Swaha Consecrates Murti in Diego Martin

By ADRIAN BOODAN
This article appeared in the Trinidad Guardian.

SWAHA, a local Hindu organisation, would be setting up a centre in India says Pundit Maniedeo Persad, the head of Swaha’s Shri Ram Dhaam, temple at St Lucien Road, Diego Martin. Persad, who is also T&T’s High Commissioner to India, was at the time addressing devotees who flooded the temple on Sunday (June 8th) for the consecration of a marble statue or murti of Saraswatie Mata, one of the incarnations of the goddess Durga.

Persad said it has always been the wish of the Shankaracharya, His Holiness,, Hari Prasad, the founder and spiritual leader of Swaha, to establish a Swaha centre in the birthplace of his ancestors at Uttar Pradesh, India, and to give back something to the birthplace of his ancestors. The Shankaracharya died earlier this year, Pundit Hardeo Persad was appointed the spiritual head of Swaha on May 25 and given the title Paramacharya of Swaha. The organisation is of the view that
there was only one Shankaracharya, in the person of the late Hari Prasad.

Persad said real estate for the project had been acquired and the ball had started rolling to get the centre under way. Persad said the Shri Ram Dhaam temple started construction in 1998 under his stewardship and several murtis have been consecrated including that of the goddesses Durga and Laxmi. He said other murtis on the third floor are yet to be consecrated and work would only be done on the structure’s fourth floor when the rest of the temple complex is finished. Persad
said Shri Ram Dhaam would also have the first animated murti in T&T and possibly the western hemisphere.

He said the 15-foot murti of Lord Hanuman erected in front of the temple would show movement of its arms stretching out and would incorporate a loudspeaker to chant. He said the technical know how for this project was being carried out jointly by artisans and engineers form both T&T and India. Persad said three artisans attached to the Lord Krishna temple complex at Mathura, India are in T&T working on the sculpture at Shri Ram Dhaam. Persad said despite the detractors who sought to deter the artisans through negative words, the Shri Ram Dhaam temple complex is moving ahead with greater strength. Persad also paid heart-felt homage to his late parents for their role in the growth of Swaha.

Pundit Prakash Persad also gave a discourse in which he focused on the importance of Saraswati Mata in the role of education, especially the spoken word. Pundit Prakash said words can be the most potent weapons in the world and can be used to create havoc if not used wisely. He asked devotees to recall their feelings after being insulted, on this not urged them to be careful of the words they choose to come out of their lips because of the impact it may have on the lives of those they speak to. Pundit Prakash asked devotees pray to Saraswati Mata for the inspiration to send the right messages when they speak. He
said words should be used as a gift.

Pundit Hardeo, the Paramacharya, instructed devotees on methods of prayer to Saraswati Mata. Pundit Hardeo said knowledge without devotions to and the blessings of Saraswati Mata are meaningless. He urged devotees to be mindful at all times that knowledge is power.

Mantra to Saraswati
Veena Dhare vipulaMangala Daana Sheele
Bhaktaarta Naashinee Viranchi Hareeshaa Vande Keerti Prade
AkhilaManoratha De Mahaar He Vidyaa Pradaayini Saraswatee Nowmee
Nityam

Translation
I pay obeisance always to thee o mother Saraswati, who plays the veena and creates music that permeates all the worlds. Thou are the bestower of auspiciousness and good fortune and the remover of suffering and afflictions of the devotee. Thou art revered by even Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Thou are the one who grants all wishes. Who showers hour and renown on all. O Giver of knowledge, I beseech you to bless and protect me at all times.