FOREWORD

It will be a truism to state that, if the fundamentals of our religion and way of life have continued to be maintained and preserved down the centuries not with-standing the batterings of conflicting ideologies and the impact of exotic faiths, it is in a very large measure due to Sri Sankara and the philosophy he preached and propounded in his immortal classics. In order to carry his message to posterity, Sri Sankara also established four maths in four principal quarters in India, and of these, the Sarada Pitha that he founded for the South at Sringeri has always remained prominent and far-reaching in influence.

The glory of the Sringeri Pitha can be traced to the fact that, right from the time of Sri Sureswara its first Occupant, the seat has been graced in unbroken succession by a line of Acharyas of exemplary piety, vast learning and dedication to the good of mankind. Many of them were distinguished for their intellectual brilliance, and made invaluable contributions in the realm of religious literature and scholarship. Sri Narasimha Bharati of recent memory (Ugra-Narasimha Bharati as he was popularly known) was an austere Saint of matchless spiritual power who toured the country several times imparting the solace of religion and conferring his blessing on a land torn by internecine feuds and wars. His worthy Successor Sri Sachchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharati was a Rajayogi whose manifold attainments and accomplishments made him renowned as a reincarnation of the great Sri Sankara Himself. He founded Academies of learning at Sringeri, Bangalore and other places, discovered the birth place of the Master at Kalady and put it on the spiritual map of India. Above all, he inspired and was instrumental in giving the World the first authentic collection of Sri Sankara’s monumental works.

His Holiness Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati Maha-Swamigal was cast in the same mould. He carried on the Sringeri tradition and considerably added to its radiance and lustre. The sweep of his mind and massive intellect and his unique capacity for abstraction and powers of introspection took him to heights transcending human experience. His countenance beamed with compassion, and was at times lit by a smile that seemed to kindle the universe. His austerity and tapas gave him a divine halo, and thousands flocked if only for a glimpse of him. On such occasions as he gave Darshan, one felt it was God incarnate walking the earth.

Sri R. Krishnaswamy Aiyar has given us peeps into his divine personality in various publications with an authenticity born of long association and contact. It is a rare blessing for me to be associated with him in this, his latest offering.

2 Bazlulla Road, K SANKARANARAYANA AIYAR Madras, Retired District Judge. 5—12—1962.