Much controversy has broken loose with The Shankaracharya of Dvaraka Math and Jyotir Math gracing the wedding of the son of Mr.Mukesh Ambani, the owner of Reliance Industries Ltd.
Earlier this year, The Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, Svami Avimukteshwaranand Sarasvatiji Maharaj, had made intensive efforts on listing political parties that do not support cow slaughter. Lately, there have been some unexpected statements in support of the politician, Uddhav Thackeray. It is noteworthy that Shankaracharya Svami Avimukteshwaranand Sarasvatiji Maharaj has also been involved in highlighting the painful destruction of Puranic temples as part of the Kashi Corridor project. In an interview with Manushi India , Shankaracharya Svami Avimukteshwaranand Sarasvatiji Maharaj had mentioned (5:18/38:29) that the four Shankaracharyas and five Vaishnavacharyas, and thirteen akhars accepted the request of Narasimha Rao to be part of the Ramalaya Trust. However, Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharya, Svami Nishchalananda Sarasvatiji Maharaj, Govardhan Math, did not support P.V.Narasimha Rao or join the Ramalaya Trust (as per which the temple was to be constructed with the mosque at the disputed site). As a result of this resistance, the ‘Fake Shankaracharya of Puri’ was created and He had to undergo lot of torture due to the pressure of politicians (that continues till date).
These controversies pertaining to the Shankara Mathas have left many Hindus in dilemma. At this point, we felt it is important to share some background related to the anointment of the current Shankaracharya’s of Dvaraka and Jyotir Math. It may help us gain some insights and clarity.
The anointment of both the Shankaracharya’s (Jyotir Math & Dvaraka Math) was done by Jagadguru Sringeri Shankaracharya, Sri Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Maharaj, as can be witnessed in the video below (September 2022):
However, in the official position taken by Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharya, the anointment of the current Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, Svami Avimukteshwaranand Sarasvati, and Dvaraka Math, Svami Sadanand Sarasvati, have not been accepted. This was made clear through the official statement given by Govardhan Math.
In an official post by the Twitter account @govardhanmath, in September 2022, it was shared that in His lifetime, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Svami Swaroopananda Sarasvatiji Maharaj did not declare anyone His representative or successor and in-fact accused the person for declaring himself as His representative.
If Jagadguru Shankaracharya Svami Swaroopananda Sarasvatiji Maharaj had made anyone the successor of Jyotir Math or Dvaraka, He would have announced it publicly. In such a situation, misleading propaganda in His name is a sign of greed, fear, emotionality and indiscretion.
Notification about the anointment of a person or the announcement of the name of a person by the representative of Puri Pith to the post of Acharya of Dvaraka and Jyotir Math is unreliable.
Read The Official Tweet of Govardhan Math.
In relation to the above, Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharya has also given a message to Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri, who had conducted the anointment of Svami Avimukteshwaranand Sarasvati Maharaj, and Svami Sadanand Sarasvati Maharaj as Shankaracharyas of Jyotir Math and Dvaraka Math, respectively.
The Message via Svasth Kranti (with English subtitles):
Regarding Jyotir Math, it is crucial to get some information on the past court cases and controversies, with respect to the seat of The Shankaracharya. An overview has been given here.
All the above differences and controversies pertaining to the Shankara Mathas only take us back to the often repeated, precious words of Jagadguru Puri Shankaracharya mentioning the need for the purification of Vyaspeeth and that, at the root of destruction of Hindus lies the directionlessness of Vyaspeeth and a government which not aligned with dharma.
Us lay Hindus may only observe what is happening and select our paths wisely.