Deivathin Kural Series - 39

Om Namah Sivaya.
Deivathin Kural # 39 of 04 Aug 2006.




1.These e-mails are translations of talks given by the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, over more than sixty years, published by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, India, in ten volumes, in the Tamil language. The english version is likely to be available very soon. These e-mails are simply an effort on the part of the sender, to share some of his bliss, as it is said, 'Yam perra peru peruga ivvaiyagam'. When he adds any personal observations he uses the phrase, 'KTSV adds'.

2. To-day's e-mail is the translation of what is given in pages, 201 to 205, in volume I, under the heading, 'Adhama Patcha Pariharam' ie.,'Minimum Remedy'. (As you know, Man herein includesWoman and vice versa except when specially mentioned.)
3. Whether the present social set up changes back to pre-britisher's-coming-to-India-level or not, whether it is possible to do so, or not; we must ensure that a certain set of people are created and sustained forever, whose main and only job will be to, take care of Veda Rakshanam, ie.,do all the things that a Brahmin was required to do as per Varna Dharma. I am not saying this, so that, the so called Brahmin community is nourished and sustained. It is needed for the sake of universal welfare or, 'loka kshemam'. The Veda Sounds have come into being for that purpose. I am saying that the World's well being is dependent on Veda Shabdam. So, I am saying that there should be not be a single Brahmin, who does not know Vedas. (KTSV adds. Turned inside out, this statement is the same as saying, the person who does not know the Vedas, can not claim himself to be a Brahmin.) The return of the Brahmin to 'Vaidik Way of Life', is the only solution, for all the chaotic changes, that have occured in the observance of Varna Dharma, (subsequent to the arrival of Britishers in India.)
4. I am asking for the minimum. It does not matter, if the Brahmins of to-day, do not have enough courage, guts, determination and sense of sacrifice. 'Ponal pogirathu'. Even if You cannot go back to, 'Veda Adhyayana', at least your children should be turned in that direction. I am asking you to make arrangements to see that, in the next generation, there should not be any Brahmin, who is ignorant of Vedas. Despite all your sufferings, if your reaction is going to be one of hesitancy and indecision; and you do not want to deny your children the option to decide their career; I will come down in my stand. For the sake of selecting a profession for their livelyhood, you may arrange for whatever education is needed. Simultaneously, see to it that the children are given the licence to practice Brhmacharya, by being given the 'Holy Thread', of Yagna Upaveedha, before they are eight years of age. For the next ten years, let the boy learn the Vedas, for at least one hour, every evening. Every Brahmin child should undergo this. We are in such a pathetic condition that, we may not find enough number of teachers required, to visit each household, for this purpose. Considering this and other financial reasons; I suggest that, at a suitable location in each colony or pettai, this may be conducted for a number of children collectively in a common location. Actually such arrangement will enable children from poorer households to get tutored in Veda. By this process they can learn in small capsules, substantial portions of the Vedas and get trained in conducting some of the functions too. I am talking about this training in conducting such functions, in addition to training in chanting of Vedas, because, even if there were no more 'Purohithars' on a future date, somehow we can manage the conduct of some of these functions. I am wondering whether there will be anybody continuing with the profession of Purihita, for livelyhood, in the future. That is why I am trying to take some minimum measures for such eventuality.
5. Thus all of us should try whole heartedly, to see to it that, Veda Sabdas or the sounds of Veda are made to generate devine vibrations for ever. This is for the welfare of, not only the present Brahmin community, but for the well being of the whole world, all people of all castes, creeds, communities; not only people, but all life forms, the world over. This is our duty. A devine duty! Not only a duty which is a must for the welfare of the present generation; but a guard against committing an unpardonable crime towards the future generations. Some may say, "What is he talking? Already no one cares for the Vedas. Who is going to care a hoot for Vedas in the future?! What is the use of worrying about it now?" I am not thinking on those lines. Everything is a cycle. What went down, will come up. This modern sophistication will come down after it peaks. This will happen individually as well as collectively. Everyone after going through all the experiences of modern luxuries, will realise, that there is no fulfilment in that. Actually we have only increased our inconveniences by running after pleasures. USA is a classic example to be quoted. People in America experience total disillutionment. There is more work through the modern gadgets, meant to reduce Man's work load. The sensible, intelligent amongst them, opt for Yoga, Vedantam, Bajan and so on. Others are taking to drugs and tranquilisers, to avoid dissatisfaction.
6. This state of affairs could happen in our country too. As long as there is some worldly pleasures still to be experienced, this running from 'pillor to post', will continue. Then they will say, "Oh ho! Even this is transient and ephemeral!" Then when they come to good sense, and want to persue the Vaidic way of life; we people of this generation, would have committed a henious crime, if we do not leave chances, for their revival. We must leave the option open for them, even at that late stage; by not totally cutting off the connections to the past. 'That is all right. There are enough books on Vedas to-day. Our people and many foreigners have done research and written all that in so many volumes. So why not let them learn about all that on their own, at their own time?' This can be your question. I have to answer that.
7. There is another bigger question in the bottom of it all. I have not answered that yet. Let us form that question properly. The argument runs something like this:- "What is the meaning of saying that the sound of Veda mantras will protect the world? If you say Mantras, they evidently are so many sounds. They are so many words. The words must have some meaning. The meaning may be very subtle and deep. Still they can be read and understood. Why should a set of people be chanting them by mouth? Why should a set of people be devoted solely for this job? If the meaning of Veda mantras is not to be lost, there can be books with interpretation. You do not need a whole lot of people solely to look after books, is it not so? Actually all of them who chant the Veda Mantras, do not know the meaning. Not all of them are learning the order of chanting, without fully grasping the meaning. Right? Then why are you saying that, there should be a set of people, protecting the Vedas, by chanting it?" I have to answer this question yet.
Sambhomahadeva.