Karkala (Udupi District, Karnataka), Feb 9: Seven volumes of translated holy books relating to Jainism were dedicated to the world by union minister for corporate affairs, Dr M Veerappa Moily, on Wednesday February 8 at a function organized at Nallur near here.
Delivering benedictory address on the occasion, Charukeerti Bhattarama Mahaswamiji of Shravana Belagola, paid rich tributes to the efforts made by Moily, himself a noted writer, for putting in efforts to set up Prakrita Study Centre. “This gave impetus to the work of translating holy books of Jainism into Kannada, which was started by Shastri. Today, seven volumes of the works have been released, thanks to the above beginning,” he said.
Swastisri Bhattaraka Panditacharya Swamiji of Jain Mutt Moodbidri presided over the function. Sri 108 Sudesh Sagar Muniraj was present.
Prior to the function, the guests were led to the venue of the function in a grand procession accompanied by musical instruments. The books were released by way of taking out the volumes from a silver box, after completion of detailed religious rituals like Shruta Puja, Ashtavadhana Puja, etc.
Former union minister and representative of Karnataka government in New Delhi, V Dhananjaya Kumar, Karkala MLA, Gopal Bhandary, Nallur gram panchayat president, Uday Kumar Jain, and others spoke on the occasion.
Scholar, Dr M A Jayachandra Bangalore, in his introductory address, explained about the relevance and importance of these volumes, and led the audience though various phases through which the work progressed since their translation was taken up. M K Vijay Kumar received the first copy of the volumes from the Swamiji.
Mahavir Jain welcomed. Gunapal Kadamba presented the programme. Entrepreneur, Aravind Doshi, Hemavati V Heggade, cooperative movement stalwart, M N Rajendra Kumar, and several other dignitaries witnessed the programme. – News Courtesy: Daijiworld.com