Hindu Samaya Mandram(Kanchi) USA would like to invite you to join us for the Samashthi Bhikshavandanam on the occasion of the Jayanthi Mahotsavam of Jagadguru Pujyasri Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya Swamigal of Moolamnaya Sarvagnya Sri Kanchi Kamaoti Peetham.
Hindu Samaya Mandram was started in 1972 under the auspices of the Acharya with the goal of spiritual growth for everyone irrespective of their backgrounds. Per the wishes of the current peethadipati, the 70th Acharya Jagadguru Pujyasri Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Sankaracharya Swamigal, HSM Kanchi USA and its families will be offering a samasthi/group bhiksha samarpanam.
Essence of Bhikshavandanam, an extract from “Bhikshavandanam” by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Kainkarya Sabha , and published in the Kanchi NRI Newsletter April 2021
Guru is the one who removes the darkness of ignorance or ajnana. We say, krishnam vande jagatgurum. Krishna Paratma gave upadesham on both Pravrthi Dharma and Nivritti Dharma, on how we should live our lives in this world and on the path of renunciation. Although the gita upadesham was given to Arjuna, it is always meant for everyone. Hence Lord Krishna is called jagatguru.
Acharya Swamigal is likewise a guru for jagat, a universal guru, and a guru here and now, Pratyaksha Guru. Acharya Swamigal is Sankaracharya, an acharya in the Sankaracharya advaita sampradaya. Acharya is defined as one who has thoroughly analysed the sastras , conducts himself according to the acharas laid down in the sastras, teaches the same to others and makes them remain stable in the acharas. There is a slokha which conveys this:
Achinoti hi shastrarthaan aachaare sthaapayathyapi Swayam Acharathe Yascha Tham Aacharyam prachakshate
Sri Maheperiava emphasises, swayam aacharathe – an acharya must practise what he preaches and thereby sustain a tradition. To witness the Chandramouleeswarar trikala puja performed by the Acharya is one of the greatest blessings one can ever have. All the pujas are performed for the welfare of everyone. Several education and charitable institutions are run under the aegis of the mutt. Acharya Swamigal occupies the exalted position of Indra Saraswathi. Indra here means parabrahmavasi embodiment of advaitha parabrahma satyam.
Kamakoti Peetam is also Vaakbhava kutam, essence of vaak sakthi and jnana sakthi – hence Saraswathi. Acharya Swamigal is, importantly, a sanyasi. A Sanyasi is one who has given up everything and therefore subsists on Bhiksa. Although the word Bhiksha is loosely translated as alms, a sanyasi does not seek Bhiksa. On the other hand, it is enjoined upon grihastas to seek out and offer Bhiksa to sanyasis – that is the reason, grihastasrama is called uttama ashrama.
The term used for offering Bhiksa is called samarpanam. Bhiksavandanam is a vandanam, paying obeisance.
Total humility, sraddha and involvement are far more important than the money or the materials contributed. The normal practice, especially when it is a Samashti or group bhiksavandanam, is that the bhiksa covers not only the minimal bhiksha for Periyaval, but, flowers, fruits and other materials for the tri-kala puja and naivedyam supply of full range of groceries, provisions, food grains, vegetables and other cooking materials for prasadam and anna danam and vastram for Niyama Brahmanas. If it is a Tuesday or Friday, sarees for Suvasini pujai are included as well.
Hara Hara Sankara Jaya Jaya Sankara
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