Benedictory Message of H.H. Bhāratī-tīrtha Mahāsvāmin, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Our revered Guru, Jagadguru Śrī Abhinava Vidyātīrtha Mahāsvāmin, who is worthy of being called to mind first upon awakening in the mornings, possessed unmatched wisdom. Having become a paramahaṁsa-saṁnyāsin when He was going on 14, He did not formally study science in an academic institution. Nevertheless, He acquired clear knowledge of matters relating to contemporary science. Scientists who had occasion to engage in dialogue with Him were surprised to find first-hand how well-informed He was. Our extremely dear disciple, Umesh brahmacārin, a bee abiding in His lotus-feet, had described His holy life in a large biographical book in English. He has now penned this book that keeps in mind a set of perceptive persons and aims to bring out in depth what was covered briefly in that book about the revered Guru’s scientific insight. We are greatly pleased that this book is being published. We believe that like the earlier biography, this book too shall delight people. We bless that all those who helped in publishing this experience happiness.

With the thought of Lord Nārāyaṇa

(S/d Bhāratī-tīrtha)

(Place:) Sringeri

(Year-month-tithi:) Śobhakr̥d-vaiśākha-kr̥ṣṇapañcamī

(Day and date:) Wednesday; 10.05.2023.

His Holiness Jagadguru Śrī Bhāratī-tīrtha Mahāsvāmin, the reigning 36th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham, specifically directed me to write this book and it is in obedience to His directive that I have done so. Further, in response to my requests, His Holiness compassionately gave me some guidelines, specified the page size by mentioning a book, decided the title, chose, with a modification, the cover design from the ones that I submitted to Him for His consideration, and, upon the completion of the book, blessed it with His śrīmukha (benedictory message). I offer, with gratitude and reverence, my namaskāras to His Holiness.

The biographical work referred to by His Holiness in His śrīmukha is: The Multifaceted Jīvanmukta – His Holiness Jagadguru Śrī Abhinava Vidyātīrtha Mahāsvāmin.¹ This book, too, was written by me as per the directive of His Holiness, who blessed it with His śrīmukha and released it Himself at Sringeri in 2017 on the occasion of the birth centenary of His Holiness Jagadguru Śrī Abhinava Vidyātīrtha Mahāsvāmin, the 35th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham. His Holiness told me that though linked to it, the present book must be independently readable.