Rons Bantwal

Mumbai, Feb 1: Serving society with a sense of devotion is itself service to Lord Rama, said Sri Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamiji, pontiff of the Udupi Sri Pejawar Adhokshaja Math, calling upon devotees to lead socially responsible lives rooted in spiritual values.

Delivering a religious discourse at the Sri Vishwesha Teertha Sabhabhavana at Madhwa Bhavana of the Mumbai branch of Sri Pejawar Math at Santacruz East on Sunday, the seer said spirituality and social service are inseparable. “Just as paying taxes to the nation is considered a duty, offering service in the kingdom of God must also be treated as a responsibility,” he said.

Swamiji explained that the concept of matrubhoomi goes beyond land alone. “The people, language, culture, traditions, values and way of life together form our motherland. Love for Rama and love for the nation are not different. Rama bhakti, desha bhakti and desha seva are one and the same,” he observed, adding that loving the land shown by Rama and serving society is true devotion to Him.

Recalling the vision and foresight of Yatikula Chakravarti Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, the guru who attained Krishnarpana, Sri Vishwaprasanna Teertha Swamiji said his commitment to dharma protection continues to inspire the Math’s activities. He urged devotees to actively participate in the service initiatives of the Math and begin preparations for the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji.

Earlier in the day, Swamiji was accorded a traditional welcome on his arrival at the Mumbai Math by the priests, who offered tulasi mala. He later performed arati to Sri Krishna and Mukhya Prana at the stone temple premises. Daily rituals and special poojas were conducted by scholar Raghavendra Bhat Undaru. The pontiff also performed pooja to Sri Rama, the presiding deity, and the Math.

Avinash Shastri, honorary treasurer of Sri Purnaprajna Vidyapeetha Pratishtana, honoured Swamiji in a traditional manner. Bhajans were rendered by the Madhwesha Bhajana Mandali of Santacruz and other bhajana groups under the leadership of Shyamala A Shastri.

On the occasion, Indian cricketer and T20 team captain Suryakumar Yadav and his wife Devisha Shetty were felicitated. Several dignitaries, including the late Krishnaraj Tantri, Raghavendra Bhat of Malad, Dr M S Alva, former BSKBA vice president Vaman Holla, trustee of Gopalakrishna Public Trust B Ramananda Rao, Chandrashekhar Bhat, S Ramavittal Kalluraya, Raghavendra Bhat, Seetaram Shetty Vamanjoor, Padmaja Mannur, Shekhar J Salyan, office-bearers and trustees of Sri Purnaprajna Vidyapeetha Pratishtana, representatives of Koota Mahajagattu Saligrama (R) Mumbai unit, Pejawar Math Mumbai administrator Srihari Bhat Puttige, Niranjan Gogte, priests, women devotees and a large number of followers were present.

Swamiji later blessed donors and devotees by offering mantrakshate.

The programme began with Vedic chanting by the priests. Mumbai branch chief administrative officer Dr Ramadas Upadhyaya Renjala welcomed the gathering and presented the introduction. Trustee Haridas Bhat spoke about the Math’s ongoing projects, while chief executive officer Dr Chandil Kumar briefed the audience about SVM Hospital. CA Shiva Sadantri explained the educational initiatives, and Vasudeva Bhat, Bengaluru, compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.