Prime Minister Modi recites Gomateshwara stuti, explains Bahubali's message

Hassan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said he is lucky to be a part of the Mahamastakabhisheka as he got an opportunity to get the blessings of Gommateshwara, hundreds of saints and mathajis at one place.

After inaugurating the newly laid 630 steps to Vidndhyagiri Hill by Archaelogical Survey of India and, Bahubali General Hospital at Chavundaraya Sabha Mantap here, Modi recited a few verses from Gommateshwara stuti and explained the message of Lord Bahubali.

Noting that “Mahamastakabhisheka” (head anointment ceremony) of Lord Bahubali, observed once every 12 years, resembled the ‘Kumbh Mela’, he said seers, saints and thinkers converged here and pondered over the direction the society needed to take over the next 12 years.

The prime minister referred to his government’s ‘Ayushman Bharat Yojana’ that would provide quality and affordable healthcare to nearly 50 crore people. “It is our duty to provide good quality and affordable healthcare to the poor,” he said, adding it was the biggest scheme of its kind in the world.

He said the strength of Indian society lay in its ability to change with times. “Many people believe that in our country there is greater religious temperament than social temperament. This perception is not correct. Even today we have such a great tradition of saints making relentless efforts whether it is towards providing health, education or de-addiction.”

The strength of Indian society lay in the fact that it “always changed with the times and adapted well to new contexts”. He said seers and saints showed people the right path when evil practices plagued society and took the form of religious beliefs.

Jain seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami opined that Modi’s visit to Shravanabelagola is a historical moment. The 630 steps to reach Vindyagiri and the inauguration of Bahubali Hospital will help the devotees and the poor, he said.

Sarvesh Jain and Sowmya Jain sung songs on Jainism ‘Bahubali Swami Jagakella Swami’ on the occasion. Governor Vajubai Vala, Union Ministers D V Sadananda Gowda, Ananth Kumar, Piyush Goel, and Hassan district incharge Minister A Manju were present.