Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamin

Chapter 4 - Initiation into Sannyasa

On jyeshta shukla panchami, 22 May 1931, His Holiness was initiated into sannyasa by Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharathi Mahaswamiji. He was given the yogapatta (monastic name) “Abhinava Vidyatheertha”.

That evening the Guru and disciple, in keeping with tradition, were to be taken through the streets of Sringeri in golden and silver palanquins respectively. The senior Jagadguru, however, chose to sit on the silver palanquin and asked His Holiness to sit in the golden palanquin. This was most unusual.

The scripture says that a disciple should follow his Guru and not go ahead of him. The senior Jagadguru’s command required His Holiness to break this rule. In addition, the seat of the Guru is supposed to be respected and not occupied by a disciple and the senior Jagadguru had used the golden palanquin for many years.

People may have mentally censured His Holiness, not knowing the reason for His Holiness occupying the golden palanquin. Notwithstanding such considerations and though He had not even completed fourteen years of age, His Holiness experienced no confusion. As far as He was concerned, the command of the Guru had to be obeyed without the least hesitation. Years later, when asked about the feeling His Holiness had on receiving such a difficult instruction, He replied, “What is there to feel? My Guru’s command is inviolable. As a disciple, it is my duty to carry it out”. He attached no significance whatsoever to His great demonstration of unconditional obedience to the Guru.