On the eve of the grand inauguration of the magnificent New Parliament building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the divine blessings of the revered Adheenams. With anticipation and reverence, the Prime Minister welcomed the esteemed sages into his residence, where an extraordinary encounter unfolded.

In a sacred exchange, the Adheenams presented Prime Minister Modi with extraordinary gifts, the precious 'Sengols,' while their melodious voices reverberated with verses from the sacred Thirumurais. The air filled with an aura of spirituality and divine energy as the Prime Minister humbly received these tokens of grace.

Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Prime Minister Modi eloquently extended his greetings in the ancient Tamil language, acknowledging the presence of these esteemed sages in his abode. A sense of profound gratitude and humility enveloped him as he regarded himself as immensely fortunate to bear witness to the convergence of such devoted followers of Lord Shiva. His joy knew no bounds as he eagerly anticipated their auspicious presence at the forthcoming inauguration of the new parliament house, where their divine blessings would be personally bestowed.

The Prime Minister, in his eloquent address, paid homage to the pivotal role played by Tamil Nadu in India's arduous struggle for independence. He invoked the spirits of great historical figures such as the indomitable Veeramangai Velu Nachiyar, the valiant Maruthu brothers, the visionary Subramaniya Bharathi, and the courageous Tamils who stood united with Netaji Subash Chandra Bose. Tamil Nadu, he proclaimed, had always been an unyielding fortress of Indian nationalism, with its people consistently embodying a spirit of selfless service and welfare towards the beloved Mother India.

However, a tinge of sorrow tinged the Prime Minister's voice as he lamented the unfortunate lack of recognition accorded to the remarkable contributions made by the Tamil people during India's struggle for freedom. He emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had taken up the noble cause of bringing this issue to the forefront, ensuring that the sacrifices and contributions of Tamil Nadu would no longer be overshadowed or forgotten.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the growing awareness among the people of India regarding the unjust treatment suffered by Tamil Nadu. In his compelling words, he portrayed Tamil Nadu as a cherished symbol of the profound Tamil tradition and unwavering unity. The nation's eyes were now opening to the richness of its cultural heritage and the strength derived from its cohesive spirit.

In this pivotal moment, the Prime Minister's profound words echoed a renewed commitment to honor the past, celebrate the present, and shape a future that values every thread of India's diverse tapestry, with Tamil Nadu shining brightly as a beacon of cultural pride and unity.

“Respected seers, the revered tradition of Aadheenam serves as an inspiration and embodies the essence of true sattvic energy. All of you are followers of this sattvic tradition, and it is an honor to have your presence here.”, PM Modi said.

“During the time of independence, there were various traditions in the country regarding the transfer of power, and this raised questions. However, during that time, under the guidance of Rajaji and Aadheenam, we discovered a righteous path rooted in our ancient Tamil culture. This path involved the transfer of power through Sengol, a practice deeply ingrained in Tamil tradition. Sengol was bestowed upon the ruler as a symbol indicating their responsibility for the welfare of the country and their unwavering commitment to duty. To signify the transfer of power, a special Sengol was crafted by the revered Thiruvaaduthurai Aadheenam in 1947. Even today, photographs from that era remind us of the profound and intimate connection between Tamil culture and India’s journey as a modern democracy.”, he said.

PM Modi further added “Now, the story of these deep ties has once again resurfaced from the buried pages of history, shedding light on the events of that time. It also helps us understand the fate of this significant symbol of the transfer of power. Dear fellow citizens, I also want to extend my heartfelt tribute to the vision of Rajaji and various Aadheenams. The Sengol of Aadheenam played a crucial role in liberating India from the shackles of centuries-long slavery right at the moment of independence. It beautifully connected the pre-colonial era with the dawn of independent India. Hence, this sacred Sengol holds immense importance not only as a symbol of the 1947 power transition, but also as a representation of our collective journey towards freedom.”

“Furthermore, the significance of this sacred Sengol lies not only in its representation of the power transition but also in its connection between the future of independent India and the glorious traditions of pre-colonial India. It would have been ideal if this Sengol had received the respect and pride it deserved after independence. Unfortunately, it was merely placed for exhibition as a walking stick in Anand Bhawan, Prayagraj. However, our government, as your humble servant, has taken the initiative to retrieve the Sengol from Anand Bhawan. Today, we have the opportunity to revive that initial moment of independence by placing the Sengol in the new parliament house. The Sengol is now getting its rightful place. I am delighted to announce that this symbol of India’s great tradition, the Sengol, will be installed in the new parliament house. It will serve as a reminder for all of us to walk the path of duty and remain accountable to the people.”, PM Modi said.

“The essence of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ in your philosophy reflects the unity and integrity of India itself. This unity is evident in the names of many Aadheenams associated with your tradition, some of which include the term “Kailash.” Although the sacred mountain of Kailash is located far away in the Himalayas and distant from Tamil Nadu, it holds a special place in your hearts. It is believed that Tirumular, a renowned sage of Shaivism, came from Mount Kailash to Tamil Nadu to spread the teachings of Shaivism. Even today, verses from his composition, Thirumanthiram, are recited in devotion to Lord Shiva.” PM Modi said.

“Great sages such as Appar, Sambandhar, Sundarar, and Manickavasagar have mentioned pilgrimage sites like Ujjain, Kedarnath, and Gaurikund in their writings. Personally, as the Member of Parliament from Kashi, the city of Mahadev (Lord Shiva), I would like to discuss Kashi today. Swami Kumaragurupara of Dharmapuram Aadheenam, hailing from Tamil Nadu, had journeyed to Kashi and established the Kedareshwar Temple at Kedar Ghat in Varanasi (Banaras). The Kashi Mutt in Thiruppanandhal, Tamil Nadu, is also named after Kashi. It is believed that the Kashi Mutt of Thiruppanandhal used to provide banking services to pilgrims. Pilgrims would deposit money in the Kashi Mutt in Tamil Nadu and could later withdraw it by presenting the corresponding certificate in Kashi.”, PM Modi said.

PM Modi further said “In this manner, the followers of Shaiva Siddhanta not only spread Shaivism but also fostered closer connections among us. Respected seers, it is due to the pivotal role played by esteemed traditions like Aadheenam that the culture of Tamil Nadu remains vibrant and prosperous, even after enduring centuries of slavery. While the sages have undoubtedly kept this tradition alive, credit is also due to those who have been exploited and deprived but have protected and carried it forward. Your institutions hold a glorious history of contributing to the nation, and now is the time to build upon that history, draw inspiration from it, and work for future generations.”

“Respected seers, the country has set ambitious goals for the next 25 years. Our objective is to build a strong, self-reliant, and inclusive developed India by the time we celebrate 100 years of independence. Countless countrymen have rediscovered the significant role you played in 1947. Today, as the nation moves forward with these ambitious goals for 2047, your role has become even more critical. Your organizations have consistently embodied the values of service and have served as a remarkable example of fostering connections among people. The more united India becomes, the stronger it will be. It is why those who hinder our progress and pose challenges will attempt to undermine our unity. Thus, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you and salute your invaluable contributions. Your presence here at the inauguration of the new parliament house and your blessings make us feel incredibly fortunate, and I cannot thank you enough for it. Once again, I salute you all.” PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with the Tamil Hindu Adheenams before the Sengol ceremony holds great significance in today's world scenario. In this meeting, This interaction highlights the Prime Minister's recognition and respect for the rich Tamil tradition and the spiritual leaders who uphold it. By extending his greetings in Tamil and expressing gratitude towards the Adheenams, PM Modi emphasizes the importance of preserving and honoring diverse cultural practices.

The significance of this interaction extends beyond cultural appreciation. It also serves as a symbol of unity and inclusivity in a world that is increasingly becoming fragmented. PM Modi's gesture of reaching out to the Adheenams and acknowledging their presence demonstrates his commitment to fostering harmony among different religious and cultural groups.

Moreover, PM Modi's mention of Tamil Nadu's role in India's struggle for independence reflects the Prime Minister's recognition of the region's historical contributions. By highlighting the often-overlooked efforts of Tamil leaders and citizens, PM Modi aims to rectify historical narratives and give due recognition to their sacrifices.

In today's world, where diversity and inclusivity face various challenges, this interaction serves as a powerful reminder of the need to embrace and celebrate different cultures and traditions. It emphasizes the importance of preserving heritage, fostering unity, and ensuring that all contributions are acknowledged and valued.

Overall, PM Modi's interaction with the Tamil Hindu Adheenams before the Sengol ceremony holds significance in today's world as it promotes cultural appreciation, unity, and inclusivity while rectifying historical narratives and recognizing the contributions of different communities.

References:

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