Thus Spake the Divine - What Is My Role As the Head Of A Mutt?

Thus Spake the Divine

What Is My Role As the Head Of A Mutt?

I would like to be living in a village on my own carrying out all my duties of Dharma and leading a peaceful life. To run a Mutt in such a solitary place, I don’t need large amount of money and other resources. According to me, the Mutt should run only with minimum money and resources without much of paraphernalia. All that matters is the propensity and competency of the Leader of the Mutt.

Poojyasri Maha Periyava speaks his heart out as to why He is visiting cities. He also explains His role in the preservation of Vedas.

Why am I visiting cities when you invite me? Not because you give me a lot of money, but because you are happy when I honour your invitation. However, both your desire that I should come and your happiness that I have come relate to your own actions. But my action of coming to cities has one goal. What is that?

I have come to the city only with the sole objective that Brahmin community should not abandon its role in preservation of Vedas and Brahmins should continue to contribute towards the same. I have come here to emphasise that you should endeavour to rescue Vedas, the root of all our philosophies and ways of life from decline within this generation. The everlasting philosophies of Vedas should be sparkling in their original form for ever. The Brahmin should behold up and high the lamp of Vedas, performing the role of a peon for this society; this is the imperative duty on part of the Brahmin for the present and also during future generations. Don’t defuse the lamp of Vedas and infuse darkness into the society of future generations. That is why I have come here to make my appeal to the Brahmin community.

Large numbers of people visit the Mutt only in cities. This helps me reach out to people at large and propagate the message of Vedas. Only with this motive do I still visit cities and towns, even though there is a great ordeal for me to adhere to the rites and rituals prescribed for the Mutt,

You all visit the Mutt to listen to my lecture amidst your multifarious activities by spending a lot of money. I could just deliver the lecture and leave the place without pointing out your mistakes. But my mind does not permit this. I want to do justice to the money spent by you by way of reiterating the various views that will be good for you and your society. That is why I keep on harping on the statement again and again, “Preserve the Vedas;

Follow the ancient dharma”. Whether or not I have the power or capability to make you follow what I say, but, at least, I get the satisfaction that I continue to “put my plea of ‘Preserve the Vedas’ into your ears.”

You are making enormous efforts by forming committees for collecting funds to perform the gold shower (kanakabhishekam) for me in a very grand way. But such a kanakabhishekam should be continued permanently for also the future Gurus of this Mutt, isn’t it? When the Vedas are going to become non-existent, what is the need for this Mutt and the Head of the Mutt? My appeal to you is that you must exhibit all your enthusiasm and efforts for setting up of committees for preservation of Vedas, just as you do for the kanakabhishekam!

Even if you cannot afford to hold Preservation of Vedas as your lifetime profession, at least arrange for Veda classes in and around your towns for children aged 8 years to practice Vedas for at least one hour a day for 10 years. That will turn out to be the actual kanakabhishekam for me!

If you want to accomplish any goal, say for example, you want to pursue a course from a foreign university, which will enhance your career profile, you make all efforts in applying for writing the particular exam in that country. There are several hardships, but still you undertake to do that. Similarly, how can we ever disown our own Dharma under the pretext that there are concerns in adhering to it?

I am very happy to see that religious activities, such as Bhajans, renovations of temples, lectures on various epics are all happening to a great extent. But when the roots of all these things, viz. the Vedas, are gradually vanishing, then, how can all other activities ever flourish? The foundation of our Dharma is that Vedas should be inherited from the father to son. The reason for today’s world being in a state of trauma and chaos is Brahmins indifference towards the practice of Vedas. My greatest worry is that if this generation, which must bear the responsibility to preserve Vedas, declines to do so, then, it will be very difficult to create such a generation again.

Vedas have brought prosperity not just to our own people and country, but also harmony among people of other countries too. Philosophies of our Vedas have enabled them to enlighten their souls. How did foreigners develop interest in our Vedas? When they came to India, there was an exclusive group of people, whose members were practicing Vedas as their lifetime profession. They were astonished with such a soul-searching system and started doing extensive research on the same. They learnt many things.

Specifically, they identified similarities among different cultures of the world. According to me, originally, Vedic culture was prevalent all through the world. If you too go deeper into this, you will also come to the same conclusion. You will realise that there exists one common thread among all religions that brings in harmony within every religion’s outlook. The study helped foreigners to elevate themselves.

If there had not been a group engaged in preservation of Vedas, how would have the foreigners ever got a grip of Vedas? How would they have realised its significance? This makes it clear that by being disinterested in our Vedas, not only are we denying ourselves, but also closing the door on people who are wanting to benefit from the greatness of Vedas. So, it must become the utmost duty of this generation to ensure that there exists an exclusive group, which would preserve Vedas. If that is not taken care, then there is absolutely no use of any gold shower for me.

You may ask me why I consented to accept the gold shower. I agreed because only if I agree to your request, will you all assemble here in large numbers. And, this is the platform from where I can express my opinions and views, including the need to have an exclusive group that would preserve Vedas.

If we want to rid the society of its confrontations and animosities, the only way out is taking up preservation of Veda as a full-time profession by those who have been traditionally assigned this job and who live the life of sages and saints. When shops are all closed due to a political strike or bandh, people feel its impact immediately because they are not able to get what they need for their day-to-day life. People may not realise the impact of non- existence of Veda chanting instantaneously, but they would sense it gradually owing to lack of peace and contentment. Likewise, they will all realise the great social impact if some group of people dedicate their lives to Vedas. They will find absolute harmony in the society as against conflicts and confrontations of today.

Tamil Nadu is known for its pre-eminence in the Veda-related spectrum. Originally, Manu, who had ruled Tamil Nadu, had preserved Vedas from the Great Flood during the Matsya Avatara of Lord Vishnu. The state is not only known for Veda exponents such as Thayumanavar and Pattinathar, it is also known for other great personalities, such as Vedanayakampillai and Mastan Saheb, who had embraced other religions. The original home for Vedas is thus Tamil Nadu.

It is claimed in Puranas that Kalki, the last Avatara of Lord Maha Vishnu, will appear at the end of Kali era in Tirunelveli, a district of Tamil Nadu. And Kalki has been assigned the job of preservation of Vedas. Puranas further say that only where a Brahmin, who is a staunch practitioner of Vedas, lives will Kalki be born as the son of that Brahmin. In India, there should never be any obstruction to the study and mastery of Vedas. The trigger to accomplish that lies only with Brahmins. I am here in front of all of you to highlight that fact alone.

Our religion has imposed innumerable limitations on individuals only to enable them to rise to their real self. Such limitations are limited not just to individuals but also the entire society. Can there be a lake without banks on its sides? If the boundaries do not exist, the lake’s water can become impure. It

can flow in uncontrollably and drown the entire town. Similar is the case of individuals and the society too. What is surprising now is that a religion, which imposed the highest amount of limitations and controls, is now absolutely chaotic and without any controls at all! That is why I keep going to different towns and cities. I deliver incessant lectures on different subjects with the thought that I can bind Brahmins together to a certain extent every time. According to me, whether they agree or not, the general perception is that it is Brahmins, who should abide strictly by rules of the Hindu religion.

If only I am able to accomplish this, I will be more energised to extend my guidance to people of other religions.

What I am saying in short is what Acharya advised before leaving his body. Acharya said, “Recite Vedas everyday”. In addition, this is what our Avvaiyar said, “Don’t let a day go without reciting your lessons. The very term “recital” means only reciting of Vedas. Vedas are ones, which should not be practised by writing or by reading, they should be learnt only through reciting. Even Tirukkural propagates the same. Vedas worship the Lord in a town called Vedapuri, which has Vedas in the background of its name.

I am travelling to different towns and cities, and troubling you all by making you spend a lot of money, only to ensure that this “recital” job, which has been existing since creation of this earth, continues permanently. If I talk about this in a group, where several thousand people have assembled, I am sure at least 10 people would absorb my views and follow up on them.

I already mentioned that I don’t prefer to visit cities as city life is filled with flamboyancy. But city people are also very courteous. To honour their affection towards me, I agree to visit cities, but with one condition that they should resume our traditional way of life at least to some extent. Though they may not resume practice of Vedas immediately, at least let them embrace some external changes, which are the identities of a Hindu who recites Vedas. As a peon wears a specific uniform, the orthodox Hindu has certain specific identity in terms of his hair style. He can wear panchakacham (the traditional dress of a man in a dhoti) and bundle the hair on top or on the back of the shaven head (Kudumi). I make it clear that only if they embrace these identities would I visit their cities and deliver spiritual lectures.

What I demanded did not happen! May be, they are not prepared or do not have the inclination to change their attire. Or they don’t want to do it. Still, their repeated invitations to me do not stop. So, I realised that they still have the same reverence and affection for me. This made me give up my conditions to be with them. But I keep reiterating my wish, so that there will at least be some impact on them. The existence of an institution like a Mutt is for guiding people towards their well being, isn’t it? Irrespective of whether they listen to my appeals or not, I should keep on repeating the same again and again, isn’t that my duty as well? So, I gave up my demands and started visiting cities.

People adore me with utmost warmth and affection. In such a scenario, can I ever hurt their feelings by pointing out their flaws and mistakes? People come here to forget their sorrows and worries. So, shall I just make them happy with some kind of entertaining lectures? To make them happy and give them temporary solace from their sorrows, there are musicians and other entertainers. So, let them not call me for that purpose. I am not doing this for the sake of earning money and hence I don’t need to please them in any way. Mutt does not need this much of money. So, I can just remain in the village and run the Mutt.

But the fundamental purpose of the Mutt is to demonstrate good things to the society as a whole, isn’t it? After a lot of contemplation in this manner, I deem it as my duty to advise that “Such and such are to be practised / done for the welfare of the society. You better put your best efforts to accomplish all these activities”. I decided that it is my duty to keep reiterating this into the ears of people. I am not entitled to do anything more than this. I don’t have the authority to take disciplinary action against those who violate norms. Nor can I excommunicate or expel people for their insubordination. I can only reiterate again and again what I want my devotees to do.

If someone within the crowd acknowledges and starts implementing what I am saying, that will blossom little by little. I just need 10 people to join and do something good. I am confident that I will for sure get such kind of people. Don’t think that I am discontent with you all. I do know the complications and problems involved in a modern life style. I also do know the difficulty in getting free from the clutches of such life. Only after seeing your interest in performing spiritual activities such as Bhajans, lectures on Hinduism etc., I feel really happy and that gives me confidence and energy to speak about the significance of Vedas and their preservation.

You all have invited me with great love and hosted me with ultimate reverence. Hence, I myself don’t get the feeling to point out the erratic way of life in this modern life style. I do give lectures on other matters like Devotion, Wisdom, Culture and other related matters. All these are for good, but they are all like flowers, fruits and branches of a plant. But there is another crucial matter, which is like the root of the plant. That is Vedas. Without protecting the root of Vedas, nothing else will be fruitful. If I have to speak about this fundamental matter, then I will have to point out the various deficiencies inherent in this life style. After closely associating myself with you all during all these days, I have also developed a kind of affinity towards you all. Thus, I have no hesitance in pointing out the deficiencies.

As Vinobha asked for Bhoodan (Giving away of excess holdings of lands), I would plead you all for monetary support. I would want all of you to practice Vedas and also impart Vedas to your children. Apart from that, there is one other thing, which is more important. There are now some schools that impart Vedic education and they are running in a very precarious condition for want of financial support. You should all ensure that such schools are run uninterruptedly without any break. For this, you all have to extend your financial support, both for teachers and the students of Vedas. You should also participate in setting up of more such schools. You should encourage students to learn Vedas by giving them stipends and reward the best students based on their academic performance.

Vedas can be sustained only if we all engage in these kinds of activities. But all these require substantial capital investment. There are several Trusts functioning for this purpose. Earlier people were giving away their lands. With the existing Land Ceiling Act, I don’t know about the availability of lands. That’s why I am asking for financial support.

Each one of you, on the day of your birth star, think of me and put Re. 1 in your Hundi. When that accumulates to Rs. 12, send them to a Veda Preservation Fund. To all those people who do this, Mutt will send the prasadam every month on the day of their birth star. You have a lot of expenses and pay a huge amount of taxes. This is the tax imposed by me on you. Just pay Re. 1 per month for me. With this fund, Vedas will grow from strength to strength.

To me, more than anything, preserving Vedas and providing them to the next generation is the most important. There should not remain even one Brahmin in the next generation who has not studied Vedas.

You may have one more question. With this small segment of people, who do the Vedic practice and preserve Vedas, how will the entire world benefit? Let me answer this question for you. Assume there is a power house and four people are working there. There is light throughout the region. If those four people do not engage in their activities, then the entire region will go dark. Similarly, a small segment of people will suffice to preserve Vedas and to hold the lamp of Vedas high. All those who are carrying celebrations on my account should listen to my suggestions, or at least attempt to follow the same.

You are making strenuous efforts to accomplish your goals in business and personal life. For my sake, please also keep in mind the task of preserving Vedas. Why should there be a difference between you and me? All of you are one and all my activities are for only you. If Vedas are preserved, there will be the supreme wellness for all people. By contributing to the welfare of Vedas, you will get the benefit, and will I get the fame.

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.

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