[valiumcheapll]

Sir,
The subject matter is " Oral tradition of the Vedas ", but I find many other
matters creeping in !

[samanthalueus]

Precisely , that is what Mr.nachhi is talking about
' Hijacking of Threads !"
Everyone needs to be conscious of the relevance of his/her posting to the
Thread where they post !
or else some wrong strings will be pulled and the forum will loose some intellects !
There is a pvt msg facility where anyone can take on one-to-one to satisfy their ego's and establish their supremacy on language , personal beliefs or other minor things !!
In the meantime , Let this e-gurukul be a platform for imparting knowledge to the people who aspire for !!

Thanks and Regards !

[7UENf0w7]

The importance of the oral tradition is, it is the Sruthi that is being learnt. Sruthi means that which is heard. The one that hear is the devatha called Srothra (representing the ear). It must be heard as it comes from the vaak devatha, a conscious Being that imparts the Sruthi through the sound of the mouth (vaak). Thus there must be the Chaithanyam at both ends. A tape recorder is an inert entity and it cannot be the Guru.

[Alexeryy]

Dear friends,

Having learnt the basic point that Vedas are taught by the Guru to the
Disciple orally ( through recital ) , the next step is to list the names of
the Veda Patasalas and their locations so that the members of this forum
can either help these Institutions or think of learning the Vedas setting
apart an hour or two per day.

There are Patasalas in Madras - Ahobila Mutt, West Mambalam runs a
school; Sanskrit college, Mylapore, Sri Muralidhara Swamigal's Ashram,
Padappai.
Kanchi Mutt runs a school in Kanchipuram. Sri Ramanashram at Tiruvanna-
-malai, Sri Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram at Tiruvannamalai and there are
one or two at Srirangam and Tiruvannaikkaval, Trichy.

[AnriXuinriZ]

This Thread was started by Sri Nachinarkiniyan to discuss a serious subject the traditions of Vedic learning. But slowly this discussion turned into an arguement and ultimately, I find this entering into entirely different subject "the dignity of Labour"!

[Lerpenoaneway]

Mr.Brahmanyan,

That is the precise reason for continuing this thread. As you are aware,
Vedas are passed on from one to another by chanting only. Sri
MahaPeriyaval was not in favour of printing the vedic texts since
intonation - swaras - is the sine qua non of these mantras. When I saw
some elderly people learning it from the Purohithars, I thought it augurs
well. It must be our endeavour to continue the tradition of oral
recitation.

[TaliaJack]

Mr.Ranganathan,

During his time Kanchi Maha Periavar had initiated Veda Samrakshana Sabha to teach and propagate Vedic Knowledge in traditional lines. I have known that some rich families were entrusted the job of funding Veda Patasalas. VHP had also opened a Veda Patasala at Kanyakumari, I am not sure whether it is functioning now. While talking about Veda Padasalas we cannot forget the yeomen service done by the Nagarathar community for keeping the Patasalas running. I have also known some Mudaliars, Reddies and Rajas helping the Veda Patasalas. Swargeeya Sri Tiruchi Swamigal in Kenchanahalli near Bangalore was very much interested in Vedas and Agamas. The Agama Patasala in his Ashram is one of the few in the Country to teach Agamas in traditional way. The young Brahmacharis in this Patasala are looked after well. When I spent some time in Rishikesh I saw the Veda Padasala run by Swami Chidanadji Maharaj in Paramartha Niketan, which has Hundreds students (both boys and girls) from all over the country. You can visit their website: http://www.paramarth.com/gurukul.html
There are many like that in Uttarkhand. I am told similar Veda Padasalas are functioning in Haryana and UP too. Even though Vedic knowledge is parted orally, books are available in Old Grandha skript for the students to refer. This I have seen in Srungeri and other places.
I wish this subject is discussed in all seriousness and find ways to help these Veda Padasalas all possible ways.

Regards.

[Hankie]

Sir,
Do you mean the swamiji who has built the RajaRajeswari Temple ?
I think he is known as Trichi swamigal. I have known him.

I agree that the Nagarathar community has funded quite a lot of
Patasalas.

But, today I find a peculiar phenomenon. In some schools, there are
vidyarthis but no adhyapaks ; and in some schools the other way.

We have vidyarthis and adhyapaks for Saivaagama and yajur vedam.

[Kghikeds]

This Thread was started by Sri Nachinarkiniyan to discuss a serious subject the traditions of Vedic learning. But slowly this discussion turned into an arguement and ultimately, I find this entering into entirely different subject "the dignity of Labour"!

Dear Brahmanyan:

The 'dignity of labor' thing started with Sri Nachi making some observations about a Tamil Brahmin A/C mechanic...... Perhaps you could steer this back to its original intent.

[Sydrothcoathy]

Who are these people 'Nagarathas'?

[pharmaclid]

Dear Mr.Ranganathan,

Yes. It was the same Thiruchi Swamy who had built the beautiful Temple for Goddess Sri Rajarajeswari at his Kailasa Ashrama at Kenchenahalli near Bangalore. Permit me to digress a little and give a brief account of this holy soul. Sri Sivarathnapuri Swamy, popularly known as Thiruchy Swamy was the disciple of Swamy Shri Sivapuri Baba of Nepal. His Ashram has produced a number of dedicated Sanyasis who had taken over as heads of many important Mutts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.Prominent among them are Sri Sri Sri Balagangatharanatha Swamy of Adi Chunchanagiri Mutt in Belur, Swamy Sivananda Bharati of Siddharuthanatha Mutt and Jeyendra Puri Swamy. All these places Patasalas are imparting Vedic or Agama Studies. Sri Swamiji was a believer in Sanatana Dharma and had silently worked for renovating many Temples in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Sri Lanka. He had been consulted by many for building new Temples according to Agamas. The famous Meenakshi Temple at Hulimavu on Bannargatta Road in Bangalore was built under his guidance. He was a Simple person and had widely travelled. He was the special guest of the Pope, when he visited Vatican, Rome.
I had visited his Ashram and Temple many times. He used to ask all Brahmin devotees to perform Sandhya Vandanam regularly.
Nagarathar Community otherwise known as Nattukotai Chettiars were instrumental in running many Veda Patasalas in Tamil Nadu. Many of the famous Temples were renovated by them without any outside help.

Regads.

[cabonuserollyo]

Dear 'Silverfox',

I have answered your query about Nagarathar in my reply to Mr.Ranganathan. Nagarathar other wise known as Nattukottai Chettiars in Tamil Nadu were largly instrumental in preserving Vedic Patasalas during the past era. Most of the Veda Patasalas were funded by this community only. They are religious community. Many Temples were renovated by Nagarathar families without outside help. They are basically business community. Though mainly Bankers or money lenders by tradition, they branched of to almost all lines of Industries and were and are successful. They were Saivaits by tradition. They had done a lot for our Temples.

Regards.

[Repwailia]

May I add something more sir ?

The Nagarathars have, besides spending on Temple renovation and
maintenance, built many choultries in almost all the Temple towns
like Chidambaram, Tiruvannamalai and other towns for the pilgrims
to stay. In and around Karaikkudi , Pudukkottai, Pillaiyarpatti, they
have built/renovated many Temples.

[Ilaubuas]

Mr.Ranganathan,

You are correct. To add further they were in education too and the first residential University in South, " Annamalai University" was built by Nagarathar only. Even though they were known for strict spending, they were in the forefront of charity. Nagarathar Choultries are known for their hospitality.

Regards.

[Hokimjers]

Friends,

Steering back to the original intent of this thread, I have one thing to mention, which is of relevence to the topic. Gayathri Manthra is from "Rig Veda", and it forms part of Sruti, any recitation from Vedas should be initiated properly by Acharya or Guru. One of the important functions in conducting Upanayanam is initiation of Gayathri mantra. This Vedic Mantra is an invocation to "Savitr" the Sun God, set to Anushtup Chandas which is otherwise known as Gayathri. And it is sacrosanct that it should be recited according to the traditional way set for this Chandas. But nowadays recordings have come that Gayathri Manthra is set for various tunes and even ragas. This is nothing but sacrilege of our religious tradition followed by us thousands of years. Surprisingly no one seems to be bothered or taken any objection to this. It is my request to Tamil Brahmin community that they should atleast voice their concern to our religious heads.

Regards.

[Tinasblue]

Sir:

Yogi Ram Suratkumar of Tiruvannamalai used to say quite often that ours
is a land of Vedas, sages and saints. A time will come when our Country
will show the right path to the rest of the world. He wanted everyone of
us to study Vedas.

Amidst our busy schedule, we have to think of spending at least a hour or
two in learning Vedas. The vibrant sound-waves of Vedas will bring a
total change, I believe. Let us try.

[Blelidupgerie]

Sirs,
May be the daily practice of "YOGA" - Pranayama + Simple Exercises
can mark the start off for this venture into the Vedas !
Keeping ur mind and body under control should be the first step in the ladder to
reaching the heights of learning VEDA!
and then the second step ??
Does one needs to go thru RIG - YAJUR- SAMA- ADHARVANA and then the UPANISHADS ( 108 - too many !)
or is there an easier way to learn things which can be of practical use to amend our lifestyles to the TRUE PATH !

[phsyalcvqh]

A lot of old knowledge was shrouded in mystery. There has been a lot of demystification in the last two decades. To appreciate the oral tradition, we should know more about it.

When I posted the link to the sound recording, someone made a smart alec comment about learning from the Guru. Tantrik mantras require initiation by a Guru. There we talk about Deeksha, krama Deeksha etc. Vedic mantras do not require any such initiation except the Gayatri mantra which requires Upadesam. The people who teach Vedas are Acharyas who teach how to recite. That is how I was/am being taught.

Over the ages it has been believed that even listening to the recitation of the Vedas purifies the house and creates a good atmosphere.

By listening to the recordings of the Vedas, the same effect is created. Again we also come to understand some of the intricacies involved. And last but not the least, by buying such Cds and cassettes, we are indirectly encouraging the pundits who recite them.

Now in the words of Will Durant let us "humanise the Vedas."

Most of us recite some Mantras from the Vedas. Starting from "Gananam thva Ganapathi ..." All sookthas are Vedic. Even these should be recites as per the Vedic rules to get the best effect.

All that is required to get a good recording of the Sookthas, mantras. Listen to it many times. Get the book Taitriya mantra Kosa with the correct pronunciation marks. Ask your local priest to teach you. He will be more than happy to do it. One hour per week.

Now a days Shringeri Sankara matam and Kanchi matam are conducting classes in Vedic recitation. We can join the classes.

We do not have to join Veda Pathasala to practice the the oral tradition and appreciate it. We may not master the Vedas, but we will be playing a small role like the squirrel in the Ramayana in keeping the tradition alive.

[singleGirl]

Dear Sri Nacchinarkiniyan Ji,

Welcome back! Nice posting - I have several questions.

1. Sri Jagadguru MahaPeriaval has written that the recitation of Vedas should be undertaken with greatest care, because the proper pronunciation and metrics is required. If one recites these with wrong intonations, sometimes bad things may happen. I have also heard that the intonations and the metric can vary by 'sambradhayam'. So, is there one intonation that is correct?

2. Is there a way to start a group of classes organized for people like me who live abroad? I am thinking along the lines of Carnatic Music lessons, which are now taught from India to students living abroad, over the two way audio/video capabilities of the internet.

3. Is there a step by step curriculum?

Pranams,
KRS

[QysnZWB4]

Excellent idea. I will check up and let you know. With modern technology it should be possible. Some of the Gurus in India are delivering lectures by live webcasting.