SRI KANCHI AND SRI ADI SANKARACHARYA PART 1 There are many holy kshetras on earth adorned by Sri Parasakthi, Vishnu, Siva, Vinayaka, Shanmukha and other Devas, who came down to earth out of natural compassion towards human beings, suffering from the misery of Samsara owing to karmas of previous births. The deities give them darshan and destroy the illness of birth and confer Moksha. Of them, there are but a few, extolled in Puranas and by great personages as very holy, which confer certain Moksha. Of them again, the great city of Sri Kanchi shines like the auspicious mark (tilaka) on the forehead of the woman, which is the South of India. This is what is clearly conveyed in the famous verse:
अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका । पुरी द्वारवती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः ॥ Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya (Haridwar), Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika (Ujjain) and Dwaraka are the seven cities, which confer Moksha by mere darshan. Of them again, it is stated: नारीषु रम्भा नगरेषु काञ्ची पुष्पेषु जातिः पुरुषेषु विष्णुः । Listing the best, this verse says, Rambha is the best among women; Kanchi among cities; jasmine among flowers; Vishnu among men. Kanchi houses many holy tirthas and Devata abodes. Many even among Devas have come here, worshipped their favourite Murthis of Sri Ekamreswara and Sri Kamakshi Devi, shining as Sri Parasakthi, obtained relief from their miseries and attained the highest Moksha. There are many Murthis of Devatas here, by worshipping whom, people can get their desires fulfilled. One, who was born dumb, was engaged in cleaning the precincts of Sri Kamakshi Temple, was blessed by the compassionate Devi, who spat betel juice from her mouth into his; he became a great poet and authored Sri Muka Panchasati, a Stotra of 500 verses on Sri Kamakshi, a work hailed by great scholars. He later became the 20th Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and was known as Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswathi. Vishnu adorns this kshetra with the name of Varadaraja, making it clear to all people that he would bless devotees who come to Kanchi and worship him, with quick fulfilment of all desires. Further, when Devas including Brahma prayed, Sri Parameswara incarnated on earth as Sankaracharya, had Kanchi as his prime abode, performed many wonderful deeds and attained Siddhi here. There are many references affirming this; a few are given here. In Sri Gururatnamala, it says: अथ कान्यकुमारसन्धिसेतुस्थलिनीवेङ्कटकाळहस्तियातुः । यमिनेतुरमुष्य काञ्चियात्रा शमिदानीं शमदं क्रियाद्विचित्रा ॥ Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya started from Rishyasringa Asrama (Sringeri), had darshan at many kshetras including Kanyakumari, Tiruchendur, Rameswaram, Tirupati and Kalahasti, and reached Kanchi. May his Kanchi yatra bestow on us peace, control of mind and bliss. In Sankarabhyudayam, it says: समस्करी काञ्चिपुरी गरीयसीमथ क्षितेरद्भुतकाञ्चिमैक्षत । असावशेषश्रतिनीविरादरात् पुरारिराराधयते चिराय याम् ॥ The great Yati, Sankaracharya saw the city of Kanchi, preserved with love by Sri Parameswara, the repository of all Vedas, the city shining like the girdle (Kanchi) of the woman, that is the earth. In Keraliya Sankara Vijayam, it says: भूमिं प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य भूयः काञ्चिपुरी गतः । After circumambulating the earth, Jagadguru reached Kanchi again. In Vyasachaliya, it says: श्रीकाळहस्तिपपदात्पुनराव्रजन्स काञ्चीपुरं पुरवरं मुनिराजगाम । The sage, Sankaracharya arrived again at Kanchipuram, the best among cities, from Sri Kalahasti. Having reached Kanchi, the Jagadguru instructed Rajasena, the virtuous king of Choladesa, who worshipped him and was eager to fulfil his orders, to renovate the temples of Sri Varadaraja, Sri Ekamranatha and Sri Kamakshi, and brahmana residence streets (Agraharams); the king acted accordingly. This is brought out by Sri Atmabodhendra Saraswathi: सेतुश्रीकाळहस्त्यादियात्रां कृत्वा क्रमाद्वशी । काञ्चीपुरं समासाद्य राजसेनेन भूभृता ॥ वरदस्य तथाम्रनाथस्य कामाक्ष्याश्च तथालयान् ॥ उद्धृत्य ॥ In Madhaviya Sankara Vijayam also, it says: सुरधाम च तत्र कारयित्वा परविद्याचरणानुसारी चित्रम् । माधवीयशङ्करविजये ॥ Adi Sankara constructed the city of Kanchi in the form of Srichakra and set up Sri Kamakoti Peetham at the centre (Bindusthana). To this day, the temples of Siva, Vishnu and Subrahmanya are situated facing this Peetham. Whenever festivals are celebrated in any of the temples, the respective deities go round Sri Kamakoti Peetham even today. Iin Gururatnamala, it is stated: प्रकृतिं च गुहाश्रयां महोग्रां स्वकृते चक्रवरे प्रवेश्ययोग्रे । अकृताश्रितसौम्यमूर्तिमार्यां सुकृतं नस्स चिनोतु शङ्करार्यः ॥ May the venerable Sri Sankaracharya bless us with wellbeing – Sankara, who made Sri Parasakti, who was very furious, residing in the cave, to enter into the Srichakra yantra established in front, thus making her tranquil and easy of darshan. In Manimanjaribhedini, it says: तावत्कालमभेदवादिगुरुराट् शिष्यैरनकैर्वृतः काञ्चीं प्राप्य चकार तत्र विधिवच्छ्रीचक्रमुद्धारितम् । कामाक्षीं सुदृढीचकार जननीं चिद्रूपिणीं देवता- मन्तेवासिजनस्य मुक्तिपदवीमादर्शयामास ताम् ॥ Gurunatha, who expounded Advaita Vedanta, reached Kanchi, accompanied by many disciples, established Srichakra there, made the Universal Mother Sri Kamakshi, the very form of Gnana, reside in Srichakra firmly and showed the path of Moksha to disciples. In Keraliya Sankara Vijayam, it says: इति निश्चित्य मनसा श्रीमान्शङ्करदेशिकः । श्रीचक्रं निर्ममे तत्र कामाक्ष्यास्सन्निधौ मुदा ॥ Sri Sankara, the Guru, made up his mind and established Srichakra in the Sannidhi of Sri Kamakshi. In Prachina Sankara Vijayam, it says: आधाय सौम्यवपुषं प्रकृतिं महोग्रामावाह्य विग्रहतनूमनुचक्रराजम् । आह्लादिते च विषये विबुधेषु चाप्तेष्वासादितेषु वशतां चरणौ वहत्स ॥ Sri Sankara made the furious Sri Parasakthi tranquil by invoking her in the Srichakra set up by him. All scholars were overjoyed to hear this, took refuge in him and rendered him services including carrying him. Further, it was in Kanchi that Adi Sankara won over Sri Saraswathi in debate and ascended Sarvagna Peetham. Gururatnamala says: उपयात्सुबुधेषु सर्वदिग्भ्यः प्रदिशन्नाशु पराभवं य एभ्यः । विधृताखिलवित्पदश्च काञ्च्यामधृतार्तिस्स दिशेच्छ्रियं च कांचित् ॥ Many scholars came from different directions and engaged in debate with Sankara. Sankara defeated all of them without the least difficulty and ascended Sarvagna Peetham in Kanchi. May Sankara bestow glory on us. In Vyasachaliya, 12th Sarga, एवं निरुत्तरपदां स विधाय देवीं सर्वज्ञपीठमधिरुह्य मठे स्वक्लृप्ते । मात्रा गिरामपि तथोपनतैश्च मिश्रैस्संभावितः कमपि कालमुवास काञ्च्याम् ॥ Rendering Saraswathi Devi speechless during debate, and ascending Sarvagna Peetham, Sankara spent some time in Sri Sarada Matham in Kanchi, established by himself, and honoured by Saraswathi, the Goddess of Speech and other scholars. It is noted that when Sri Sankaracharya set up Sri Sarada Matham and Sri Kamakoti Peetham in Kanchi, he performed Puja to Yogalinga, one of the five Lingas brought by him from Kailasa. In Gurunavaratnamalika, प्रतिपादितलिङगपञ्चकेमुं प्रणिवर्त्याशु तिरोहिते गिरीशे । विनिवृत्याशु स दिग्जयाय वृत्तः ॥ After Sankara returned on receiving five Sphatika Lingas from him, Siva disappeared; Sankara came back to earth and proceeded on triumphal tour. In Sivarahasya, तद्योगभोगवरसिद्धिविमोक्षनाम लिङ्गार्चनप्राप्तजयः स्वकाश्रमे । प्राप्तान्विजित्य ॥ Sankara performd Puja for the five Lingas brought from Kailasa, viz. Yoga, Bhoga, Vara, Siddhi and Moksha, in his Asrama and defeated opponents in debate. Evidence for Sankara’s establishing Sri Sarada Matham and Sri Kamakoti Peetham and attaining Siddhi in Kanchi In Sri Anandagiriya Sankaravijaya, तत्रैव निजवासयोग्यं मठमपि परिकल्प्य तत्र निजसिद्धांतपद्धतिं प्रकटयितुमन्तेवासिनं सुरेश्वरमाहूय योगनामकलिङ्गं पूजयेति दत्वा त्वमत्र कामकोटिपीठमधिवसेति संस्थाप्य इति ॥ In Kanchi, Sankara set up Matham for his residence and propagation of Advaita Vedanta, and instructed his disciple Sureswara to offer Puja to Yogalinga, presiding over Kamakoti Peetham there. In Sri Gurunavaratnamalika, समतिष्ठि पदाहिमाद्रिसेव्यं क्रमशो धर्मविचारणाय दिव्यम् । अधिकाञ्चि च शारदामठं योभ्यधिकं नस्सुखमातनोतु सोऽयम् ॥ In Kanchi, Sankara set up the divine Sri Sarada Matham and Sri Kamakoti Peetham, worthy of access and worship by all Bharatiyas from Sethu to Himalayas, with a view to analysing and guiding on Dharmas. May Sankara bestow wellbeing on us. In Prachina Sankara Vijyam, सर्वज्ञपीठमधिरुह्य ततस्तदग्रे मिश्रान्विजित्य सहसोपनतान् प्रयागात् । अध्यास्तकाञ्चिमभिमण्डितकामकोटिपीठेमठं निजमवाप्य सशारदाख्याम् ॥ Sri Sankara defeated all scholars including those from Prayag, ascended Sarvagna Peetham, remained in his own Sri Sarada Matham in Kanchi in Sri Kamakoti Peetham, the adornment of the universe. Brihat Sankara Vijayam also has a similar passage confirming this. Sri Atmabodhendra Saraswathi also speaks in the same vein. Having completed his life’s mission and reached the end of the appointed tenure of life, Acharya Sankara determined to leave the earth and go to his abode in Kailasa. He then trained Sri Sarvagnatmaka and appointed him as the head of the Peetham in Kanchi and merged in his natural and eternal light of Sacchidananda. This is borne out by many great scholars. In Vyasachaliya, प्रागष्टमाद्विदितवेद्यमुदूढबाल्यं सर्वज्ञसंज्ञमथहं सितमात्मनैव । श्रीकामकोटिबिरुदे न्यदधात् स्वपीठे गुप्तं स्वशिष्यतिलकेन सुरेश्वरेण ॥ इत्थं स शङ्करगुरुः कृतकृत्यभावाद्भावान् प्रकाश्य निगमान्तगिरां निगूढान् । काञ्च्यां विमुच्य वपुरादृतमिच्छयैव स्वस्यैव धाम्नि परमे स्वयमेव लिल्ये ॥ Sri Sankaracharya gave Sanyasa diksha to Sarvagna, who had mastered all knowledge within eight years of age and who was still a child, and placed him to head his own Peetham, which was well protected by the best disciple of his, Sureswara. Sri Sankara Guru, having brought to light the subtle nuances of the import of Upanishads, and established Shanmatha Upasana, had completed the mission and purpose of assuming human form; he left his human form in Kanchi and merged in his natural supreme state. Sri Atmabodhendra Saraswathi confirms this. In Brihat Sankara Vijayam, Sivarahasyam and Gurunavaratnamala, there are similar passages. Prachina Sankara Vijayam says: कल्यब्दैश्च शरेक्षणाध्वनयनैः (२६२५) सत्कामकोटिप्रथे पीठे न्यस्य सुरेश्वरं समवितुं सर्वज्ञसंज्ञं मुनिम् । कामाक्ष्याः सविधे स जातु निविशन्नुन्मुक्तलोकस्पृहो देहं स्वं व्यपहाय देह्यसुगमं धाम प्रपेदे परम् ॥ In the year Kalyabda 2625, Sri Sankaracharya placed his serene disciple Sarvagna at the famous Sri Kamakoti Peetham, with Sureswaracharya as his guardian. Having abandoned all desire to continue life on earth, he left his body in the Sannidhi of Sri Kamakshi and attained the supreme state, unattainable to mortals. Anandagiriya Sankara Vijayam says in chapter 74: काञ्चीनगरे मुक्तिस्थले कदाचिदुपविश्य स्थूलशरीरं सूक्ष्मेन्तर्धाप्यचिद्रूपो भूत्वाऽङ्गुष्ठमात्रपुरुषः तदुपरि परिपूर्णमखण्डानन्दं प्राप्य सर्वव्यापकचैतन्यरूपेणाद्यापि तिष्ठति । स एव शङ्कराचार्यगुरुर्मुक्तिप्रदस्सताम् ॥ In the Muktisthala of Kanchi, Jagadguru Sankaracharya made his gross body merge in subtle body, turned into form of Gnana and shape of thumb, and attained to state of complete and indivisible bliss, and remains to this day in the form of omnipresent Awareness. That Sankaracharya alone grants Mukti to the virtuous. In the same manner this matter has been described in detail in many other texts including Markandeya Samhita, Sankarabhyudayam, Keraliya Sankaracharya Charitam, Manimanjaribhedini, Vasanadehastuti, Acharyashtakam, Markandeya Samhita and Naishadhakavyam; those references are not brought out here as that would take too much space. All the above citations serve to establish the greatness of Kanchi. That Sri Parameswara himself, who incarnated on earth as Sri Sankaracharya for rejuvenating dharma, having visited many kshetras, finally chose Muktisthala Kanchi for establishing Devalayas, Srichakra yantra, and Sri Kamakshi’s Kalakarshanam (invoking her power in Srichakra), winning in debate over Saraswathi, ascension of Sarvagna Peetham, establishing Sri Sarada Matham and Sri Kamakoti Peetham, and eventual return to the natural state of Atmasvarupa, speaks volumes for the unparalleled glory of Kanchi. We wish that people of today get familiar with the accounts of the great personages, who attained Siddhi in Kanchi by worship of deities, and visit Kanchi themselves, take holy bath in various sacred tirthas, offer worship at different temples and get their desires fulfilled. The greatness of Kanchi Kshetra, adorned by the three Divinities, viz. Sri Kamakshi Devi, Sri Ekamreswara and Sri Varadaraja, is described in detail in three texts: “Kamakshi Vilasam” – Text of 14 chapters from Markandeya Puranam, Srividya Khandam; this text deals with the greatness of Sri Kamakshi Devi, Sri Ekamreswara and Sri Varadaraja and also Sri Kanchi Kshetra. “Panchasat” – Text of 55 chapters in Skanda Puranam, Sanatkumara Samhita, Kalika Khandam; this text covers mainly the details connected with Siva forms in Kanchi. “Satadhyaya” – Text of 100 chapters giving details gathered from Puranas like Siva Puranam, Brahmanda Puranam etc.; this text covers primarily details of Sthalam and Tirtham. This present compilation is based essentially on Sri Kamakshi Vilasam. The Appendix presents additional important details from the other two texts. We pray to Universal Mother Sri Kamakshi Devi that all people should go through this book, grasp the special features of Kanchi, experience them as far as possible in their visits to the holy city and attain the unique purpose of human life. K RAJARAM IRS 4525 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoq48JUq8MiNWRsuo3kHTLGAmyLWcXtpNcWaq-tmFi6Uug%40mail.gmail.com.
