Pundits, priests stress strict religious codes

By Jaykrishna Yadav,Inruwa, Jan. 31: Speakers at a two-day joint convention for pundits, priests and yajamans (ritual patrons) in Inaruwa, Sunsari, have stressed the need to strictly implement a code of conduct for religious practitioners andyajamans. The programme, organised for religious figures from Inaruwa Municipality–5, Balaha, emphasised disciplined adherence to ethical and ritual standards.

The event, organised by the Sanatan Culture Protection Council at the Pokharel Sewa Samaj building, brought together pundits, priests and patrons who committed to enforcing their professional code of conduct. 

During an interactive training session aimed at strengthening Sanatan culture, traditions and religious practices, Shraddha expert Koshraj Neupane urged participants to conduct death rituals and religious rites strictly in accordance with prescribed scriptures.

Neupane stated that the two-day convention would help bring uniformity across the 16 traditional Hindu rites (sanskaras). 

He explained that these rites include Garbadhan, Namakaran (naming), Upanayan, Bibaha, Nishkraman, Vedarambha (Gayatri Shrawan), Agniparigraha (Chaturthi), Punsavan, Simantonnayan, Annaprashan, Chudakarma, Samavartan, Tretagni (Krabyad), Jatakarma, Karnavedha and Godan, and noted that the programme aims to standardise their practice.

Organising committee chairperson Chet Nath Kafle said the historic event began with the collective participation of dozens of pundits, priests and patrons from Inaruwa. He informed that the two-day programme will endorse guidelines on codes of conduct, social customs, birth and death rituals, policy-level reforms in religious practices, and future directions for such gatherings.

Kafle added that the event was jointly organised by the Sanatan Culture Protection Council and the Vedic Ritual Council, Inaruwa Municipal Committee, both established in 2009 under the principle “Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah — Victory to Sanatan Dharma.”

The municipal-level gathering was attended by Inaruwa Municipality’s Kedar Mandari, Ward Chairperson Anil Kumar Pokharel, Ekaraj Khanal of Karuna Samaj, Madhav Prasad Subedi, Mahananda Neupane, journalist Jayakrishna Yadav, priest Gyan Prasad Pakharel, Upendra Prasad Koirala, Achyut Prasad Khatiwada, Pradeep Koirala, and others.

Speakers noted that this third convention has proven highly useful. 

They highlighted the importance of continued discussion on Sanatan culture and Vedic rituals, sharing scriptural knowledge, exchanging policy experiences, and sustaining the initiative in a more organised manner in the coming years.

The programme has also helped strengthen relations and mutual harmony among scholars, religious devotees, pundits, priests and patrons in Inaruwa and nearby areas. 

Participant Sementa Baral said that the event focused on identifying essential household religious duties, harmonising diverse ritual practices, and establishing minimum foundational standards to define a formal code of conduct.