Jagadguru Graces Gowda Yuva Seva Sangha
Jagadguru releases the book Gowdara Samskriti Siri which reflects the culture and tradition of Gowdas
In the late afternoon of 20th February 2014, on the way to Balpa, the Jagadguru Mahaswamiji laid the foundation stone for the “Gowda Samudaya Bhavana Sabhangana”. In a grand function organized by the Gowda Yuva Seva Sangha, the Jagadguru released a book “Gowdara Samskriti Siri” describing the culture and tradition of Gowdas. The book also elaborates on the Samskaras to be done from the birth to death for a person born into this community along with the explanation of festivals. In the introductory speech, the close connection between the Sringeri Jagadgurus and Gowda community was highlighted. The members expressed that the Sringeri Jagadgurus are their Kulagurus. It has been a tradition for the members to have Darshan of Sringeri Jagadguru and obtain blessings on all auspicious occasions, as well as to consult the Sringeri Jagadgurus during trials of tribulations. The Gowda Sangha felt that the youth of their community had started following a foreign culture in certain aspects. The Sangha had hence consulted the elders to keep their own culture intact, and had brought out the book as a way of teaching the youth the richness of one’s own culture and tradition.
The Jagadguru Mahaswamiji in His Anugraha Bhashanam said that our ancestors have developed a Niti Samhita & an Achara Samhita. If we follow that, our mind will become pure. The Shastras say, to purify ourselves and have noble thoughts, we have to perform the ordained Samskaras. This is akin to how a dirty vessel shines when it is rubbed well with cleansing agents. Samskaras are cleansing agents for the purification of our minds. If we don’t perform the ordained Samskaras, our mind will not have pure thoughts. This would lead to indulgence in wrong deeds, further resulting in suffering in this Janma and the forthcoming Janmas. The Jagadguru expressed happiness at the release of the book, that lucidly explains the procedures to be followed for performing a Samskara. The Jagadguru directed every person of the Gowda community to read the book, and act accordingly. The Jagadguru blessed that the book be a beacon light for people to orient their lives along the Dharmic path.