A new era dawns at Kanchi
The venerated Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, the 2,500-plus-years-old mutt established by Adi Sankara, is buzzing with festivities. The anointment of the 71st Sankaracharya of the peetam is a significant moment in the spiritual, cultural and social journey of the mutt. A disciple of Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 70th Sankaracharya, will be the mutt's 71st Sankaracharya in this unbroken lineage that is a continuum non pareil.
With this anointment, the devotees shall once again be doubly-blessed, as they were during the time of the 69th Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, between 1994 and 2017. Triply-blessed were those during the 1983-1994 period that saw the 68th Sankaracharya, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, reverentially known as the Mahaswamigal, making the trinity of the mutt's Acharyas a rare spectacle.
The mutt's three-pronged approach towards propagating Sanatan Dharma—protecting civilisational assets, enabling intellectual assets, and enriching human life and livelihood—has been phenomenal. Its Veda, Vidya and Vaidya sevas have transformed various dimensions of Bharat's growth over the last century.
Mahaswamigal's predominant focus on protecting Vedic and other holy assets of Bharat and the 69th Sankaracharya's social outreach through education and healthcare have made the 70th Acharya's continuing odyssey stronger while anointing the 71st. Without compromising on rigorous religiosity despite having a punishing schedule, the Acharyas have blended spiritual and social causes in a seamless unison, cementing its headquarters in the holy town of Kanchi while spreading good deeds all over the country.
With the Adi Sankara temple in Srinagar and many other temples across the country, eye hospitals in many places including Assam and Varanasi, Veda pathshalas and schools across locations, and a university for higher education and research, the Kanchi Mutt is a marvellous miscellany, true to Kalidasa's poetic words, 'nagereshu Kanchi (the greatest of cities being Kanchi)'.
Just as Kanchi Mutt's founder Adi Sankara travelled across Bharat on foot, the 68th and 69th Acharyas have undertaken padayatras across the nation with a kaleidoscopic sweep of initiatives that have touched millions across generations. The 70th Acharya's care towards rural development, coupled with traditional practices, has attracted strategic minds to blend modern facilities with ancient wisdom in achieving a nurtured and nutritive balance.
Some of his schemes to promote agriculture, cow farming and socioeconomic projects based on the Indian knowledge system have characterised the mutt's tri-dimensional foray with sustainable reach. His contributions, guided by his revered guru in absentia, to the reconstruction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya will be etched in the memories of many.
The trinocular vision with which he steers the mutt's three-dimensional objectives stretching beyond conventional boundaries will be inspirational for his successor. It is this continuum of lineage—not only through physical presence and knowledge, but also through spiritual-social munificence and action—that has made Kanchi Mutt a revered place of unifying sanctity. With the anointment today and Sankara Jayanthi (birthday of Adi Sankara) on May 2 to follow, the temple town of Kanchi is dazzling with divinity, sprouting with spirituality and towering with bhakti.
Devotees have already been thronging the town in huge numbers ever since the formal announcement was made a few days ago. Traditional rituals are beginning as Kanchipuram is gearing up for the historic occasion. The new Sankaracharya's pious and radiant looks have already taken social media by storm. With this, millions of devotees are getting another Acharya—another coming of the mutt's first principles.
As today's edition hits the stands, the newly-named '—endra Saraswathi' Acharya Swamigal, as per the mutt's tradition, shall adorn the saffron robes and hold the sanctified danda to guide Bharat along with the 70th Acharya. With 'Hara Hara Sankara, Jaya Jaya Sankara' blowing through the skies of Kanchi and magnifying the works of the mutt, a new day dawns at the holy temple town. (Views are personal)
S Vaidhyasubramaniam
Vice-Chancellor & Tata Sons Chair Professor of Management, SASTRA (Deemed) University
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Kanchi Acharya releases Tamil translation of books published by The Hindu Group on Mahaswamigal
The pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati Shankaracharya, on Tuesday released the Tamil translations of two volumes of the book published by The Hindu Group titled, 'Embodiment of Truth - Kanchi Mahaswami' (Unmayin Avatharam - Kanchi Mahaswami), at the Kanchi Mutt's branch in Tirupati. He appreciated The Hindu Group for its role in bringing the teachings and discourses of the 68th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Shankaracharya Mahaswamigal, to the public. He said the two volumes were published in English earlier, and based on requests from devotees, the Tamil version had been published. The Shankaracharya said the book detailed Mahaswamigal's life, spiritual journeys, public discourses, teachings, and the widespread reception he received, which were compiled from news reports and photographs published in The Hindu. It also includes his personal experiences with Mahaswamigal, the Shankaracharya said. Close relationship Further, the Shankaracharya highlighted the close relationship between the Kanchi Mutt and The Hindu Group, recalling Mahaswamigal's visit to The Hindu office. The first and second copies of the books were received by Prof. Devanathachariar of the National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, and P. Vaidyanathan, Chairman, Integrated Enterprises, respectively. Prior to the release, special rituals were held at the Kamakshi Amman temple in Kancheepuram and Mahaswamigal's Adhishtanam at Kanchi Mutt. The price of the two volumes is ₹799. As a limited period launch offer, the two volumes are priced at ₹599. Readers can get the copies by visiting The Hindu bookstore website:
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Karmic Astrology: Role of past life in current birth chart
Karmic astrology is a fascinating branch of Vedic astrology that deals with the influence of past life actions—known as karma—on one's present life. It operates on the spiritual belief that our soul goes through many lifetimes and carries forward unresolved lessons, patterns, and experiences. These karmic imprints are believed to reflect in the current birth chart, especially through specific planetary positions and combinations. One of the key indicators of karmic influence in a horoscope is the presence and placement of Rahu and Ketu, the shadow planets. Rahu represents desires and attachments from past lives that remain unfulfilled, while Ketu symbolizes past life mastery or detachment. Together, they form the karmic axis in a birth chart and help astrologers identify the areas of life where a person may face recurring challenges or experience strong, unexplained pulls. For example, a person with Rahu in the 7th house may feel a strong desire for relationships or partnerships in this life, possibly due to a lack of emotional bonding in a past life. Ketu in the 1st house, in the same case, might show a detachment from self-identity or a personality shaped by spiritual tendencies from a previous birth. Apart from Rahu and Ketu, certain yogas (planetary combinations) in a chart can also point to karmic patterns. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo The presence of Saturn, the planet of discipline and lessons, in challenging positions can indicate unresolved duties or debts from past lifetimes that one must now address. Karmic astrology doesn't only focus on negative consequences. It also highlights positive karma—blessings and talents carried over from previous lives. A person may be naturally gifted in art, music, healing, or leadership, hinting at past-life efforts that are now bearing fruit. Karmic astrology helps us understand why we face certain patterns, fears, or situations repeatedly in life. By identifying these patterns, individuals can gain greater clarity and choose a more conscious path toward healing, self-growth, and fulfillment. It is a reminder that while we cannot change the past, we can transform its impact by living wisely in the present. Discover everything about astrology at the Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces .
The Print
11 hours ago
- The Print
Lakhs congregate in Puri to witness Lord Jagannath's bathing rituals
The deities are bathed on the 'Snana Mandap' (bathing altar), the elevated pedestal facing the Grand Road where devotees get the opportunity to witness the bathing rituals, they said. On the occasion, three deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra – were brought to the 'Snana Mandap' (bathing altar) with ceremonial 'pahandi' (procession), officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) said. Puri, Jun 11 (PTI) Lakhs of devotees, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries, gathered here on Wednesday to witness Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bathing rituals, held in an open pandal on the premises of the 12th-century temple. 'Shree Sudarshan was first brought out of the shrine and taken to the bathing altar at 5.45 am. After that, idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken to the bathing altar,' an official said. The 'Pahandi ritual' was completed by 8.55 am, he said. Accompanied by Puri MP Sambit Patra, the chief minister entered the temple through the 'Uttara Dwara' (northern gate) and witnessed the morning prayers and the ceremonial procession of the deities, another official said. The festival, known as Deva Snana Purnima, takes place on the full moon day in the month of Jyestha, and this is the first occasion in a year when the wooden idols are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum in a procession and placed on the 'Snana Mandap' for the bathing rituals. It is also considered the birthday of Lord Jagannath. Amid chanting of Vedic mantra, altogether 108 pitchers of 'sacred water' from the 'Sunakua' (golden well), located on the temple premises, will be poured on the idols around 12.20 pm on Wednesday, another official said. Soon after Puri titular king Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb would perform ceremonial sweeping of the 'Snana Mandap' around 3.30 pm, the deities will be adorned with 'Gaja Vesha' (attire of elephant God), he said. 'Sahan Mela' or public darshan will be allowed from 7.30 pm, the temple calendar said. The deities will be taken to the 12th-century shrine and remain in 'Anasara Ghar' (isolation room) for 14 days as they fall ill after having the bath. The temple 'Baidya' (physician) would treat them with herbal medicines, and public 'darshan' of the deities will remain closed till 'Nabajouban darshan' till June 26, a day prior to the annual Rath Yatra on June 27. PTI AAM On the occasion, security has been tightened in Puri with deployment of 70 platoons (1 platoon comprises 30 personnel) of force and 450 officers, said SP Vinīt Agarwal. 'We expect a congregation of lakhs of devotees on the day and have made elaborate arrangements for crowd management, traffic regulation and ground control. The forces are deployed inside and outside the temple and at the seaside,' the SP said. The SP said that barricades have been erected to manage the smooth movement of devotees during the ceremonial bathing of the deities. 'For the first time, the police are using the AI-based surveillance cameras, linked to a new integrated control room, for real-time monitoring,' he added. PTI AAM AAM BDC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
