Puri Sankaracharya seeks Centre Intervention for Kasturi

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Jun 17, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati urged the State as well as the Central government to initiate measures for procuring ‘kasturi’ from Nepal for Jagannath Temple.

Kasturi (a substance collected from the navel of deer) is used for the facial of the presiding sibling Deities of word famous Jagannath Temple during Rath Yatra. But there has been an acute shortage of the rare and invaluable ‘kasturi’ at the 12th century shrine, giving sleepless nights to the shrine authorities.

“The State and Centre work together to obtain kasturi from Nepal. The Jagannath culture should be kept alive,” the Puri seer said.

He also strongly opposed proselytization and blamed the "vote bank politics" practiced by political parties for it. He expressed his dissatisfaction over the state government's funding for reconstruction of churches in Kandhamal.

Saraswati, while addressing a media conference here, described religious conversion as a "kalank (mark) on the society" and pointed out that during British rule, not many had changed their religion. "But post-Independence conversion to Christianity has increased by leaps and bounds. This is because of the vote bank politics being practiced in the country," he said.

Coming down heavily on the politicians, the Puri seer said religious conversion is not being carried out in China, Pakistan or Bangladesh but in India, because Hindus are "liberal". "Hindus had welcomed Christians at Calicut as guests. But the latter are now taking advantage of the formers' liberal approach to spread their own religion," he stressed.

Expressing grave concern over the gradual degradation in social and spiritual values in the society, he expressed the need for a movement based on Indian cultural ethos to resurrect the ethical way of life. "In the name of vikas (development), what is happening is vinash (destruction)," he remarked, adding, "The Hindu culture and thought process has turned aimless. Talent is not appreciated and people are going abroad to get opportunities. The government should work at creating opportunities and promoting talent inside the country."

Saraswari further slammed the ineptness of the administration, and while referring to the recent killing of a Puri saint, asking, "When sadhus are not safe, how long can a country run?" On the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Sarswati, he said, "I am personally hurt."

He criticized the government for not doing enough to nab the killers and expose the conspirators and put the onus on the media to bring to light the truth behind the killing. He further called for a "complete renovation" of the health, education, and legal systems in the country.