Udupi, DHNS: “Whenever India faced challenges and difficulties, great persons and saints were born to guide the country to the path of progress. Madhwacharya is one of the greatest saints and philosphers of India,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He was addressing the gathering at 700th Madhwa jayanthi celebrations here on Sunday, through video conferencing.

Madhwacharya had shown a new direction to society. “No work is inferior and Madhwacharya had propogated that a selfless work is a service to the God,” said the prime minister. Stating that Madhwacharya had opposed animal sacrifice during his time, Modi said that it was in the sacred land of Udupi he wrote “Geethabhashya.”

For bringing in reforms in society, the great saints of the land had included devotion as a part of their propagation. The Bhakthi movement which started with Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhwacharya was continued by Sant Kabeer, Meerabai, Ramananda throughout the country.

Quoting saints, the prime minister said that while cleansing other’s hand, one’s own hand should also be clean. Similarly, a campaign against corruption and black money is initiated in the country, he added.

Through Anubhava Mantapa, Basaveshwara had given first Parliament to the country. “A life will light only through selfless service. When selfish nature comes between social work and glorification of individual personalities it results in corruption,” he added.

Before Modi spoke, Pejawar seer Vishwesha Thirtha swami said that he was not satisfied with Modi addressing the programme via video conference. “During my second Paryaya, you (Modi) had visited Udupi as a volunteer. You are like Arjuna working for the welfare of the country and I invite you to visit Udupi once.” In response, Modi said, “I would have been happy visiting Udupi and accepting your blessings.”

Modi said he had visited Udupi several times in the past. The Bharatiya Jan Sangh was in power in Udupi Town Municipal Council (TMC) four decades ago. In fact, Udupi TMC has the credit of banning night soil carrying system way back in 1968. Udupi had also won clean city award in 1984 and 1989.