Reception at Rameswaram -Visit to Maharashtra Samajam - Arrival at Shankar Math 18/2/2021

Reception at Rameswaram -Visit to Maharashtra Samajam - Arrival at Shankar Math 18/2/2021 Pujyashri Shankaracharya Swamigal was received with a rousing reception at Lakshmana Teertham by Vaidika Samajam, Brahmin Communities, Teertha Purohitas and local citizens of Rameswaram. His Holiness was then taken in procession in a flower decorated vehicle from Lakshmana Teertham with Nadaswaram recital & Veda Parayanam. Poornakumbhams were offered by residents enroute and His Holiness blessed devotees with Prasadams. The Executive Officer of Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Devasthanam, Peshkar and other staff accompanied the procession. His Holiness then alighted from the vehicle in front of the Maharashtra Samajam. The Samajam members received His Holiness and showed the Golden Padukas blessed by Kanchi Acharyas three centuries back and kept in Samajam Puja since centuries. The Samajam has centuries old association with Jagadgurus of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. His Holiness saw the Golden Padukas of 56th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Sri Sarvagna Sadashiva Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal which were renovated by none other than Chatrapati Sivaji Maharaj. The Acharya was venerated by Praveera Sethupati Raja of Rameswaram. The Acharya has written "Swatma Nirupanam" a treatise on Advaita Vedanta. The Acharya took Samadhi on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami- Vilambi Varusham in the year 1539. The following shlokas from Punyashloka Manjari & Jagadgurustavam extoll the greatness of the Acharya- अथोत्तरपिनाकिनीतटभवः स बोधेश्वरः सुतश्चिरुतचिक्कणाध्वरिवरस्य भक्तो हरेः। अभूत् किल जगद्गुरुः नियमिचन्द्रचूडाज्ञया सदाशिवपदावहश्चरसमाः प्रवीरार्चितः॥ स सेतुमधिजग्मिवान् अधिपवित्ररामेश्वरं श्रितः पदमनश्वरं प्रतिविलम्बि चैत्राष्टमी। दधत्परमयुक्छिवं निजपदे प्रतिष्ठापितं शिवाय बहुले नृणां सुबहुलाय पक्षे मुनिम्॥ पुण्यश्लोकमञ्जरी प्रवीरसेतुभूपालसेविताङ्घ्रिसरोरुहान्। भजे सदाशिवेन्द्रश्रीबोधेश्वरगुरून् सदा॥ जगद्गुरुपरम्परास्तवम् The Padukas were worshipped at his Samadhi in Rameswaram for many centuries. The darshan of Padukas by 59th Acharya Sri Bhagavannaama Bodhendra Saraswathi Swamigal is fondly recollected by the members of Maharashtra Samajam. The details of Jeernodharanam of Swarna Paduka by Chatrapati Sivaji has been engraved on the Padukas. His Holiness then walked from there, receiving Purnakumbhams through the West Mada, North Mada & East Mada and then reached Shankar Math on Sannadhi Street, Agniteertham at about 11:45 PM. The whole procession from Lakshmana Teertham to Shankar Math took about three hours.