Lord Venkatesha’s temple at the New Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha, now a separate legal entity.

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Madhwa's Teachings.

 

 

01-Dec-2008

 

Lord Venkatesha's temple at the

New Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha, now a separate legal entity.

Dear Readers,

 

A few weeks ago, an old lady in traditional South Indian

attire approached the Donation Collection Counter at the Satyadhyana

Vidyapeetha to enquire about the Venkatesha temple now coming up at

the new Vidyapeetha complex. The man at the counter explained, in

detail, about the project; of its past and of its future plans to

cater to the changed needs of the society. He also explained to her of

the installation of Lord Venkatesha's idol in the complex in response

to the ever increasing demands by the devotees. She expressed her

desire to make a donation to towards the Lord's idol.

 

When asked to furnish personal details like name and address

to issue an official receipt, she very firmly said that she did not

need any receipt. The man at the counter explained that the official

receipt would entitle her to a rebate in Income tax payment.

 

" Income tax rebate? " she asked with brows raised. 'The Lord is

very " selfish " ; He does not allow any concession or rebate on the

donations given to His temple. "

 

The man at the counter went on to explain that the Vidyapeetha

now being reconstructed would have an idol of Lord Venkatesha

installed in its main hall along with those of other deities and nava

vrindavana and the donations being collected would also be utilized

for the Lord's idol.

 

" You seem to be " accommodating " the Lord in the new complex.

The Lord does not share space with other deities and allow them to

share His earnings; He comes to adorn a place on His own terms and

conditions; He demands a temple exclusively for Himself with no

strings attached; nor with any obligations of others. Besides, you

seem to be giving more importance to the Vidyapeetha than to the Lord.

He will simply not allow it, " she continued.

 

" A separate temple would involve huge expenditure; it will not

be less than fifty lakh rupees and generous donations for the same

with out Income tax rebate are hard to come by, " argued the man at the

counter.

 

" Don't worry about donations. The Lord chooses His own devotees

for that and decides how much donation He has to collect from each

devotee and 'like a pathan' extracts donation from each devotee! He is

indeed a pathan but with a difference; a pathan lends money with a

smile and recovers it with high rate of interest by force; the

contract comes to an end the moment the loan is repaid, while Lord

Venkatesha, extracts money by force, if need be, as loan and never

repays it but continues to pay interest at such a high rate that

humans can hardly imagine and that too for ever, " she said with a far

deeper love and affection for the Lord.

 

" I shall come back with donation when the Lord will have

compelled you to accept His terms and conditions, " she said and went

away leaving the man at the counter speechless.

 

It did not take a long time for the lady devotee's words to

come true. The Vidyapeetha has had to form a Trust for the Lord's

temple; a separate legal entity called Sri Venkatesha Seva Trust was

formed to look after construction of the Venkatesha temple and its

management after its completion with no direct connection with the

Vidyapeetha. So much so that even the Vidyapeetha,s funds are barred

for the construction of the temple. Reconstruction of the Vidyapeetha

also came under rough weather; there was considerable delay in getting

permission for further construction, delaying the progress.

 

The estimated cost of the Lord's temple works out to around

eighty lakh rupees and the position explained above has placed the

Vidyapeetha in a very tight financial position. The Vidyapeetha has

changed the priorities and, mobilizing the little funds it could

manage; it has started building the temple in right earnest. It is,

however, confident that the Lord Himself would make the funds

available for the temple, through His devotees, as was told by the

lady.

 

On behalf of the Satyadhyana Vidyapeetha, Madhwa's Teachings

once again appeals to the intending readers to send their

contributions to the Lord's temple; they may send their contributions

in the name of Sri Venkatesha Seva Trust. They may also send their

donations " on-line " to the following address;

 

Karnataka Bank Limited, Mulund (West) Branch, IFSC Code No KARB 0000520,

Sri Venkatesha Seva Trust, S. B. Account No 5202500100313301.

 

The Vidyapeetha's telephone No is 21637984.

All donations will be official receipted but will allow no

Income tax rebate.

 

With best regards,

 

RamachandraTammannacharya Gutti.

9819550626