Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Nov 28: “Dr Balagangadhara Rao of Ghent University, Belgium is a humble. His perseverance in his field has made him a great scholar in religious thinking. Balagangadhara was an atheist who then got into the way of truth and explored himself in the reality of theism”, said Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, head of SDM educational institution during the IV International Seminar on Rethinking Religion in India.
He was speaking after releasing the book 'Bhavakya Ondu Chintane' by Prof Vedavati during the seminar at SDM Law College here on Tuesday November 27.
“Dharma has a varied form; Dharma is nothing but ‘right’ or righteousness. Dharma can be defined in various ways like individual right, community right, social right, common right, educational right, business right etc. Dharma in Dharmasthala can be viewed in two dimensions: It is offered to devotee and another way of Dharma is Kshetra’s philanthropic views. I have seen the Kshetra from six decades, the administration of which is looked after by the Jains. It is a Hindu Temple, where Vishnavas who basically worship Vishnu perform puja to Lord Shiva," he said.
"The Kshetra is practical to religious studies and is also a place for all religious tolerance. The Kshetra provides mass feed to as many as 25,000 devotees on regular basis and on special days a gathering of about 50,000 devotees are fed. It does not mean feeding the poor but it is guest feeding by the Kshetra. People come to religious centers for two reasons, mainly due to faith and another is due to fear. In Dharmasthala, there is practice of even offering solace to the devotees which is called as Abhayadhana. The delegates here from foreign countries should carry good memories from this seminar to their states”, he said.
On this occasion, the monthly magazine of SDM Law College and ‘SYNC Vision’ quarterly magazine of SDM business was released.
Dr B K Ravindra felicitated Dr Heggade.
Dr Balangangadhar Rao was felicitated by Dr Heggade on this occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Balagangadhara Rao said, “I was born as a Brahmin. Later I was taught and encrypted with Marxist philosophy, but the truth is that it has lost its prominence in India. I am not an atheist, theist or agnostic but I only follow the right path. This moment is a great pleasure and brings easiness within me. I was discouraged when Karnataka University did not permit to hold conference in Hubli, but now I am glad to organize and be part of this seminar which is held close to Dharmasthala. When I had been to Dharmasthala, the thing that popped me is the religion, tradition, culture that was followed by the Indians. The language used by the people from heart stops them being egoistic.
On this occasion Dr Balangangadhar Rao bowed down his head to the feet of Dr Veerendra Heggade by reciting the Sanskrit Hymns.
Professor S A Bari, vice chancellor of Kuvempu University was present on the dais.
Dr Tharnath compered , B K Ravindra welcomed and P D Sebastian thanked.