BHIMAVARAM (WEST GODAVARI): President Pranab Mukherjee has emphasised upon the need for Veda Patashalas to disseminate Vedic knowledge as the ‘guru-shishya’ tradition has waned over a period of time.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Veda Patashala of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), constructed at a cost of `4.75 crore at I Bhimavaram in Akiveedu mandal of West Godavari district, on Friday, the President said the true message of Vedas can only be understood if they are interpreted correctly.
“In fact, the old Indian tradition of Vedic teachings was primarily oral. It was based upon the bedrock of the ‘Guru Shishya’ parampara. Under that system, the authentic and correct interpretation of Vedic literature was handed down from ‘guru’’ to his ‘shishyas’ from one generation to another. The guru would stand as trusted medium to percolate the ‘true interpretation’ of Vedic knowledge,” he said.
Pranab Mukherjee said Vedas are a source of Indian heritage, culture and constitute the foundation of its value system. The ideas enshrined in the Vedas are essentially the benevolent messages limited not only to the welfare of the individual, society and the nation, but manifest a spirit of universal brotherhood. “The traditional Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ beautifully captures the essence of our global outlook,” he said and added that the UNESCO has also recognised the Vedas as oral heritage and it is our sacred duty to preserve them in their pristine form.
Describing Vedas as integral edifice of traditional Indian culture and values, he said they provide insightful knowledge, wisdom and understanding through ancient Vedic lore and anecdotes. He said Vedas and Vedangas enshrine the message of world peace, prosperity and sustainable development. ‘Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu’ is the doctrine of universal peace and prosperity, he added.
Recalling the glory of ancient India as centre of Vedic knowledge, which was disseminated through universities such as Takshasila, Vikramsila, Nalanda, Odantapuri, he said many foreigners have come to India seeking that knowledge. He expressed his happiness over TTD taking up the responsibility to support, encourage and propagate Vedic traditions and education. “It is not just running seven Veda Pathasalas, but also financially assisting 100 Veda Patashalas in the country and 1,000 vedic financial scholars,” he said.
He was all praise for TTD for taking up research activities in Vedic sciences at its Sri Venkateswara Vedic University (SVVU), which had entered into a MoU with RCI-DRDO for conducting scientific research in association with eminent scientists. SVVU had established the Centre for Vedic Science Research for promoting research in Vedas and has recognised seven ‘pathasalas’ as centres of excellence in Vedic studies to give fillip to oral tradition of Vedas, he said.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his happiness over the new Veda Pathasala building. He said Vedas are integral part of Indian culture and every effort should be made to conserve and promoted them. He said River Godavari on one side and Lord Venkateswara’s shrine on the other at Dwaraka Tirumala, Veda Pathashala attains greater attention. Former TTD chairman Kanumuri Bapiraju, the man behind the Veda Patashala at I Bhimavaram explained the objective of Veda Patashala and the efforts that went into it.