In the southwest of Chennai, India, lies Kancheepuram,
popularly known as Kanchi, a celebrated place
of pilgrimage and has been a centre of literary
pursuits and advanced learning. This is where
Sri Adi Sankara (otherwise called Sri Sankara
Bhagavatpada), a great philosopher, preceptor,
and a conspicuous national integrator of the very
early period of India’s history, settled
down, after his various tours through most parts
of India. He established monastic institutions
called mathas, or seats of learning, to safeguard
the ancient Veda-Dharma and for the propagation
of the Advaita discipline at many important and
sacred places in the four corners of India, and
founded a line of successors after him on the
Peetham or prayer hall.
One of these was the Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetham, the most ancient institution, which was
founded on Vaisakha Sukla Full Moon in 482 B.C.,
with Sri Sankara Bhagavatpada as the first Acharya
or spiritual teacher. There has been an unbroken
chain of 70 Acharyas in the Peetham since its
inception.
The world-renowned 68th Acharya,
the Mahaswami Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi
Swamigal was the brightest diadem in the illustrious
chain of Peethadhipatis. He was considered as
the reincarnation of Adi Sankara and was regarded
all over the world as a living divinity. Affectionately
called ‘ Mahaswamigal’ and ‘Walking
God’, his conquest over the mind, body and
the senses was so complete that people saw in
him a halo rather than a body or person. He radiated
light, exuded benevolence, and asserted that for
the salvation of the soul, one must perform his
duties to the supreme Lord as well as to the world.
It is these duties that constitute what is called
Dharma.
In high honour to the Sage of
Kanchi, GOLDQUEST International Ltd and B.H. Mayer’s
Mint, Germany, in cooperation with the Shri Kanchi
Kamakoti Peetham, present the Paramacharya Medallions
in proof 1 oz gold and a set of 10 g gold and
1 oz silver. Available in GOLDQUEST’s Premium
and Advantage Collections – World and India,
these admirable numismatic pieces are true reflections
of divinity in human form - in the Mahaswami of
Kanchi.
|
