Tradition of Sringin : Malayala Brahma Worship in the Mathas of Shri Vidyaranya Swami’s Lineage … III

Pushpagiri Matha

The Pushpagiri Matha also has a traditional connection with Malayala Brahman. The following is the relevant information about this connection :-

1. Every year on the day of Bahula Dvadasi in the month of Phalguna, there will be an Aradhana of Sri Malayala Brahmendra-Swami in the Pushpagiri Matha. This will be performed on the same linės as aradhana to the preceptor of the Acharya of the Matha, with special attention of bhakti and sraddha. This is said to be a ‘parampara acharam’. Thus there will be two aradhanas, one for the guru of the presiding acharya of the Matha and the other for Sri Malayala Brahmendra.

2. As per the records of this matha, this Malayala Brahmendra Swamivaru has got another name Sringara Bhatta. The records show that the aradhana is written as ‘Sringara Bhatta Aradhana’.

3. During the course of daily puja there will be no mention of Sringara Bhatta. But on every Friday mention of Sri Malayala Brahmendra Swami is made as shown below :-

Sankalpam:-

“Sri Malayala Brahmendra, Mahakali, Maha-sarasvati, Chandi Navakshari, Sri Sarada Chandramaulisvara devatapujam karishye.”

Mantrapushpam:-

During the offering of mantrapushpam the names of the same deities as aforesaid are uttered.

At the end of the puja also the names of Malayala Brahmendra, Mahakali etc., are repeated.

The above information is the translation of the Telugu version of manual of rituals found in the Pushpagiri Matha.

(Sri Vidyaranya, The Vidyaranya Vidya Pitha Trust, Hampi, Publication no.3, 1983)

Pushpagiri Mathamnya Stotram

Puspagiri Mathāmnaya

” All the Sankarite Institutions in the Mysore state and Ceded Districts have the epithet “tungabhadra -tiravasi” and ” Karnataka-simhasana- pratisthapanacarya” in the preamble to epistles being issued, that is, Srimukhas.

The expression, “Karnataka-simhasana- pratisthapanacārya” refers to Vidyaranya the reputed founder of Vijayanagara Empire. In the seals of most of these institutions the name of Vidyāśankara is also embossed.

The epithets of the śrimukhams of all the institutions usually allude to the founders of the respective institutions.

And a reference to Vidyāranya stabilizing the Virūpākṣa matha and the on the banks of the river Tungabhadrā in a hymn styled Puspagiri mathāmnaya which is quoted in the Sānkaramaṭha-tattva-prakāsika – sangraha published by the great Telugu Poet, Kokundrum Venkataratnam Pantulu gāru.

He states that Vidyāraṇya came from Kañcipuram to Hampi or Virupakṣa and wrought many miracles. And after his life work in that region he returned to Kāñcipuram with great pomp and splendour. 1.

Thus Kanci has been connected with the propagation of dharma through the Sankarite Institutions in the Andhra and Karnataka regions.”

Sri Vidyanya Swami’s visit from Kanchi to Hampi Virupaksha Kshetra, establishment of Matha and His samadhi at Kanchi.

….

ततः परं गजाद्रीन्दु-रूपके शकवत्सरे ।

विद्यारण्यगुरुः काञ्ची-नगर्यां सम्बभौ महान् ।।

….

पुण्यक्षेत्रे विरुपाक्षे मठमेकं मनोहरम् ।

…..

वैशाख कृष्णपक्षस्य तृतीयायां विधोर्दिने ।

विसृज्य काञ्चीनगरं सहैश्वर्यं सवाहनम् ।।

विद्यारण्यगुरु:स्वामी कैलासालयम् आविशत् ।।

tataḥ param gajadrindurupake sakavatsare | vidyaranyaguruh käñcinagaryam sambabhau mahān |

….

punyakşetre virupakşe mathamekam manoharam |

vaisākha kṛsnapakṣasya tṛtiyāyām vidhordine visrjya kāñcinagaram sahaisvaryam savāhanam || vidyaranyaguruḥsvami kailasālayam āvisat ||

(Dr.V.A.Devasenapati, Director, Centre for Advanced Study in Philosophy, Univerity of Madras – KAMAKOTTAM, NAYANMARS AND ADI SANKARA, Published By The Institute of Traditional Cultures, University Buildings, Madras, 1975. P. 50 &51)