Talk:Sri Sacchidananda Bharati I

POV
The NPOV tag has been added for this reason:

See Sri Sacchidananda Bharati I:

"Swami Sacchidananda Bharati's pontificate(1623-63) was mostly cast in a period of turmoil, civil wars, anarchy and lawlessness, which engulfed this region of India. Narasimha (25th Pontiff) soon acquired mastery of the Vedas and the Sastras and later visited many famous shrines which helped to cultivate in him the attitude of a supreme devotee. Meticulous in the performance of the duties ordained to a brahmachari the desire was kindled in him to enter the grihasta stage of life and lead the ideal life of that asrama. He travelled to Sringeri in the hope of winning the hand of the daughter of his maternal uncle, who was then scholar in the Math. The then Jagadguru Narasimha Bharati discovered in Narasimha all the makings of a successful Acharya and persuaded him to take sannyasa. The moment Narasimha made up his mind to take up the Holy Order, all his vasanas disappeared and he shone with great spiritual effulgence. Such was the spiritual power of the then Sringeri Acharya, and such powers have often been manifested in the past by Acharyas of the Sringeri Parampara. Sri Sachchidananda, the newly ordained Swami, soon succeeded to the Peetha. Through the power of his tapasya and mantrasiddhi, he saved Sringeri from spoilation.[1] Besides his great austerities, '''he had an uncanny genius for administration. It is no wonder that contemporary Princes and Administrators, including Muslims, held him in great reverence'''. We should remember this great Guru among the hierarchy of Peethadhipathis [See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagadguru_of_Sringeri_Sharada_Peetham], for he had been chosen from Southern Tamilnadu to the Sringeri Math."

You might observe that there are too many POV stuff in the article. It looks like a eulogy of an ardent devotee. Thanks - Ravichandar My coffee shop 17:15, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

understand that this was done in good faith.. Actually I need help to understand how these tags can be removed...How to go about doing this? What is the process? Ravichandar had mentioned that copying verbatim infuses pov...But he did not elaborate on how to go about removing it. I would like to know - If these sentences in this paragraph can be rephrased or ask someone else to read the biography and represent what is in the biography in his own words... I have added a lot of references now... I would like to know the process for removal of NPOV and wikify Kbala1055 (talk) 05:21, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

I have made the changes as follows: 1. Supreme has been removed 2. "Uncanny genius" is removed 3. "It is no wonder that contemporary Princes and Administrators, including Muslims, held him in great reverence. We should remember this " - These sentences are removed.

I feel the rest can be kept as such... "The great spiritual effulgence" cannot be removed as in the Pg no 45 of the biography - part- I, this sanskrit sloka clearly demonstrates this: Upadishtamahamantro mahasa samashobatha| udayaachalamaaruda: sharadeeva Divakara:||

The author R Krishnaswamy Iyer provides Tamil meaning here: Mahavakyam upadesanmanavudan viseshamana Tejas Erpattadu. SaradKalttil Kalayil udayamana suryan pola prakasittar.

After he was given upadesa of this mahavakyam, he shone with special radiance. or effulgence. He shone like a rising sun in the monsoon season.

Let me know if the tag can be removed. Kbala1055 (talk) 11:04, 11 May 2008 (UTC)

I am looking for the author and name of the article in Sankara Krupa in 1962 where the Meenakshi Ashtakam has been published and also a few other notable compositions of 25th pontiff are published. IF anyone has the information, let me know here. Kbala1055 (talk) —Preceding undated comment was added at 16:01, 27 July 2008 (UTC)

We had recently visited this Village for the Jayanthi day celebrations on 24-08-2008 (Sravana Krishna Paksha Navami Rohini star). The villagers here took us to the point of confluence of the three rivers Vaigai, Manjalaru and Maruda. One gentleman pointed out that this place is called "Mukkattuthurai" by locals here. Pilgrims take a holy dip here during auspicious days like Amavasya and believe that by doing so, they will attain liberation (Moksha in Hinduism) from life. He also took us to the remains of the ancient temple nearby which is believed to be Koti Mukteeswarar temple (as mentioned in the biography of R Krishnaswamy Iyer). The outer temple walls are said to be around six feet which is submerged in the ground. We could see stone carvings in Ancient Tamil language in the top two feet of the outer walls. I feel that this will be of great interest to the Archealogists and Epigraphists of Tamil who are studying or would like to study this period (Late 16th century-Early 17th century) and/or this area. This is a picturesque location with surrounding mountains of Kodaikanal. There is a reference to "Thiru kanda Vinnagaram" which roughly translates to Srikanteswarapuram. I had the good fortune to get an old photo of this place. Will try to scan and update it. Kbala1055 (talk) 01:01, 26 August 2008 (UTC)

Attached the Koti Mukteeswarar temple with the majestic Kodaikanal Hills in the backdrop near the point of confluence of the rivers --> photograph of temple and ancient tree (believed to be sthala vruksham of temple). This may be of interest to ancient temple historians also in addition to Epigraphists. Kbala1055 (talk) 01:43, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

I would like to add these images with the references in the biography in the mail article. Let me know if anyone has any objections.Kbala1055 (talk) 02:14, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

The Author R. Krishnaswamy Iyer, in this biography, mentions about this Koti Mukteeswarar Temple in this Village Srikanteswarapuram or Kunnuvarankottai or Kunnapatti (as it is now called). This temple was near the point of confluence of the 3 rivers before it is believed to have been damaged by natural calamities like floods. Villagers here point out that, in those days, long before dams like vaigai dam, mullaiperiar dam were constructed, the rivers near this point of confluence was overflowing with water during monsoons. Common sense suggests that the current village was moved 0.5 km away from this point of confluence and new temple for Lord Viswanatha was built, the villagers point out. Locals believe that the idol was brought from Varanasi or Kasi. Can I add this reference in the main article? Kbala1055 (talk) 16:20, 3 September 2008 (UTC)

I have scanned the original photo of the tower.. I would like to upload this main article. Let me know if i can Kbala1055 (talk) 02:00, 24 October 2008 (UTC)

In Hindu mythology, the places near the rivers that flow northwards are considered sacred. Ganges river flows northwards near Varanasi and is considered very sacred in Hindu mythology. The Viswanatha temple is also considered sacred. Furthermore, in India the places where the rivers flow northwards are considered sacred as places of religious significance called as sthalam or kshetram. The northern direction is considered the abode of Gods or Kailash and the southern direction is of the manes.

The tributaries Varuna or Varuni and Assi join Ganga near Varanasi. Hence the name Varanasi.

People constructed temples to venerate the rivers, gods in such places and typically named after Varanasi temples, Kasi Viswanatha temple, Annapurna temple, Visalakshi temples etc. Veneration of rivers, gods and goddesses is a normal Hindu practice.

Links given below suggest the sacred nature of the Ganges flowing northwards near Varanasi.(People refer this as उत्तरवाहिनी - meaning 'north flowing river')

http://www.bharatonline.com/uttar-pradesh/travel/varanasi/the-ganges.html http://www.bharatonline.com/uttar-pradesh/travel/varanasi/ghats/ganges-bath.html

http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:75PsDHy-iRMJ:www.kautilyasociety.com/heritage/file/albums/userpics/10003/Varanasi_Realities.pdf+varanasi+ganga+river+flowing+northwards&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in

http://www.varanasicity.com/river-ganga/river-ganga-course.html

http://www.shubhyatra.com/uttar-pradesh/varanasi-ghats.html

http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/sacred-places/2007/11/16/a-place-for-the-dead-and-the-living.html The Ganges, which normally flows southeast, reverses its course and flows north for a while at Varanasi. This trait is considered very auspicious and that is why Banaras has a special significance among the Ganges Baths. There is a five-mile circumambulation path that goes around this sacred city. There are as many as 81 bathing ghats and other holy kund. It is said that it is important to bathe at Manikarnika, by the cremation Ghat in order to purify oneself. It is called Uttara vahini

The features of Varanasi Along the river Ganges, normally flowing eastward but turning northward in Banaras, making the sun rise perpendicular to the flow of the river, the pilgrim can, with joint hands, salute simultaneously the river and the sun, the raison d'être which makes Banaras the best site for holy dips. Every year, more than a million pilgrims come to this city to bathe in the Ganges river, to immerse the ashes of the dead, to offer special prayers. Pilgrims flock to the ghats- the steep stairs that lead from the city to the western river bank. They come here to have a ritual bath and perform prayers in front of the rising sun, offering terracotta or leaf cups with candles, flowers and incense that float down the Ganges. The tributaries Varuni and Assi join Ganga near Varanasi. Hence the name Varanasi.

Varanasi, the aged Kashi, is a city of pundits in orange shawls and wooden sandals; a city where the smoky haze of funeral pyres blends with the sound of temple bells. For Varanasi is ground zero for Hindus who come here to die in the hope of breaking out of the cycle of karma and re-birth. Carved out along the banks of river Ganges at precisely the only place along its course where the river flows from the South to the North (in Hindu mythology towards the abode of the Gods and hence the sanctity of the place). A bend in the river. But why here? Why, on a river that is more than 1,500 miles long, did Varanasi emerge where it did? "Thousands of years ago the spot was the nexus of some important trade routes," says John Hawley, professor of religion at Columbia University's Barnard College. "It was also unusual in that the river, which flows southeast, here makes a sharp turn and flows north, as if it were looking back at its origins."

"The northern direction was considered very auspicious," concurs Travis Smith, a Varanasi expert and assistant professor at the University of Florida's Department of Religion. "And it was significant to Varanasi's development," because it allowed worshipers and temples on the western side of the river to directly face the rising sun. According to Smith, Varanasi soon "became associated with wandering ascetics.

Vaigai river flows northwards for a few miles near this place Kunnuvarankottai and is joined by the tributaries Maruda, Manjalaru or Haridra rivers. Since there is a confluence of the rivers and Vaigai river is flowing northwards, the place is considered Sacred (See reference to Ganges flowing northwards above). So the villagers have built Kasi Viswanatha temple named after Visvanatha temple in Varanasi. Villagers believe that idol of Viswanatha was brought from Varanasi without placing it on the ground by walking all the way from Kasi centuries ago. The north flowing river is called "Utharavahini" -उत्तरवाहिनी - உத்தரவாஹினி (north flowing river)- This is mentioned in the article in the monthly Tamil magazine called "Amman Darisanam" by author Venkatramani. This reference is mentioned in the external links in this article. Kbala1055 (talk) 04:55, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

In Yoga, the Surya namaskar - (The Sanskrit word surya means sun. Namaskar is the Hindi word for Namaste, from the root nam, to bow. Namaskar means salutation, salute, greeting or praise.) is done facing the sun. As both Varanasi and this village is on the western bank of the river Ganga and vaigai respectively, the devotees can take bath facing the sun and can do Yoga or the Surya namaskar which is to be done facing the sun. See link below:

http://www.santosha.com/asanas/suryanamaskar.html

The following parallels drawn by the villagers here between river Ganga in Varanasi and Vaigai in this Village need particular attention - 1) Ganga flows northwards near Varanasi - Vaigai flows northwards in this Village -उत्तरवाहिनी - உத்தரவாஹினி (north flowing river) -This is mentioned in the article in the monthly Tamil magazine called "Amman Darisanam" by author Venkatramani. This reference is mentioned in the external links in this article.

2) Ganga is joined by tributaries Varuna or Varuni and Assi here. Similarly, river Vaigai is joined by Maruda and Manjalaru here. 3) Lord Viswanatha temple is in both these places. 4) Confluence of 3 rivers in Hindu mythology is generally referred to confluence of the 3 sacred holy rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati - Triveni Sangam (त्रिवेणी सङमम् - த்ரிவேணி சங்கமம் - Meaning - Tri - Three, Veni - river , Sangam - Confluence ). In this village also, confluence of 3 rivers Vaigai, Maruda and Manjalaru is also referred in the same vein as Dakshina Triveni sangam त्रिवेणी सङमम् by Villagers here. 5) The holy city of Varanasi is on the western bank of the river Ganga and similarly this village is on the western bank of the river Vaigai. 6) It is believed by the villagers here that the idol of Viswanatha temple was brought from Varanasi or Kasi centuries ago by their ancestors. It is believed the ancestors came walking all the way carrying the idol on their heads centuries ago. I would like add a reference in the main article to this feature in this village. If anyone has any objections, pls let me know Kbala1055 (talk) 05:00, 13 June 2009 (UTC)

The Hindu symbolism for confluence of 3 rivers denotes the yogic confluence in the Agna chakra of the three inner rivers Nadis within human beings - Ida, Pingala and Sushumna confluence in between the eyebrows in Agna chakra. Ida and Pingala Nadis are not the gross sympathetic chains. These are the subtle Nadis that carry the Sukshma Prana. In the physical body these tentatively correspond to the right and left sympathetic chains.

Ida starts from the right bottom and Pingala from the left bottom portions of the body. They meet with Sushumna Nadi at the Muladhara Chakra and make a knot there. This junction of three Nadis at the Muladhara Chakra is known as Mukta Triveni. Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati dwell in Pingala, Ida and Sushumna Nadis respectively. This meeting place is called Brahma Granthi. Again these meet at the Anahata and Ajna Chakra. In the macrocosm also you have a Triveni at Prayag where the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati meet. This is spiritual significance of the three-river confluence. REfer links below for more inputs :

http://www.spiritualityworld.com/pages/yoga/nadis.php

http://www.yoga-age.com/modern/kun4.html Kbala1055 (talk) 17:54, 11 July 2010 (UTC)

Current Pontiff of Sringeri Sarada Peetam visit to the village of Kunnuvarankottai on June 2nd 2012 -
His Holiness Sri Sri Bharathi Theertha Maha Swamigal's had visited the village of Kunnuvarankottai on June 2nd 2012 in the forenoon. The villagers had prepared the village for the visit a week before and welcomed him to the Village after a gap of 25 years. The Villagers gave a hearty welcome in front of the Dhyana Manadapam of the 25th Pontiff of Sri Sri Sri Sachidananda Bharathi Swamigal. His Holiness visited the Dhyana manadapam and evinced His keen interest there. HH also visited the Kunnuvarankottai Kasi Visalakshi viswanathar temple and prayed in the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Viswanatha and Visalakshi. HH then addressed the gathering of around 250-300 villagers there and blessed them whole-heartedly. I personally witnessed this event as I had travelled from Chennai to this village of Kunnuvarankottai to witness the villagers welcome His Holiness. He then visited the place of confluence of the rivers Vegavathi and Haridra called as Manjalaru and graced the place where the reamins of the old Koti Muktheeswarar temple still there and saw the inscription on the outer wall. I would like to upload 2 photographs of this visit in the page. Kbala1055 (talk) 02:34, 16 June 2012 (UTC)