Veda Maata

Everybody is aware of the Veda Patasala established in June 1995 and being run by us. Most of you are aware of the Yajur and Saama Veda being run by Guruji Sri Muralidhara Swamigal Mission under “Saandeepani Gurukula Trust”. We have been advertising about this in some weekly magazines. Reading these advertisements some have suggested that we should write about the need for ‘Veda Rakshana’ (safeguarding the Vedas) in our “Madhuramurali”. My answer to all these people is - “Our Kanchi Periyava Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal has not only spoken on the glory of the Vedas, the need for the Vedas, the need to safeguard the Vedas but has also worked assiduously in this regard. None else can certainly do anything more than what Periyava has done in this connection.”

Some do Bhakti ‘prachaara’ (propagation of devotion), some do Karma maarga ‘prachaara’, some do Vedanta ‘prachaara’. While carrying out this work, most of them take pleasure in condemning other ‘maargaas’ (paths) rather than speak on the ‘maarga’ (path) that they try to propagate! But, Periyava was like a huge banyan tree. In its shade grew all types of ‘maargaas’. The wonderful way in which he propagated all paths and offered encouragement was really unique.

A great ‘tapasvi’ (one who does intense practice of the spiritual path taken up), Jnaani (the Knowledgeable), ‘Aachaarya’ (Master), Desika (Guru), ‘Maha Bhakta’ (great devotee), ‘Anushttaanabara’ (one who performs all the prescribed rites and ritual), ‘Vidwan’ (Scholar), ‘Kaarunya murti’ (very form of Compassion) that he was, his ‘quitting the world’ is an irreparable loss to Sanatana Dharma.

More than glorifying the Guru or live with the Guru serving him just as Lakshmana did living alongside Rama we should, just as Bharata who held Rama’s words in great respect and ruled the Kingdom, take all effort to fulfill our Guru’s ‘lakshya’ (aim) and desire. This is what I truly desire.

Even while involved in service in this way we should keep doing japa without giving it up. It was in this manner that Hanuman worked tirelessly for Rama. He also performed incessant Rama japa. We should also be like this.

Until recently there were several people who had studied the Vedas (‘Veda adyayana’). As they did not earn enough income and respect in society they did not permit their heirs to enter ‘Vaideeka maarga’. This is the reason that the number of persons who have studied the Vedas and who enter this field has drastically reduced. If this trend continues, the state of future generations would become pitiable. We should not be the cause for this. Reading the Shastras we find that it is difficult to live as prescribed by the Shastras. Though this may be true we do realize how far removed we are from dharma. Don’t we?

Our Sanatana religion has a wonderful culture that no other country enjoys. We should not lose this. We should somehow safeguard this for the future generations. In days past the Government, the wealthy, the Vysyaas established lots of Veda Patasalas, built temples and thus safeguarded dharma. Therefore, this burden was not on the shoulders of Mahatmas. But, today neither the Government nor the wealthy show any interest in these matters. Though they carry out some work now and then in the name of safeguarding dharma most of the time such works go against the ‘moola dharma’ (basic dharma). This is because they do only whatever they deem right. Even today we find tyrant rulers, ruling many a country, holding deep faith in their religion and religious Texts.

There is no use of speaking all these. Each one of us should take a vow to safeguard the Vedas, that is the root of our Sanatana dharma, in every possible way. We should send our children to study the Vedas. We should establish and run many Veda Patasalas. We should help in kind, too. We should be liberal in offering ‘sambaavana’ (fee) to ‘Vaideekaas’. Above all these we should treat them with respect. Frequently, we should invite Vaideekaas home and request them to do Veda paaraayana and offer ‘sambaavana’.

Through our Trust I desire to fulfill all that Periyava labored for the sake of the Vedas. Let Periyava be with us and bless us in this regard.

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Radhe Krishna