Gokarna, 10 September 2026: A person who has access to clean drinking water is more fortunate than a wealthy person, said Sri Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Mahaswamiji of Sri Ramachandrapura Matha, stressing that clean air and clean water are among the most basic necessities of human life.
Speaking at a religious gathering held as part of the ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Ashoke Moola Matha premises in Gokarna on September 10, 2026, the seer said society must rethink its priorities and recognise that clean water is more essential than money. Discourse was part of the ‘Annam Brahma’ series and focused on the importance, quality and sources of water.
Clean water more valuable than money
“Clean air and clean water are basic necessities of human life. We should live where these are available,” Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji said. He expressed concern over the growing difficulty of finding water fit for drinking in urban areas, describing it as one of the major consequences of unplanned urbanisation.
According to him, cities have increasingly become places where large numbers of people are concentrated without adequate consideration for natural resources. Rivers and lakes have been encroached upon or filled up in the name of development and construction, he said.
He also pointed to the discharge of human waste and industrial effluents into water bodies. Such pollutants eventually reach rivers and contaminate sources of drinking water. Deterioration of water quality has reached a stage where modern science itself warns against using untreated river water for consumption, he observed.
What Ayurveda says about water
Referring to the teachings of Acharya Sushruta, the seer explained that rainwater was considered preferable and that groundwater could be used when rainwater was unavailable or stored water had been exhausted. He said Ayurveda identified seven categories of groundwater and discussed their respective qualities and limitations, including water from wells, rivers, lakes and hilly regions.
He also explained that the quality and taste of water can vary depending on the soil through which it flows and that its properties can change according to the season. Discourse also touched upon traditional observations about water from different geographical regions, including coastal, Malnad, semi-Malnad and dry regions.
Leave the obsession with cities, find peace in villages
Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji also urged people to reconsider the growing attraction towards urban life. He said the migration of young people from villages to cities is driven not only by employment opportunities but also by an increasing fascination with city life.
Another factor, he noted, is the difficulty faced by young men in rural areas in finding marriage partners. Solution, he suggested, lies partly in changing the mindset of the younger generation and recognising the value of village life.
Youth must rethink migration
“Young people need to realise that a peaceful life in a village with clean water is more valuable than money,” | Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji
He called for a broader social discussion on whether economic prosperity alone should determine where people choose to live. Meanwhile, the three-day Shukla Yajurveda Parayana concluded at the Matha. The Vedic scholars who participated in the recitation received the blessings of the seer.
Members of the Subrahmanya Hegde Kanni family offered Gurubhiksha seva. Dr. G.L. Hegde, Srikanth Pandit, Herambha Shastri and Sadangaya Ramachandra Bhat and his wife were present as day officials. Arun Kumar, president of the Chaturmasya Committee of the Karki Jnaneshwari Daivajna Matha, and his team offered various articles and received the blessings of the seer.
Kannada Vaishya Vani community offers Swarnapaduka Puja
Members of the Kannada Vaishya Vani community performed Swarnapaduka Puja for the Guru Parampara of the Matha and received the blessings of Sri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Mahaswamiji. Chandrakant Shetty and others were present.
Keywords: Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji, clean drinking water, village life, urban migration, Ayurveda water quality, Gokarna Chaturmasya, Gokarna News Today, Citizen News Puttur