Adhishthanams

The adhishtanam is a shrine where the mortal coil of the Sanyasins is interred and a Shiva Lingam is consecrated as per the Shastric injunctions. Its also known as Samadhi.The Adhishthanam of a Great Jnani is an abode, radiating serenity, holiness and spiritual splendor. The Devotees, sadhakas and pilgrims who visit the adhisthanam and reverentially do pradakshinam, japam, dhyanam, namaskarams and puja, become the recepients of the Jnani’s blessings. Spiritual seekers regard the adhishtanam as a place to sit, meditate and resonate with the ultimate silence. Many are the instances where seekers have been blessed specially while praying in an adhishtanam with directions, guidance, intuitive revelations, etc. pertaining to their sadhana.

Here it would be very apt to recollect an incident that has happened in the life of the 33rd Peethadhipati of Sringeri Sharada Peetham Jagadguru Sri Sachchidananda Shivabhinava Nrusimha Bharati Mahaswamiji. While the Jagadguru was touring Tamilnadu, His Holiness camped at Nerur where the Adhishtanam/Samadhi of Sri Sadashiva Bramhendra Mahaswami is located. Its told that Jagadguru sat their in Meditation for the consecutive three days and obtained the divine darshan of Sri Sadashiva Bramhendra. So one can think of the power of these Adhishtanam otherwise commonly known as Samadhi.

One should conduct oneself in an adhishtanam with utmost piety and devotion. Maintaining silence is obviously mandatory in such places. When one is adequately tuned to meditate he will feel the benign presence of the Jnani in the Adhishtanam.

Formal pujas are conducted in the adhishtanam regularly once or twice a day. Special occasions like the Aradhana (the day Jnani had left his mortal coil) and Jayanthi (the day He was born) are observed with the elaborate pujas, abhishekam, veda parayanam, etc.