Varshikotsava of Sanskrit Vidyapeetham
On March 13, 2019, Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam graced the Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetham, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Rajiv Gandhi Campus at Sringeri, on the occasion of the institution’s 27th Varshikotsava celebrations. Sri Sannidhanam was received with Poorna Kumbha honours by the faculty and students of the College, led by Sri Parameshwara Narayana Shastry, Vice Chancellor of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and the Principal of the campus, Prof.A.P. Sacchidananda Udupa. Gold medals were awarded to successful candidates in the University examinations. Sri Sannidhanam released two books on the occasion, namely, “तर्कप्रवेशः” (Tarka Pravesha), a treatise about the fundamentals of the traditional Nyaya Shastra written by Vidwan Sri Naveen Holla, and “Sharada” the annual souvenir.
Sri Sannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam stated that it is enunciated in the Shastras that a human being should refrain from having unnecessary conversations and speak as less as possible in one’s daily life. One must try to use the gift of speech mainly to discuss about God and related matters. Conversations related to mundane matters are considered useless. We usually see people discuss about political conditions of various countries to which the people in the discussion involved may even not go to. With reference to such people who cannot stop themselves from having discussions about mundane matters, our Shastras suggest that thoughts about life in the hereafter, including the hellish regions, are to be cultivated. Discussions on life in the hereafter are indeed worthwhile as they make one aware of the sinful deeds that are to be refrained from in one’s lifetime.
In order to highlight the great scholarship of scholars of the past, Sri Sannidhanam recounted an incident from the life of the renowned ertswhile scholar of Nyaya Shastra, Sri Kunigal Rama Shastri also known as “Shatakoti” Rama Shastri after his famous Nyaya treatise called “Shatakoti”. The scholar, who was the Poorvashrama father of the 33rd Jagadguru of Sringeri, was once challenged to a debate by a group of scholars, jealous of the special privileges that had been conferred upon him by the then Maharaja of Mysuru. Sri Rama Shastri had then answered all their questions and in turn put forth unanswerable questions to them, thus proving his great scholarship. The jealous scholars were humbled and accepted his greatness.
The Shastras state that that the personality of an individual who has mastered his field of study is bestowed with humility. This humility keeps the character of such a scholar firmly grounded, and in fact, becomes the reason for his affluence and respect that he truly deserves.
Sri Sannidhanam then spoke about the greatness of the Sanskrit language, as it stands unchanged over the millenia. While other languages have been changing, it is possible for us to study Sanskrit today and understand the profundity of thought of our noble ancestors.
Sri Sannidhanam then happily remarked that the Sanskrit Vidyapeetham at Sringeri had commenced functioning with the unbounded grace of His Guru, Sri Mahasannidhanam and commended the the efforts of the institution for the promotion of Sanskrit and study of Shastras.
The Sabha concluded with recitation of Shanti Mantras.