THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Tuesday he had sought the blessings of Sree Narayana Guru for carrying on his work for the poor and downtrodden in the society.
On his whirlwind trip to Sivagiri, Modi said he was elated that he could visit the Mutt which had been blessed by the presence of Guru and also to seek blessings from the monks.
After offering prayers at Maha Samadhi, Modi in his brief speech waxed eloquent on Sivagiri and Narayana Guru who he said stood against casteist inequities and for social commitment.
“Guru stood for Sree Sankara’s Advaitha philosophy in his life. It says that you and me are no two different entities, but one which would lead to the creation of the society envisioned by Guru”, said Modi.
This is the second time Modi is visiting Sivagiri, but first since becoming the Prime Minister. Modi had come to Sivagiri Mutt to inaugurate the 51st Sree Narayana Dharma Meemamsa Parishath during April 2013 prior to the Lok Sabha elections when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister.
Today, Modi offered flowers before the Maha Samadhi and also planted an Elanji sapling next to the Sarada Mutt. He also unveiled the plaque announcing the centenary celebrations of Daivadashakam written by Narayana Guru.
Earlier, when Modi arrived at the helipad at Papanasham he was received by Swami Sankarananda and BJP Thiruvananthapuram district president S. Suresh.
He was welcomed at Sivagiri Mutt by Sree Narayana Dharma Sanghom Trust president Swami Prakashananda, general secretary Swami Rithambarananda, Swami Sookshmananda, Swami Sachithananda and Swami Sivaswaroopananda.
Modi was then ushered into Maha Samadhi where he took part in the prayer meeting. Swami Prakashananda offered red tilak on Modi’s forehead which was the offering from the Maha Samadhi.
Swami Prakashananda and Swami Rithambarananda offered a memento with the picture of Guru to the Prime Minister. The monks handed over a memorandum to him seeking a package of Rs 1000 crore.
While leaving, Mr Modi again sought blessings from Swami Prakashananda. After the 40-minute-long programme at Sivagiri Mutt, Modi returned to the helipad and from there to the technical area of Thiruvananthapuram airport
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