Gems of Spiritual Wisdom (Divine Teachings of Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal)

His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal, who adorned the sacred Sringeri Sharada Peetham as its 35th Shankaracharya, was a consummate Yogin, an unmatched authority on the Sastras and a deeply revered jivanmukta. The greatly compassionate Jagadguru graced His innumerable disciples in many a way. His expositions of even the most complex scriptural topics were unfailingly clear-cut, simple to understand, delightful accurate. This book contains His teachings in the form of quotations grouped into broad categories. These quotation condense what has been taught in several scriptural texts. Every spiritual aspirant will immensely benefit by reading and reflecting on these profound teachings.

His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal, the 35th Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, was an unmatched authority on the scriptures, a peerless yogi, a multifaceted jivanmukta, an ocean of mercy and a perfect preceptor.

Born in Bengaluru on 13th November 1917 to a pious couple on the auspicious day of Deepavali, He was named Srinivasa Sastry. Even at a tender age, He displayed noble virtues such as respect to elders, compassion to fellow beings. unshakable faith in God and courage.

Days after His upanayana (sacred thread ceremony) in Sringeri on 4th May 1930, young Srinivasa Sastry had the darshan of His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal. the then pontiff of Sri Sharada Peetham. That meeting turned the life of the young boy. Srinivasa Sastry expressed His desire to study Sanskrit and scriptures at Sringeri. Impressed by Srinivasa Sastry, the Jagadguru blessed Him and made arrangements for His studies at the Math.

The Jagadguru used to have the students of the pathashala accompany Him during His evening walks to the Kalabhairava Temple on a hill in Narasimhavana in Sringeri. He prompted and guided them in discussions about impermanence of possessions and about discrimination, dispassion and liberation, the ultimate goal of human birth. The words of the Guru had a tremendous impact on Srinivasa Sastry. Soon, Sri Srinivasa Sastry decided to embrace sanyasa and seek realization. Jagadguru Sri Chandrasekhara Bharathi Mahaswamigal bestowed sanyasa on Srinivasa Sastry on 22nd May 1931, and gave Him the monastic name. Abhinava Vidyatheertha, in remembrance of the great Jagadguru Vidyatheertha, the 10th Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

In addition to the daily observances as laid out fora paramahamsa-sanyasi. His Holiness Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal, herein after referred to as "His Holiness’ promptly put into practice Hatha-yoga and meditation, with the directives of Lord Shiva obtained in divine dreams and with His Guru's blessings. Over the subsequent few years, He practiced asanas, kriyas, pranayama. meditation on divine forms, kundalini-yoga, nada- anusandhana and deep contemplation on the Atman-Brahman - leading to the attainment of savikalpa-samadhi and nirvikalpa-samadhi. On 12th December 1935, His Holiness attained direct realization of the Supreme Brahman and jivanmukt (liberated even while living), characterized by firm establishment in Brahman.

His Holiness devotedly and impeccably served His Guru for twenty three long years. The bond between Him and His Guru was extraordinary: while He was very deeply devoted to His Guru and served Him with dedication, His Guru loved Him dearly and even regarded Him as God incarnate. In 1954, after the maha-samadhi of His Guru, His Holiness became the $5" Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

Upon becoming a pontiff, His Holiness carried out various developmental works in Sringeri such as construction of guest houses for the visiting devotees. developing barren lands into coconut Groves and rice fields. Consistent with His opinion that "if every man decides to protect his own cows, cow-slaughter will come to an end." He had a go-shala (cattle shed) constructed to house cows, calves and bulls. He ensured that the cattle were properly tended to till their graceful end. He was a master engineer. He Initiated the construction of a permanent bridge across Tunga, which now stands as "Vidyatheertha Setu".

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