Gokarna, August 27: Strong determination can help a person achieve even what appears difficult, said Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Speaking at a religious gathering held as part of the ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Ashoke premises of the Math in Gokarna on August 27, the seer said the human body responds to a person’s firm resolve.
“We are the masters of our body. When our determination is strong, the body can adapt to our needs,” he said, stressing that determination must remain firm.
Understanding food begins with understanding fire
Delivering a discourse in the ‘Annam Brahma’ series, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati said understanding Agni (digestive fire) is important to understand food completely.
Just as a lesson needs an introduction, food cannot be fully understood without knowing about Agni, he said. A person who does not recognise hunger cannot fully understand the taste and importance of food. Similarly, understanding the role of Agni is essential when discussing food and nutrition, he said.
Deep focus is needed
The seer compared concentration to digging a well. “If a person digs five or ten feet in many places, water may not be found. But if one digs deep at the right place, water can be reached,” he said.
Modern life often encourages people to touch many subjects without going deeply into any one of them, he observed. According to him, sustained attention to a single subject can eventually lead to deeper understanding and realisation.
Food needs change with activity
Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati said the body's food requirement changes according to its level of activity. When physical activity is low, the body needs less food. When activity increases, the need for food also naturally increases, he said.
He also spoke about food and physical activity in the context of meditation and spiritual practice. As external activity decreases and the mind becomes increasingly focused, food requirements can also reduce, he said.
Hindu Mukri community performs Swarna Paduka Puja
Members of the Hindu Mukri community performed Swarna Paduka Puja during the Chaturmasya programme. Community has been associated with Sri Ramachandrapura Math for the past decade. Recalling their association with the Math, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji said the Mukri community had approached the Math seeking its guidance and blessings.
He said the community, which remains economically disadvantaged, should progress and achieve greater prosperity. He also expressed his blessings for the proposed Mukri community hall in Kumta, which is under construction, and wished that the facility would be completed soon and made available for community use.
Retired police officer N.R. Mukri, Shivu Mukri, Annappa Mukri, M.D. Mukri and hundreds of members of the Mukri community were present.
Entrepreneur Gopalakrishna Bhat Dwarka and his family offered Guru Bhiksha Seva. Dr. Y.V. Krishnamurthy, entrepreneur Vinayak Hegde Katte, Ganesh Arkodlu, Vedic scholar V.M. Manjunath Bhat Agnihotri, Lohith Hebbar and Harish Hegde were among those present. Kollampare Narayana Bhat and his wife were the day’s hosts.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Bharati, Gokarna Chaturmasya, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Annam Brahma, Hindu Mukri community, Swarna Paduka Puja, Citizen News Puttur