Chandrashekara Bharati III (born
as Narasimha Sastri; 1892–1954 ) was the Jagadguru
of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham during 1912–1954. He was one of the most
significant spiritual figures in Hinduism during the 20th century. He was known
to be a Jivanmukta (Sanskrit - for
one liberated while alive).
Biography
Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati was
born on Ashvayuja Shukla Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the bright fortnight in
the month of Ashvayuja) in Nandana samvatsara (corresponding to October 16,
1892). In purvashrama, His father was
Gopala Sastri and mother, Lakshmamma. A notable feature of his life was that
his birth, upanayanam, sannyasa and videha mukti (death), all happened on
Sundays.
Childhood Days
The childhood days of Narasimha
Sastri (as he was named by his parents) were passed in Sringeri. He was an
introvert and had little attraction for the objects of the world. His parents
performed the Choodakarma (a rite
performed). He was then sent to the local Anglo-vernacular school run by the
government. His Brahmopadesha was
performed when he was eight. He was regular in the performance of Sandhyavandanam three times a day, and Agnikarya, twice a day.
Narasimha, after his twelfth year,
changed over to Sadvidya Sanjivini Pathasala in Sringeri under the express
wishes of Jagadguru Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Sri Narasimha Bharati, the
then head of the Mutt. The Jagadguru kept a close watch over the progress of
his ward.
The then Acharya of the Sringeri Mutt
had established in 1910 an institution of higher Vedantic training- Bharatiya Girvana Prouda Vidya Vardhini
Shala in Bangalore. Narasimha Sastri moved to Bangalore in 1911 with his
parents and plunged into his studies. He was taught there Purva Mimamsa and Vedanta.
Sanyasa
In 1912, Narasimha Sastri became
the successor to the Sharada Peetham. Before Narasimha could arrive in
Sringeri, the Acharya had attained Videha
Mukti. So, on April 7, 1912, Narasimha Sastri was initiated into Sannyasa and given the yoga patta of Chandrashekhara Bharati.
He was ordained in the dashanami
tradition of Sri Adishankaracharya.
Kumbhabhisheka and Digvijaya
In 1916, the Kumbhabhisheka (consecration)
of the Sharada Temple in Sringeri was performed by Chandrashekhara Bharati
Mahaswami. In 1924, he left Sringeri on his first Digvijaya (tour). At Kaladi,
in 1927 he established a Vedanta
Pathashala. He then returned to Sringeri after visiting a few more places
in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Avadhuta Sthiti
After returning to Sringeri, the
Mahaswami assumed the Avadhuta Sthiti
(the state of being an Avadhuta). He was absorbed in the inward bliss of the
Atma. He named a successor to the Peetham. In 1938, he undertook a yatra, he
resumed his classes on Vedanta and wrote thought-provoking and erudite articles
in a journal published by the Mutt. He granted interviews to genuine seekers
and gave darshan to the public.
Videha Mukti
After 1945, the Mahaswami
gradually withdrew from all activities. However, his fame had spread far and
wide. The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, visited Sringeri to
pay homage to the Jagadguru. The President discussed with the Mahaswami on Dharma
and other allied subjects.
On September 26, 1954 (the day of
the Mahalaya Amavasya), the Mahaswami took a bath in the Tunga River in
Sringeri. Afterwards, he sat in padmasana
posture and attained Videha Mukti.
His body was discovered floating in the river.
Works
Sri Chandrashekhara Bharati’s main works are:
- Gururaja Sukti Malika containing 36 compositions in
about 400 pages. Printed in Sanskrit and Tamil
- Bhashya (commentary) on Vivekachoodamani of Sri Adi Shankaracharya