Vedas manifest the spirit of universal brotherhood: Prez

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said the Vedas give the message of universal brotherhood and they should be preserved.

“The traditional Indian philosophy ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ beautifully captures the essence of our global outlook. UNESCO has also recognized the Vedas as oral heritage and it is our sacred duty to preserve them in their pristine form,” he said.

The President was speaking after inaugurating a ‘Veda Pathashala’ of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) at Ai-Bhimavaram village in West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday. TTD is the body that administers the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirupati.

The benevolent message of the Vedas is not limited just to the welfare of individuals, society and the nation but manifest the spirit of universal brotherhood, Mukherjee said.

He recalled that India provided leadership in knowledge in ancient times with the great and eminent seats of learning flourishing at Nalanda and Takshasila.

He appreciated the TTD for its services in various spheres, especially in education and dissemination of knowledge.

Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju and several other dignitaries attended the event.

Meanwhile, the President offered worship at the ancient hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

On his arrival at the shrine, the President was accorded traditional reception by Tirumala Tirupati Devassthanams (TTD), which manages the temple.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Governor E S L Narasimhan were also with the President on the occasion.

After offering worship, Mukherjee was presented with a sacred silk cloth, laddu prasadam and celestial water by the TTD, while priests recited Vedic hymns, TTD Chairman Chadalavada Krishnamurthy said.

Before visiting the hill shrine, the President inaugurated a newly built multi-crore TTD Veda Patasala (Vedic school) in Ai Bheemavaram, about 550 KM from here in Andhra Pradesh, he said.