Jeernoddharana Kumbhabhisheka of Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy at Haladi
On 31st May 2015, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam graced Haladi and performed the Jeernodharana Kumbhabhisheka of Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy. Devotees welcoming the Jagadguru recalled that the Pranah Prathishta of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple had been done by the Sringeri Jagadguru many centuries back.
Sri Sannidhanam, in His Anugraha Bhashanam, said that everyone needs God’s Grace and that it can be attained through devotion. Giving the example of Bhakta Prahlada, Sri Sannidhanam said that true devotees do not swerve from being established in God-consciousness, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. When in the company of Prahlada, other young children of the Asura clan also began to chant the names of God. Even though the Lord is all-pervasive and all-powerful, the Lord came out of the pillar to protect His devotee. Sri Sannidhanam ended His discourse underlying the importance of devotion and offering salutations to His Guru.
Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed joy at the performance of the Brahma Kumbhabhisheka at the Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Haladi. Sri Mahasannidhanam mentioned that the relationship between Sringeri Jagadguru Mahasamsthanam and Haladi have been strong for many centuries and cited that the 27th Acharya of the Peetham, Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Bharati II had come to Haladi and camped at the Sringeri Shankara Math branch that had existed at that time.
Sri Mahasannidanam quoted an epithet used by His Parameshti Guru for Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada – विष्ण्वीशभेदमतिवारणपञ्चवक्त्रः. It is known that a lion can attack an elephant and even kill it. In this epithet, the idea of entertaining a difference between Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu is compared to an elephant, and Sri Adi Shankaracharya is compared to a lion that annihilates it. This implies that Sri Bhagavatpada strove to remove the differences in the minds of people between the various forms of the Lord.
Sri Mahasannidhanam expressed joy that, by the Grace of the Lord, He had just performed the Kumbhabhisheka to Lord Sambasadashiva at Shankaranarayana 3 days back, and had now performed the Kumbhabhisheka to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha. Sri Mahasannidhanam exclaimed that the Gracious Lord effected this to show that there is no difference between forms. When the Upanishadic philosophy of Advaita advocates non-dualism, how can there exist two independent supreme entities? Rather, we see the same Lord in all forms and become a recipient of His Grace. That is why Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada has said “त्वयि मयि चान्यत्रैको विष्णुः व्यर्थं कुप्यसि मय्यसहिष्णुः । सर्वस्मिन्नपि पश्यात्मानं सर्वत्र उत्सृज भेदज्ञानम्” – The same divine Consciousness pervades you and me. So, why do you become intolerant and get angry with me? See the same Divine Consciousness in all and give up the sense of duality.
Sri Mahasannidhanam said that as the previous Acharyas had nurtured Haladi Kshetram, it was His Sankalpa that the Jeernoddharana of the Kshetram take place. Accordingly, devotees had taken efforts to renovate the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Haladi.
Sri Mahasannidhanam also spoke about the Haladi Panchanga that has been famous in the region for about 250 years. Sri Mahasannidhanam had special words of praise for ardent devotee, Sri Vasudeva Jois, who had studied at the Sadvidya Sanjeevini Samskrita Mahapathashala in Sringeri and is now instrumental in bringing out the Haladi Panchanga. Sri Vasudeva Jois then received a felicitation along with the Jagadguru’s blessings.