• Title :  Glimpses of The Cherished Values
• Author :  Dr.  Chandrasekharaiah
• Pages :  594
• Price :  Rs. 400
• Year :  2019
• Publisher :  Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeshwara Granthamale

Writing about the publication, a collection of speeches by Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji, its Editor has rightly chosen to inform the readers that the speeches are heart-to-heart talks understood, felt and liked by the lay and the learned. Those who had the fortune of listening to the Swamiji as he spoke on various occasions are sure to agree with the words of the Editor in the four-page introduction to the publication, namely:

“He is at his best when he speaks in Kannada. He captures the attention of the people, he surprises them with a wisecrack. His inventive mind and a keen sense of observation look for situations around him to talk about and make people laugh. But his speeches are unequivocally formal, dignified and solemn befitting the occasion. All the speeches found in this volume stand testimony to show his vast, extensive, deep and comprehensive knowledge on a wide range of subjects and issues reflecting his vision of the kind of education he desires us to impart to our young people, so that the future of the country is secured and safe.”

The 109 speeches on diverse topics also document the phases of the nation’s growth and development as well as the role of Suttur Mutt in different periods, although mentioned in passing has this message from the Swamiji:

“The achievements, if any, are but our humble thoughts or words transformed into deeds — selfless, detached and morally upright.”

The speeches included in the compilation are arranged in chronological order between 1998 and 2016, each with a catchy heading and the footnote indicating the occasion on which the Swamiji spoke.

Readers have the comfort of choosing the script of the speech according to their interest, although they are sure to be drawn to every one of the speeches. In the words of Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji of Jnana Yogashrama, Vijayapura, the blessings of Suttur Seer are like roses containing fragrance of spirituality, nectar of religion and beauty of fine feelings. The gems of quotes from various texts of many centuries  vintage attributed to sages and  luminaries of a distant past included in the speeches reflect the values enshrined in them, to be cherished by every citizen in the path of righteousness.

Speaking on the occasion of Foundation Day of Mysuru-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Sept. 2014, Swamiji showered praise on the achievements of the Institute,  expressed the hope that it would in the years to come strive more and more to associate itself with community services, given its vast pool of infrastructure, potential and human resource (Speech No. 99).

The Editor richly deserves the gratitude of readers at large for the pains taken in bringing out the publication in the class of a companion for life. The value of the Swamiji’s message in every speech included in the volume cannot be measured or expressed in words.

— BRS