Gokarna, 6 September 2026: Water is essential for life and has been given the highest importance in Indian tradition, Sri Ramachandrapura Math's Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Mahaswamiji said.
Speaking during his discourse in the ‘Annam Brahma’ series at the ‘Anna Brahma Chaturmasya’ programme at Ashokeya Moolamatha in Gokarna on September 6, 2026, he said the quality and source of water have traditionally been given considerable importance. “Water is life. In Sanskrit, jeevana itself is used as a synonym for water,” he said, explaining the significance attached to water in Indian thought.
Concern Over Storing Water in Plastic
Raghaveshwara Sri said ancient Indian traditions classified water in different ways, including groundwater and water that does not come into contact with the ground, and examined the effects associated with different sources of water. He expressed concern over the widespread use of plastic bottles for storing and consuming drinking water.
According to him, when water is stored in plastic containers, concerns arise about substances from plastic entering the water, particularly under unsuitable storage conditions. He said modern science has also raised concerns about exposure to substances associated with plastics. However, the key message, he said, should be to ensure that the “nectar-like” water provided by nature is not contaminated through careless storage and handling.
Water and Traditional Health Knowledge
Raghaveshwara Sri said traditional Indian knowledge systems, particularly Ayurveda, have given considerable importance to water. He described water as having an important role in maintaining balance in the body and said traditional texts discuss different aspects of water, including its qualities and effects. He also said water has no inherent colour or distinct taste and described its nature as an “unmanifested rasa”.
Food According to Individual Needs
Discourse also focused on the traditional Indian approach to food. Raghaveshwara Sri said Indian tradition did not prescribe identical food habits for everyone. Instead, food was understood in relation to a person's qualities (guna) and duties or actions (karma).
He cited the example of Kshatriyas, whose traditional duties included warfare, and said the dietary requirements associated with physically demanding or martial activities were viewed differently in the traditional framework. According to him, the broader concept was that food choices were linked to the nature of one's activities and responsibilities.
Guru Bhiksha Seva
Members of the South Bengaluru Havyaka Mandala, including the Vijayanagar, Rajarajeshwari, Annapoorneshwari and Banashankari Havyaka units, offered Guru Bhiksha Seva on behalf of the Dattatreya Bhat family. Konandur Prakash, Anuradha Parvathi, Dr. Y.V. Krishnamurthy, Gururaj Padilu and CA C.S. Gopalakrishna Hegde Huklumakki and his wife were among those present.
Ganiga Community Performs Swarna Paduka Puja
Ganiga community, which has a traditional association with Sri Math, conducted Swarna Paduka Puja. Receiving the puja, Raghaveshwara Sri said Sri Math would continue to stand with the Ganiga community. He encouraged members of the community to visit Sri Math regularly so that the traditional Guru-Shishya relationship could be strengthened. Mahesh Shetty, Damodhar Shetty, Subhash Shetty of Bhatkal, Narayana Shetty of Bhatkal and Manoj Shetty were among those present.
Keywords: Raghaveshwara Sri, plastic water bottles, water health concerns, Annam Brahma, Gokarna Chaturmasya, Sri Ramachandrapura Math, Gokarna News, Annabrahma Chaturmasya, Citizen News Puttur