Out of the innumerable living beings, getting a human life is extremely difficult. The Rishis, Maharishis have said from experience that the main goal of life is to make this human birth blessed. Brahmacharya – Gruhastha – Vanaprastha – Sanyasa are the four ashramas which are the steps of sadhana for attaining Janma Saphalya (fruitfulness of life). In the Brahmacharya – Gruhastha – Vanaprastha Ashramas one should achieve Dharma – Artha – Kama and attain the supreme purushartha, Moksha, through Sanyasa Ashrama.
Of these four ashramas, Sanyasa ashrama, which is conducive to the attainment of moksha, is the highest. The Gruhasthasrama, that protects this holy Sanyasa ashrama, has earned the name as the most blessed ashrama. It is the dharma and duty of the Gruhasthas to protect the Sanyasis and Yatisreshtas, who have sacrificed all the karmas of Samsara, by offering food & water as alms. This helps the Sadhana and rituals of the Yatis to continue without interruption. Among the various types of donations, donating food & water is the best donation that gives instant satisfaction. When this donation is given to the Yatisreshtars, it gives the Gruhastha endless holy benefits. This donation given to the Yatisreshtas is known as Bhikshadanam.
Yatihaste jalam dadhyaat bhaikshyam dadhyaatpunarjalam |
Bhaikshyam parvatarupam syaattajjalam saagaropamam ||
The Gruhasthas should give Hastodakam to the Yatis, then give Bhikshadana and again give Hastodakam. The glory of Yati Bhiksha is celebrated in Dharma – Shastras that this Bhiksha given to an Yatisreshta becomes like a mountain and the water becomes great like the sea. It is described that “Kinchiddatwaapi Iaye praapnuyaat sukrutam bahu”. Even if he gives a small amount as alms to the Yatis, the Gruhastha attains great merit.
Sanyasa Ashrama – By offering Bhikshadanam to Srikshetra Shakatapura Sri Vidyabhinava Sri Sri Krishnananda Teertha Mahaswami, who became SriVidya Saadakottama by pleasing Sri Lalita Sri Mahatripurasundari Devi Sri Mata by continually observing Rahoyaga Sri Vidyopaasana Tapo Anusthana, the Maha Sadhana that bestows Moksha, we are definitely granted the topmost merit.
His Holiness is a Yatisreshta of Badarikashrama Parampara founded by Yugapurusha, Paramasiva Avatari, Parama Poojya Jagadguru Sri Sri Shankara Bhagavadpada who gave rebirth to Sri Guru Parampara.
It is a good opportunity for all the devotees of SriVidya Peetam to do Bhikshadaanam on the occasion of Chaturmaasya Vratha to Sri Sri Acharya Mahaswamigal, the Yatisreshta who has uplifted generations of clans by accepting Sanyasa Ashrama and who is uplifing generations of devotees and disciples through His power of performing many thousands of SriVidyopasanas. I request you to take advantage of this auspicious occasion to become a beneficiary and a blessed Gruhastha.¯
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