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Realigning with Vedic heritage
Vedic class in progress ...
THE DEVARA Nama Bhajana Sangha, Srirangam, has been conducting during summer vacation an annual camp spread over three weeks for teaching Vedic ritualism to Brahmin boys. As the camp is now poised to celebrate its silver jubilee, a sense of satisfaction emanates from V. Nagarajachar who has been in charge of the camp since its inception over 20 years ago. His answers come winging on optimism and a firm faith in the Vedic way as the path to happiness and the ability of the younger generation to rise to the occasion to help their families and others outside their fold to safeguard the kuladharma, one of the components that has sustained Indian culture down the centuries. Excerpts:
What exactly is the aim of the three-week camp?
We want the children to imbibe the ambience of godliness in the Raghavendra Math which has kindly given us space to conduct our annual camps for the past 24 years. With natural ease the children realise the importance of God and the Guru in their lives as guardians for one's lifetime. The manner in which the syllabus is formed and the training given instil in them a desire to improve themselves further in their regular academics as well.
Three weeks of following a syllabus during holidays appears rather heavy on the children. Have you planned to make it light without diluting the content?
I don't think our syllabus is harsh for children who have just emerged from a yearlong study under the present educational system. We offer a total change, both in the content, aim and atmosphere and hence the children do not consider it an imposition. The course is actually spread through six years, and the student comes and resides with us accordingly. The first year, they are given an idea of the basics of Vedic education and get to know some important hymns like Purusha Suktham, Ambhrinee Suktham and Balit-tha Suktham. Year after year, choice Sukthas are taught along with important sthotras. The Pavamana Suktham has an important part in the syllabus. Vedanta would bring in difference in approach. For instance, you subscribe to the Madhva sampradaya. Does it not limit the view?
Though the practicals are conducted according to the Madhva Sampradaya, the students get to know about the thought of other Vedantins like Sri Ramanujacharya. Practicals? In the application of the rituals?
Yes. In fact, this was the major reason for starting this camp. Families are so indifferent to their tradition that some do not even remember their gotra. When rituals for marriage and other home-based activities are performed the yajamana himself has no idea of what is going on. Hence, he does not know whether the priest is doing the rites correctly and whether he is reciting the relevant mantras correctly. Knowing about them would certainly be a great help. Of course. And how are the practicals taught?
In the very first year the students are taught to follow the simple methodology of the worship of the household deity and special pujas for Vinayaka and Saraswati. We even teach them how to get up in the morning reciting the appropriate slokas, and how to pluck tulsi from the plant by reciting certain slokas. As the years go by, the student learns more complicated pujas like Satyanarayana Puja, Anantha Vrata and Punyaha Vachana till he becomes proficient in preparing the Agni-Mukha for Vedic sacrifices. There are innumerable rituals in our system that probably have a health and cleanliness angle as well. Our students get good grounding in these by actually doing them in the camp. For instance, the way of dividing the space between two Brahmins who are being fed during rituals is taught. Our aim is to make the student gain a life-long awareness of his Vedic heritage.
So you think such education would be of practical use?
Yes. This six-year syllabus gives the student all that he needs to become a good priest and officiate at Vedic ceremonies whether it is punyaha-vachanam or a big homam. We take particular care in teaching them the Agni Mukham (preparing the fire) according to the Rig Veda. I may also point out that priesthood is not the sole aim of this camp. Correct awareness of the heritage is the aim. This would help the student in retaining knowledge of his noble traditions even if he were working in places away from his motherland and even if he attains high positions in office. This awareness gives him a rare humility and strengthens his character.
This means you have students from all classes.
Indeed so. What is gratifying is that even children who have been used to a comfortable life-style at home, integrate themselves very well here. They have the barest of facilities, have to sleep on mats spread on the floor, wear a simple two-piece dhoti and so on. There are absolutely no differences and it is astonishing to observe the close camaraderie they develop in the space of three weeks.
How about the expenses of the camp?
It is run entirely on donations. We have not only to feed the students (and we see to it that they get sumptuous and nutritious food, last year our expenses for milk and curds alone was the Rs.12,000), but there are expenses for the practicals. Thus, for each student, we have to get daily flowers worth ten rupees towards puja demonstrations. The students are given a list of things they have to bring for e.g., a puja box (containing god's image, conch, bell, etc.), plate, tumbler, a pair of dhotis and so on. So far, by God's Grace the camps have been running smoothly. I am available on the premises day and night throughout the camp period. We have also teachers for teaching Vedic hymns, slokas and practical demonstration of rituals.
How would you define the aim of this camp within the larger structure of the multi-faceted Indian culture?
The teachings help the student realise the unity of creation and the need for good will by imbibing the universal message of the Vedas while the regimen here teaches him the value of self-discipline. By bringing God and Guru into the minds of the students, we try to kindle the innate desire in the boys to improve their intellectual excellence, moral strength and personal integrity.
What has been the reaction of the parents who send their wards to the camp?
They have been very enthusiastic. We started with 12 children 24 years ago. Now we admit around 180 students. Though there are innumerable applications we have to turn down many due to lack of space and other infrastructure.
That is why we allow the local students to go home at night and come back at 6 a.m. sharp. Since I am here all the time, outstation students (some of them come from long distances like Tiruchanur), also feel at home here.
As this is the annexe of the Raghavendra Math where all the time pujas go on and pilgrims keep coming, the atmosphere is most conducive to show the seeds of devotion and discipline in the young minds.
Now that you are marching towards the silver jubilee of this commendable service to Sanatana Dharma, what are your special plans for the future?
Publications. This is an important adjunct of our Devara Nama Bhajana Sangha. We have already some important publications like Punyahavachanam which codifies the rituals and has been approved by the eminent Vedantic scholar of our sampradaya, Vattangadu Sri Hariachar. The methodology of the Rigveda Agni Mukham has also been published by us in Sanskrit.
PREMA NANDAKUMAR
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