Udupi: Vishveshateertha Swamiji Clarifies Stance on Krishna Mutt
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (RD/GA)
Udupi, Nov 16: Vishveshateertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt in a press release clarified the Mutt's stance on the status of Sri Krishna Mutt reported in the media, here on Tuesday November 16.
Vishveshateertha Swamiji clarified that Sri Krishna Mutt has been given the status of Mutt under the new Endowment Act by the state administration, although it was granted the status of temple by the former Madras state. The state administration has rectified the error caused by the lapse of an officer 9 or 10 years ago which had resulted in notifying the Mutt, the release stated.
"So the present de-notification is nothing but reaffirmation of the 800-year-old tradition that was being followed at the Krishna Mutt," stated the release.
Further as per the Act, a Mutt means 'a religious institution presided over by a person whose principal duty is to engage himself in the teaching and propagation of religion, teachings and philosophy of the denomination, sect or Sampradaya to which the Mutt belongs and in imparting religious instructions and training and rendering spiritual service or who exercises or claims to exercise spiritual headship over a body of disciples; and includes any place of religious worship, institution or training which are pertinent to the institution.'
Going by this Act, there is no doubt that Krishna Mutt is truly a Mutt, confirmed Swamiji.
Regardig the allegations by certain media houses that the heads of Ashta Mutts crave for the administration of Krishna Mutt owing to the huge amount of alms that are being offered by devotees, Sri Visveshateertha Swamiji clarified that it is only once in 16 years that each Mutt gets Paryaya Peetha and during that term only the particular Mutt has rights over income while seven other Mutts have no rights whatsoever.
"But earlier owing to the day-to-day expenses of the Krishna Mutt, usually we were getting into loans which were then paid off in the next 14 years. During my first and second Paryaya, we faced similar situation and struggled a lot to pay off the loan. However, owing to the generous help from devotees during my third and fourth paryaya, we were able to take up some developmental works," added Swamiji.
Further, heads of Mutts are not willing to discharge their duties only as priests under the orders of a government official. A Swamiji who is the religious head of a community will never tolerate working under any government official, the release stated.