27 Sep 2024, Amritapuri – Amritavarsham 71 celebrations
As part of Amma’s 71st birthday celebrations, the prestigious Amritakeerti Puraskar was awarded to the eminent poet and scholar, Professor V. Madhusoodanan Nair. Amma blessed him and personally handed over the award, which included a sculpture of Goddess Saraswati, a cash prize of ₹1,23,456, and a certificate.
“This recognition honors Prof. Nair’s exceptional contribution to literature, especially his work in blending Vedic philosophical ideas with modern imagery and symbols in an elegant writing style” remarked Swami Turiyamritananda who is a memebr of the award selection committe.
Prof. Nair’s notable works, such as Samayaakaashangalil, Ramayana Teertham, Valmiki Ramayanam (with Sanskrit text and Malayalam commentary), Vaakkinte Vishwaroopam, and Naaraanathu Bhraantan, reflect his deep scholarship and contribution to Malayalam literature.
A respected academic, Prof. Madhusoodanan Nair served as Professor and Head of the Malayalam Department at St. Xavier’s College, Thiruvananthapuram. His literary contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Sahitya Akademi Award by the Government of India and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Nair expressed heartfelt gratitude to Amma for for the recognition of his efforts. He reflected:
“I have always felt that love is an ocean of nectar that dissolves the entire universe. When love transforms into nectar, it becomes bliss—ultimate bliss. That’s how this place becomes Amritapuri. In the Taittiriya Aranyaka, the body is described as ‘amritena avritham purim अमृतेन आवृतं पुरिं ‘—meaning ‘a place covered with nectar.’ All the bodies seated here are, in that sense, Amritapuri. All living beings in the universe should be Amritapuri as well. All the knowledge, wisdom, and wealth of humanity should be directed toward this objective. Without any distinction, every living being, including humans, is an Amritapuri of the same divine being. The place where such a message is imparted to all is filled with nectar.”
Prof. Nair continued by envisioning a world united in love:
“If the whole world unites in one music, if the entire universe merges into one symphony of love, there will be no wars, no riots, no conflicts. My prayer is that every human being becomes a glorious soul—someone who carries the most suffering along with them, holding their hand, ensuring even the most wounded and lame lamb reaches the other side. This is what I have attempted to present in my poems. I bow my head in gratitude and humility for the recognition of these efforts, these sincere literary works. I pray that Amma remains with us for ages to come, with Her perennial love, teaching the world the many great stories of love. I hope this organization continues forever, offering solace, happiness, and support to those who suffer. The world will only be truly beautiful when we unite all human beings, without discrimination.”
He offered a beautiful metaphor, illustrating how one’s perspective shapes their experience of the world:
“If my eyes are free of hatred and filled with love, then the whole world will seem sweet to me. If my perspectives are clouded, the world will appear poisonous. My prayer is, ‘Let the world be sweet.’ If everyone merges into the same melody of love, the whole world will remain beautiful. My prayer is, ‘May the world be beautiful like this.’”
Prof. Nair concluded his speech by reciting lines from his poem Achan Piranna Veedu (The Home Where My Father Was Born), a poignant piece that encapsulates his message of unity, love, and compassion. The entire audience was moved by his heartfelt recital, and Amma herself was visibly touched, shedding tears along with the poet. It was a powerful moment, as his poem seemed to condense Amma’s teachings into stunning poetry, presenting vivid imagery that resonated deeply with everyone present.
The award presentation was not just a recognition of Prof. Nair’s literary achievements but a moment of reverence for his ability to bridge the timeless wisdom of the Vedas with contemporary thought, enriching the cultural and spiritual landscape for generations to come.
-KaliCharan
