Chikkaballapur: Kalratri Devi was worshipped with devotion on the seventh day of the Navaratri celebrations at Sathya Sai Grama in Muddenahalli, Chikkaballapur district. Lakshmi Narasimha Homa and Gayatri Homa were performed for the welfare of the world.
Addressing devotees, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai explained the spiritual significance of the Gayatri Mantra and said it should not be used merely as a means to achieve material benefits.
“The Gayatri Mantra should not be chanted to score high marks in examinations or to attain a luxurious lifestyle. Meditation on the mantra helps dissolve the ego and awaken self-knowledge,” he said.
Emphasising the importance of time, Madhusudan Sai advised students to recognise the value of every moment and use it purposefully.
Dignitaries praise humanitarian service
Dr Satish Christopher, a physician and MLA from the Radhapuram constituency in Tamil Nadu, attended the event as chief guest and praised Madhusudan Sai’s initiatives to provide free healthcare, food and education without discrimination based on caste, religion or language.
He expressed hope that everyone would have access to medical care of equal quality.
Basavaraj Mattimood, MLA from Kalaburagi Rural, appreciated the efforts to identify underprivileged students in rural areas and provide them with free education, enabling them to become doctors and engineers. He described the establishment of Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence in Kalaburagi as a matter of good fortune and assured his full support for the service initiatives.
Vidwan Sri Subrahmanya Bhat explained the significance of the homas at the beginning of the programme. Veeranna Charantimath, president of the Basaveshwar Vidya Vardhak Sangha in Bagalkot and a former MLA, and Dr B.N. Narasimhamurthy, president of the Prashanthi Balamandira Trust, were also present.
‘Anubhava Mantapa’ to showcase Vachana music
As part of the Navaratri celebrations, a special Vachana music programme titled Anubhava Mantapa will be held at Sathya Sai Grama on Sunday evening. Students of Nada Gurukula at Sri Sathya Sai University for Human Excellence will present the programme.
The event will feature one Vachana each by 10 prominent Shaiva saints, including Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, Madivala Machayya, Ambigara Chowdaiah, Aydakki Lakkamma, Hadapada Appanna, Siddarameshwara, Jedara Dasimayya and Channabasavanna.
The Vachanas will be presented in 10 different ragas, accompanied by explanations of their meanings. Hadapada Appanna’s Angava Maredu Lingava Koodi has been set to the Maand raga, while Aydakki Lakkamma’s Garvadinda Maaduva Bhakti will be rendered in Shuddha Sarang.
