Donates Rs.7 lakh to his alma mater Mysore/Mysuru: Maintaining that Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in Mysuru is home to many saints and philosophers, former Chief Minister SM Krishna said that Rashtrakavi Kuvempu has the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sharadadevi and Swami Vivekananda when he wrote the epic ‘Sri Ramayana Darshanam’ decades ago. He was speaking after publishing two books ‘Swami Shambhavananda – A Monk with a Vision and a Mission’ and ‘Viveka Margadarshi’, written by Swami Muktidanandaji, during the Swami Shambhavanandaji Memorial Talk held at the Ramakrishna Ashrama premises on the road yesterday from KRS. Recalling that 24 other students studied with him when he was a student at Ramakrishna Vidyashala in Yadavagiri decades ago, Krishna said he could identify all of them even now. Noting that his experience at the Vidyashala cannot be forgotten, he said that studies at the Ashram were not limited only to books, but also to the learning of values and spiritual education. Shambhavanandaji Stating that the students used to practice yoga daily under the guidance of Shambhavanandaji, he said that the Swamiji also taught them 18 chapters of the Bhagavadgita. He further stated that Shambhavanandaji was one of the courageous, highly creative and dynamic monks of yesteryear whom a host of Ramakrishna Vidyashala alumni, teachers and contemporaries are still remembered for his monumental visionary works and dedication tireless in building institutions despite the difficulties. and challenges. Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala (SRKVS) and the Ramakrishna Institute of Moral and Spiritual Education (RIMSE) testify to Shambhavanandaji’s constructive dynamism and strength of determination, he added. Recalling the contributions made by the former Maharajas of Mysore to the development of the state, Krishna said that the renowned Indian Institute of Science (also known as the Tata Institute) in Bengaluru testifies to the commitment of the Maharajas to promote the education and research. The former CM also reminisced about the hardships he endured as chief minister when the Cauvery River watershed with Tamil Nadu peaked. The inflexible stance of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa could not achieve anything due to the patience and statesmanship of then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, he added. Some of the public at Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in town last night. Krishna added that Kodagu gave three great warriors to the country – the first was Marshal KM Cariappa, the second was General KS Thimayya and the third was Swami Shambahavanandaji who came to Mysuru from Kodagu. On the occasion, SM Krishna donated Rs.7 lakh to the Ashram (cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh which he got with the Kempegowda International Prize recently awarded to him by the government of state and Rs.2 lakh as his personal contribution). Ashram president Swami Muktidanandaji, former principal of Vidyashala Keerthi-kumar, editor Parthasarathy and others were present.
