Sri Shankaracharya Ashtottara Shatanaama Paarayana Yajna
Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya
With the blessings of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam, and Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam, Sri Adi Shankaracharya Ashtottara Shatanama Parayana Yajna commenced throughout Karnataka on 6th December 2015.
The Yajna, being conducted by Sri Shaankara Tattva Prasaara Abhiyaanam of the Peetham, is being observed throughout Karnataka. As part of the Yajna, tens of thousands of devotees have begun chanting the Ashtottara Shatanama of Sri Adi Shankaracharya in groups spread across hundreds of centres in the various districts of Karnataka.
Earlier, on 15th November 2015, a meeting of coordinators from all districts and taluks of Karnataka took place in Sringeri under the leadership of the Peetham’s CEO & Administrator, Sri VR Gowrishankar. Practice sessions for chanting the Ashtottara were also held.
The same evening, the attendees sought the blessings of the Ubhaya Jagadgurus at Guru Nivas. Sri Mahasannidhanam in His Anugraha Bhashanam said that it is our foremost duty to remember and revere Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the incarnation of Lord Parameshwara, for reviving Sanatana Dharma and for showing the path of welfare to all. Remembrance of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and His virtues can be done by all by chanting His Ashtottara Shatanama. If we understand the pregnant meanings behind each name in the Ashtottara, and chant the names, it will be as if Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself stands before us giving us His Darshan. Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed that every follower of Sanatana Dharma participate in this Japa Yajna, the greatness of which is vouched for by Bhagavan Himself in the Gita, where He states – “यज्ञानां जपयज्ञोऽस्मि” – Of all Yajnas, I am the Japa-Yajna. Sri Mahasannidhanam also said that the the Parayana of the Ashtottara of Sri Adi Shankaracharya must become part of our daily prayers. Sri Mahasannidhanam ended the Anugraha Bhashanam blessing all those assembled.
Thanks to the effort of all these coordinators, more than a thousand centres with groups of devotees across Karnataka sprang up. The Yajna commenced on 6th December 2015 with Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam lighting a lamp at the Pravachana Mandiram in front of the temple of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Many hundreds attended the event and chanted the Ekashloki Prakaranam of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sringeri Guru Vandanam, Sri Sharada Bhujanga Stotram of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and the Ashtottara Shatanamavali of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Ashtottara was chanted 5 times, with the same pattern to be followed for a total of twenty-two Sundays until May 1st 2016.
In His Anugraha Bhashanam, Sri Sannidhanam pointed out the importance of Guru in Sanatana Dharma, the role of the Guru in our lives as the remover of our ignorance, extolled the virtues of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and called for chanting of the Ashtottara Shatanamavali with total Shraddha and Bhakti and with the intention of resulting in the welfare of mankind.
Audio files can be downloaded from the below links
02 Ekashloki (Updated)
04 Sharada bhujanga prayata ashtakam (Updated)
07 Mangalam (Updated)
08 Ekashloki Learning Version (Updated)
11 Sankalpa Learning Version
Source:http://www.sringeri.net/activities/propagation-of-sanatana-dharma/ashtottara-yajna
Source:http://www.sringeri.net/activities/propagation-of-sanatana-dharma/ashtottara-yajna
