Bhaskar Ajja’s Sahasra Chandra Darshan Shanthi

To commemorate 80 years of cherished life of my Ajja, Shri Vedamoorthy Mulky Bhaskar Srinivas Bhat, his sons Prashant Bhat (Prashant-mam), Pramod Bhat (Badri-mam)  and Prajesh Bhat (Pajja-mam) held a celebration in Vedic style at Mulky Venkataramana Temple’s Bhojana Shala on Maga Shudha Poornima, Saturday the 30th of January 2010. The function was graced by our Dharmaguru His Holiness Shrimad Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, Mathadipathi of Shree Kashi Math Samsthan, Varanasi.

My Ajja is four years younger to our Param Pujya Shrimad Sudhindra Teertha Swamiji, and was inspired by Swamiji to take up family tradition of Poorohitya by studying at Nigamagama Veda Patashala in Mangalore. Once out of Nigamagama, he established himself as a highly respected Bhatmam at Mulky through his dedication towards his profession and hard work. He is known for his devotion to Lord Narasimha and Sri Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji. He has travelled to all Tirtha Kshetras in our country with Swamiji and also taken dip in all the holy rivers flowing in our country along with Swamiji. He is credited with undertaking Paryaya of performing Puja at Mulky Venkataramana Temple three times in his life. He has got the record of being the oldest Bhatmam to carry Lord Bindu-Madhava onto the Maha-Rath on the day of Ram Navami at the age of 73. While being associated with Mulky temple throughout his life, Ajja also has done Poorohitya of his Yejamans household festivities, moonji, marriages, etc. He is known for taking Blessings and Prasad for the betterment of his Yejamans from holy temples and from the camp of our Swamiji. Ajja is invited regularly to perform Havans all over India. But the most important characteristic of his life has been the hospitality shown by him to the visitors to “Sampige Mane” which is his residence and performing Vedic rites free of cost for the have-nots in the society. Ajja and my Mamama who is always with him in every walk of life are blessed with five daughters and three sons who are all married and so far there are eleven grand-children in the family…… (contd)

Manju Neereshwallya’s collection (due credits to Manju and Studio XL, Mangalore)

Such a personality like my Ajja needed a befitting celebration and thus Sahasra Chandra Darshan Shanthi was planned by his sons and was performed by Ajja in the midst of Vedic Chants by dozens of Vedic Pandits from across the country. Chandra is central to our life and a symbol of peace and prosperity. Our calendar is built around the motion of Chandra around Surya and a person who completes 80 years of life is supposed to have seen Sahasra Bidige Chandra of Shukla Paksha i.e., Second day of the rising Moon. Shanthi Havan is our way of showing gratitude to Chandra for giving a life full of energy and vigour, a body of sound Indriyaas capable of leading a proper life including Sprirituality, Dana, Dharma, etc. Along with Chandra all the Deva-Devatas and Ashtadikpalakas are also given offerings and prayer is made to give thanks for all the prosperity received, to get Kshama for any wrong-doings of the past and to obtain Varadan for a healthy life till the end.

Shrimad Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji arrived for the function after offering Pranamas at the temple. He was welcomed to the aesthetically decorated stage by Ajja and other family members. All the family members offered flower garland to the Swamiji. After welcome speech by Ajja, who became emotional with the presence of his beloved Guru, Swamiji delivered a thought provoking Ashirvachan. Swamiji stressed upon the need of Love and Affection among family members and within the Samaj. He briefly touched upon a biography of Ajja from his childhood till date and said that due to the good deeds that Ajja had done such a large gathering of family, friends and well wishers were witness to the function. Swamiji also highlighted Ajja’s devotion to his profession and his regard for his Yejamans and the reciprocal gesture from the Yejamans. His Holiness expressed hope that the Poorohitya Parampara of Bhaskar Ajja will be taken forward in the family. Swamiji spoke extensively about the need to preserve our Samskar and Cultural Ethos and not fall prey to the materialistic western culture. Swamiji explained the importance of Sahasra Chandra Darshan Shanthi for obtaining “Dhirgayushya”. Swamiji also highlighted the need for prayers at home every day by all family members. In the end Swamiji gave blessings to all the people present for the function. It was the 8th Occasion in which Swamiji graced the function of “Sampige Mane” which in itself is an honour… (contd)

———————————-

Tulasidas’ collection- full of Grandson’s love for all of us to see