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Sri
Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
H.H. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati
was the 68th Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. He became the
pontiff in 1907 when he was barely thirteen years of
age and was an acharya till he attained samadhi in 1994
when he was almost 100 years old. Universally hailed
for the divinity he radiated and revered by people of
all religions in India, he was also an expert in epigraphy,
archaeology, history and sculpture. His only mode of
travel was by foot, even during his extensive travels
all around India, covering several thousand kilometers.
The Dalai Lama complimented his complete renunciation
and asceticism when he referred to him as “the
only monk of the twentieth century”. His services
for the cause of Hinduism and spirituality are too numerous
to be recounted. |
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Sri
Jayendra Saraswathi
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
His Holiness Sri Jayendra
Saraswati Swamigal is the 69th Shankaracharya of the
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He is renowned for his concern
for the spiritual and material uplift of the weaker
sections of society and for his numerous social initiatives
in this regard. He intensified the activities of the
Kanchi Math to cover new social objectives -education,
health, employment, temple renovation etc. Due to his
untiring efforts, the Kanchi Math has established religious
and social institutions in many parts of India. |
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Sri
Vijayendra Saraswathi
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
His Holiness Sri Sankara
Vijayendra Saraswathi, the 70th Shankaracharya and current
pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, is a young but
highly accomplished yogi, trained for over 11 years
by the great Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. He has
initiated a number of measures to draw the youth to
and train them in the great ancient cultural and artistic
traditions of India. His keen interest in preserving
India’s ancient literature has brought out many
publications through the Kanchi Math in Indian and foreign
languages. |
Deepavali Message for American
Brothers and Sisters,
Hindus world wide are religious and satvic (non violent).
The life of a Hindu, even prior to his birth as well as even
after his death is linked with religion and God through karmas
(duties) to be performed on his behalf as enshrined in the
shastras. All Hindu festivals are associated with God and
celebrated with deep spiritual and religious fervor and happiness.
Deepavali is one such very important festival.
Skanda Puranam, one of the 18 Puranams which formed the core
of Smrithis (divine books which form part of the Scriptures,
and which draws the common Hindu towards the goal of devotion
to God) mention Ashta Maha Vratams (the eight big spiritual
observances). One is the Kedara [Gowri] Vratham which is Deepavali.
It is said that one who observes these great vrithams along
with prescribed guidelines or otherwise, gets his boons fulfilled
and will be guided towards the path of liberation. The origin
of this festival is also popularly traced to the belief that
this marks the killing of the terrible demon Narakasura by
Sathyabhama, wife of Lord Krishna. Narakasura was a servant
of God in his previous birth. Due to a curse, he was destined
to be born as an Asura [demon] and his salvation or moksha
was destined to occur at the hands of Sathyabhama. The Asura
himself pleaded to Lord Krishna that his death must be rejoiced
and celebrated by all. This explains the reason for the celebration
of Deepavali.
The name “Diwali” is used by all except in South
India and is a corruption of the correct name “Deepavali,”
which means “array of lamps.” It is celebrated
differently in different parts of India. However, Hindus worldwide
take a special bath, smear the body with some oil, wear new
clothes, pray to God, light oil wick lamps, burst firecrackers,
make and eat several kinds of sweets and edibles, and exchange
greetings with relatives and friends. The Hindu business community
also performs a special worship to Goddess Lakshmi and the
day is the beginning of the new financial year for many in
the business community, when books of accounts are closed.
In places other than South India, Deepavali is a five day
festival. It symbolizes the ancient culture that spread throughout
India and wherever Hindus lived.
The significance of Deepavali is the removal of darkness and
ignorance from the mind and filling it with goodness. It marks
the victory of divinity over evil. In this strife torn world
with human beings hating each other and terrorism taking it’s
toll everywhere around the world, this truth, this message
of God, for spreading love and friendship throughout the world
is all the more significant. Let this Deepavali mark the beginning
of love and friendship among all people all over the world.
Let this Deepavali spread divinity over evil hereafter.
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
http://www.kamatoti.org
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