Even as two of the four Shankaracharyas--from Joshimath in Uttarakhand and Puri in Odisha--have decided to skip the ‘Pran-Pratishtha’ (idol installation ceremony) at Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22, citing “non-adherence to the Shatras”, the Shankaracharya of Sringeri (Karnataka) has clarified that media reports about his ‘displeasure’ are false and a “false propaganda by the ill-wishers of our Dharma”.
However, the Sringeri Math has not clarified whether the pontiff would be attending the ceremony, though some media reports claimed he would be skipping the event owing to “prior engagements”.
In a statement published on Sringeri Math's official website addressing devotees, the Math said, “It has been noted that during such an occasion (consecration ceremony), certain ill-wishers of our Dharma have used the name of “www.dainikjagran.com” in social media to spread a post, which carries a photo of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peethadheeshwara, His Holiness Paramapujya Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji and it conveys that the Sringeri Shankaracharya in a message has expressed displeasure over the pran pratishtha. This is merely a false propaganda by ill-wishers of our Dharma." It added, "All Astikas are hence requested to disregard such false propaganda and take note of only what is published on our official website (www.sringeri.net) and official social media platforms.”
Sharada Peetha ((Sringeri Math in Chikmagalur district) – one of the four major Shaivite shrines and followers of Adi Shankaracharya has expressed that it was a “matter of joy” for all ‘Astikas’(believers) that after a struggle of nearly five centuries, the ‘pran pratishtha’ (idol installation ceremony) was taking place in the “beautiful temple” constructed for Bhagavan Sri Rama at Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Kshetra, the sacred Ayodhya on Pushya Shukla Dvadashi (22-1-2024).
Math stated that the pontiff had conveyed his blessings and called upon every ‘Astika’ to take part in this most sacred and rare ‘pran pratishtha’, and be a recipient of the unbounded grace of Bhagavan Sri Rama.
The letter also pointed out that the Peetha, on last Deepavali had published the message of the Sringeri Jagadguru in its YouTube channel, where the pontiff appealed to all devotees to chant the ‘Rama Taraka Mahamantra’ ahead of the ‘pran pratishtha’ at Ayodhya.
On November 14, the pontiff had asked the devotees to chant “Taaraka Mantra” (‘Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama’) at least 308 times every day, starting from Deepavali till the ‘pran pratishtha’ at Ram temple in Ayodhya.
“This year, the grand temple will be opened at the birthplace of Lord Rama, amidst pran pratishtha, Kumbhabhishek Mahotsav. The greatness of the divine names of God is unparalleled and amongst the gods, the significance of the name of lord Rama is holy and infinite. So, we call the chanting of Lord Rama’s name as ‘Taraka Mantra’, which is also known as ‘Trayodasakshari mantra’ as it has 13 syllables,” the pontiff had said.
Elaborating on the significance of the chantings, he had said Sri Adi Shankaracharya, in his verse - ‘Ram Bhujang Sthotra’, had mentioned that by chanting the name of Lord Rama there would be no need to fear anything in this world, not even death.