Suttur, August 14, 2025: “Nothing in life is permanent, everything is impermanent,” said Sri H.B. Devanna while delivering a discourse on the 22nd day of the Shravan month at Suttur Srikshetra on August 14.
In his spiritually enlightening talk, Sri Devanna emphasized that everything in the world is in a constant state of change. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of the Buddha, he said that after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha realized the impermanent nature of all things — everything is created, undergoes change, and ultimately perishes.
“If we understand the concept of impermanence,” he said, “we will be able to face both the difficulties and pleasures of life with equanimity.”
Sri Devanna noted that the human body is unstable and temporary — “like a lamp placed in the air.” He pointed out that while the body is impermanent, the soul within is immortal. All living beings in creation may perish, but the soul inside them continues to exist. “There is no difference between the individual soul and the Supreme Soul,” he said, explaining that the Supreme Soul is one and the same for all.
Quoting a poet, he reflected that time has no beginning and no end, and while human lives may be fleeting in the stream of time, good deeds preserve them eternally. “Humans are not eternal, but humanity is eternal,” he said. “Those who live selfishly die, but those who live selflessly and benevolently continue to live even after death. We must understand that the mortal body is only a vessel for eternal glory.”
Illustrating this thought, Sri Devanna narrated the story of a devout Brahmin named Muruga, a Shiva devotee from the town of Pumpukalur. Muruga was a deeply learned scholar who dedicated himself to adorning Lord Shiva with flowers. Each day, before sunrise, he would purify his body and mind, chant the sacred Panchakshari Mantra “Namah Shivaya,” and collect flowers from forests, mountains, ponds, and vines. With these, he would prepare garlands and crowns, offering them to the Lord, even decorating Shiva’s feet with rose petals.
Through constant chanting and sincere devotion, Muruga attained spiritual realization. It is believed that Lord Shiva, deeply moved by Muruga’s devotion, would speak of him to Nandi and Parvati, eventually bringing him to Mount Kailash and granting him the rank of Gana.
Earlier, the program began with a mass prayer. Shri S. Jagadish and Smt. Girijamba, along with their family members, rendered service on this occasion. Numerous devotees and spiritual seekers participated in the event, marking it as a deeply reflective and devotional gathering at Suttur Srikshetra.