Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swamiji of Shiroor Mutt, who is poised to ascend the revered Sarvajna Peetha of Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt, has laid out a clear vision for his upcoming tenure, focusing on the preservation of Vedic traditions and enhancing devotional service. The seer addressed the media in Mangaluru on Monday following a Guruvandana and Pattada Devara Tulabhara ceremony organized by the Kalkura Prathishtana.
Emphasis on Vedic Learning and Daily Recitation
The seer firmly stated that the Vedas are the foundational scripture of the religion and must be preserved and studied diligently. He highlighted the traditional gurukul system, noting that a full mastery of the Vedas requires 12 years of dedicated residential study.
However, recognizing the practical challenges, he proposed a significant initiative for the Mutt. Twenty pandits will recite all four Vedas daily at the Mutt, a program for which the institution will make all necessary provisions. This move aims to keep the ancient chants alive and accessible.
Paryaya: A Festival of Devotees and Service
Looking ahead to the Paryaya festival, which marks the rotational stewardship of the Udupi temple, the seer described it as a festival of the devotees. He called for widespread volunteerism, urging people to serve Sri Krishna during the event.
"The Paryaya is a festival that aims at creating spiritual awareness and arousing divine consciousness," he said. He advised devotees to visit a temple daily and serve to the best of their capacity, while also stressing the importance of cultural preservation.
On practical improvements, he confirmed that the Shiroor Mutt already has digitized services through its website, allowing online booking for sevas. A major focus will be on maintaining cleanliness within the Mutt premises, though he added that devotees also share a significant responsibility in keeping the sacred space clean.
Clarification on 'Hore Kanike' Procession Controversy
Addressing a recent controversy regarding Muslim participation in the 'Hore Kanike' procession ahead of Paryaya, Shiroor Mutt diwan Udaya Kumar Saralathaya provided clarification. He stated that the Paryaya reception committee did not deny permission to the group offering 'Hore kanike'.
"The committee only requested that they should come as Krishna devotees," Saralathaya explained, referring to the offer from the Udupi Zilla Muslim Sauharda Paryaya Samithi. He emphasized the need for coordination, stating that participating groups must inform the committee for police logistics, and noted that discussions with community leaders have already been held.
The seer's announcements set a definitive tone for his forthcoming Paryaya tenure, blending strict adherence to scriptural traditions with modern administrative approaches and a call for inclusive devotional participation.
