Page 25 - Ashlar June - September 2024

N A L G R
O I
G E AND LODGE
The Ashlar R Vol. XIX Issue II
ORATION -HRA CHAPTER SHAYADRI NO. 170 Miraj
M E Comp.G.K.Balakrishnan,P.G 2nd Pr &
3rd Gr.Principal
ME Comp, the First Gr.Pr. of the SG C of India, Jerusalem, which took almost 7 years to
ME Comp.A.K.Sharma, The Gr.Supt of Gr. complete.
Chapter of WI,,ME Comps, E Comps,& Compns, as we all know the ceremony of being
Comps in all. It is customary for the admitted to the Royal Arch masons degree is
consecrating officer to call upon the 3rd Gr.Pr called EXALTATION the dictionary meaning of
to deliver an oration at the time of the word EXALT is Praise highly and thus
consecrating a new chapter. I am extremely exaltation is being elated -you will be truly
thankful to our beloved ME Comp. AK Sharma elated or in a condition of elation in this degree.
ME the First Gr. Pr. for giving me this Even in our ordinary lives, if a long lost thing is
opportunity to deliver an oration on the nature, found we get a mixed feeling of joy and relief.
purpose, tenets, principles of our Compns, Chapter teaches the relationship and
organisation. the spark of divinity to go near to God. But as
Companions, I am extremely happy to be here philosopher plato reasoned that knowledge
in the ancient city MIRAJ the musical and which is acquired has little hold on mind. So
medicine city of India. The former capital of memorising alone of a required proficiency
British State of Sangli. The city founded in does"t necessarily assures understanding.
1750. Miraj Senior & Miraj Junior the two The higher degrees in FM gives the
Maratha princely states ruled by Patwardhan instrumentalities to accomplish mental growth.
Dynasty who fought against Hyd. Nizam & Author Herbert Spencer tells a french mason
Hyder Ali of Mysore. Miraj is also the journey who having been in England for two weeks
Masjid-Al-Aqsa to the heavens, That is when proposed to write a book on England. After
prophet Mohd. was given the five prescribed three months he says he is not ready, After
daily prayers. You have also given world three years he says he knew very little about
famous musicians, very renowned Ustad England. Similarly every many FM agrees that
Abdul Kharim Khan, Bhartha Rathna Bihm they know not mush about Chapter, Mark &
Sen Joshi. In the field of Medicine Dr Vikas RAM.
Gosavi, Dr Naim Sheikh Hospital, Compns the Character lies in the will and not
Vivekananda Hospital, your soyabean crop the intellect. Morality should be the instrument
Turmeric, paddy etc are all famous, but above by which we acquire knowledge and goes one
all Miraj is known for its wonderful, hospitable, step near to GOD.
friendly & brotherly people, extremely happy Companions the word chapter derives from the
to be here. Latin word CAPUT meaning HEAD.
Companions let me say a few lines on the The expression companion is of great
origin of FM- Existing written record of FM signifance. When I was exalted in Mysore
craft is in REGIUS manuscript written in Chapter no 31 on 21st April 1979, I felt an
English about 1390 AD, Many of the doctrines indelible impression on my mind.
or tenets, practised today by FM, belong to the Even after 45 years, after attending several
vast traditions of Humanity of all ages. Many hundreds of chapter meetings, the colour the
evidences indicates that FM’s were builders of charm of this order has not diminished my
the superior type who built marvelous interest. I also express my gratitude to the First
cathedrals and other wonderful structures in Gr.Pr. for appointing me as the 3rd Gr.Pr of the
the Gothic style. Our lineage traces more than SGC-I am truly enjoying the mysticism and
1012 BC,when King Solomon commenced philosophy of chapter convocations.
the construction of the splendid " TEMPLE OF The expression companion is of great
GOD " on mount Moriah around 966 BC in significance. Royal Arch chapter Stirling Rock

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