Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the gathering at the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana programme at Sri Krishna Matha in Udupi, Karnataka.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said, "Deeply honoured for the opportunity to be in the presence of the revered sages."
He added, "Just three days ago, I was on the sacred land of Kurukshetra where the Gita was born, and today, arriving on this blessed land of Lord Shri Krishna and Jagadguru Shri Madhvacharya brings me immense satisfaction."
"On this occasion, when one lakh people recited the shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita together, people across the world witnessed the profound spiritual heritage and divinity of India," the Prime Minister said.
Referring to the spiritual atmosphere of the event, he said, "The divine sight of Lord Krishna, the spiritual experience of the mantras of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, and the presence of so many revered saints and gurus is a supreme blessing for me. For me, it feels like receiving countless blessings."
Quoting the Ramcharitmanas, PM Modi observed, "It is written, in Kalyug, only singing the glories of Lord Hari and remembering Him with devotion is the supreme means of spiritual practice. In other words, in this age, the recitation of the divine name and leelas is the ultimate path..."
He also shared his fondness for Karnataka, saying, "Being here on this land of Karnataka, among its devoted people, is always a unique and special experience for me."
In a lighter moment, PM Modi asked his security and police personnel on duty to collect paintings of him made by children who had come to attend the programme.
Before the event, he held a roadshow in the city and visited the historic temple, participating in the recitation alongside over 100,000 participants, including students, monks, scholars, and citizens.
During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Suvarna Teertha Mantapa, located in front of the Krishna sanctum, and dedicated the Kanaka Kavacha (golden cover) for the sacred Kanakana Kindi, the window through which saint Kanakadasa is believed to have had the divine darshan of Lord Krishna.