Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Spreading Adisankara's message

Staff Reporter

`Influence' of Adisankara on the Constitution highlighted

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Advaitha philosophy of Adisankara propounds the presence of God in everyone, said director of All India Radio, Visakhapatnam, P. Vedavathi at the inaugural of a seminar on `Adisankara's philosophy, its universal application and practical approach, for world peace and importance of Sri Sringeri Sarada Peetham' organised at the School of Economics, here on Tuesday.

She said every man has two births: one through his mother and the second when he realises the presence of God in himself. A good guru could guide one through the right path to realise the `parabrahma swaroopam' in oneself, she added.

In his keynote address, principal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar College of Law (AU) R. Venkata Rao recalled events in Adisankara's life and the impact of his philosophy on the Constitution.

"When Adisankara was touring the length and breadth of the country, a `chandala' (untouchable) had blocked his way with his four dogs. Adisankara's disciples asked the `chandala' to clear the way for their guru.

Adisankara realises that the same `Parabrahman' dwells in everyone. Thus, Adisankara had received spiritual enlightenment through Lord Siva, who appeared in the form of a `chandala'.

National integration

This is reflected in Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution that deal with equality and fraternity assuring dignity of all individuals.

The Adiguru also made a significant contribution to national integration. In the ancient days, there was no integration between the innumerable kingdoms in India except when `Aswamedha yaga' was performed. Adisankara unified them as a single unit, at least culturally, by integrating cultures thus paving the foundation for national integration.

Seminar organising secretary D. Dattatreyulu underlined the importance of revival of Adisankara's teaching and to apply them to overcome the problems of the present day. Akella Satyanarayana Murthy of Sringeri Peetham spoke about the genesis of the peetham .

Principal of Sri Gauthami Vidyapeetham Oriental College, Rajahmundry, Viswanadha Gopalakrishna Sastry, said India has an immense treasure of knowledge and youth should dig deep into that knowledge instead of looking towards the west.

Akkubhotla Sarma of the AU's Sanskrit Department spoke.

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