Golden jubilee of becoming Sanyasi of Bharathi Teertha Swamiji of Sringeri - Lakhs of devotees chant en masse Namah Shivaya Stotra at Palace Grounds.
"Source of happiness is to walk in the path of truth" - Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar
Bengaluru, October 26: "Hindu culture is all inclusive; we should not see divisiveness in God; the source of happiness is not wealth but to walk in the path of truth will get real happiness" said Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar here on Saturday.
The Vice President was speaking at the Mass rendition of Shivaya Stotra by over 2 lakh devotees, mostly women, at the sprawling Bangalore Palace Grounds to mark the Golden Jubilee of Bharathi Teertha Swami of Sringeri Mutt embracing Sanyaas.
The event was conceived and blessed by Shankaracharya Sri Shankara Bharathi Swami, the seer of Yadathore Sri Yoganandeshwara Saraswathi Mutt.
The programme was aptly titled as "Suvarna Bharathi"
The sheer size and scale of the programme and the unity as well as the discipline got it registered in the India Book of Records.
Jagdeep Dhankar further said that the concept of service to the poor and downtrodden - Daridranarayan - is very deep in the Indian psyche. "We are the people who see god in poor people. It means helping the poor," the Vice President added.
According to Jagdeep Dhankar it was only in India Unity in Diversity is seen and experienced. India is a land for humanity.
"We all need to practice and follow the philosophy propounded by Adi Shankaracharya," the Vice President said.
He further said that India was the repository of rich cultural heritage. We have faced many challenges and continue to face them even today.
"By facing these challenges with unity and determination, we need to protect our Dharma, Culture and tradition," Jagdeep Dhankar explained.
"India has shown to the world what inclusivity is by practicing equality, non-violence and unity. India has given birth to many religions. I am completely mesmerized after listening to the mass chanting of these stotras. It was soothing to my mind. This event will further strengthen the link of our Indian culture. Sanatana Dharma is known for patience, tolerance and welfare of all. We think and work for the welfare of others," the Vice President opined.
In his speech, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said Bharathi Theertha Swamiji has worked for the protection of Dharma. "We all have been a part of the sea of devotion. There may be failure in our efforts but our prayers will not fail. The Sringeri Mutt is striving to protect and safeguard Dharma. The entire government is in solidarity of the Mutt. The Sringeri Mutt had maintained its respect by involving people-oriented service activities," Shivakumar added.
Shivakumar further said that irrespective of dharma, the philosophy is the same; irrespective of the names, God is one; irrespective of the duties, the commitment is the same; God is one, people call by different names. "My relationship with Sringeri Mutt is that of Guru and Devotee," the Deputy Chief Minister added.
According to Shivakumar, Bharathi Teertha Swami ji has been serving Desha and Dharma for the last five decades. We are fortunate to be moving ahead under his guidance. "His preachings are always soothing to the mind," the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Senior Advocate Ashok Harnahalli read out the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In his message, Modi said Adi Shankaracharya had dedicated his life for the cause of knowledge and various other problems. Sri Sri Bharathi Teertha Swami, who has completed 50 years of his ascension to Sringeri Peetha, has been explaining to the people lucidly the most intricate aspects of spirituality.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, in his speech, said Adi Shankaracharya was the first philosopher who declared equality among all human beings to the world. Practice will always be ideal for everyone.
"Bharathi Teertha Swami ji has been an ideal to everyone by practicing what he has been preaching," Joshi added.
The mass rendition of Shivaya Stotra has been registered by the India Book of Records.
Speaking after receiving the certificates from India Book of Records, Sri Vidushekhara Bharathi, the junior pontiff of Sringeri Mutt said, "If Hindu Dharma survives, all other religions in the world will survive. We all need to walk ahead in unity to protect Hindu Dharma. Sri Shankara Bharathi Swami ji has been rendering yeoman service to the cause of Dharma without any fanfare. I am extremely happy to take part in this magnificent event. Sri Brahmananda Swami ji has been closely following Shankara Bharathi Swamiji. Vedanta Bharathi is known for its commitment to the cause."
Apart from Brahmananda Swamiji, many dignitaries were present on the occasion.
EOM
