In a profound act of devotion and humility, the prestigious 'Vishwaguru' title recently conferred upon His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada was formally placed before the deity of Udupi Sri Krishna. This significant ceremony, known as the Sri Krishna Samarpanotsava, unfolded at the historic Rajangana within the Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt on Sunday.
A Ceremony of Humility and Gratitude
The event was organized under the auspices of ISKCON Bengaluru and graced by the presence of eminent spiritual leaders. The gathering received blessings from Sri Kailashananda Giri Maharaj, the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Niranjani Akhara in Haridwar. Also in attendance were Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swami of the Paryaya Sri Puttige Mutt and Sri Sushreendra Tirtha Swami, the junior pontiff of the same mutt.
Presiding over the function, Sri Madhu Pandith Dasa, Chairman of ISKCON Bengaluru, recounted the origins of the honour. He explained that the Akhila Bharatiya Akhara Parishad had bestowed the title of 'Vishwaguru' upon Swami Prabhupada during the auspicious Maha Kumbh Mela held in February of this year.
Placing the Honour at the Lotus Feet
"We, the disciples of Swami Prabhupada, wish to relive that historic moment from the Maha Kumbh Mela here in Udupi, the sacred seat of Sri Madhwacharya," stated Sri Madhu Pandith Dasa. He emphasized that the act of offering the title was an expression of deep humility and gratitude. "We desire to place this honour at the lotus feet of Sri Udupi Krishna," he added, reflecting the core belief of Swami Prabhupada that all accolades ultimately belong to Lord Krishna, whom he regarded as the original Vishwaguru and Jagadguru.
Elaborating on the significance of the title, Dasa described Srila Prabhupada as a true world teacher. He noted that the founder-acharya's extensive writings serve as a universal beacon of spiritual light, accessible to all regardless of caste, creed, race, nationality, or religion.
The Enduring Message of a World Teacher
"According to Srila Prabhupada, the world suffers from a profound lack of god consciousness," Madhu Pandith Dasa remarked. He highlighted that Prabhupada's mission continues through his literary works, which spread the timeless message of the Bhagavad Gita. "His words possess the power to awaken a slumbering world and continue to attract millions of seekers globally," he affirmed. Dasa concluded by stating that every teaching from Srila Prabhupada is a pure expression of Lord Krishna's divine messages.
During the ceremony, Sri Kailashananda Giri Maharaj shared his perspective, expressing gratitude for the divine opportunity to have presented the 'Vishwaguru' honour to Srila Prabhupada. He reflected on the teachings of Lord Krishna, who promises to reside in the hearts of those who fully accept Him. The Maharaj also praised Karnataka as a revered land steeped in the tradition of 'Bhakti' or devotion.
This event in Udupi not only commemorated a high honour but also reinforced the principle of surrendering all achievements to the divine, a core tenet of the devotional path followed by ISKCON and the Madhwa tradition.
