Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati,
Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (1941-1953)
'By virtue
of your complete unattachment to vyavahaara
(daily business) you had a great influence on folk. Your guidance was
that you did not accept puja
donations. He did not accept money etc. left at someone’s
departure, on any occasion. A signboard was placed in your tent and
attached at the peeth
bhavan informing svashtikarana
karanevaali (ones who chant benedictory mantras), whereupon
was written';
भगवत्पूज्यपाद अनन्तश्री विभूषित
जगद्गुरु शंकराचार्य ज्योतिष्पीथाधीश्वर
स्वामी ब्रह्मानन्द सरस्वती जी महाराज
के दर्शन पूजन दीक्षा आदि में द्रव्य चधाने का निषेध है
“Bhagavatpuujyapaada Anantashrii Vibhuushhita,
Jagadguru, Shankaraachaarya Jyotishhpiithaadhiishvara,
Swaamii Brahmaananda Sarasvatii jii Mahaaraaja
ke darshana, puujana, diikshaa, aadi men dravya chadhaane kaa nishhedha hai.”
meaning:-
IT IS PROHIBITIED TO MAKE OFFERINGS OF WEALTH
IN THE DARSHAN, PUJA, DIKSHA etc.
OF
BHAGWATPUJYAPAD ANANTASHRI VIBHUSHIT JAGADGURU SHANKARACHARYA JYOTISHPEETHADHISHWAR
SWAMI BRAHMANAND SARASWATI JI MAHARAAJ
'After
the populace of Kanpur had delivered their offerings of faith, Maharaj
Shri told to them in his
upadesha (teaching);
In Kanpur it is a custom to make
gifts of thaili (small bags). But we are not someone who is
contented with a thaili
of stones and jewels, rupees and paisa (paisa are small
coins). You should give
to me bags of the durguna (flaws)
of
mankind."'"Such
welcome and praise for me
is not necessary. But, according to Bhaaratiya Sanskriti (Indian culture) etiquette
exists concerning the welcome of the guru and so it is
fit. To that we agree. But henceforth, our welcome is this, that
you give us some of your time. Because,
according to the deity, such is the worship. Similarly when the guest
comes you should give welcome accordingly. We are come down from the
Himalayas, then our reception also is similarly like the Himalayas, you
should give some big thing. In worldly existence time is the most
precious thing, therefore do our welcome with that.
Deliver that thing that is extremely precious to
you. We see that of all the things beloved by man, are the durguna (defects,
flaws, blemishs, faults). Man is not ready to let go of
them. Wealth he
expends, disgrace he bears, the body it becomes feeble, but he is not
concerned. Therefore, offer your best loved flaws to us. This is our
service and worship. These are the gifts we receive.
* * *
- quotes
from 'Shri
Jyotishpeethoddharak' the biography of Guru Dev
translation by Premanand © Paul Mason 2021
translation by Premanand © Paul Mason 2021
