“BEING AFFECTIONATE” IS DIVINITY-AHOBILA MUTT 46TH SEER
TIRUMALA, MARCH 27: Bringing solace to the busy life of the human beings in this mechanical world by being affectionate towards them is the nature of “Almighty” said the 46th Pontiff of Sri Ahobila Mutt Sriman Srivan Shatagopa Raganatha Yatindra Mahadesigan Swamy.
In his spiritual message on the occasion of 511th Annamacharya Vardanthi Mahotsavam at Padmavathi Parinaya Mandapam in Narayanagiri Gardens in Tirumala on Thursday, the pontiff quoting a reference from Bhavishyottara Purana said, after the celestial marriage of Lord Srinivasa with Goddess Padmavathi, when Lord Brahma invited the Lord to have Annaprasada, Lord said, he would dedicate the prasadams to His “Ista Kula Daivam” much to the astonishment of other deities. Then the Lord said, it is “Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy” whom He admires as His favourite Lord for his divine nature of being “Affectionate” to His devotees. The pontiff said that is why the Alwars praised Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy as “Nigaril Pogalai” meaning “Tremendous Popularity”.
The 46th Pontiff of Ahobila Mutt complimented TTD for its religious, social welfare and other activities and also for observing an event like “Annamacharya Vardanthi” as a tribute to the great kritis penned by the Saint Poet in praise of Lord Venkateswara.
Later TTD Trust board chief Sri K Bapiraju called upon the Annamacharya Project artistes to take the essence of the keertans penned by the saint poet in nook and corner of the State and that will be the real tribute to the great soul. “Follow the footsteps of Saint Poet and take up this propagation activity of his kritis as a “Maha Yagna” he added.
TTD EO Sri MG Gopal said, TTD has began Annamacharya Project in the year 1978 and since then has taken up various activities to propagate, promote and also preserve the great works penned by “Padakavita Pitamaha” in praise of Lord Venakteswara. “It was Annamacharya who raised his voice against all the social odds and inequalities some six centuries ago through his songs and tried his best to bring awareness in the society against all the social evils”, he added.
Later the Ahobila Mutt seer felicitated TTD board chairman, EO, Tirupati JEO Sri P Bhaskar and also descendants of Tallapaka Annamacharya dynasty on this occasion. Prasadams were to devotees who converged for the religious event.
Meanwhile Chairman and EO released a book – “Humble Offerings” comprising 108 sankeertanas of Saint Poet translated in English by NRI Smt Gollamudi Hymavthi.
Earlier in the day at around 8am the procession of Utsava Murthies from Srivari temple to Narayanagiri Gardens took place amidst chanting of Govinda Namas and community singing by Annamacharya Artistes and devotees. Later while performing Unjal Seva to Utsava Murthies the TTD Astana Vidwan Sri G Balakrishna Prasada and other Annmacharya Project artistes rendered Sapthagiri Sankeertana Gosthi Ganam.
Annamacharya Project In-Charge Director and Special Grade Deputy EO Sri Munirathnam Reddy, Health Officer Sri Venkataramana, AEO of Annamacharya Project Smt Padmavathi and others were also present.
ISSUED BY TTDs PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, TIRUPATI