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Artha (The Purpose)
In today’s modern world, it’s essential to reconnect with our roots and nurture it as we work towards preserving our rich Vedic heritage, not only keep our ancient knowledge alive but also providing the next generation with the opportunity to learn about their spiritual heritage.
We take pride in presenting some excerpts from Anugraha bhashanam (gracious speech) by our Kanchi Acharya, Sri Sri Bala Periyava on 30th August 2020.
In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord says: Brahmana rakshitena, rakshita Vaidiko dharmanaha (meaning Brahmanatva when protected protects, in turn, the Vedas). Veda rakshanam has to be done both from within and without. The outward expressions of tradition and culture based on our Vedas and Sastras form the heritage of the entire nation.
We need Veda Patasalas with students learning and following the correct anushtanams and other necessary practices for the study of Vedas. It does not matter how many students are enrolled. Even if only a few seeds are planted, one can still expect to reap a huge crop if the planting is done in the proper method. Veda vidwans who teach these students should be revered.
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Safeguarding of the Vedas involves first learning them, then learning the import of their meaning, doing further studies and then going out and propagating them.
At Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala, we believe that it is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote our Vedic heritage. We are aiming to be one such institution that dedicates to teaching and preserving the ancient Vedic texts and also play a crucial role in nurturing future Vedic scholars who will carry forward this invaluable tradition.
Adhyapakar (Brahmasri Gururama Ghanapadigal)
Sri Gururama Ghanapadigal always wanted to teach and was doing that right after completing his studies, he has been a Veda Adhyapaka for the past 15 years. Hailing from Unjalur village near Karur, Sri Ghanapadigal, son of a school teacher, had initial training in Chennai and went to Palakkadu for higher studies.
It was my guru, who motivated me to adopt disciples for tutelage. He said that the children should grow up in the right atmosphere without distractions. That’s the only way in which they will imbibe the lifestyle that a practitioner should follow, explains Sri Gururama, Salakshana Ghanapadigal.
A formidable task for a man then in Chennai with a mother, young wife and child to support, but he decided to make the move. To go away from Chennai, which offered lucrative scope for pandits, well versed in both Veda and Sastra. He chose a spot near the Cauvery and hired a house to which he shifted. For the past 7 years, the vidhyarthi count which grew from 2 to 5 and currently to 30, have integrated into the family of the guru, who leads by example. His wife Smt Sowmaya (post graduate degree holder) and daughter have dedicated themselves for the purpose envisioned by the Ganapadigal.
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Brahmasri Sarma Sastrigal (The Mentor)
Aitareya Brahmana, Tritiya Adhyaya, Tritiya Khanda, It’s the small things in life that make a big difference.
People born in illustrious families become famous in their own right and get noticed, and this is not unusual. But it’s different when a common man with no credentials gets into the public space by doing something for the community and the society at large and makes people sit up and take notice.
Few excerpts from Biography of Brahmasri Sarma Sastrigal (affectionately called as Sarma mama) as narrated to the authors:
This is what I think has happened to me. I am a small speck in the greater scheme of things. There are well-read Vedic scholars who run patasalas, deliver upanyasams on our Sastras and write erudite theses on the Upanishads. I know I am nowhere in their class. But what I bring to the table are two distinct things: one, nationalism and patriotic fervour fuelled by my involvement as a pracharak in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the 1970’s, and two, digestible and practicable Vedic knowledge in my present avatar as a mentor.
I don’t take up great big ideas, deep philosophies. My focus is always on basic stuff that relates to the common man’s daily spiritual life, little things that he can do to reach nearer God. I believe this is why and how I have made a positive impact on the society around me.
I feel happy that at 70-plus I can still work long hours without a break. I feel blessed that my videos, Veda classes and workshops are able to reach value in the spiritual domain to common people. And I’m particularly delighted that through these years I have built a team of dedicated co-workers who assimilate, practice and implement what I believe in and work for. It’s difficult to get sincere followers in the confused field of spirituality and religion and I know I am lucky in this respect.
I have no special identity, no pedigree in this space. Yet if I have been able to inspire people, it is only because of the immense grandeur of our Vedic tradition, and it should be possible for others to do what I’m doing.
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