November,2009 report.

Veda Patasalas established and maintained by Srirangam Srimath Andavan Ashramam 

Photographs of Srirangam Veda Paatasalai

  1.Srirangam  2. Vaduvoor, 3.Tiruchanur, 4.Kanchipuram, 5.Tiruvaheendrapuram. 6.Uththiramerur 7. Srimushnam 8.Ambuga ( Karnataka)

9.Tiruppullani ( Rig Vedam)

                                               Report on Veda  Patasalas 

The Vedas proclaim "Let noble thoughts flow from every part of the Universe" and "For persons of Goodwill, the entire Universe is one family".  

Srutis & Smritis state:  

"Vedo Akhilo Dharma Moolam" – The Vedas are the origin of [and protects] the Universe, 

"Vedo Nithyamadheeyatham" – The Vedas are timeless and are indestructible,    

"Vedahaa Vaiamvaha Saranam Prapanna" – We surrender to the Vedas. 

"Acharyavan Purusho Veda" – Those who have an ideal Acharya will attain Brahma Gnanam [Essence of the Vedas],

"Sakshat Narayano Deva kruthva marthiyaa mayeem thanum magnaan uddarathe lokaan karunyaath Sastra Paanina"

Sriman Narayana, the Supreme God, takes incarnation as an Acharya in this age to uplift the masses from the never ending cycle of samsaara Saagaram {by teaching them the essence of Vedas}, 

"Swadhyaaya Pravachanaabyaam na Pramathidavyam"

{Taittriopanishad – Sheekshavalli}

Veda Adhyayanam {learning} & Adhyapanam {teaching} should never stop or we must never ever waver from performing either the Adhyayanam or the Adhyapanam

Universal Recognition of Vedas  

The Vedas, as per the great Savant of India Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak, are "timeless" and the earliest "date of origin" is unknown. Even the great western Savants, such as Max Mueller, RW Emerson, Monier Williams & Sir Arnold Toynbee and our own inimitable Jawaharlal Nehru have described Vedas as the "greatest Heritage of Humanity". 

UNESCO has declared that Vedas are "World Heritage" & that Rg Veda has to be preserved for posterity. Last year, the US Senate commenced a session with the recital of the Vedas! The entire world has realised that the Vedas are a common treasure of all races, communities and religions as Vedas propagate the concept of VASUDEIVA KUTUMBAKAM {UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD}. 

Some German Universities are conducting top secret research in the study of Vedas – they feel that the Swaras of Vedic Recitation are very much akin to the basic computer Algorithms {0 1 01 10 etc!}. The Indo French Research Institute in Puducherry is engaged in transliteration of all old Vedic & Other Granthams in European languages.   

Vedas are not just an Indian Heritage but are also great Universal Treasures of Knowledge & Highest Spiritual Wisdom. To protect and preserve our ancient heritage of our ancestors, we need to protect and preserve the Study of Vedas, so the future generations are blessed with the unique spiritual aspect of Vedas.

In essence, Vedas are a common treasure for the entire Universe as they teach the "Oneness of all life". The future generations would thus be doubly blessed and would lead a more fruitful existence without stress and strife but with only love & goodwill.

State of the Vedas  

It is deplorable as only 13 sakhas are traceable out of the over 1100 that collated by Bhagawan Veda Vyaasa many thousands of years ago. Out of these 13, only 3 or 4 {Sakala of Rg Veda, Taittriya of Yajur Veda & Gautama of Saama Veda} are regularly & popularly {!} taught. The remaining sakhas are facing extinction! Very few Masters are living to teach these sakhas & even fewer Vidyarthis are willing to take up the study of the Vedas.   

Our bounden duty  

The practice of Vedic Dharma will ensure moral uplift, communal harmony, tolerance, non-violence and ultimate peace of mind. As communities move away from the Vedic Dharma, we find strife, disharmony and tension all round between communities and peoples. We are duty bound to revive the Vedic Studies and restore at least a modicum of the lost glory and splendour. In fact we need to proceed on war footing in this regard. 

Srimath Andavan Patasalas' role in this regard

Our Acharya & Spiritual master, HH Srimad Srimushnam Andavan is the 11th Peetathipathi of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Asramam in an unbroken lineage extending over 300 years.  Sri Ranganatha Paduka Vidyalaya Trust & Sri Paduka Charities are Public Charitable Trusts [registered under section 80 – G of the I.T. Act] constituted in 1968 & 1972 respectively by the directions of then [Ninth] Peetathipathi HH Srimad Thirukkudanthai Andavan who was our Acharya from 1963 to 1989. 

HH qualified as Nyaya Siromani in Sanskrit and as a Tamizh Pundit in His Poorvasrama. He had served as a Sanskrit Teacher in a Patasala in AP and thereafter as a Tamizh Pandit from 1962 till 1989 [till He assumed the ThuriAsramam] with the Department of Secondary Education in several villages/ small towns in Tamizhnadu. 

This was a period of deterioration of the Sanskrit studies and very few Patasalas came up in Tamizhnadu excepting for the pioneering efforts of the Sankara Mutt Patasalas under the benign guidance of the Late Paramacharya.

After ascending the Peetam in 1989, HH decided that the Asramam must build an Institutions of Excellence for Veda Adhyayanam & Adhyapanam.  HH first stabilised the Srirangam Patasala and built it into an Institution of Excellence. 

HH then felt confident enough to start new Patasalas – Vaduvur [II] in 2001, Kanchipuram in 2002 [III], Thiruchanoor [IV] in 2002, Thiruvahindrapuram [V] in 2004, Srimushnam [VI] in 2005, Maheshmal near Aurangabad [VII] in 2006, Uthiramerur [VIII] in 2006, Ambuga {Hassan} [IX] in 2007 & Thiruppullani [X] in 2008. Currently there are 280+ Vidyarthis (students) in these 10 Patasalas. The Maheshmal Patasala is exclusively for Shukla Yajur Vedam & the Thiruppullani Asramam is exclusively for Rig Vedam. Padukas willing, HH may start a section for Atharvana Vedam either at Thiruchanoor or at Maheshmal. 

Capital expenses and Funding

HH has built 17 Asramams all over India since 1989 & has renovated 12 Asramams built by His Poorvacharyas [His Predecessors]. The Asramam premises double as Patasala Centers. All capital expenses for the new Asramams and the revenue expenses for renovating the existing Asramams are met from the headquarters' budgets.

The Asramam is recognised as a Public Religious Charitable Trust by the u/s 10 (23) C (v) of the IT Act by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. This is a Permanent Registration valid forever!! 

Admission Policy 

The Vidyarthis from all three subsects are admitted without any discrimination. Srutis & Smritis stipulate that only this community can do Adhyayanam [learn] & also Adhyapanam [and teach]; they are paid a monthly stipend of Rs. 500/- for the new Vidyarthis, Rs. 750/- for the Vidyarthis of Kramantha Adhyayanam and Rs. 1000/- for the Vidyarthis of Ganantha Adhyayanam. There are no fees, no charges for lodging and food is entirely free.

Current expenses (As 0f year 2009)

The expenses currently average @ Rs. 26,000/- to Rs. 27,000 per year per Vidyarthi including food, the equated expenses of salaries for Teachers' & other staff/ administrative overheads. The Stipends are remitted as an insurance premium to provide for life cover by LIC in addition to the payment of the maturity amount. 

The expenses for the Patasalas were Rs.85.00 lakhs during 2008-09. It is a labour of love for many Teachers as we are paying them much less than what they deserve and what they will get if they were to practice their profession outside. We are restructuring their emoluments in stages.

However, notwithstanding this, the Veda Patasalas are proving to be exemplary models of growth. The Vidyarthis are being examined regularly.  

Future Expansion Plans  

The proposed expansion plans are to i) create an ambience for higher studies in Saastras, such as MPhil and PhD, ii) institutionalise the training of Ganapatis & Veda Baashya Adhikaris, iii) set up an infrastructure to develop research in ancient Granthams in all three philosophies etc. 

Strategic Vision 

HH has planned to consolidate our Sanskrit Patasalas into a Vidya Peetam named Sri Ramanuja University. We have to travel many a mile to reach this goal. The Patasalas’ strength will be 420/450 Vidyarthis by 2014/15. The expenses would then be Rs 175.00 – 180.00 lakhs per annum as the Vidya Peetam comes into existence.

This is an extra ordinarily tough goal! Just 10 years ago, the Asramam itself did not have that level of annual income. BUT, HH Srimad Andavan’s Vision will require more funds annually than the headquarters’ own budget, more qualified teachers than ever before, more dignified salaries, strong infrastructures etc.,!

The Strategic Vision of developing the Patasalas is an essential act in our Acharya's Mission to rectify the current apathy of our community towards the study of Vedas. 

Our Appeal  

We need very strong financial support from all concerned persons to develop Srimath Andavan Veda Patasala as model Institutions. Running a Veda Patasala is an extraordinarily tough job at the best of times.

We appeal to you to extend your helping hand for this massive project & contribute your mite for the revenue and/or the capital expenses of maintaining the Patasalas. The table below shows some items of expenses;

Overseas Sevarthis – please note the exchange rate of US$ 1.00 = Indian Rs. 46.00 ( as in November, 2009)

These are just indicators to give an idea of the huge expenses involved. We will welcome any amounts as contributions – YathA Shakthi Yath Kinchathu Hiranyam – ALL contributions {regardless of quantum} will be received gratefully and applied faithfully. 

The Divine Blessings of the Poorvacharyas Padukas & the Heavenly guidance of HH Srimad Andavan are solely responsible for the significant track record of the Veda Patasalas thus far. With their continued Blessings and with support from well wishers like you, we are confident of achieving the tactical and strategic goals. 

Cheques & drafts may kindly be drawn in favour of "SRI PADUKA CHARITIES" & couriered to Srirangam Srimad Andavan Asramam, Old No 21, New No 31, Sir Desikachari Road, Mylapore Chennai 600004 {Te; 9144 24993658 & 9144 42106776}. Tax exemption under 80(G) is available for such contributions. 

Sevarthis residing in USA can issue their Checks in favour of SRI RAMANUJA MISSION Inc. {SRMI} and avail off IT Exemption in USA. SRMI is our Asramam’s center in USA & a non-profit organization registered in the State of MD (Tax ID: IRS-EIN 52-2079591). The Trust Officers & their email i/d’s are listed below:

Shri R.Ranganathan, President, SRMI – ranga62@hotmail.com

Shri. Nadadur Mathavan,Treasurer , SRMI–nadadurmathavan@msn.com  

By Order of HH Srimad Andavan 

Daasan RR