Media Release
Udupi, Jan 28: A two-day conference of Vedic scholars and priests, will begin at Goddess Mahalasa Narayani Devi Temple at Harikhandige, about 22 kms from here, on Saturday January 29, in which hundreds of priests, Vedic scholars, and other spiritual leaders from Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa are expected to attend.
Among the topics to be discussed at the conference are, ‘role of temples in creating awareness about dharma', 'role of priests in preserving samskar (refinement)', 'necessity of performing yajna and yaaga', 'future of the Vedic scholars', 'problems and challenges of the Vaidik community' and the 'role of priests in promoting unity in society'.
This will be followed by 'Dharmika Sabha (religious meeting)', wherein senior priests and spiritual leaders will be felicitated. Separately, a colourful and unique ‘Palakhi (palanquin) Utsav’ by the Vaidiks will also be held on Saturday evening.
During the conference, a directory of temples and priests from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashta will be released.
The conference is being held on the sidelines of a month-long ‘Ayut Chandi Mahayaag’ that began at this temple on January 7. The Mahayaag will conclude with ‘Mahapoornahuti’ on February 6. Hundreds of Vedic scholars and priests from the above three states are participating in the Magayaag that aims to bring in social unification.
"By birth, every one of us carries the obligation of repaying the five types of Rin (obligation) or debt, namely Pitru Rin, Dev Rin, Rishi Rin, Bhoot Rin and Manushya Rin. Considering it as the primary and bounden obligation, one should work in the direction of repaying these debts," says Guruji Suresh J Pai, trustee of the Kshetra, which houses the temple of Goddess Mahalasa Narayani, besides a vibrant Datta Peetha, temples dedicated to Gods like Ganapati, Mahadeva, Hanuman, Navargraha and Naga Devata.
"Human birth is the most sublime and finest gift presented to us by God. Along with that, God has also graced us with health, wealth, education and longevity. Besides, God is taking care of us by providing rain, crop, light, air, etc. It is impossible to repay God for the generosity that He has bestowed upon us," he said.
"Even then, we shall try our best to repay Him through measures like performance of Yajna (oblation), Japa (meditation), tapa (penance), worship and chanting His name and making our life meaningful and worthy," Guruji says.
For this, the Yajna system of worshiping God, which is prevalent since the Vedic period, is way to fructify one's volitions and attempt to repay our debts to God, he added.
All the devotees are invited by the organizers to avail of this golden opportunity given by Goddess Mahalasa Narayani, by participating wholeheartedly in this initiative and become eligible for Her grace, he added.