Mysore/Mysuru: Avadhoota Datta Peetham Seer Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji has said, “Vyasa is the original writer of Puranas and Upanishads. Earlier, Eenadu Daily was publishing the stories to popularise the significance of Vyasa’s writings and teach how to worship Goddess Saraswati to the students.”

Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji spoke during the release of collection of mythological stories for children ‘Dinakkondu Pouranika Kathe,’ conceptualised by himself, authored by B.G. Ramesh and brought out by Chethana Book House, at Nadamantapa in the premises of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Ashram on Mysuru-Nanjangud Road in city recently.

“Several stories published in Eenadu were derived from Bhagavata and Mahabharata, which helped in inculcating culture to students. It had reached lakhs of people then. However, nowadays the habit of reading among people is dwindling. To rekindle interest, we have to encourage reading, that will also enhance knowledge,” said Swamiji.

Noted Scholar Dr. Kabbinale Vasanth Bharadwaj said, “As there is no space for mythological stories in the current education system, it is the duty of the parents to tell such stories to their children. It helps in understanding Indian culture.”

“It is a tragedy that most of the children are not aware of Upanishads. Earlier, people were eagerly looking to hear Upanishads. The stories related to Vali and Anjaneya were more interesting. Upanishads are no less when compared to any other forms of literature. But still we go behind ‘Navya Kavya’ (new or modern literature that is prevalent),” rued Dr. Bharadwaj.

Writer Dr. C.P. Krishna Kumar (CPK), author of the collection of children’ stories B.G. Ramesh, President of Mysuru District Kannada Sahitya Parishat Maddikere Gopal, senior journalists G.R. Sathyalingaraju and S. Prakash Babu, theatre person Rajashekar Kadamba and others were present.