Students and dignitaries are seen during the inauguration of the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath Youth Unit, organised jointly by the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath, Mysuru City Unit, and Suttur JSS Residential School. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. D. S. Guru, Senior Professor, Department of Studies in Computer Science, University of Mysore, in the gracious presence of Sri Jayarajendra Swami, the youngest seer of Suttur Srimath. Also seen are Dr. Vishwanath, Retired Professor, Department of Kannada Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Dr. Jayappa Honnali, President, Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath, Mysuru City Unit; Smt. Shobharani Jayaprakash, President, Kadali Mahila Vedike, Mysuru; Shri M. A. Chidananda; Dr. Shailaja Nagaraj; and Smt. Rashmi Shadakshari.
Suttur, July 22, 2026: The Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath is making a distinctive contribution to contemporary society, said Sri Jayarajendra Swami, the youngest seer of Suttur Math.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the Youth Unit of the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath, organised jointly by its Mysuru City Unit and Suttur JSS Residential School.
The seer said that adopting the values expressed in the Vachanas in one’s daily life helps purify the mind, and a pure mind contributes to the development of a strong personality. He emphasised the importance of listening, contemplation and self-discipline. Observing that speech is one of the greatest gifts bestowed upon human beings by God, he said that good speech helps build friendships.
Inaugurating the programme, Dr. D. S. Guru, Senior Professor, Department of Studies in Computer Science, University of Mysore, said that His Holiness Paramapujya Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji established the Sharana Sahitya Parishath with the objective of imparting life values to children along with formal education.
He said that the Youth Unit was an important part of this vision and that its primary goal should be to introduce children to the objectives and ideals of the Vachanas and thereby contribute to building a healthy society. The Vachanas of the Shivasharanas are especially relevant to young people, and they should read, understand and adopt their teachings to make their lives meaningful, he added.
Dr. Vishwanath, retired Professor of Kannada Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, said that language plays a vital role in the lives of young people. He observed that Vachana literature occupies a foundational place in the development of language and culture. Simple language, he said, is one that can be understood by everyone.
He stated that the Vachana writers laid the foundation for a humane cultural tradition and promoted the values of Kayaka and Dasoha. He explained that Vachana signifies meaningful speech and conveys the values of communication, friendship, respect, love and harmonious coexistence.
Dr. Jayappa Honnali, President of the Mysuru City Unit of the Akhila Bharata Sharana Sahitya Parishath, said that although society may at times fail to live up to the ideals of the Vachana writers, the Vachanas themselves will always remain relevant.
He said that the Vachana writers proclaimed that consciousness is the Supreme Being, work is Kailasa and knowledge is the Guru. He urged people to adopt the culture of work and devotion advocated by the Sharanas and build better and more meaningful lives.
Students who had won prizes in the self-composed Vachana competition recited their compositions during the programme. Cash prizes were presented to the winners, while certificates of appreciation were distributed to all the participating students.
Dr. Rudramuni Swami of Almatti and Shri S. P. Udayashankar, Administrator of JSS Institutions, were present on the occasion. Assistant Coordinator Shri Veerabhadraiah, donors Brigadier Shivananda M. A. and Shri M. A. Chidananda, Dr. Shailaja Nagaraj, office-bearers of the Youth Wing, heads of JSS institutions, teachers and students also attended the programme.
The programme began with an invocation by the schoolchildren. Smt. Rashmi Shadakshari welcomed the gathering, Dr. Shailaja Nagaraj delivered the introductory remarks, Smt. Sunitha Guru proposed the vote of thanks, and Shri G. R. Srivatsa compered the programme.
