100. श्रीचक्रार्चनतत्परः Śrīcakrārcana-tatparaḥ

One who was intent on the worship of the Śrīcakra

The Śrīcakra is a representation of Goddess Lalitā-tripurasundarī as prescribed in the Tantra-śāstra. Its two-dimensional representation etched on a metal plate is called the Śrī-yantra, and its three-dimensional form is called Śrīcakra-mahāmeru. The Mother Goddess is invoked and worshipped in the Śrīcakra through an elaborate procedure, for which initiation into the Śrīvidyā-mantra is an essential prerequisite.

A sacred crystal Śrīcakra-mahāmeru worshipped by Bhagavatpāda has been worshipped by the successive Jagadgurus of Sringeri. As per tradition, His Holiness would perform elaborate worship to this Śrīcakra on Fridays at the end of the Candramaulīśvara-pūjā in the evening. On special occasions like the nine-day śaran-navarātri, He would perform Śrīcakra-pūjā every morning. Whenever He performed the pūjā, He would be totally absorbed in it, tatparaḥ, intent, as He was, on performing this arcana, worship, to the Śrīcakra, which symbolizes Durgā, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī.

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Jagadguru Śrī Bhāratī Tīrtha Mahāsvāmin once reminisced in a benedictory discourse, “My Guru used to revel in performing pūjā to the Śrīcakra. He never wanted to miss doing the pūjā even if He were unwell. Once when I asked Him, ‘Your Holiness is not keeping well today. Shall I do the Śrīcakra-pūjā?’ He answered that He would do it. Considering the state of His health, I pressed, ‘Your Holiness is unwell. As such, doing the pūjā will cause much strain.’ He said gently, ‘No, it is alright. I will do the pūjā myself.’ So intent was He on worshipping the Śrīcakra, that He did not mind putting up with much physical discomfort in order to do so.”

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As mentioned under nāma 3, His Holiness’s Guru composed verses about His Holiness. One of them that He wrote and gave to His Holiness conveys, “May Vāṇī, Lakṣmī and Gaurī guard you, the foremost Guru, while you sleep, sit, stand and walk.”²⁵⁵ Clearly, the senior Jagadguru wanted that the Mother of the Universe in Her three forms, forever protect His dear disciple.

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