Maharajshree - Innovations
 
Maharajshree was continually engaged in active research on the applied aspects of Vedanta. His under-mentioned contributions in this field are momentous.
 

 

Publication of Annotations on the Prasthaanas
 
Acharayas of Kailas Ashram have been great scholars who mastered the scriptures by the process of 'shravan' (listening), 'manan' (deliberating) and 'nidhidhyasana' (repetitive practicing) under the guidance of their Gurus. They therefore successfully annotated difficult portions of the scriptures for the benefit of coming generations. Maharajshree arduously brought to light the works of the preceding Kailas Acharyas on the three Prasthaanas. The annotations were mainly contributed by the fourth Acharya Swami Govindanand Giri Ji Maharaj and were systematized by the sixth Acharya Swami Vishnudevanand Giri. These annotations are considered extremely useful in grasping the meaning of both the text and commentaries thereon.
 

Simplified commentaries on the Scriptures
 
The study of scriptures in olden days was at the Guru's Ashram where the pupil used to spend 10-15 years wholeheartedly to master their texts. With change of time and preoccupation, people do not have sufficient time to spare for the studies of above type. In order to keep the study of scriptures alive, it was indispensable to devise ways of easy comprehension. Maharajshree therefore wrote simplified commentaries and notes on many books of Vedanta. His notes and commentaries on Venadanta Paribhasha, Brahmsutra, Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Chitsukhi, Sankshaep Shaarirak and Vyaptipanchakam have immensely helped the general reader and students in particular. These commentaries are both in Sanskrit and Hindi, thus meeting the requirements of diverse readers.
 

Invention of 18 day discourse (Ashtaadasha) on Upanishads, Brahmsutra and Bhagwad Gita
 
 The discourses on these subjects are often lengthy and expensive of time. One was never able to grasp the whole text in a limited period of time. Any break in study would erase the memory of the portion studied before. After great contemplation Maharjshree devised a 18 day discourse on each of the three Prasthaanas (Upanishads, Brahmsutra and Bhagwad Gita). A daily 4 to 6 hours lecture in 2 shifts for 18 days would cover the entire text of the scriptures and the commentary thereon by Adi Shankaracharya. Maharaj followed the 'Ashtadasha' chronology throughout his lifetime. It had become a regular feature of annual celebrations of Kailas Ashram, Rishikesha to include Maharaj’s 18 day lectures on the three prasthaanas, one each year.
 

 Shankar Digvijay Discourse
 
The life and teachings of Adi Shankaracharya as detailed in 'Shankar Digvijay' formed the topic of '7 day lecture' chronology devised by Maharajshree to popularize Adi Shankaracharya's life and works.
 

Maandukya Upanishad 7 day Discourse
 
The Maandukya Upanishad consisting of 12 mantras is considered to be the most important Upanishad to grasp the Vedanta Philosophy. The 'Karikas' of Gaudpada (the Grand Guru of Adi Shankaracharya), one of the earliest Vedanta works, is on this very Upanishad. Maharajshree devised a 7-day discourse to cover the entire Upanishad and the Karikas.
 

Kathopanishad's 3 day discourse
 
It was introduced by Maharaj and is particularly useful during the 'Shraadh paksha' for the 'tarpan' of the 'pitaras' (Manes).
 

Shankar Bhaashya Paaraayana
 
Maharajshree introduced a one hour daily recital of Adi Shankaracharya’s commentaries on 10 Upanishads, Brahmsutra and Bhagwadgita from 1st July 1998 by himself taking this vow initially for a period of one year. The pleasure and divine realization, he experienced by this practice was beyond imagination. He therefore extended the vow to life time. He preached that the comprehension of the commentaries was much better through their Paaraayana than their routine study as was being done so far. He also moralized that solution of any problem in the life of a person could be found by following this course faithfully on vow. Hence He strongly recommended this recitation to all saints and devotees. Bhagwad Gita, being the most popular and easy even for people with little knowledge of Sanskrit, was recommended by Maharaj for all categories of devotees. People who have adopted this have been greatly benefited and relate their exalted and rewarding experiences with genuine pride. For persons pledging to recite the Bhashya for their life times, different certificates of recognition viz. The Parayananurakt (ability to read the Bhashya), The Parayanpraveen (moderate expertise in the recitation of Bhashya) and The Parayanparampraveen (high degree of expertise in the recitation of Bhashya) were awarded.
 

24 Hrs. Uninterrupted recital of Shankar Bhashya on Bhagwad Gita
 
Maharaj adopted this practice on the birth and nirvana anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya.
 

 Sanskrit Speaking
 
The language of the scriptures being Sanskrit, its learning and speaking was encouraged by Maharaj, who Himself spoke Sanskrit everyday in the forenoon. Amazingly most people who visited him, understood him and replied correctly to his question asked in simple Sanskrit. More and more people started acquiring working knowledge of Sanskrit through the above practices.
 

Seven day uninterrupted recitation of the entire works of Adi Shankaracharya
 
Maharaj organized the seven day uninterrupted recitation of the entire works of Adi Shankaracharya on the centenary celebrations of the deity of Adi Shankaracharya in the Kailas Ashram, Rishikesha in 2004.
 

English Translations of Works
 
To fulfill the requirements of those aspirants desirous of comprehending Adi Shankaracharya’s work but had no or little knowledge of Sanskrit or Hindi, Maharaj initiated the translation of these works into English. The Bhagwad Geeta (Lalita) and Brahmsutra (Vidyananda Vritti) was translated by Dr. Narendra Tuli (an ENT surgeon) and published. The  discourses on Ishavasya Upanishad by Maharajshree were also translated  by Dr. Swami Narottam Giri and published.   
 

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