[Advaita-l] Kalady’s Rediscoverer & Rediscovery - 2

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Continued from previous post)
 
 https://www.sringeri.net/2010/06/24/articles/kaladys-rediscoverer-and-rediscovery-part-1.htm
 
The Mahaswamiji personally trained many students at Sringeri. Some of His illustrious disciples included
Mahamahopadhyaya Sri Viroopaksha Shastri (who trained the Mahaswamiji’s successor in Vedanta and Nyaya Shastras),
Sri Venkataraman who became the Shankaracharya of the Puri Peetham as Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha.
 
During the later years of His life, the Mahaswamiji initiated the renovation of temple of Goddess Sharada
(the temple structure seen today is a result of this renovation). The Mahaswamiji also took a great step towards
enhancing advanced studies in the Vedas and Shastras by establishing in the Sringeri Shankara Math at Bangalore,
an advanced Pathashala called the Bharateeya Geervana Proudha Vidyabhivardhini Pathashala. Pupils were taught
Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa according to the ancient methods of imparting education. This Pathashala has
produced hundreds of great scholars in the past century.
 
The Mahaswamiji was indeed an epitome of dispassion but emotions poured out of His heart when worshipping or
beholding the various forms of the Divine. Melodious Sanskrit verses flowed as He stood transfixed before a deity,
whether He was at Sringeri or touring the country on a Vijaya Yatra. The Mahaswamiji also penned a few short essays
to convey the essence of Vedanta and the goal of human life. All his poetic compositions and works have been published
under the title “Bhakti Sudha Tarangini”. His works, short and crisp, yet pregnant with Vedantic import and devotion,
were in accordance to the needs of the times. They reflect His astounding nature as a great philosopher, scholar, poet,
and a devotee par excellence just as Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself.
 
While the Vedantic commentaries of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and some of His other works were well-known, there had been
no comprehensive list of the complete works of the great philosopher. The Mahaswamiji also got published for the
first time ever, the Complete Works of Adi Shankaracharya, titled the Shaankara Granthavali.
 
In spite of these achievements, the greatest gift of the Mahaswamiji to the world of Astikas is the rediscovery of
the exact birthplace of Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
 
To be continued …