A day before the inauguration of the New Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Adheenams at his residence and took their blessings.
The Adheenams handed him special gifts including ‘Sengols’ and chanted verses from the Thirumurais.
PM Modi extended his greetings in Tamil and expressed his gratitude towards the esteemed sages, acknowledging their presence at his residence. He considered himself fortunate to have the opportunity to witness such devoted followers of Lord Shiva congregated together. The Prime Minister expressed his delight at their upcoming participation in the inauguration of the new parliament house, where they would personally bestow their blessings.
PM Modi acknowledged the significant role played by Tamil Nadu in India’s struggle for independence. He mentioned notable historical figures such as Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, the Maruthu brothers, Subramaniya Bharathi, and the Tamils who joined hands with Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Tamil Nadu has always been a stronghold of Indian nationalism, and its people have consistently demonstrated a spirit of service and welfare towards Mother India. However, PM Modi lamented the unfortunate lack of recognition for Tamil people’s contribution to India’s independence and emphasized that the BJP has now brought this issue to the forefront.
The Prime Minister stated that people across the country are becoming increasingly aware of the mistreatment faced by Tamil Nadu. He referred to Tamil Nadu as a symbol of rich Tamil tradition and unity.
“Respected seers, the revered tradition of Aadheenam serves as an inspiration and embodies the essence of true sattvic energy. All of you are followers of this sattvic tradition, and it is an honor to have your presence here.”, PM Modi said.
“During the time of independence, there were various traditions in the country regarding the transfer of power, and this raised questions. However, during that time, under the guidance of Rajaji and Aadheenam, we discovered a righteous path rooted in our ancient Tamil culture. This path involved the transfer of power through Sengol, a practice deeply ingrained in Tamil tradition. Sengol was bestowed upon the ruler as a symbol indicating their responsibility for the welfare of the country and their unwavering commitment to duty. To signify the transfer of power, a special Sengol was crafted by the revered Thiruvaaduthurai Aadheenam in 1947. Even today, photographs from that era remind us of the profound and intimate connection between Tamil culture and India’s journey as a modern democracy.”, he said.
PM Modi further added “Now, the story of these deep ties has once again resurfaced from the buried pages of history, shedding light on the events of that time. It also helps us understand the fate of this significant symbol of the transfer of power. Dear fellow citizens, I also want to extend my heartfelt tribute to the vision of Rajaji and various Aadheenams. The Sengol of Aadheenam played a crucial role in liberating India from the shackles of centuries-long slavery right at the moment of independence. It beautifully connected the pre-colonial era with the dawn of independent India. Hence, this sacred Sengol holds immense importance not only as a symbol of the 1947 power transition, but also as a representation of our collective journey towards freedom.”
“Furthermore, the significance of this sacred Sengol lies not only in its representation of the power transition but also in its connection between the future of independent India and the glorious traditions of pre-colonial India. It would have been ideal if this Sengol had received the respect and pride it deserved after independence. Unfortunately, it was merely placed for exhibition as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. However, our government, as your humble servant, has taken the initiative to retrieve the Sengol from Anand Bhawan. Today, we have the opportunity to revive that initial moment of independence by placing the Sengol in the new parliament house. The Sengol is now getting its rightful place. I am delighted to announce that this symbol of India’s great tradition, the Sengol, will be installed in the new parliament house. It will serve as a reminder for all of us to walk the path of duty and remain accountable to the people.”, PM Modi said.
“The essence of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ in your philosophy reflects the unity and integrity of India itself. This unity is evident in the names of many Aadheenams associated with your tradition, some of which include the term “Kailash.” Although the sacred mountain of Kailash is located far away in the Himalayas and distant from Tamil Nadu, it holds a special place in your hearts. It is believed that Tirumular, a renowned sage of Shaivism, came from Mount Kailash to Tamil Nadu to spread the teachings of Shaivism. Even today, verses from his composition, Thirumanthiram, are recited in devotion to Lord Shiva.” PM Modi said.
“Great sages such as Appar, Sambandhar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagar have mentioned pilgrimage sites like Ujjain, Kedarnath, and Gaurikund in their writings. Personally, as the Member of Parliament from Kashi, the city of Mahadev (Lord Shiva), I would like to discuss Kashi today. Swami Kumaragurupara of Dharmapuram Aadheenam, hailing from Tamil Nadu, had journeyed to Kashi and established the Kedareshwar Temple at Kedar Ghat in Varanasi (Banaras). The Kashi Mutt in Thiruppanandhal, Tamil Nadu, is also named after Kashi. It is believed that the Kashi Mutt of Thiruppanandhal used to provide banking services to pilgrims. Pilgrims would deposit money in the Kashi Mutt in Tamil Nadu and could later withdraw it by presenting the corresponding certificate in Kashi.”, PM Modi said.
PM Modi further said “In this manner, the followers of Shaiva Siddhanta not only spread Shaivism but also fostered closer connections among us. Respected seers, it is due to the pivotal role played by esteemed traditions like Aadheenam that the culture of Tamil Nadu remains vibrant and prosperous, even after enduring centuries of slavery. While the sages have undoubtedly kept this tradition alive, credit is also due to those who have been exploited and deprived but have protected and carried it forward. Your institutions hold a glorious history of contributing to the nation, and now is the time to build upon that history, draw inspiration from it, and work for future generations.”
“Respected seers, the country has set ambitious goals for the next 25 years. Our objective is to build a strong, self-reliant, and inclusive developed India by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence. Countless countrymen have rediscovered the significant role you played in 1947. Today, as the nation moves forward with these ambitious goals for 2047, your role has become even more critical. Your organizations have consistently embodied the values of service and have served as a remarkable example of fostering connections among people. The more united India becomes, the stronger it will be. It is why those who hinder our progress and pose challenges will attempt to undermine our unity. Thus, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you and salute your invaluable contributions. Your presence here at the inauguration of the new parliament house and your blessings make us feel incredibly fortunate, and I cannot thank you enough for it. Once again, I salute you all.” PM Modi said.
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