Pics: Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jan 18: As part of the Shiroor Paryaya Mahotsava, the Darbar meeting was held in a grand and devotional atmosphere on Sunday at the Rajangana of the historic Sri Krishna Math here. The event witnessed the presence of pontiffs of various Ashta Maths, dignitaries, public representatives and thousands of devotees.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Shiroor Math said that Lord Sri Krishna of Udupi is unique, holding a kadagolu and a rope instead of a flute. He noted that offering pooja at Sri Krishna Math is akin to performing a grand yaga. Madhwacharya, he said, established the idol not merely for worship but to spread the message of Lord Krishna, emphasising two core principles: service to humanity and service to God, since God resides in every living being. Swamiji urged devotees to visit the Krishna Math even on their leisure days to serve the Lord and stressed the need to protect and preserve the Vedas.
Mysore Palace Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar said he was fortunate to witness the Paryaya celebrations. He recalled that one enters the Mysore Palace through Palimaru Math and Puttige portraits, reflecting the deep reverence accorded to Udupi Sri Krishna Math. He remarked that no amount of respect would be sufficient for the Math, considering its immense contribution to the protection of dharma, and described his visit to Udupi as a blessed and memorable experience.
Sri Vidyasagara Theertha Swamiji of Krishnapura Math said that the Paryaya Swamiji has shouldered a great responsibility at a very young age and therefore requires the cooperation of all. He said everyone must walk on the path of dharma and actively work towards it, adding that merely teaching is not sufficient and that teachings must be put into practice to have true value. All actions, he said, should be carried out with love and devotion to God.
Sri Vidyadeesha Theertha Swamiji of Palimaru Math said Hindus are blessed to have the Bhagavad Gita, which he described as the divine scripture spoken by the Lord Himself. He noted that the cow is the most benevolent and friendly animal to human beings, as it consumes leftover fruits and grass yet gives pure milk in return. Highlighting the spiritual symbolism, he said it is Lord Sri Krishna of Udupi who transforms simple grass into nourishing milk for humanity.
Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Pejavara Math said that Sri Vedavardhana Theertha Swamiji has assumed a great responsibility, which is not his alone but also shared by everyone. He observed that while people always wish to be happy, true happiness can be attained only through worship and by spreading the message of God. The occasion, he added, reminded him of his own guru, who had similarly undertaken his first Paryaya at a young age.
Sri Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Kaniyoor Math said that the very name ‘Vedavardhana’ signifies one who promotes and nurtures the Vedas. He expressed the hope that the Paryaya Swamiji would spread the teachings of the Vedas in meaningful and effective ways. Lord Sri Krishna, he said, was established in Udupi not only for worship but also to propagate Vedic knowledge among the people, with the core purpose of enriching wisdom and inspiring its dissemination.
Sri Vishwavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Sode Math said that Lord Sri Krishna never tolerates adharma and that God assumed human form to demonstrate that every living being must walk on the path of dharma. He observed that in present times, people often doubt the value of an honest life, as those who live truthfully tend to face many challenges and hardships.
During the Paryaya Darbar, Tirupati Tirumala Prasada was presented to the Paryaya pontiffs with due honours. On the occasion, the priests of the Shiroor Moola Math and Prof Lakshmi Narayana Bhat, a scholar from the Udupi Sanskrit Pathshala, were felicitated.
MLA Yashpal Suvarna, president of the Paryaya Welcome Committee, welcomed the gathering.
Eshapriya Theertha Swamiji, junior pontiff of Adamaru Math; Sri Vidyarajeshwara Theertha Swamiji, junior pontiff of Palimaru Math; Dr Virendra Hegde, dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala and honorary president of the Paryaya Welcome Committee; MP Kota Srinivas Poojary; MLAs Gurme Suresh Shetty, Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Gururaj Gantihole; former minister Pramod Madhwaraj; Madhu Pandit Das, president, Iskcon Bengaluru; Chanchalapathi Das, vice president, Iskcon Bengaluru; Swaroopa T K, deputy commissioner, Udupi district; Bhuvanendra Kumar, Canara Bank; H K Gangadhar, general manager, Canara Bank Manipal Circle; Raghavendra S Bhat, MD and CEO of Karnataka Bank; Kishore Alva, executive director, Adani Group; Srikanth Upadyay; Prakash Adiga, State Bank; M B Puranik, leader, Vishwa Hindu Parishad; Ashok, regional manager, Union Bank; Mattar Rathnakar Hegde, general secretary, Paryaya Welcome Committee; Bykadi Suprasad Shetty; Prof S Lakshminarayan Bhat, Udupi; Lakshmi Narayan Bhat, Shiroor; Shripathi Bhat and thousands of devotees of Lord Sri Krishna were present on the occasion.