‘One world, one prayer’: Over 2.5 million join Daivadasakam recitation

KOCHI: More than 2.5 million people across the world participated simultaneously in a global recitation of Daivadasakam, the universal prayer hymn composed by Sree Narayana Guru. The programme was organised at the initiative of the Sree Narayana Forum for Universal Brotherhood in Germany under the message “One World, One Prayer”. At 7.15 pm IST, participants in 18 Indian states and around 50 countries recited the prayer in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, English, German and several other languages.

Sree Narayana Guru composed Daivadasakam at Sivagiri in 1914 as a hymn for evening prayers. The 10-verse composition is distinguished by its universal appeal, transcending caste and religious differences. During the centenary year of its composition, Daivadasakam was translated into 100 languages. The global programme marked the first time that lakhs of people recited the hymn simultaneously in multiple languages across different parts of the world.

In Kerala, the SNDP Yogam organised special recitation programmes at the union, branch and family-unit levels. SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan and his wife, Preethi Natesan, participated in the programme held at the Kanichukulangara union office. Dr Varun Radhakrishnan, a Malayali and founding chairman of the Sree Narayana Forum for Universal Brotherhood, attended the programme at the Ayyappa Temple in R.K. Puram, New Delhi. Justice N. Nagaresh, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court, inaugurated the event.

At the Yoga Vidya Ashram in Bielefeld, Germany, which serves as the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Forum for Universal Brotherhood, Daivadasakam was recited in German. Several Sree Narayana organisations based in India and abroad also participated in the initiative. They included Kuwait Sarathi, Kuwait Advaitam, the Sree Narayana Gurudeva Temple in Goa, the Nashik SNG Trust and Pearland in the United States. The programme aimed to spread Sree Narayana Guru's vision of universal humanity and promote peace, harmony and brotherhood in a world grappling with wars and conflicts.

Prayer programme also held in Delhi

Hundreds of people participated in the global Daivadasakam prayer programme held at the Ayyappa Temple in R.K. Puram, New Delhi. Justice N. Nagaresh, a retired judge of the Kerala High Court, was the chief guest. A message from Dr C.V. Ananda Bose, former Governor of West Bengal, was read out at the event. The SNDP Yogam Delhi Union also organised a Daivadasakam prayer programme at Kerala School in Vikaspuri.