The Hindu

Udupi, Jan 15: Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji of Puttige Math said on Monday that the verdict from the court of the Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) “shows that the forthcoming Paryaya (right to worship Lord Krishna at Sri Krishna temple/Math for two years) will take place successfully by the blessings of Lord Krishna and Mukhyaprana.”

The Puttige swamiji told presspersons here that the verdict would inspire the other seers of the Ashta Maths to co-operate with him. He was ready to participate in the talks if he was invited by the other seers of the Ashta Maths. At present, he was in talks with Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji of Uttaradi Math, who is trying to find a solution to the problem.

The matters relating to the “Dharmashastras” had been discussed threadbare in the court. “The verdict has calmed the situation and will help facilitate a solution,” he said.

Asked about the three-day fast which Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math intends to start from Tuesday, if he (Sri Sugunendra Tirtha) did not change his stand, he (Puttige seer) said the Pejawar Seer would soften his stand. “I am optimistic about it.” He said that he had only philosophical difference with the Pejawar seer and other scholars.

“They consider only India as a holy land, while I consider the whole world as holy. I do not believe people living in foreign countries are sinners. They say foreign travel is a sin. But where is the definition of a foreign country in the Dharmashastras? If one goes by what is said in the religious scriptures, there is a ban on travel to West Bengal and some portions of Kerala. They should tell us if Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a part of India going by the Dharmashastras.”

He said the Pejawar seer himself had felicitated him on his return from the U.S. If it was wrong, he wondered why did the Pejawar seer had felicitated him. He clarified that he was not responsible for the “peetha tyaga” (abdication of post) by earlier Pejawar junior seer Vishwavijaya (whose foreign tour also generated a controversy). “It is simply a misleading propaganda”, he said.

Asked whether or not he would ascend the Paryaya Peetha, the Puttige Seer said, “Lord Krishna will help me ascend the Paryaya Peetha and worship him (Lord Krishna). It is all in the hands of Lord Krishna. “Ascension to Paryaya Peetha is my right and the right of Puttige Math. I am not taking it as a matter of prestige. I stick to my principles on the foreign visit issue. The future course of action depends on the will of the Lord”.

When there were persistent queries on his ascension, he quipped, “It will be the Paryaya of the Puttige Math.”

Asked what he would if the seven seers of Ashta Maths did not cooperate with him after his ascension especially since 14 “pujas” have to be performed to Lord Krishna daily, he said: “I expect other seers to co-operate with me on this issue.”

Asked if there would be any development in the next three days before the Paryaya, he said: “Unity among Ashta Maths is the new development you can expect.”