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My dear brethren,
Having consecrated this Lodge Kritapura
as Lodge No.357 on the rolls of the Grand Lodge of India,
I have great pleasure in welcoming it as yet another
center, in the Masonic map of India and congratulate
its Founder Members. Brethren you may recall that I
had been emphasizing the need for spreading our Masonic
message in wider areas beyond the Metropolitan Cities,
particularly to the District Headquarters. In this context
I had mentioned that while we have over 550 Districts
in the country our Lodges are located only in about
147 locations. I am therefore very happy that an initiative
has been taken by the Regional Grand Lodge of S.I. in
establishing this Lodge in Gadag District.
I read with great interest the justification
given by your Regional Grand Master for the establishment
of this Lodge and naming it as Lodge Kritapura which
is the ancient name of Gadag and had gone out of usage.
Your Regional Grand Master had mentioned that it was
the wish and desire of the Petitioners that the Lodge
should be named as Kritapura to perpetuate the age old
name. He had also added that generally it is believed
that nothing is impossible in Kritapura the land of
Kritu himself. The story, as has been mentioned is that
Kritu one of the nine Manas Putras(sons) of Brahma was
one of the several Saints and Hermits who had retired
to this area, for meditation and that Kritu had approached
Vishnu for assistance against the band of demons and
Rakshasas who used to disturb the religious ceremonies
of the saints. For this purpose Kritu went to Badrinath
for prayers and that the Lord took the form of Veera
Narayan and defeated the demons in a battle and cleansed
the area of the menace. In gratitude, the denizens of
the area built a Veera Narayan Temple which still stands
as a testimony of those Pauranic events.
It is therefore but appropriate that
we as Freemasons should also establish a Masonic Lodge
where Freemasons will meet in a Masonic Temple and make
all endeavors to learn to get rid of the demonic &
evil thoughts which is the cause of the various troubles
we face in this world and propagate the excellent principles
and tenets of Freemasonry viz., "Brotherly Love,
Relief and Truth."
I am also happy to note that the Lodge
at its inception has a strong and solid foundation with
a contingent of as many as 50 Founding Members. The
potential for growth of Freemasonry in this area, which
also formed part of the note justifying the formation
of the new Lodge at Gadag-Betgeri shows that there are
several educational and other institutions located in
and around the area and there would be a very large
number of potential candidates serving in or managing
those institutions who would get interested in joining
Freemasonry. I am therefore quite confident that these
50 founder members would be able to exploit the potential
effectively by practicing outside the Lodge what they
are taught in it, so that the potential members may
come to know the beneficial effect of our ancient institution,
as was indeed mentioned by the Installing Officer, in
his address to the Master, a little while ago.
Often a question is posed: - 'What
do you mean by Masonry? During the Ceremony of Exaltation
it is said: "We mean that great and universal science
which includes almost every other aspect of human life
and conduct. But we have more particularly studied that
part which teaches us our duty to God and to our neighbour,
and knowledge of ourselves. True self-knowledge has
always been one of the highest aspirations of mankind.
Through endless religions and philosophies we have tried
to understand our universe and our part within it. Masonry
is no different from other systems in this respect and
points to the eternal truths that underlie all systems.
In this extract there is a clear link between our duties
to God and neighbour and with self-knowledge. This surely
points to that most profound truth, the interconnection
of all life. We cannot know ourselves if we neglect
these duties because it is in their very performance
that truth is revealed. Humility, Reverence and Love
are our nature and, like a fragile plant, they will
not grow in a desert of self-centered existence.
"The three Great Lights will
guide our steps through life's uncertain way and bring
us safe at length to see the bright eternal day. The
three 'Great Lights' are the Square, the Compasses and
the Volume of the Sacred Law. The Square represents,
and is almost synonymous with, good conduct. It is within
the Square that the whole Craft is said to be ordered.
The Compasses express the bounds of our daily lives,
the full circle of our actions. The Volume of the Sacred
Law, being considered the word of God, is a clear source
of inspiration and instruction as to how we should try
to order our own existence. All this we know, but think
for a moment on the significance of their positions
when we first see them during initiation. The Compasses
lie within the confines of the Square and are dominated
by it. Both of these things rest resolutely on an open
page of the Volume of the Sacred Law. These 'Great Lights'
and the lessons they teach are surely enough to see
us safely through to that "bright eternal day."
Initiation into Freemasonry is an
acceptance of a great responsibility. Our Ancient Charges
require "You agree to be a good Man and true, and
strictly to obey the moral law". By agreeing to
be 'a good Man and true' we enter into an obligation,
to ourselves no less than to God, to renounce selfishness
and all the little dishonesties that it brings with
it. We bind ourselves to act for the general good, making
our every contact with others an expression of the truth
that we are all one. This is the surest obedience to
'the moral law': to love God and love each other as
we love ourselves.
Masonry is not a religion. "Masonry
is also not a competitor with religion though in the
sphere of human conduct it may be hoped that its teaching
will be complementary to that of religion. There is
no doubt that Masonry is a Spiritual pursuit. The fact
that it has as its principle aim the betterment of humanity
is proof enough of that assertion. Because it is a Spiritual
pursuit, it is intensely religious and yet one of its
beauties is that it adorns and enhances religion without
usurping it. A good Mason will always be a good man
and therefore, by extension, a good Christian, Jew,
Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or whatever faith he may profess.
We should allow our Masonic principles to adorn and
enhance our religious beliefs so that all our actions
are acceptable to ourselves, to others and to God.
Brethren in the rituals we are informed
that in proportion to our capacities we attain to a
greater or lesser degree of perfection. Among the many
lessons that Freemasonry teaches are some that are very
simple and universally applicable. The idea that we
achieve results in proportion to the amount of effort
we make is one such teaching. But Freemasonry is not
about material gain, so while the same principle holds
true of our jobs, our family life or our social standing,
in Freemasonry it is elevated to the sphere of Spiritual
endeavour. "As you sow, so shall you reap"
It is a concept that has been with us for two thousand
years. Use it to attain the highest degree of perfection
possible.
My dear brethren, the founder members
of the Lodge are lucky to be part of this twin city
of Gadag and Betageri which is said to have kept alive
the tempo and momentum of a secular image since medieval
period. People belonging to different faiths viz the
Hindu, Muslim and Christianity are living in a peaceful
and cordial atmosphere. Communal harmony is ingrained
quality and essence of the citizens of Gadag Betageri.
The twin cities social fabric is so unique and united
that it is operated under single trust, comprising of
Hindu and Muslim brotherhood. The city also played an
important role during Indian freedom movement and unification
of Karnataka. It was regarded as the cradle of cooperative
movement. The twin city is fast developing in various
sectors. The glimpse of the city is of communal harmony
which is continuing since centuries. People are virtually
living on the cardinal principles of LIVE AND LET OTHERS
LIVE, thereby projecting in real sense the Masonic Ideals.
My dear brethren let this spirit continue
to prevail and through you the Masonic principles be
carried in practical shape to the society at large.
I must also take this opportunity
to congratulate the newly consecrated Lodge, for the
nice design of their banner and having it dedicated
along with the consecration of the Lodge. It is not
often that we get an opportunity to witness the Banner
Dedication Ceremony and that too along with the Consecration
of the Lodge. I am therefore all the more happy to be
associated with the event. The all Seeing Eye which
forms a part of the banner should be a reminder for
all of us that we are always under observation by the
Great Architect of The Universe, and that our words
and actions are being recorded by the Most high to whom
we are to give an undisguised account of our conduct
through Life. Thus being part of the banner, I am sure
it would serve as a continuous inspiration for the Members
of the Lodge today, as well as in years to come. I also
take this opportunity to congratulate Lodge Lyons Centenary
No.274, Hubli for sponsoring this Lodge.
As has been mentioned in the address
to the Brethren of the Lodge, may the principles and
tenets of Freemasonry be transmitted pure and unpolluted
through thus Lodge from generation to generation? I
hope that with practice of the Masonic principles Freemasonry
will become more vibrant and dynamic in the country.
I cannot help except pray the Great Architect of the
Universe to bless and guide every member of fraternity
to realise the necessity of observing strict Masonic
knowledge in theory as well as in practice, so that
men of character would emerge with capacity to contribute
the maximum good to the society at large. I hope that
through you the message will be carried forward and
spread throughout our jurisdiction.
Brethren we have once again listened
to a very exhaustive and thought provoking oration delivered
by the W. Bro. Dr. R. N. Joshi. I thank him and other
members of my consecrating team who have taken out their
valuable and traveled from far of places to assist me.
I also congratulate the Founder Members of this Lodge,
who are all set to run this Lodge and spread the message
of Freemasonry in this part of the country.
I extend hearty greetings and wish
each one of you present here and your family members
long years of comfort and fulfilled desires.
Thank you.
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