The Quest (In Question and Answer Format)

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When a Guru with handsome features bestows with a pleasant mind favours such as knowledge etc., on his disciple, all that will be fruitful. There is no doubt about this. As Hari is not visible or easily accessible, He manifests himself through the Guru and confers benefits such as Mukti.

Towards rectifying the several ills plaguing the modern society and to lead people in the path of Spiritualism. Shri Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji, the pontiff of Uttaradi Math is making tireless efforts. It is the onerous task of the present day pontiffs and spiritual leaders to be the role-models for our younger generation who, being the victims of an onslaught of the western cultures, are adapting their lifestyles with a focus on material luxuries. It is imperative that the younger generation must be made aware of our hoary spiritual traditions.

The contribution of Shri Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji towards this goal is invaluable. He is a young Saint who, at a very young age, discarded the comforts of the so called modern ways of life and involved himself in exalted spiritual practices like Shravana, Manana and Nidhi dhyasana. He is in the vanguard of a movement to propagate the principles championed by our great mentor. Shri Madhwacharya. As a result of his oratorical prowess and command over the scriptural literature, he has already aquired thousands of followers and disciples.

Some time ago, a mammoth spiritual conclave was organised at the Kala Bhavan, Dharwad. More than five thousand devotees used to assemble at the venue every evening for a period of one month. The Swamiji served the sweet delicacy of his erudition through his scholarly discourse on Anu Shasana Parva of Mahabharatha. On this occasion as per the request of the devotees the Swamiji decided to clarify their doubts that could have arisen in their minds. Without any prior preparation, the Swamiji would give on-the-spot answers to their questions, quoting authoritative references from the scriptures.

With a view, that such a golden opportunity be not limited only to the people of Dharwad, and that the answers provided by the Swamiji should reach the nooks and corners of the state and elsewhere, Chi. Kanteshacharya Kadaramandalagi, a student of our Jayatirtha Vidyapeetha recorded all the answers given by the Swamiji and brought out a book in Kannada titled "Jignaase".

Shri E.D. Narahari, an enthusiastic devotee of Madhwa Philosophy went one step further and translated the entire book into English so that the erudite thoughts of the Swamiji could have a much broader audience not only in India but also abroad. Shri Narahari has a facile style of writing and has aquired mastery over both English and Kannada Languages. He has already translated the entire "Sumadhwa Vijaya" into Kannada in lyrical mode and this has become very popular. He has also translated "Shri Hari Vayu Stuthi" into lyrics in Kannada and English; the lyrics in Kannada are set to Music and available in cassettes.

I offer my good wishes to both chi. Kantesha and Shri Narahari and pray Hari Vayu Gurugalu to bless them both and enable them to contribute more towards the spread of Dwaitha Philosophy amongst the common people.

Shri Satyatma Tirtha Swamiji, the pantiff of Uttaradi Math, is indeed rendering yeoman service through lectures and discourses. His lectures are so full of anecdotes and practical illustrations that many intricate scriptural details are elucidated in simple and understandable mode. He is held in high esteem even by people professing other faiths and beliefs. We are indeed fortunate to have such a spiritual stalwart amongst us and it behoves us well to reap the benefits of his outstanding intellect and spiritual concerns.

At a conclave held in Dharwad, he addressed a gathering of more than five thousand devotees everyday on various aspects of Madhwa’s preachings. At the end of each discourse, he took recourse to inviting questions from the learned audience and clarified their doubt with infallible evidence from the scriptures which he would quote profusely on an impromptu basis.

I am deeply indebted to the Swamiji for showering his blessings on me and for encouraging me with soothing words and also permitting me to go ahead with this translation.

If knowledge is propagated either through teacher-taught mode, or through discourses or through debates, it would greatly facilitate further development of knowledge. This is certain. The good fortune of scriptural studies is not available to everyone. Even if available, it is not easy to study the scriptures in a proper manner. Added to this, paucity of time has encroached upon everyone's mind and manners, and this has resulted in depletion of scriptural studies and philsophical knowledge.

In order to propagate the principles propounded by our Acharya and with a view that these exalted principles must reach even the common man there is now a growing tendency to organise intellectual conclaves (Gnana Satra) at regular intervals at various places. The noble intention behind these conclaves organized by intellectual stalwarts of our times is to arrange suitable programmes which enable each and everyone to join the mainstream of philosophy and to create suitable ambience so that they can fruitfully utilize whatever time is available at their disposal and to inspire them to develop an attitude which coax them to spend most of their precious time devoted to philosophical pursuits.

On one hand, there is the duty of the scholars to fire the spark of knowledge in common people, so that they become aware of the tenets of the Lord, the patriarch of Brahma, and also to teach the ignorant about the exalted teachings of Alava Bodha.

An appropriate example for this is the recently-held mammoth conclave at Dharwad. There is a uniqueness in this: in addition to enlightening the audience about the various intricate principles hidden in our scriptures our revered Swamiji, Shri Satyatma Tirtha (for almost a month every day), would answer in a very competent and immaculate manner, the various questions raised by the audience. The benediction of the Swamiji who strove to inspire the audience by his brilliant answers is indeed unforgettable.

The compilation of these Question-and-Answer sessions held at the famous Kala Bhavan at the city is being brought out at an appropriate time by the student of our Vidyapeetha Chi. Kantesha Kadaramandalagi. Titled "Jignase," this book is meant to benefit all the votaries of Madhwacharya. The effort of Kantesha is to be lauded whole heartedly. It has given us great pleasure. Already Kantesha has translated into Kannada, Jayatirtha's "Vadavali." On this occasion of "Shrimannyaya sudha Mangala" we pray to our family deity Toravi Narasimha to bestow on Chi. Kantesha His benign blessings and inspire him to write and translate many more books time and again.