The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Fewer people learning Shastras `cause for concern'

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Thursday, Sep 14, 2006
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Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fewer people learning Shastras `cause for concern'

Staff Reporter

Jayendra Saraswati releases `Aryacharitram'

Chennai : Protecting the Vedas and tradition (Veda Samrakshanam and Sampradaya Samrakshanam) is akin to protecting dharma and ultimately the world, Jayendra Saraswati of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, said on Monday.

Releasing the centenary edition of `Aryacharitram,' at the Madras Sanskrit College Centenary Celebrations, he said the book was a compilation of Karma, Dharma, Bhakti and Gnana Margas (Paths) for living.

"Sanskrit has the power to purify our mind and consequently our actions and habits," he said. Just as devotion towards a form (Sarguna) is required to understand the formless expanse (Nirguna Brahman), the expansive Shabda Brahman (Primordial sound) could be understood through the study of sounds of Sanskrit and other languages, he said.

He expressed concern that the number of people learning the Shastras was declining. "There are many people nowadays who speak in Sanskrit after the language has been popularised by Sanskrit speaking courses, but few go in for an in depth study of the Shastras," he said pointing out that "Shastra Samrakshanam was Loka Samrakshanam," (protecting the Shastras was protection of the world).

The study of the Shastras must be pursued not merely for a livelihood, but to become scholars and become well-versed in them. Quoting the line, `Dharmo Rakshati Rakshithaha,' (Dharma protects those who protect Dharma), he said according to the verse `Vedokhilo Dharma Moolam,' Vedas were the source of Dharma.

He presented the two volumes of the Centenary Edition to B. Ramamurthi, the eldest grandson of V. Krishnaswami Iyer, founder of the Madras Sanskrit College, who wrote the book in 1908.

B. Madhavan, secretary of the College, said that when Lord Curzon spoke disparagingly of the Hindu culture and tradition, V. Krishnaswami Iyer took upon himself the task of giving a fitting reply by writing and publishing the `Aryacharitram,' which contains details of the lives of great persons and aspects of the Hindu tradition. The books are not for sale, but will be kept in the library of the college.

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