 |
| Savita community performed Swarnapaduka Puja, while Eshwara Kodiya and his wife conducted Paduka Puja |
Gokarna, September 1, 2026: Food is essential for sustaining the human body, which in turn is necessary for the pursuit of dharma, prosperity, desire and ultimately liberation, said Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Sri Ramachandrapura Math.
Delivering a discourse on the theme ‘Annam Brahma’ at the Dharma Sabha held as part of the ‘Annabrahma Chaturmasya’ at the Ashoke Moola Math premises in Gokarna on Tuesday, the seer said the human body is an important instrument for attaining self-realisation.
“Self-realisation requires the body. Dharma, artha, kama and moksha are all pursued through the body. Since the human body is meant for the pursuit of liberation, food becomes essential to preserve the body and progress towards moksha,” he said.
Shiva-Parvati dialogue highlights importance of food
Referring to the traditional episode involving Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati explained the deeper significance of food and the physical world.
According to the story, Shiva argued that the material world is illusory, the body is transient and food is ultimately unreal, while pure consciousness alone is the absolute truth. Parvati, displeased with this argument, manifested herself as Goddess Annapoorneshwari in Kashi. Shiva subsequently appeared in the form of a mendicant and sought food with the words, “Bhavati bhiksham dehi.”
Swamiji said the episode can be understood as a divine play by Shiva and Parvati to communicate the importance of food to humanity.
“Parvati demonstrated through experience what Shiva presented through argument. Shiva acknowledged the importance of food, while Parvati acknowledged the supreme significance of liberation,” he said. Physical world, the body and food may constitute vyavaharika satya, or practical reality, while liberation represents paramarthika satya, the ultimate truth, he explained.
Annapoorneshwari and the path to knowledge
Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji said Goddess Annapoorneshwari is particularly associated with the blessing of knowledge. Referring to the Annapoorneshwari Stotra composed by Adi Shankaracharya, he said the hymn conveys the deeper relationship between food, knowledge, devotion and liberation.
“Knowledge, devotion and liberation are all attained through Annapoorneshwari,” he said, explaining the spiritual significance of the deity and the Annapoorneshwari tradition.
Guests participate in Chaturmasya programme
Renowned astrologer Palakkad Venkatesha Bhat, Sri Shakatapura Math administrator Raghava, and retired Income Tax Commissioner Girish Konamme participated in the programme and received the blessings of the seer. Family of Ganapati Venkataramana Hegde Kanamule offered Guru Bhiksha Seva.
Savita community performed Swarnapaduka Puja, while Eshwara Kodiya and his wife conducted Paduka Puja. M.N. Harish and his wife were present as the day’s chief hosts.
Focus on preservation of the Ranayaniya branch
As part of the Chaturmasya celebrations, recitation of the Ranayaniya branch of Samaveda began on September 1 and will continue until September 5. Recitation commenced under the leadership of Veda scholar Veda Murthy Subrahmanya Bhat Unchageri, along with a team of Vedic scholars.
Samaveda is traditionally said to have had around a thousand branches, but only a handful survive today. Ranayaniya branch is preserved in the Honnavar region within the jurisdiction of Sri Math.
Several initiatives have been undertaken under the guidance of Sri Math to preserve the Ranayaniya tradition. Sri Math has also organised a national conference dedicated to the preservation of Samaveda traditions. Swamiji had, a few months ago, released and blessed the book ‘Samaveda Ranayaneeyam Veyagaanam’, published by members of the Ranayaniya Sabha.
Keywords
Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Annapoorneshwari, Annam Brahma, Samaveda Ranayaniya, Gokarna Chaturmasya, Sri Ramachandrapura Math, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Citizen News Puttur