saat samundar ..call it need for transformation

Reality and thoughts

There are broad minded swamijis/mathaadipathis. One such person is Sri. Sugunendra Teertharu who is the  pontiff of Puthige Mutt, Udupi. Why am I referring to this person? As you read the doubts get cleared. 

Our customs insist we should not travel by sea transport, else be ready to lose the eligibility of so many concessions/rights. To broaden this statement I wish to give an example. That is, entry to Garbha Gudi is restricted if one has travelled overseas, i.e. crossing saptha samudra. This pontiff of Puthige Mutt has travelled to America, Australia, Europe, Middle-east nations etc, and has established Mutts for the benefit of Indians, specially Brahmins. The swamiji faced many protests when Puthige Mutt got 'PARYAYA' - ಪರ್ಯಾಯ - a 2 year term to run and administer Udupi Mutt.  Many are aware that each of the Eight mutts is given a 2 year term to run Udupi mutt one after the other. I don’t want to go into the controversies that emerged or questions raised by other mutts when Sri. Sugunendra Teertharu ran Udupi mutt during the paryaaya of Puthige Mutt. The point here is how relevant is the age old custom of restriction on traveling overseas.

Unfortunately this restriction of the overseas travel exists in all the sub-castes/communities of Brahmin community. The learned belonging to madhwa, smartha, srivaishnava or iyers or any other sub-caste say that the Mathadhipati (pontiff) would send his messenger but pontiffs shouldn't travel overseas.

Ohh!  brahmins... we need to open our eyes..

Things have changed over the centuries. Earlier to 1900, sea travel was very dangerous and chances of returning were very bleak and such non return of travellers would affect the respective families and put the members of such families to terrible time. So pontiffs advised not to travel by sea. But people don’t listen, hence, pontiffs said,  such travellers are barred from certain rights otherwise enjoyed. 

Now that the travel is so advanced travellers are sure of reaching the destination and their return. But pontiffs do not want to transform. They just say, be happy in India, don’t go overseas and insist that other countries are not karma bhoomi. I question all such defenders to explain to me in length about the use  of Car/Vehicles by pontiffs while in travel. They should explain the acceptance of such travel mentioning the relative shastra. It is worth writing here that all pontiffs have adopted Car and Mobile which are made of iron/steel. As per shastra iron is not accepted as 'madi'. I don't know how these are acceptable now and permissible now. Similarly the pontiffs are supposed to use only wooden-made slippers. Who is wearing the timber-made slippers for walking at each time, especially for long distance?

In fact in olden days too, pontiffs were practical and were striving hard and canvassed for expansion of Brahmin community and also restricted conversion of people from Hinduism to other religions.  

Let us be practical. Now we have to look at millions of members of Brahmin community that are staying overseas. Their visit to temples and meeting the Brahmin pontiffs would charge their spiritual batteries, thus continuing our Brahmin tradition.  In my personal view, I fully back Puthige Mutt seer.  At least he oversaw the possible deterioration of Brahmin tradition in the young present generation.  

The reality is that millions of Brahmins are located outside Bharata Khanda. My personal view is that we have to percolate our traditions to youngsters who are usually aggressive. During youth, they deviate from customs for many obvious reasons. The head of the community (pontiff) can attract a bigger audience and it is customary that the community shall listen and obey the chief. Under the circumstances we need to appreciate the effort of the chief of Puthige Mutt. If not, we would have risked the faith of the Brahmin community living abroad.

We have to simplify our customs to ensure continuation of Brahmin tradition. History clearly says Jainism and Buddhism got their respective births only because Brahminism was too rigid.  ISKCON capitalised by simplifying the customs and practices and has become very successful in the whole world, but definitely excluding most Indian Brahmins. Gone are the days for Brahmins to convert to any other caste or religion as Brahminism is the best. We don't see the conversion of other upper castes also to any other religion. We hear conversions only with regard to lower castes in Hindus. As for me, I don’t distinguish sub-castes in Brahmin nor I comment on other sub-castes nor I praise my sub-caste. In fact I am against rigidity in our community as I am of the view that we need to apply commonsense and adaptability while following any customs. 

I have numerous examples, but just want to give here one, cooking food using wood and charcoal is being done even today in most orthodox families, even in urban areas like Mysore/Hubli etc. My analysis is that, gas/kerosene was not invented until later half of 19th century. Now that every house has a gas stove, not accepting gas/kerosene stove for cooking and placing for 'Naivedya' to God, in my view, needs transformation. Gas/ kerosene stove is not accepted as ‘madi’. I am of the view of simplifying the rigidity while performing Deva Puja.  Don’t know how many concur to my views.  Anyway, all those who are interested.. please read
    CLICK->   ಮಡಿ ಮಡಿ ಮಡಿ ಏನಿದು ಮಡಿ  

Let us appreciate Puthige Mutt pontiff for his tremendous expansion of branches overseas where we see many of our present Brahmin generations are residing now. And please, we need to STOP saying saptasamudra travel सप्तसमुद्र प्रयाण is not acceptable.

Do orthodox agree for Chaturmas vruta by Pontiff in USA?  If No, why no? 

Similarly considering the climatic conditions for which Chaturmasa was originated..

is it right to follow this vruta in USA?  If Yes, why yes?

end- thoughts documented sometime ಇನ್ 2018

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