Regarding the Hamsa / Swan Emblem at the 4 Amnaya Peetas of Sankara

[Guest guest]

Dear Devotees,

 

I would like to share this piece of information regarding the “Hamsa” mudra in

the chatur (4) amnaya peetas of shankara bhagavatpada.

 

Sri Neelakanta Dikshitar, had composed a wonderful poetry on Goddess Minakshi

which is called ‘Anandasagara Stavah” It is in this composition, that he

mentions about the ‘Hamsa’ Emblem of Chatur Amnaya Peetas of Sankara. This

secret he knew from his Guruparampara and his Grandfather Sri Appayya Dikshitar.

 

Anandasagara Stavah

 

Sloka No. 108

 

“Chatur Adhyaye Rupam Kalahamsa Vyanjanam Jaganmatuh

Apara Brahmamayam Vapuh Antah Sasikhandamandana Mupase”

 

 

“The form of divine mother is described here as having Apara Brahma as an

object of decoration on her forehead and KalaHamsa (Swan) as the flag staff

(dwaja)”

 

The “Chatur Adhyaya Rupa” is the Brahmasutra of Vyasa having 4 adhyayas. This

Adhyaya Chatushtaya is considered as ‘Apara Brahmamaya’ or ‘Shadamaya Brahma’ as

this starts which “Athato Brahma Jigyasa”. ‘Shadbamaya Brahma’ which is the

upaasya in the brahma sutra is none other than the ‘Pranava’. This implies

‘Brahmasutra Adyaya Chatushtaya’ is the form of ‘Pranava’. This form of ‘Chatur

Adyaya Rupa’ of Brahma Sutra is depicted as ‘Kala Hamsa’ or ‘Swan’. The mudra

in the 4 amnaya peetas (Sringeri, Dwaraka, Puri and Badiri) is ‘Kala Hamsa’

which is the symbol of 4 adhyayas of Brahma Sutra.

 

Devi Sarada, which is the Peeta Adhistatri, is described here, as the

Brahmavidya Swarupini, as she is the ‘Upaasya Devata’ in Brahmasutras.

Chaturamnaya Peetas are the symbolic representation of Chaturadhyaya Rupa of

Brahma Sutras.

 

Omkareshwara Jyotirlinga is the kshetra is near River Narmada. This was also

the place where shankara bhagavatpada wrote commentary on Brahmasutra. He met

Govindabhagavat Pada at this place (Govindabhagavatpada also known as ‘Reva

Teerastha Yogi) and at the direction of his guru wrote the commentary at the

Siddhinatha Temple which is above the Omkareshwar Temple. The hamsa rupa is

inscribed on the Shiva Linga at this Siddhinatha temple. This temple was

excavated by Archeological Department of India. Kanchi Mahaperiyaval during the

Samadhi at this place identified the spot where shankara wrote commentary and

directed the Archeological Dept to dig out the temple which was underground.

 

With regards,

Sriram.

 

 

 

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