṇālayaṃ|
    Namāmi Bhagavatpādaśaṅkaraṃ lokaśaṅkaraṃ||

    I salute the compassionate abode of the Vedas, Smritis and Puranas known as Shankara Bhagavatpada, who makes the world auspicious.

     

     

    Adi Shankaracharya.jpg.
    Adi Shankaracharya.

     

    Dating Adi Shankaracharya proves to be a daunting task.

     

    1.The habit of using nom de plume by Rishis, Philosophers and Kings.We have many Agastya, Avvaiyaar,Viswamitras.

     

    This makes it difficult to  date them precisely as they have lived at different points of time.

     

    Shankaracharya‘ Guru Govinda Bhagavadpada, one study claims lived during the period of Vikramaditya as there are two Vikramadityas,one of the

    Maurya and another of the Chalukya dynasty.

     

    The first one lived around 4th Century CE, while the latter in (Vikramaditya II )(733–746 CE)

     

    2.The internal evidence of Shankaracharya’s works do not provide many a clue,exception being the one about Thirugnana Sambhandar, who, it is

    agreed, is addressed by Shankaracharya as ‘Dravida Sisu’ in his Soundayalahari.

     

    His references to Kumarila Bhatta and Mandana Misra are equally confusing to pin point the date.

     

    Kumarilabhatta is dated approximately at  roughly AD 700.

     

    Mandana Misra at 800 AD;he was a student of Mandana Misra.

     

    Thirugnana Sambhandar who is referred by Shankaracharya is dated  7th Century AD.

     

    There is confusion here as , according to some reports, Appar, who was a contemporary of GnanaSambhandar, lived during the period of Raja Raja

    Chozhan, who lived 985 and 1014 !

    This is not correct as Raja Raja Chozhan found the ancient scripts of Appar, among many others with the help of Nambi Anadar Nambi.

     

    Yet in his Magnum Opus, Ponniyin Selvan quotes Appar having met Kundavai, daughter of Raja Raja Chozhan.

     

    3.Adi Shankaracharya scrupulously avoided any mention of his personal Life.

     

    He always refers to himself as the Disciple of Govinda Bhagavadpaada, “Govindabhagavadpada Sishya’

     

    4.That Shankaracharya is an Avatar of Shiva-this has obfuscated research with out bias.

     

    With all these impediments there are two distinct views which seem credible.

     

     

    • 788–820 CE: This is the mainstream scholarly opinion, placing Shankara in mid to late 8th century CE. These dates are based on records at the Śṛṅgeri Śāradā Pīṭha, which is the only matha to have maintained a relatively unbroken record of its Acharyas; starting with the third Acharya, one can with reasonable confidence date the others from the 8th century to the present. The Sringeri records state that Shankara was born in the 14th year of the reign of “VikramAditya”, but it is unclear as to which king this name refers. Though some researchers identify the name with Chandragupta II (4th century CE), modern scholarship accepts the VikramAditya as being from the Chalukya dynasty of Badami, most likely Vikramaditya II (733–746 CE), 8 t which would place him in the middle of the 8th century. Max Müller, Macdonnel, Pathok, Deussen and Radhakrishnan all accept the dates 788–820 CE. The date 788–820 is also among those considered acceptable by Swami Tapasyananda, though he raises a number of questions.
    • 509–477 BCE: This dating, more than a millennium ahead of all others, is based on records of the heads of the Shankara Maṭhas at Dvaraka Pitha and Govardhana mathaand the fifth Peetham at Kanchi.However, the succession of acharyas at these two mathas were often disrupted by geopolitical realities and these records are not considered as reliable as the Sringeri chronology. Also, such an early date would be in conflict with much else in Indian chronology. According to these revisionist models, these are the actual dates, and it is other collateral dates, such as the date of Gautama Buddha (which serves as an anchor for modern academic history of India), that need to be moved back. However, such an early date is not consistent with the fact that Shankara quotes the Buddhist logician Dharmakirti, who finds mention in Xuanzang (7th century).[12] Also, his near-contemporary Kumārila Bhaṭṭa is usually dated c. 8th century CE. Most scholars feel that due to invasions and other discontinuities, the records of the Dwaraka and Govardhana mathas are not as reliable as those of Sringeri. Thus, while considerable debate exists, the pre-Christian Era dates are usually discounted, and the most likely period for Shankara is during the 8th century CE.
    • 44–12 BCE: the commentator Anandagiri believed he was born at Chidambaram in 44 BCE and died in 12 BCE.
    • 6th century CE: Telang placed him in this century. Sir R G Bandarkar believed he was born in 680 CE.
    • 805–897: A D Venkiteswara not only places Shankara later than most, but also had the opinion that it would not have been possible for him to have achieved all the works apportioned to him, and has him live ninety two years.

    On balance by relying on the records of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, where there no break in succession of the Acaharyas of Shankaracharya, the Date of

     

    Shankaracharya may be taken at 8th Century CE.

     

    *Anandagiri.

    Trotakacharya (IAST Troṭakācārya) (c. 8th century CE) was a disciple of Ādi Śaṅkara, the Advaita philosopher. He was made the first Jagadguru (head) of the Jyotirmaṭha Pīthaṃ, the northern maṭha founded by Ādi Śaṅkara near Badrinath. He founded a maṭha by name Vadakke Matham in Thrissur, Kerala.

     

    Inputs welcome.

     

    Citation.

     

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Shankara

     

     

     

    www.sringeri.net

    History of the Tamils by PT.Srinivasa Ayyangar

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  • Sringeri Sharada Peetam Guru Parampara Acharayas List

    This is the list of Gurus,Acharya Paramapara of  Srningeri Sharada Peetha.

     

    HH.Abhnava Vidyatheertha and Bharati Theertha, Sringeri Sharda Peeta.
    HH.Abhnava Vidyatheertha and Bharati Theertha, Sringeri Sharda Peeta.

     

     

    1. Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada 820 (videha-mukti)
    2. Sri Sureshwaracharya 820 – 834
    3. Sri Nityabodaghana 834-848
    4. Sri Jnanaghana 848 – 910
    5. Sri Jnanottama 910 – 954
    6. Sri Jnanagiri 954 – 1038
    7. Sri Simhagiri 1038 – 1098
    8. Sri Ishwara Tirtha 1098 – 1146
    9. Sri Nrisimha Tirtha 1146 – 1229
    10. Sri Vidya Tirtha 1229 – 1333
    11. Sri Bharati Tirtha 1333 – 1380
    12. Sri Vidyaranya 1380 – 1386
    13. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati I 1386 – 1389
    14. Sri Nrisimha Bharati I 1389 – 1408
    15. Sri Puroshottama Bharati I 1408 – 1448
    16. Sri Shankara Bharati 1448 – 1455
    17. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati II 1455 – 1464
    18. Sri Nrisimha Bharati II 1464 – 1479
    19. Sri Puroshottama Bharati II 1479 – 1517
    20. Sri Ramachandra Bharati 1517 – 1560
    21. Sri Nrisimha Bharati III 1560 – 1573
    22. Sri Nrisimha Bharati IV 1573 – 1576
    23. Sri Nrisimha Bharati V 1576 – 1600
    24. Sri Abhinava Nrisimha Bharati 1600 – 1623
    25. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati I 1623 – 1663
    26. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VI 1663 – 1706
    27. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati II 1706 – 1741
    28. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati I 1741 – 1767
    29. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VII 1767 – 1770
    30. Sri Sacchidananda Bharati III 1770 – 1814
    31. Sri Abhinava Sacchidananda Bharati II 1814 – 1817
    32. Sri Nrisimha Bharati VIII 1817 – 1879
    33. Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati 1879 – 1912
    34. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati III 1912 – 1954
    35. Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha 1954 – 1989
    36. Sri Bharati Tirtha 1989 – Present

     

    Source.

    http://www.sringeri.net/jagadgurus

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  • Shrinkala Devi, Second Shakti Peetam Sringeri?

    Adi Shankarahara mentions Shrinkala Devi as the second Shakti Peeta.

    “Pradyumne Shrinkhala devi, Chamunda Krouncha patane /”

    This is where the Stomach was reported to have fallen.

    This Temple was destroyed by the Muslim invader and what is remaining is under the custody of The Archeological Survey of India

    The First Shakti Peetam Shankari Devi at Trincomalle is was also destroyed and what we have there is only the Murthy and some portions of the old building.

    Shrunkala Devi, Second Shakti Peeta
    Shrunkala Devi, Second Shakti Peeta,Destroyed By Islam
    Shrinkala Devi, Shakti peetam
    Minar of Shrinkala Devi, under ASI.
    Second Shakti Peeta,Shrinkala Devi
    Window at Shrinkala Devi Temple< West Bengal

     

    What is left of Shrinkala Devi Temple
    Pillar remains at Shrinkala Devi temple.
    Shrinkala devi Temple
    New Shrinkala Devi temple

    Location:

     

    Shrinkala Devi temple is located in Pandua, Hoogly district, West Bengal. Pandua is 66 kms from Howrah railway station.

    It is also believed that the temple is in Sringeri, Karnataka.( I am unable to locate this, I am not sure if this is Sringeri Sharada)

    There is also another temple dedicated to Hanseshwari Devi near Shrinkala temple.

    At present there is no temple in Pandua. During Muslim rulers’ invasion, the temple was destroyed and in its place a Minar is built.

    The entry to the temple is barred for security reasons. The temple is maintained by the Archaeological survey of India.

    “Regarding the temple of Shrinkhala devi near calcutta:
    It is said to be situated as u said in Hugli dist in a place by name Pandua.
    Just for your information I myself had been to the place with my friends where the temple of Shrinkhala devi was supposed to be in the past.
    At present there is no temple in the place, a minar was built there by muslim invaders and at present the place is under the protection of Archeological society of India, the door was locked and when we enquired the way inside we came to know that entry was banned into the temple (the so called minar) because of security reasons, but there were clear cut and significantly distinguishable features at the main door of the construction showing that it was once the main entrance of a Hindu temple probably of Shrinkhala Devi. There were ruins of temple infront of minar.
    Another supportive evidence about the temple was obtained when we enrquired local residents, Every year during magha maasa (Around February) a festival by name MELA TAALA of about 30 days duration is celebrated in the premises of the minar which is attended by local hindu and muslim communities in large numbers (More than 1 lakh). It is one of the important celebration of that place.
    Another interesting fact is that near to Pandua there is a temple of Hanseswari mata which is regarded as Shakti peetha.
    Taking into consideration all the above facts observed and collected it could be a possibility that it was the place where there was Shrinkhala devi temple.
    Regarding the story of Rushya srunga it is said that he was grown up by his father from his child hood without exposure to the external world away from everyone except his father himself in the forest.This sage was pure at heart that he had a soul of an infant who does not get into the wordly joy. This made him a devotee of Shrinkhala devi .
    There is also a contest in great epic of hindus ”The Ramayana” about this sage that he was the one who conducted the Putrakaameshti yaaga for king Dasaradha.
    King Romapada a friend of Dasradha adopted Santha devi who was the sister of Sri Rama.He requested this sage to conduct a yagna to get relief of very long famine which was relieved after the yagna.On the request of the king this sage married Santha devi and conducted the above metioned Yagna .
    After some time this great sage as was a great devotee of Shrinkhala devi brought her in the sense his mother to Sringeri and distributed the energy around the Srunga parvatha and there he constructed temples to the deity. These places are also regarded as Shakti peethas…

    Shrinkala devi was supposed to be in West bengal, hoogly district.But as such there is no temple also.A story says that Sage Rishya Shringala has brought to her to shringeri in karnataka.Any further light on this story?

    Saraswati devi of sharada peetham was supposed to be at 120 kms from Mujjafarrabad in POK.But as such the temple is completly ruined by the localites.Anticipating the future Saint Sankaracharya has brought her to Shringeri in Karnatak.The present deity of Sharada is none other than Saraswati devi.Any further light on this story?

    There are remnants of the existence of a temple earlier.

    The temple is built by Sage Rhusya Shrunga..

    Source:

    http://www.shaktipeethas.org/ashtadasa/topic153.html

    http://www.shaktipeethas.org/ashtadasa/topic21.html

     

     

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