Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamanaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri

The doctrine of Karma

Namakkal March 10, 2012

Following is the anugraha Bhashanam of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji upon arrival at the town of Namakkal in Tamil Nadu.

The Jagadguru said that we regard people related to us or our friends as those who will help us in times of difficulty. But the Shastras opine that a person’s true friend is none but himself — आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुः ātmaiva hyātmano bandhuḥ. The Shastras say that it is only one’s own Dharma that brings about some transformation in the situation. And the fruits of one’s own actions are beneficial only if the actions are Dharmic. Thus Dharma and Adharma are indeed man’s real friend and foe. And since both Dharma and Adharma are put forth into action by man, man is his own friend or foe. Hence one must never attribute one’s own joy or suffering to be the result of others but to one own’s actions.

Just as in this body, the embodied one passes through boyhood, youth, and old age, so does one pass into another body. With reference to this (birth, aging and death), the wise man is not disturbed. Bhagavan Sri Krishna on Significance of God
An object continues to be dear as long as one derives pleasure from it and it is detested for the duration that it causes pain. The same object cannot be always liked or disliked. Sometimes, that which is not dear may become dear. Moreover, that which was loveable can turn unpleasant. The Atma, towards which affection never wanes, is always the most beloved. Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada on Shatashloki
Blessings are the monopoly of God and we must all pray for his gracious blessings. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
It is pitiful that when many of us are asked, “who are you?”, The first thought that arises is “I am a Keralite”, or “I am a Punjabi”, etc. The thought that should immediately stem is “I am an Indian”. If people first feel that they are Indians and only then think of divisions, the nation will have great prosperity and the divisive forces will not be operative as they are today. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God
Instead of using the tongue for speaking futile issues, use it to chant the names of God. God shall then guide you along the right and beneficial path. Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal on Significance of God's Names