Divine Essence Of Sringeri: Sharadamba, Shivalinga, Rama, And Shankaracharya

About a month ago, on 22 March, the new Sharada Devi temple near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

This marked the return of the Goddess to the valley. This is a pivotal moment in India’s civilisational history. A hub for education in ancient India, Kashmir has a rich legacy of being home to Hindu shrines and places of learning. 

Kashmir To Karnataka: The Civilisational Connect

The Sharada temple in Kashmir is supported by Karnataka’s Sringeri Mutt. There is a historical and a civilisational connection between Kashmir and Karnataka.

The Sharada Peetham, the original learning institution for the goddess of knowledge and wisdom Sharada, was situated in the Kashmiri town of Sharda. Scholars from all over the world travelled to study at the Sharada Peetham in ancient times as it was a renowned centre for learning.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded the new Sharada Peetham in Sringeri after the Sharada Peetham in Kashmir declined as a result of local invasions and conflicts. Goddess Sharada is said to have appeared to him in a dream and led him to Sringeri.

Even today, the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, one of the four Peethams (educational institutions), is a significant hub for education and spiritual practice, drawing followers and academics from all over the world. 

Putrakameshti Yagna, Sage Rishyasringa And The Birth Of Lord Rama

In Hinduism, Sage Rishyasringa is a revered character who is renowned for his piety, wisdom, and spiritual abilities. Ancient writings indicate that Rishyasringa was the son of a sage by the name of Vibhandaka. He was given the name Rishyasringa, which means "deer-horned," because he was born with deer horns on his head.

According to legend, Rishyasringa played a key role in bringing rain to a kingdom ruled by Romapada that was suffering from a severe drought. The king had no heir, and a curse had caused a terrible drought in his kingdom. When Rishyasringa arrived in the kingdom, he carried out a ritual that caused rain to fall, ending the drought.

The king was deeply grateful to Rishyasringa and offered him the hand of his daughter, Shanta, in marriage. In Hindu mythology, this marriage is considered a momentous occasion, and the tale of Rishyasringa and Shanta is often cited as a symbol of pure love and devotion.

Rishyasringa is also credited with a pivotal role in the epic Ramayana. He performed the Putrakameshti Yagna, which enabled King Dasharatha to have children, including Lord Rama, who would go on to become a revered figure in Hindu mythology.

A Hindu ritual called the Putrakameshti Yagna is carried out with the goal of conceiving a child. King Dasharatha, the father of Lord Rama, is thought to have performed it for the first time in the epic Ramayana.

The ritual entails praying to the Gods and making sacrifices to the sacred fire. The ritual's ingredients can vary, but they typically consist of ghee, grains, and herbs. A group of poojaris lead the ritual while reciting hymns and mantras to evoke the blessings of the Gods.

Some families who struggle with infertility or who want a child with particular traits still perform the Putrakameshti Yagna. The ritual is thought to be a potent way to ask for divine intervention and blessings. 

The Malahanikareshwara temple in Karnataka connects the birth of Lord Rama to Sringeri. If Rishyasringa from Sringeri had not performed the Putrakameshti Yaga in Ayodhya, there would be no Lord Rama.

Sri Malahanikareshwara: Where The Journeys Of Maharshis And Adi Shankaracharya Converge

In Karnataka, the town of Sringeri is home to the stunning and revered Sri Malahanikareshwara temple. This historic temple, which honours Lord Shiva, was constructed in the eighth century by the Chalukya dynasty.

The temple's location along the Tunga River's banks contributes to its serene atmosphere. The temple's architecture is a stunning synthesis of Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles. The intricate carvings and sculptures on the temple's pillars and walls are evidence of the period's skilled craftsmen.

Lord Malahanikareshwara, who is thought to be an embodiment of Lord Shiva, is the temple's presiding deity. The deity is thought to have shielded the Sringeri residents from a Chola invasion in the past.

The Sri Mala-haani-kareshwara (remover of demerits or paapa) Temple is a highly venerated ancient Shiva temple with a history dating back to the time of Ramayana.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who established the Sharada Peetham at Sringeri, recognised the significance of the Sri Malahanikareshwara Shivalinga mentioned in the Puranas and integrated it into the tradition. A documentary film created by the temple authorities offers insights into the temple's origins and history.

You can watch the documentary film here.

Speaking in lucid Sanskrit, Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam explains, using references from Puranas and scriptural texts, how Maharshi Vibhandaka (son of Maharshi Kashyapa) was instrumental in the manifestation of Sri Malahanikareshwara Shivalinga. 

This film also recounts the significance of this Shiva Lingam in the life of Maharshi Vibhandaka's son, Maharshi Rishyashringa, who performed the Putrakameshti Yagna for Raja Dasharatha and was instrumental in ushering the Avatar of Lord Rama.

The documentary highlights the temple's history, significance, and development, as well as the extraordinary tradition upheld by the successive Jagadgurus of Sringeri.