99. श्रीविद्याजपनिष्णातः Śrīvidyā-japa-niṣṇātaḥ

One who was proficient in the performance of Śrīvidyā-mantra-japa

The Lord extols mantra-japa as the best amongst yajñas.²⁵⁴ A very important mantra in the Śākta tradition is the Śrīvidyā-mantra, which is dedicated to Goddess Mahā-tripurasundarī. It is also referred to as the pañca-daśākṣarī or mantra of fifteen syllables. The Jagadguru of the Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetham initiates His successor-designate into several mantras including the Śrīvidyā-mantra. In keeping with this tradition, His Holiness was initiated into the mantra within a few days of His saṁnyāsa, by His Guru. Ever since, His Holiness regularly engaged in the japa of the Śrīvidyā-mantra. In fact, His Holiness was no ordinary performer of the Śrīvidyā-japa, but a niṣṇāta, One who had attained perfection, in it.

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A few days after His Holiness initiated His disciple, Jagadguru Śrī Bhāratī Tīrtha Mahāsvāmin into saṁnyāsa, He initiated Him into the Śrīvidyā-mantra. During the initiation, as His Holiness was uttering the dhyāna-śloka concerned, He abruptly became motionless and unmindful of His body and surroundings. After some time, He regained normalcy and told His disciple, “You are fortunate. As I was reciting the dhyāna-śloka, I had a fascinating vision of the Goddess and was forcefully drawn into samādhi.”

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