Thus spoke Lord Krishna in the Bhagvad Gita. And the Heggade of Dharmasthala fits the description most befittingly.
The position of the Heggade of Dharmasthala is a unique one, unknown in any other religious center in India. In the tradition of this Kshetra, he represents Lord Manjunatha. He is a pious grahastha or householder with numerous religious, social and cultural responsibilities.
After installation as the Heggade, his religious duties include propogating the tradition of Dharma in accordance to the command of the Daivas, who accept him as their foster son and ensure that the traditional rituals are observed regularly in the temple of Lord Manjunatha.
Discharging his responsibilities true to his conscience and acting on the precepts of religion, the Heggade acquires an aura of divinity which enables him to function as a representative of Lord Manjunatha and other Dharma Daivas. He executes his social responsibilities by extending the four traditional Danas - Anna Dana, Aushada Dana, Vidya Dana and Abhaya Dana. These being the gifts of food, medicine, education and freedom from fear. With the powers he acquires by these, the Heggade is regarded as the law giver, saviour and voice of Lord Manjunatha. His duties include dispensing justice, advice and munificence to all that approach him with their problems and needs.

Hoyulus
A major judiciary function of the Heggade is the settlement of Hoyulus. These are civil complaints presented at Dharmasthala by people of all creeds. When such a complaint is lodged, an intimation is sent to the opposite party who is requested to come to the temple if there is any truth in the complaint lodged. When both parites appear before the Heggade and present their cases, he gives his verdict which is accepted as the law. In fact, decisions given at Hoyulus are accepted by the Civil Courts of the Country. The belief in Hoyulus is such that there have been instances where long standing disputes have been settled, sometimes by the posterity of the injured parties.

Aaja and Aane
' Maatubida Manjunatha ', The name of the Lord Manunatha shall not be uttered in vain. So great is the belief of the people in Lord Manjunatha, that they invoke his name when they reach the end of their tether to find a solution to a dispute without remedy. At such times, the injured party literally throws up its arm and with closed eyes stops the opponent from going any further by invoking the name of Lord Manjunatha. The strange thing about this practice is that it is adopted by people of all faiths, all creeds.

Once the affected party has uttered the Lord's name, both parties cease to make any contact with each other until they appear before the Heggade who settles the dispute acting as an emissary of Lord Manjunatha. The Heggade's decision is never questioned and is accepted with reverence.

Besides worship and social service, the Heggade is also responsible for promoting the fine arts. Dharmasthala has always been a patron of art and culture and the Heggade maintains a touring Yakshagana troupe, encourages the flow of new ideas and hosts the annual Sarvadharma Sammelana and Sahithya Sammelana to spread religious tolerance and knowledge.

No ordinary mortal this. The Heggade is truly a man of God in his actions. Dedicating his life to maintain the greatness of Dharmasthala and bequeathing hope, succour and solace to thousands of needy people, shouldering an enormous responsibility that necessitates total selflessness.