The Hindu : Karnataka News : Kanakadasa's teachings have eternal value: seer

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 20, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Kanakadasa's teachings have eternal value: seer

By Our Staff Correspondent

UDUPI, AUG. 19. Vishwapriya Tirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Admar Math said here on Thursday that the teachings and ideals of Kanakadasa were relevant for all times.

He was speaking after laying the foundation for the Kanaka Gopuram in front of the Kanakana Kindi here.

The swamiji said Kanakadasa did not belong to any individual.

He belonged to all people, just like Krishna and Mukhyaprana. Kanakadasa got the highest respect in Udupi.

It was essential to understand the meanings of the songs composed by Kanakadasa.

It was Kanakadasa who was responsible for the importance that Udupi had gained.

`Follow Kanakadasa'

He said it was mandatory for the swamijis of the Ashta Maths who were to ascend the Paryaya peetha to have a darshan of the Krishna idol through the Kanakana Kindi before they entered Sri Krishna Temple and went into the sanctum sanctorum.

Devotees should follow in the footsteps of Kanakadasa, the swamiji said.

Gopuram

Presiding over the function, Vidyasagara Tirtha Swamiji of Krishnapur Math, said that it was the late Vidyapurna Tirtha Swamiji, the earlier pontiff of Krishnapur Math, who constructed the gopuram in front of the Kanakana Kindi during his second Paryaya in 1910-12.

There were records to prove this fact. Some persons asked why the gopuram should be built again.

The earlier gopuram was in a bad shape.

Besides, building gopurams and ancient buildings helped save the skills needed for their construction.

Many a time, such skills were lost and craftsmen did not know how to construct them.

Donation

The Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, K.H. Muniyappa, said he would contribute Rs. 25,000 (a month's honorarium which he earned as Minister) for the construction of the gopuram.

Efforts would be made to convert the highway from B.C. Road to Suratkal into a four-lane road, he added. V.S. Acharya, MLC, said he would donate a month's salary of Rs. 15,000 for the work on the gopuram.

Ashta Maths of Udupi had launched many welfare programmes for the people.

The Chinnara Santharpane midday meal scheme introduced by the Palimar Math was a precursor to the Akshara Dasoha programme of the State Government, he said.

K. Raghupati Bhat, MLA, said that he would contribute a month's salary for the work.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka