वेदो नित्यं अधीयताम्
Vedo Nityam Adhiyatam — Daily Study and Protection of the Vedas
Gudalur Brahmasri R. Ramachandra Sastri
In this inspiring compilation, Brahmasri Ramachandra Sastri expounds upon the eternal injunction of Bhagavatpada Adi Shankaracharya — “वेदो नित्यमधीयताम्”. Through vivid poetic allegories of the sacred Tree (वृक्षसंरक्षणम्), he illuminates how the Vedas are the root of Dharma, Sandhyavandanam is the root of the Vedic practitioner, and the Vedas are the very breath of Supreme Lord Shiva.
अद्वैतामृतवर्षिणः सुखकरान् भाष्यादिसद्ग्रन्थकान्
आम्नायार्थसुबोधकान् सुविदुषां निर्माय सद्युक्तिकान् ॥
स्तोत्राणीष्टसुदेवताप्रियकराण्यज्ञानिनां निर्ममे
सामूर्तिः सुविराजते प्रतिदिशं शिष्योपशिष्यान्विता ॥
Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya authored many monumental treatises of profound logic, including the Prasthanatraya Bhashyas, lucidly expounding the inner purport of the Vedas, showering the nectar of Advaita and delighting exalted scholars. He also composed devotional Stotras in praise of beloved Devatas for the spiritual upliftment of the general masses. Accompanied by the sacred lineage of disciples and their disciples, that glorious divine embodiment shines resplendently in every direction!
भागः १ • वृक्षसंरक्षणम् (Vriksha Samrakshanam)
धर्मो वृक्षः तस्य मूलं हि वेदाः
वृष्टिः शाखाः पुष्पकाण्यत्र सस्यम् ।
धान्यादि स्यात्तत्फलं लोकजुष्टं
छिन्ने मूले नैव वृक्षः न पक्वम् ॥ १ ॥
Dharma is the great tree; the Vedas are its roots; the timely rains are its branches; the standing crops are its blossoms; the nourishing foodgrains and harvests are its fruits, cherished by all the world. If the roots of this tree — namely the holy Vedas — are not protected, neither the tree of Dharma nor its life-giving fruits can survive.
वेदो वृक्षः तस्य मूलं हि विप्राः
शाखाः शाखाः कर्मज्ञानं सुपक्वम् ।
तस्मान्मूलं यत्नतो रक्षितव्यं
छिन्ने मूले नैव वृक्षः न पक्वम् ॥ २ ॥
The Veda is the sacred tree; its roots are the dedicated Vedic scholars (Brahmanas) who preserve the oral tradition; its branches are the diverse Veda Shakhas (Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva); its ripe, delicious fruits are Karma (righteous ritual duty) and Jnana (supreme spiritual realization). Hence the root must be protected with earnest effort; if the root is allowed to wither, neither the tree nor its fruit can be saved.
विप्रो वृक्षः तस्य मूलं हि सन्ध्या
वृत्तं शाखाः पर्णकान्यत्र कर्म ।
धर्मः पक्वं लोकसौख्यप्रदीयः
छिन्ने मूले नैव वृक्षः न पक्वम् ॥ ३ ॥
The Vedic scholar is himself a tree; the root that anchors and sustains him is the daily practice of Sandhyopasana (Sandhyavandanam); virtuous character (Vrittam) constitutes the branches; righteous karmas are the green leaves; the ripened fruit is Dharma, which bestows comfort, health, and welfare upon the entire world. If the root of Sandhya is severed, neither the tree nor the fruit can survive.
लोकक्षेमं वृक्षमाहुः महान्तः
धर्मो मूलं तस्य वृक्षस्य सत्यम् ।
तस्माद्रक्ष्यः धर्म एवात्र यत्नात्
लोकक्षेमं कांक्षमाणैः नरेन्द्रैः ॥ ४ ॥
Enlightened seers describe the welfare of all people (लोकक्षेमम्) as a majestic tree, whose nourishing roots are Dharma and Truth (सत्यम्). Therefore, leaders and governments who genuinely aspire for public prosperity and peace must protect and champion Dharma above all else with unceasing vigilance.
यस्माद्वृक्षैः दीयते लोकसौख्यं
सोढ्वा दुःखं छेदनाद्यैर्हि जातम् ।
तस्माद्वृक्षाः सर्वथा रक्षणीयाः
तन्मूलानां यत्नतो रक्षणेन ॥ ५ ॥
Physical trees silently provide comfort, shade, oxygen, and sustenance to the entire world, patiently bearing the agony of being chopped and mutilated. Therefore, trees in nature must be preserved and protected in every way, especially by nurturing and protecting their roots; that alone enables them to flourish and sustain ecological harmony.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाख्यं
पुरुषार्थचतुष्टयम् ।
पञ्चभिश्चोत्तमश्लोकैः
ऋषिभिः समुदीरितम् ॥ ६ ॥
The path to attaining the four Purusharthas (the supreme aspirations of human life) — Dharma (righteous duty), Artha (legitimate wealth), Kama (noble desires), and Moksha (spiritual emancipation) — as articulated by the ancient Maharishis, has been synthesized in these preceding five verses. May we all strive earnestly to protect the trees, protect the Vedas, and labor for universal wellbeing!
भागः २ • वेदस्तुतिः (Veda Stuti)
निश्वासरूपाः परमेश्वरस्य
प्रमाणमूर्द्धन्यतमाश्च धर्मे ।
निरन्तरं रक्षत नः कुलानि वेदा
वयं वः शरणं प्रपन्नाः ॥ १ ॥
O sacred Vedas! You are the very life-breath (निश्वास) of Supreme Lord Parameshwara and the highest, crowning authority for all Dharma. Protect our families and lineages continuously; we have taken absolute refuge in You!
ऋग्वेदरूपेण विनिर्गता ये
प्रत्यङ्मुखाद्वै परमेश्वरस्य ।
यज्ञेषु हौत्रे विनियोक्ष्यमाणाः वेदा
वयं वः शरणं प्रपन्नाः ॥ २ ॥
O Vedas! Emerging from the western face of Parameshwara — revered as Sadyojata — in the majestic form of the Rigveda, recited during sacred Yajnas by the Hota priest in his invocatory Hautra hymns: we have taken absolute refuge in You!
आध्वर्यवे कर्मणि शोभमानाः ह्यागत्य
सौम्याद्वदनाच्छिवस्य ।
सर्वस्य लोकस्य शिवं करा ये वेदा
वयं वः शरणं प्रपन्नाः ॥ ३ ॥
O Vedas! Originating from the northern, graceful face of Lord Shiva — known as Vamadeva — in the dynamic form of the Yajurveda, which shines resplendently in the liturgical rites of Yajnas performed by the Adhvaryu priest in Aadhvarya karma, bestowing auspiciousness (शिवम्) upon the entire universe: we have taken absolute refuge in You!
औद्गातृके कर्मणि गीयमानाः
शम्भोस्सदा मोदकराश्च यूयम् ।
शिवस्य पूर्वाद्वदनात्प्रवृत्ताः
वेदा वयं वः शरणं प्रपन्नाः ॥ ४ ॥
O Vedas! Emanating from the eastern face of Shiva — celebrated as Tatpurusha — in the blissful celestial form of the Samaveda, which ever brings supreme delight to Lord Shambhu and is sung melodiously in Yajnas by the Udgata priest in Audgatra karma: we have taken absolute refuge in You!
आथर्ववेदाः परमेश्वरस्य
ह्यघोरवक्त्रात्तु समागता ये ।
ब्राह्मे तथा पुष्टिकरे सुयुक्ताः
वेदा वयं वः शरणं प्रपन्नाः ॥ ५ ॥
O Vedas! Emanating from the southern face of Parameshwara — known as Aghora — in the potent form of the Atharvaveda, supervised and recited in Yajnas by the presiding Brahma priest in Braahma karma, and deployed in salutary rituals for spiritual strength and nourishment: we have taken absolute refuge in You!
वेदोक्तकर्माणि शुभानि कृत्वा
वेदोक्तसर्वाणि फलानि लब्ध्वा ।
वेदान्तविज्ञानसुनिश्चितार्थाः
सर्वे भवामो भवतां प्रसादात् ॥ ६ ॥
O holy Vedas! By performing all the auspicious karmas stipulated by You, and enjoying all the benevolent fruits proclaimed therein, may we all, through Your supreme grace, attain the definitive understanding of Vedanta-Vijnana — the ultimate realization of the non-dual Brahman!
Original Sanskrit Composition
Gudalur Brahmasri R. Ramachandra Sastri
Formerly President, Advaita Sabha and Veda Dharma Sastra Paripalana Sabha
English Translation & Annotations
Sri P. R. Kannan
Dedicated Disciple of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham