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President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who declared open the
Mahamasthakabhisheka celebrations at Shravanabelagola, being
felicitated. Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, Governor T.N.
Chaturvedi, Digambara Jain Math's Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Sw amiji,
and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda present him with a
memento. — PHOTO: K. Bhagya Prakash ( The Hindu)
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Shravanabelagola (Hassan district): The hills of Vindhyagiri
and Chandragiri in the ancient town of Shravanabelagola resounded
with chants of "Bhagawan Bahubali ki jai" as President
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Sunday declared open the first
Mahamastakabhisheka of the millennium and reiterated the relevance
of the Jain tenets of non-violence in a strife-ridden world. |
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Mr. Kalam said the practice of truth, ahimsa and vairagya that are
the tenets of Jainism was relevant in modern times and the message
of peace and non-violence as enunciated by Bahubali should be taken
to all parts of the country.
Addressing a vast gathering of Jain munis, nuns, acharyas and
devotees who have assembled here from all parts of the world, the
President said the spiritual congregation symbolised the continuity
of a great tradition, which started in the 3rd century B.C. by
Chandragupta Maurya, who settled here with 12,000 sages and munis
performing austerities.
"It is a beautiful sight of people of multiple faiths and
affiliations gathering to celebrate a great cultural event. The most
sacred meaning of life consists of helping the establishment of
peace and harmony on earth. This can only be achieved through the
practice of truth, ahimsa and vairagya by all of us," the
President said.
The Mahamastakabhisheka is held once in 12 years and Sunday's
inauguration marked the launching of the events and rituals that
will lead up to the grand event of the anointment of the 57-foot
statue that will be held from February 8 to 19.
The President combined his speech — replete with philosophical
connotations and cultural traditions — with poetry and expressed
his appreciation of the evolution and ascent of the human soul as
propounded in Jainism.
Mr. Kalam went nostalgic at the sight of the Jain Munis who
congregated here and described his spiritual experience when he
visited Pavapuri and recalled the contribution of Jainism to Indian
philosophy, thought, literature and science. He said great poets
such as Pampa, Ranna and Ratnakara Varni had enriched Kannada
literature, while Jain rulers contributed immensely to the field of
art and architecture.
"With his everlasting smile and benign looks, Gomateshwara
Bahubali declares ahimsa and vairagya as the solution for all the
ills of this world. I am happy that Mahamastakabhisheka has become
an auspicious festival not only for the Jains but also for people
from different religions. This is a great unifier and I wish that
this message of unification is taken and all the sects in every
religion forget the differences and follow the twin principles of
ahimsa and vairagya," he said.
The President noted that five satellite towns had emerged around
Shravanabelagola for the festivities. He said that there should be
physical connectivity, electronic connectivity, knowledge
connectivity which would lead to economic connectivity of the
cluster of villages around the satellite towns.
"Economic development under the blessings of Gomateshwara, will
become an example of how living conditions can be improved through
the provision of urban facilities in rural areas," he
said.
Governor T.N. Chaturvedi said Bahubali and his life is a testimony
that non-violence and renunciation hold the key to peace and
prosperity.
Speakers including revolutionary Jain muni Acharya Tarun Sagar gave
a clarion call for spreading non-violence and animal rights and said
the 18th century saw the end of slavery, 19th century gave
independence to nations, the 20th century gave rise to women's
rights and said the 21st century should usher in liberation of
animals and establishment of animal rights. Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve
Gowda, Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji of Sri Digambara Jain
Math, Deputy Chief Minister M.P. Prakash, and others were
present.
Source:
The Hindu
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