44. An Admirable Attitude

Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji’s devotion to Adi Shankaracharya was unparalleled. While many may chant the name of Sri Shankara, how many truly embody unwavering devotion to the great Acharya? Indeed, only a rare few.

Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati had consecrated a statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kaladi, his sacred birthplace. For Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati Mahaswamiji, Sri Shankara’s presence there was not merely symbolic. It was eternal, living and ever-resplendent.

In 1927, during His stay at Kaladi, His Holiness founded a Vedanta Patashala to uphold and spread the wisdom of Advaita. On the day of its inauguration, the distinguished scholar Karuvanam Krishna Shastry was in the hall which was facing the sacred image of Sri Shankara, while his Vidyarthis (students) remained in the backyard. As the Jagadguru entered the hall, Krishna Shastry called out, “O Vidyarthis, come here! The Guru has arrived.”

No sooner had he spoken than the Jagadguru, in His characteristic humility, gently remarked, “O Krishna Shastry, Sri Shankara Bhagavadpada alone is the Guru here. In His divine presence, we–you, me, and everyone else–are all Vidyarthis. There is no need to address them alone as students.”

What a profound humility! What a boundless devotion! In that single moment, the Jagadguru reminded everyone that before the eternal light of Sri Shankara’s wisdom, all are but seekers, forever students at the feet of the great Master. ❃❃❃❃