ANNA SAMARADHAN
ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ
viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param
tasmāt parataraṁ devi
tadīyānāṁ samarcanam
Worship of Sri Mahavishnu is noble, to be sure, but still nobler is the service to any of his devotees. This concept implies that service to mankind is the best way to please the Lord. In line with this precept, the Ashramam is committed to the eradication of hunger at large. The daily Nithyannasamaaradhana, consists of purveyance of free food regardless of caste and religion.
In this regard, Lakshamandi Samaradhana (Equanimous service to one lakh people) is a monumental event in the lineage of Muttevi. It is hosted under the supervision of His Holiness, Sri Sri Sri Lakshmana Yathindra Gurudevulu, who succeeded the founder-father, His Holiness, Sri Sri Sri Seetharama Yathindra Gurudevulu. By divine miracle, it was conducted smoothly and successfully in the face of so many odds of the day. A stretch of 60 acres were partitioned into 20 segments, each accommodating about 5000-8000 guests. The guests who partook on that day ran to 147 thousand strong. The event is now commemorated by a modest replication every year. This is, however, in addition to the regular Nithya-annadaanam.
Moreover, during the flash floods of Krishna river that inundated the entire coastal area of the district (Diviseema area), the villagers around the Ashramam had to stay in water, forced to go without food. The Ashramam went to their rescue at a very short notice. The entire village was treated to three meals a day, for three consecutive days, until the flooding subsided. Wherever possible, food was carried to the surrounding villages according to need. Similar situation prevailed during the outbreak of Covid-19. The Ashramam transported food to the needy hubs far and near, to say nothing of the medical attention given. The point here is the ability and alacrity in offering service to humans without discrimination. In the words of Lord Krishna to Arjuna in the Karma Sanyasa Yoga of the Bagavad-Gita, such an unbiased disposition is the crucial trait of a learned spiritual leader.
Everyday organic food is served to 300 – 400 people in Ashramam. Food is available to everyone, whoever reaches Ashramam at any time.