Prime Minister recites verses of Bhagavad Gita in Udupi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recited verses from the 15th chapter (Purushothama Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita during the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme organised by Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt and Paryaya Puthige Mutt in Udupi on Friday.

He was joined by thousands of devotees in reciting verses in unison.

By the time Mr. Modi arrived at the venue of the programme around noon after visiting Sri Krishna Mutt, devotees had completed reciting all slokas of 18 chapters of Bhagavad Gita.

Mr. Modi then joined devotees in reciting the slokas of “Purushottama Yoga”.

Unprecedented security arrangements were made for the maiden visit of Mr. Modi to Udupi Krishna Mutt as Prime Minister. He had earlier visited Udupi as an RSS pracharak in 1969, and then in 1992, 2004, as Gujarat Chief Minister, in 2008 and 2018, as part of election campaigning.

Barricades were placed all along the 1 km long route of the road show that Mr. Modi did from Udupi KSRTC bus stand to the Mutt. People stood by the barricade and showered flower petals as motorcade of Mr. Modi went past.

After a 30-minute-long road show, Mr. Modi was welcomed by Paryaya Mutt seer Sugunendra Tirtha to the mutt. Mr. Modi offered prayers at the mutt.

The paryaya seer placed a tilak and offered a sacred necklace to Mr. Modi before taking him around the Mutt. Mr. Modi also visited Geeta Mandira on the mutt premises.

‘Bharata Bhagya Vidhata’ title

At the venue of the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme, the Paryaya Mutt seer presented silver plated traditional butter churner to the Prime Minister. He presented the portrait of the title “Bharata Bhagya Vidhata”, which was conferred by the seer on the Prime Minister. A portrait of Lord Krishna was also presented.

Welcoming Mr. Modi in Sanskrit, the seer said Narendra signifies “Arjuna,” and his visit was akin to the participation of Arjuna in the sacred “Parayana”.