Belthangady: Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Udupi Pejawara Matha said that chanting bhajans everyday with a pure mind and strong devotion will help attain the grace of the Lord.
He blessed the closing ceremony of the 24th annual Bhajana Tarabethi Kammata at Dharmasthala on Friday September 23. Bhajan is the essence of all scriptures, Bhajan creates the link between God and devotees. Bhajan is the simplest medium for attaining the Lord’s grace. God notices devotion. Through devotional service one can get rid of all their burden of mistakes of wrong path. Through this, one can live a happy, and peaceful life, he said.
He said that a few years back there was a tradition of bhajan in every house in the evening time. The culture of singing bhajans disappeared on arrival of TV. Now the house itself has become a movie theatre.
“It is the responsibility of all of us to preserve and develop our ancient religion and culture. At least one hour of bhajan should be done daily in every house. Bhajana culture should also be taught to children to make them polite and cultured citizens. He congratulated D. Veerendra Heggade by saying that through Bhajana Training Kammata he has saved and nurtured the culture of bhajane in every home.
Swamiji honoured Heggade, who has been nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha, by offering Prasad of Lord Krishna and draping him with a shawl.
Film music director Sridhar Sambhram Mussanje said that music of cultural background brings positive change in our lives and gives us mental peace and tranquility.
Presiding over the programme, D. Veerendra Heggade said, if we protect religion, religion will always protect us. ‘Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha:’ means if we practice dharma always, dharma will protect us. In the religious and spiritual context, saving the culture is also the greatest dharma. A sense of gratitude has arisen for maintaining and cultivating the bhajana culture by organising bhajana kammata every year in Dharamsthala. He suggested that Bhajana culture should be developed in the next generation as well. God can be made intimate by singing bhajans with raga, tala and rhythm. He advised against using western music in Bhajan.
Heggade wished that good samskara should come through bhajan.
Bangalore Vasudeva Reddy and family honoryed D. Heggade by presenting him with a silver tiara and a silver mace. He also felicitated Hemavathi Heggade who received honorary doctorate.
Bhajan Committee Secretary Suresh Moily, who presented the report, said that a total of 322 campers including 184 men and 138 women from 174 Bhajan Boards participated in the Committee.
Hemavathi V. Heggade, Mohandas Swamiji of Manila, Ramacharandas Swamiji of ISKCON, Bhajana Parishad President Balakrishna Panja, and Secretary Purushotham P. K. were present.
Subrahmanya Prasad, Convener of Bhajana Kammata, welcomed. Dharnappa, a retired teacher, expressed his thanks. Bhajana Parishad achievers were felicitated.
Srinivasa Rao Dharmasthala and Dinraj Shetty conducted the programme.
