V Somanna was bestowed with enormous affection and trust of Shri Dr.Balagangadharanatha Swamiji of Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt and Shri Dr.Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Mutt. In the life and political career of V Somanna, the blessings of these two great souls is invaluable and noteworthy.
Despite being a Veerashaiva by faith, V. Somanna has managed to gain the love, affection and blessings of seers and pontiffs of all other communities including Vokkaligas, Kurubas, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This is a testimony to his humanity and affectionate personality.
Sri Sri Dr.Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, the pontiff of the Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt bestowed V.Somanna with his blessings, guidance and confidence throughout his career; from his contests in the elections to the Corporation to the Assembly.
Sri Sri Dr.Balagangadharanatha Swamiji supported V.Somanna’s candidature when he twice contested from the Vijayanagar Ward to the City Corporation. Later, the support continued when he contested from Binnypet constituency for the Assembly. Subsequently, the split in the Janata Dal and the ensuing confusion over the status of rebel leaders resulted in V.Somanna failing to obtain the ticket from the party he wished to contest from. It was the pontiff of Adi Chunchanagiri who stood by Somanna and advised him to contest as an independent candidate, giving him confidence and assurance of victory. The monumental victory of V. Somanna in that election as an independent candidate, despite the opposition from H.D. Deve Gowda, was due to the large scale support of the Vokkaliga voters.
On his part, Somanna remained a loyal servant of the Pontiff who was the highest spiritual and religious leader of the Vokkaliga community. The Swamiji’s wish was Somanna’s command and he ensured they were carried out promptly and with dedication. This ensured the building of a very cordial relationship between the two.
V.Somanna actively participated in the 25th ascension anniversary celebrations of the Pontiff of Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt. Sri Puttaparthi Sai Baba had arrived to participate in this function. Some fascinating anecdotes from this programme are narrated by Somanna himself:
The then Chief Minister H.D. Deve Gowda was participating in the celebrations. While addressing the gathering, Sai Baba referred to Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister. Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, whispered in his ear that Deve Gowda was the Chief Minister. In spite of being corrected, Sai Baba once again referred to Deve Gowda as the Prime Minister! This pleased Deve Gowda immensely. Later, Sai Baba blessed Deve Gowda with both his hands and miraculously, there was a shower of holy ash on him! When I came face to face with Sai Baba, he said I would become a minister. I was thrilled. Within the next few months, his words came true. Deve Gowda became the Prime Minister and I became a minister in the J.H.Patel Cabinet.
It was the Pontiff of Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt who gave me political power. I can never forget his contribution to my political career. Every time I suffered a loss or experienced an upset, it was Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji who provided me with a healing touch. I remained loyal to him and always remained on the forefront to fulfill the needs of the Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt.
Somanna has gained the affection of various religious leaders and seers including those of Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of the Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Mutt Suttur, Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamji of the Udupi Sri Pejavara Mutt and Sri Niranjananda Puri Swamiji of the Kaginele Mahasamsthana’s Kanaka Guru Peetha.
Somanna was the Man Friday to Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of the Sri Siddaganga Mutt of Tumakuru, who was popularly known as the Walking God. The Swamiji in turn had enormous faith on Somanna. Somanna remained by the side of the Swamiji and took care of him till his last breath..
V.Somanna recalls his close association with Sri Shivakumara Swamiji…
My association with the Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru started in the year 1989. My bond with Sri Shivakumara Swamiji strengthened with each passing day.
The Swamiji was literally a Walking God. He had the unblemished heart of a child. He would sometimes resort to tantrums like a child, become emotional and laugh wholeheartedly when happy. He would spend hours in solitude prayers, play with children like a kid and immerse himself in Dasoha, the charity that elevated him to the status of God. This was his world.
He would consult me whenever a celebration or programme, either big or small, was planned in the Mutt. His calculations on the requirement of food and other requirements for a programme, however big, would never go wrong. From the amount of rice to pickles, the outlay he prepared would match the final expenditure to a tee. The account never mismatched. I would often ask him how it was possible. He would always answer with a smile.
The Plantine Leaf Miracle...
Preparations for a huge programme were underway and all the required stocks had arrived. At around 10 PM on the eve of the programme, we realised the plantine leaves were missing. We required two loads of them and I made it clear to him that it was impossible to procure it at that hour. The Swamiji asked me to have food and rest and not worry about the plantine leaves. I feared the worst. At around 1 AM, someone speaking in Tamil came asking for me. It was indeed a miracle; he had arrived with two loads of plantine leaves from Tamil Nadu!
When dignitaries and VVIPs like H’ble President Shankar Dayal Sharma, H’ble President Pratibha Patil, and Prime Ministers visited the Mutt, the Swamiji entrusted me with the responsibility of receiving them. I was once given the opportunity to visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan to invite the President.
The Swamiji’s simplicity and service stunned even the H’ble President Pratibha Patil. Just before her departure, she called me and said she would like to pray at his feet. I immediately informed the Swamiji of the President’s wish and he agreed. Pratibha Patil touched the feet of the Swamiji with her forehead and requested him to pray for her peaceful Mukti.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sri Siddaganga Mutt once when the Swamiji was still alive and received his blessings. He was garlanded by the Swamiji and he let it stay for a while, basking in the blessing. When the Swamiji left for his heavenly abode, Prime Minister Modi visited the Swamiji’s shrine and prayed for several minutes. He applied the holy ash from the shrine to his forehead. I am a witness to both these visits.
It was a herculean task to get Chief Minister JH Patel to visit the Mutt. He would phoo-phoo my request with the excuse that he was a Lohiaite. But I finally succeeded and took him to Sri Siddaganga Mutt for a function. In the middle of the programme, he wanted to know where the Swamiji was born. I had no idea why he wanted the information. I told him it was a village named Veerapura. He asked me to make an announcement that the Government would adopt the village. I replied that he being the Chief Minister should make the announcement himself. I did not want to be held responsbile if he went back on his words later.
The Chief Minister stayed true to his words and grants for the development of Veerapura was released. I took the lead in implementing development works including rebuilding a school building. I requested the Swamiji to inaugurate the school, but he refused. He pointed out that he had renounced worldly life to become a pontiff and it was not advisable to go back to the village he was born in. Even I was adamant and managed to convince him to go for the inauguration. Throughout the journey, he blamed me for forcing him. He inaugurated the school, checked on the development works and returned. But he refused to even look at the home he was born in. He continued to admonish me on the return journey. After we had returned, out of my earshot, he spoke highly of my work in the village to the people in the Mutt. That was his greatness.
The Swamiji would never refuse a request from me. On several occasions, he would steadfastly refuse to meet even top leaders. The responsibility of convincing him invariably fell on me.
It was the time when the BJP in the State had split. One group had visited the Swamiji and obtained his permission to install a life-size statue of his at the entrance of the Mutt. The leader of the other faction was upset as it was an issue of his prestige. He tried to convince the Swamiji to withdraw his consent but the Swamiji refused. The leader summoned me and asked me to prevent the installation at any cost. I rushed to the Swamiji and fell at his feet. He said he understood why I was there. But since he had already given his consent, he did not want to take back his words. He asked me to have prasada and be done with the visit.
I remained steadfast refusing to eat anything. I refused to let go of his feet. He admonished me, saying I was not doing the right thing. But in the end he relented. He agreed to withdraw his consent but wanted me to suggest his reply. I gave him the idea that it would be improper to erect a statue of his when he was still alive. The Swamiji informed the other faction of the BJP on these lines and the installation of the statute was stopped.
At another time, the top leaders of the RSS wanted to invite the Swamiji for an important function of the organisation that was also attended by Mohan Bhagwat. The Swamiji hesitated. I visited the Mutt and convinced him that it would not be improper to attend. He agreed and spent over three hours at the programme.
He was fond of me….
The Swamiji never refused my requests because of his trust in me. In mock anger, he would admonish me for making him dance to my tunes. At such times, I would reply that it was he who has made me powerful and so cannot blame me for doing what I did. He would have a hearty laugh at this.
A few years ago, when I was hospitalised for Cancer, he came directly to the hospital, reprimanded me for not getting treated early. He blessed me and said I would recover soon. I did.
Swamiji strictly adhered to penance, religion and service. He would fondly refer to me as, our Somanna. I was blessed with the opportunity to serve him even in his last days. I was with him when he took his last breath. I consider my service to him as one of my greatest achievements in life.
He was fond of me….
Somanna’s social life reminds me of the Vachana of Basavanna which says that you should present yourself to your teacher, your mind to God and money to monks. He rose from the ranks of the poverty and when he earned wealth, he readily redistributed it. He has grown beyond the barriers of caste, creed and discrimination. Service has become his life’s motto, to which God, his conscience and the receivers are witness. His untiring work in organizing the centenary celebrations of the Mutt can never be forgotten. The path of service is not a bed of roses. It has its share of thorns. Somanna knows how to skillfully navigate it with patience and wisdom.
Despite being a Veerashaiva, V Somanna was favoured by Swamijis of all castes and creeds including Vokkaliga, Kuruba, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. This is a testimony to Somanna's generous attitude and humble personality.Despite being a Veerashaiva, V Somanna was favoured by Swamijis of all castes and creeds including Vokkaliga, Kuruba, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. This is a testimony to Somanna's generous attitude and humble personality.
