Veda Samrakshanam by Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
The Vedas constitute the bed-rock of our Sanatana Dharma. Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam has been performing Veda Samrakshanam - the preservation and propagation of Vedas - with the blessings and guidance of the Acharyas through various activities and establishment and maintenance of various institutions.
The knowledge of vedas have been passed on from generation to generation by oral teaching in the Gurukula, Guru-Sishya tradition without any written text. Its purity in terms of Pronunciation, Swara (intonation), and etymology had been preserved in a unique time-tested form, for several centuries. Efforts are being made to continue the same.
Various activities are also taken up to inform and educate the general public about the Vedic heritage, tradition and way of life, and its benefits for the entire society.
Veda Samrakshanam - the four steps
Unlike others who focus on “Propagation” as the first step (usually to spread their religion), our Sanaatana Dharma follows the sequence of Learning, Teaching, Practicing, followed by natural spread of knowledge. For the four steps, our Acharyas have established following scheme:
- अधीति -Learning:Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust
- बोध – Understanding & Teaching Vedic Meaning: Shastiabdhapoorti Trust, Shastra Pariksha, Sri Kanchi Veda Vedanta Shastra Sabha, Tenali
- आचरण-Practicing:Advaita Sabha, Veda Bhashya Sabha , Veda Patha Nidhi, Agnihotra Sabha, Shastra Sabha
- प्रचार – Dissemination: Veda Parayana, Veda Sammelanam, Veda Saptaham, Viswa Maha yagnya, Rig Veda Samhita Yagnya, Veda Dharma Shastra Paripalana Sabha, Samskruta Education Society, Samskruta Sahitya Parishad(Trichy)
Rig Veda Parayanam
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Pujya Acharyas bless Tenali Shastra Pariksha Vidwans
Veda Samrakshanam - Activities - a brief list
- Veda Patashalas - Establishment and maintenance of Veda Patashalas.
These traditional schools for vedic studies offer vedic learning in different shakhas of Rig, Yajur,
Sama and Atharvana Veda in the traditional Guru-Sishya mode.
List of Veda Patashalas:
- Kanchipuram- Yajur Veda Patashala
- Kanchipuram- Sama Veda Patashala
- Tiruvidaimarudur
- Sankaralayam, Chetpet, Chennai
- Sri Sankara Matam, Villupuram
- Kumbakonam (Yajur)
- Kumbakonam (Sama)
- Tandalam (Rig)
- Kulitalai (Rig)
- Kulitalai (Yajur)
- Kalavai (Yajur)
- Mylapore, Chennai (Yajur)
- Pazhuvoor
- Allur
- Brahmadesam
- Tiruvanaikovil
- Tenambakkam, near Kanchipuram - Rig Veda Patashala
- Tenambakkam, near Kanchipuram - Yajur Veda Patashala
- Masulipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Yerrampalam
- Nitya Veda Parayanam at Shrimatam, Kanchipuram - Veda Parayanam is performed daily in the evening with participation of vedic scholars of different Veda Shakhas. This way, the Veda Sabdas are rendered throughout the year adding to the divine vibrations. Veda Parayanam is also performed daily at Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam.
- Special Veda Parayanam on important occasionsIn addition to the regular daily Veda Parayanam, visesha veda parayanams are performed on occasions including Kritika Mandala Veda Parayanam, Skanda Sahsti, and other utsavams.
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Kal- vaitta vaaramA unique contest to test the command of vedic scholars is conducted in the form
of 'Kal-vaitta varam' - கல் வைத்த வாரம். Kal Vaitta Vaaram is a unique system wherein the scholar is
examined by a group of judges. The system is such wherein the judges are also not aware of the question
they are going to ask as it is based on a random selection method. For example there are three major
divisions in the Yajur Veda- the Kanda, the Prashna and the Anuvaka divisions. Small children are asked
to choose any number between 7 for the Kanda aspect as there are seven Kandas, after the selection they
are asked to choose numbers ranging between 1-10 for the prashnas (as in each Kanda) and similarly for
Anuvakas also. So the question would be 3-6-5 etc..
The aspirant has to then recall the selected portion of the Veda and chant 250 Padas (words) from the
portion. If he stops at 249 or over shoots beyond 250, he is deemd to have failed. Also his rendering
has to be clear and perfect in Swara intonation. His speed and duration of chant should not exceed the
specified time. One who satisfies all these criteria is declared the winner.
On the other hand, the examiners would never show any hint - of completion, non- completion or doubt
etc. The aspirant has to manage all by himself. Once he declares his chant to be completed the result is
announced.
There is no age restriction for participation. In fact the senior scholars also try their hand in the
competition.
See Kal vaitta varam held at Shrimatam Camp at Mylapore - 24 May 2015 - Guiding a large number of independently maintained similar Patashalas on the academic side (Through VRNT)
- Conducting examinations {Varshika (annual )as well as Purthi (final )} for students of all of the Patashalas at Shrimatam. The exams are held twice and the certificates are distributed on Shankara Jayanthi and Vijayadashami. The certificate holders become eligible for appointment as Veda parayandaars in T.T.D. Currently, more than 1500 vidwans are enrolled as Veda Parayandaars.
- Cash grants and certificates of proficiency to all who come out successful in these examinations.
- Conducting Veda Sammelanams (Seminars) and Vishwa Shanti Yagnyas in different parts of the country, with special emphasis on border states
- Vedic Higher Education -Shri Kanchi Veda Vedanta Shastra Sabha conducts shastric exams every six months in Nyaya, Vyakarana, Mimamsa, Advaita & Veda Bhashya. Students who undertake the series of exams are given a monthly stipend and on completion are given Rupees One Lakh. The Teacher is also given a monthly honorarium and a Vishesha Sambhava on the graduation day of their students.
- Veda Parayanam at Swamimalai- Veda Parayanam is conducted at Sri Swaminatha Swami Devasthanam, Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam with special parayanams on Shashti, Anusham and Krithigai and at Tiruvalanchuli Sri Swetha Vinakar temple on Chaturti.Click here for more details
Support for Senior Vedic Scholars - Veda Pata Nidhi Trust
His Holiness Paramacharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal, the Sage of Kanchi Mutt, was concerned at the dwindling number of Veda patis and to take care of age old Vidwans. He felt that the existing Vruddha (Old) Vedapatis, numbering about 2000, who have no other means of livelihood except to officiate as priests or do parayanam, should be helped to augment their meager income. Therefore His Holiness in March 1983, suggested the formation of a Trust namely, VEDA PATA NIDHI TRUSTto give permanent financial aid for life to indigent Veda Pandits.Veda Bhashya-Shashtiabdapoorthi Trust
During the Shashtiabdapoorthi celebrations of MahaSwamiji, the “Shashtiabdapoorthi Trust” was established to support higher learning of the Vedas in the year 1954Knowledge of Vedas is complete only when the meaning is learnt. –Patanjali Maharshi in Vyakarana Mahabhashya
Advaita Sabha
Advaita Sabha was established in 1895 by Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal - the
66th Acharya of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam
The Sabha conducts Advaita Pariksha, providing stipend & organising special lectures on Advaita Vedanta half yearly. Various articles & publications on Advaita Vedanta are also published by the Sabha.
Jagadguru Pujyashri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Mahaswamigal with the participating Vedic Scholars – Photo taken during the Advaita Sabha at Kumbakonam
Integrated Patashalas
A large number of people are unabel to pursue full-time vedic education due to several constraints, especially on the economic front. Our Acharyas have blessed the establishment of Integrated Patashalas to help such students pursue vedic education along with contemporary studies. Several patashalas have been setup in this mode.
Similarly, Integrated scheme of education for girls has been launched to enable the girl children to learn our rich culture and heritage, along with regular studies.
Pujyashri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal with Veda Vidyarthis at Shrimatam Jagadguru Vidyasthanam in Tiruvanaikovil. The majestic gopuram of Sri Akhilandeshwari Temple is seen in the background.
Some Related Links
Shrimatam activities & institutions in Kanchipuram