Opinion and suggestions expressed by
His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji
at the conference for Propagating the tenets of the Sanatana Dharma

One who protects righteousness shall be protected

1) By the divine grace of Lord Venkateshwara, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have been doing commendable work for the propagation of Dharma. Datta Peetham has also been making efforts for the propagation of Dharma for the past 4 decades all over the globe. In the year 1989 for the first time Datta Peetha associated itself with TTDs for propagation of Dharma in the Srikakulam , ever since several programs have been taken up by Datta Peetham together with the help of TTDs.

2) It is fortuitous that several Peethadhipatis who are the torch bearers of the Sanatana Dharma are represented here and are sharing this platform. We express our solidarity and active participation in propagation of the Sanatana Dharma from our end. We wish to highlight certain issues at this time:

a. Sankeertana system: The most popular method of worship of the nine types is Gana Bhakti (singing the glory of the Lord). It is one of the simplest and easiest method of propagating Bhakti (devotion) and Dharma (righteousness). All the ancient seers sought this method to mobilize and transform people. This devotional singing tradition is gradually losing its hold. Television, Radio, Cinema, Audio CDs and other media should be vividly used to rejuvenate the Nama Sankeertana tradition. Not only through the Sri Venkateswara Bhakti Channel but also through all the other channels. A letter of representation to this effect must be sent to all the channels from the TTDs. Eminent musicians both in the classical music field as well as the light music field must be involved in this purpose. Voluntary organizations who train people in bhajans should be utilized. This helps also in providing employment to a few people and also for Propagation of Dharma. Datta Peetham expresses its support for training such volunteers and also for recording albums sung by Cine field Musicians, Classical Musicians and ourselves for propagating the bhajan style of singing.

b. Pooja method: Pooja is not only the prayers that are performed by the priest in the temple but also a system of daily worship at home. Unfortunately this daily worship at home has come down to a bare minimum of lighting the lamp. Even that is lacking in many homes because of lack of awareness about pooja method. Without discrimination of cast, creed and sex the Nitya pooja (archana) method has to be taught to the people through Religious organizations. This system has to run on a permanent basis. Datta Peetham has already taken up the task of training the people in the Harijan localities.
Simple pooja methods in the Pouranik way which are easy for one and all should be made available through books, cassettes and Audio CDs. Regular camps must be conducted with this motto. Schools run by Hindu Institutions should provide such
facility for children to learn through special camps every year. Datta Peetham volunteers to train freely the individuals recruited for this purpose. These volunteers may in turn be provided some honorarium for their livelihood. This helps in providing employment as well as supports the cause of Dharma Prachara.

c. Festivals: Celebrating festivities is a part of traditional Indian culture. However, due to the variable calculations provided by the various Panchanga kartas ( Alamanac designers), people remain confused as to the date of celebration. Therefore during the month of Bhadrapada a meeting of the astrologers should be called for every year and decide on the dates of the festivals in the forthcoming year. TTDs one of the biggest temples of the country should take up this process of unification of the almanac with respect to the festivals so that the people are benefitted. To avoid inconvenience to the people even Datta Peetham is now printing its almanac in accordance with the TTDs. It is also advised that the TTDs take account of the modern astronomical calculations along with the traditional shastras in designing the Almanac, which would be acceptable by one and all.

d. Nada Chikitsa: Thousands of people have been benefitted by the scientifically based Raga Ragini Nada chikitsa over the past two decades. Those benefitted by these sessions are developing faith in our religion and scriptures. Just like the branches Datta Peetham who are conducting Nada Chikitsa programmes in the Nook and Corner of the country, TTDs through its branches in villages and towns should conduct Nada Chikitsa programme. Depending on the availability of time we shall consider conducting such sessions. These sessions can also be used to propagate the message of Dharma to thousands of people through pamphlets and posters.

e. Activities in Karnataka state: It is advised that the activities of TTDs should also be spread over to the state of Karnataka, which is being represented here, in this Sadas by Sri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji, Sri Veerendra Hegde, Sri Pejawar Swamiji and Rangapriya Swamiji and Sosale Matha Swamiji and many others.

f. Conclusion: We have more than 150 branches both in India and abroad. TTDs are welcome to interact with us and utilise our branches for the propagation of Dharma.

We pray Lord Venkateswara to grant us strength in our endeavours.

Jaya Guru Datta

Click here for Telugu Version (downloadable PDF file)