Homage paid to Swami Swarupanandasaraswati Maharaj
The Advaita Madom should act as the spiritual center of the community.
Kannur: The memorial meeting of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Dwaraka Peethadhipati Swami Swarupanandasaraswati Maharaj was held online on Tuesday, 13 September 2022 at 8.30 pm.
Venerable Peethadhipati Swamiyars of Amnaya Maths in Kerala participated in the meeting and gave keynote address. Prominent Vedic Scholars, tantric practioners, representatives of Madoms / Veda Patasalas and Sanatana Dharma aspirants interested in creating a society based on Advaita Vedanta attended the meeting.
Naduvil Madom (Yajurveda) Sri Achuthananda Bharati Swamiyar, while delivering the benediction address at the meeting, emphasized the social relevance of Amnaya Madoms. Today, it is generally accepted that India should be in the position of Jagadguru (Global Teacher) of the countries of the world in the economic and social system based on a worldview and philosophy based on Advaita Siddhanta given by Adi Shankaracharya. But he reminded us that people should be ready to adopt a way-of-life based on the four ashrams as envisaged in the Indian culture and if they rush after material gains, it will destroy their health, peace and happiness.
Education (Brahmacharya) and married life (Garhasthya) are the focus and interest of everyone today. There is no understanding or vision of retirement. That is what was called the third ashram “Vanaprastha” in the past. In this this Vanaprastha period, one should not be too selfish and should work for the betterment of society. It doesn’t have to be spending time in the spiritual realm. For example, retired teachers can serve for free teaching institutes without stressing on monthly income. That way one can spend the rest of the time time productively. This purpose-oriented living is what the Japanese call ‘ikigai’ and as a result of which the people there have a long and healthy life span. People who have taken this Vanaprastha can work with local Madoms or any other voluntary organizations. Madoms are welcoming centers for such people. They can work in one of the three fields of activity namely karma, upasana and jnana (work towards society, involve in rituals or engage in knowledge based activities).
From Vanaprastha Ashrams only a very few are able to enter Sanyasa Ashram with a sacrificial attitude. That is why even today monks are highly respected by our society. Asceticism, the fourth Ashram of a human, is practiced in the same traditional way in Shankara Madoms in Kerala, as it used to be for centuries. When you have a vision till the end of your life, you can curb your endless desires. A peaceful life can be lived with celebration and joy on earth. And understand that is salvation.
He also recalled that Swami Swarupanandasaraswati was a person who adhered to such a traditional moral system.
Then Trikaikat Math (Atharva Veda) Parameshwara Brahmananda Swamiyar, in his blessing message, said that Shankara Madoms outside Kerala are involved in many social activities and we should emulate them. While being spiritual centers, attention should also be paid to other areas of human need. Shankara Madom in Kerala has many places, buildings, and temples. In order to integrate all of them, service-oriented people and organizations led by such people should come forward to devise various projects useful to the society. Sri Raghavapuram Sabha meeting is a befitting example of that sort of a Public Trust. The need of the day is such an interactive approach. The karmic areas of the Madoms include Srauta Sanskriti (traditiona of rituals) based on the Vedas, Tantra based on the temples, and Yoga with Sadhana (meditation). Also, it is possible to influence the academic field through events like Vakyartha Sadas etc. Therefore, he underlined that Madoms should not be seen as mere buildings for monks to live but as religious institutions for the cohesion of society. He also recalled that Paschimnamnaya Peetham Swarupanandasaraswati Swamiyar was one such auspicious ascetic through-out his life.
In the meeting, Sri Egda Nilamana Eswaran Namboothiri, (Director, Veda Vidya Pratishthanam); Shri Hari Perkundi Periamana Vadhyan, (Secretary, Shri Raghavapuram Congregation), Dr. Thottam Sivakaran Namboothiri (Samaveda), Brahmashree Vaidikan Kaimuk Sridharan Namboothiri, Thripunithura Kovilakam Sri Aniyan Raja, Srimati Sindhu Raja, Sri Srinivasan Namboothiri (Tantra Vidya Peeth), Sri Kunhi Madhavan (All Kerala Urala Sabha), Sri Tarananallur Satheesan Namboothiri (Tantri) Bhavatrathan Namboothiri ( Shukapuram Sabha meeting), also spoke.