MANGALORE: The spirits on Tuesday threw their weight behind a beleaguered Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda assuring him support “everywhere and forever”. At the annual Bhoota-Kola (spirit worship) organised at the Chief Minister’s house near Devaragunda in Sullia taluk, the spirit Vishnumurthy blessed Gowda and promised to back him “everywhere and forever”.
In the oracle appearing to target the apprehensions of the Chief Minister, the spirit declared, “You need not fear when I'm with you.”
The priest in a trance, continuing the dialogue with Gowda, sought from him reasons for his apprehensions. Assuring the Chief Minister all protection, the spirit declared that there was nothing to worry “as long as you worship me”.
“Lord Vishnumurthy never lets down his devotees when they are in trouble and always provides an assured backing,” the priest stressed. The oracle, that lasted for an hour, also had a piece of advice to the Chief Minister. “Be highly respectful to your mother, who is most important. Mother is God in human form,” the priest repeated.
Narrating the Kuchela and Lord Krishna story, the priest compared Gowda to Kuchela. “I am like Lord Krishna, whatever you give to me will be accepted gratefully.”
The priest also directed the Chief Minister to invoke him (Vishnumurthy) prior to initiating any good work. The annual Kola was witnessed from morning to dusk at the ancestral house of Gowda with all his family members in attendance. Gowda made an offering to the spirits Vishnumurthy and Rakteshwari, from morning to evening.