By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI:Lord Jagannath is the greatest symbol of social harmony and justice. He has no discrimination of rich or poor or caste or colour, but everyone is equal. This was said by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while releasing the English and Hindi compilation of ‘Bhagwan Jagannath: The Unparallel Confluence of Science and Spiritualism’ at the Sri Jagannath Temple Mantok in Hajkhas, New Delhi today.
Appreciating this book written by Shri Bhagirathi Jha, he described the culture of Mahaprabhu as a unique combination of science and spirituality. He said, it is a matter of great fortune for me to release this knowledge-enhancing book at a holy place like Shri Jagannath Temple. The author Shri Bhagirathi Jha has presented the complex information of the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads to the readers in a very clear manner. He said that the culture of Shri Jagannath is not just a religious tradition, but it is a rare confluence of science and spirituality. This book beautifully presents the culture, tradition and scientific perspective of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath. Shri Pradhan opined that this book, written in the direct presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati Ji, the Jagadguru of Puri Govardhan Peeth, will be a powerful means of popularizing the Jagannath philosophy.
The Union Education Minister further said that the message of women empowerment, cleanliness and social equality given centuries ago through Balaram Das’ Lakshmi Puran at that time is a reflection of today’s modern government policies and reforms. Similarly, describing Mahaprabhu’s ‘Mahaprasad’ as a balanced food system, he said that the tradition of Rath Yatra and ‘Mahaprasad’ is a shining example of equality in society. There is a right combination of protein and vitamins in Abadha, which gives the message of nutrition. The entire system, from the service group associated with the temple and the flower sellers to the cooks, is the best model of a ‘circular economy’ or a self-sufficient economy.
The Union Minister has urged the Odia diaspora living in Delhi to read this book and gift it to their non-Odia friends, so that the art, culture and Jagannath consciousness of Odisha can be spread worldwide. He said that this book will help the readers, especially the youth, to know about the depth of Jagannath culture. On this occasion, he expressed his gratitude to the author, publisher Shri Rabindranath Pradhan and the partner organization Shri Nilachal Seva Sangh.
Many eminent personalities and workers of Shri Nilachal Seva Sangh were present at the launch event.
