Tradition Beckons – A Return To Gurukula Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala
I feel that with Sri Mantra Peeteswari my life has come full circle and that I have returned to the banks of the Kaveri where my forefathers lived.
Sarma Sastrigal’s connection with the Raja Veda Kavya Patasala in Kumbakonam runs deep. In 2015, he was invited to deliver the keynote address at the 473rd Annual Day celebrations of this revered institution, which held a special place in his heart. His father, a devoted student of the Patasala in the 1920s, had a strong emotional connection to the institution. Nearly a century later, Sarma Sastrigal, standing as the Chief Guest, felt an immense sense of pride and nostalgia, knowing that his father would have been overjoyed by his presence at this monumental event. The experience triggered an important realization about the continuity of traditions and the transmission of knowledge.
On that day, August 6, 2015, Sarma Sastrigal had an overwhelming spiritual experience while interacting with the children learning the Vedas under eminent acharyas, the parents who had chosen this noble path for their children, and the devoted gurus who were fostering this sacred knowledge. He deeply reflected on the grandeur of Sanatana Dharma and the timeless nature of the Vedic teachings, which have endured for millennia through the practice of shravanam (hearing). Sarma Sastrigal spoke about the Vedic lore as the world’s greatest wonder, a treasure that had been passed down across three Yugas purely through the tradition of listening and oral transmission. This deeply inspired him, solidifying his belief that it was imperative to continue supporting the preservation and propagation of this spiritual heritage for future generations.
However, after returning to Chennai, Sarma Sastrigal’s initial enthusiasm gave way to his usual commitments to classes and programs. Yet, destiny had already begun to set the wheels in motion for the establishment of a Veda Patasala, led by none other than his son-in-law, Brahmasri Gururama Ghanapadigal.
Gururama Ghanapadigal’s dream
Gururamji, a Vedic scholar, had been teaching Vedas to a few students in his apartment but felt unsatisfied with this mode of teaching. He realized that the traditional Gurukula system, with its strict guidelines for hygiene (acharam), food (aharam), and social behavior (vyavaharam), would be difficult to implement in a crowded city apartment. The space constraints made it hard for students to follow their daily routines, such as washing and drying their clothes, performing their nitya anushtanams like sandhya vandanam, and samita danam. Gururamji felt that only a dedicated space outside the city would allow for the authentic practice of Vedic education.
In 2016, Gururama Ghanapadigal, together with his wife Smt. Sowmya, their daughter Sheetala, and two students, made a bold decision. He expressed his desire to start a Veda Patasala in the Gurukula tradition in Kumbakonam, a place more conducive to such a venture than Chennai. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he was determined to establish an institution that would teach Vedas in a disciplined and holistic environment. Sarma Sastrigal, inspired by the selflessness and spiritual ambition of his son-in-law, wholeheartedly supported the initiative.
Gururama Ghanapadigal relocated to Kumbakonam and began his new chapter by renting a modest space for Rs. 3,000 per month. This provided him with the necessary space to implement the Gurukula system, where students could live, learn, and practice the Vedic rituals in their full spiritual context. The household was supported by a grant from the TTD scheme and a small pension from Gururama Ghanapadigal’s mother, who lived with them. During this early phase of settling in, Sarma Sastrigal and his wife frequently visited, offering support and encouragement. Although they had not yet considered the idea of establishing a formal Veda Patasala, the seeds for something much greater were being sown.
This pivotal moment in Sarma Sastrigal’s life, driven by his son-in-law’s spiritual vision, ultimately set the stage for a journey that would go on to strengthen the practice and propagation of the Vedic traditions for years to come.
The Construction of Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala
As Gururamji’s reputation as a Vedic teacher began to spread, more children from surrounding families expressed a desire to learn under his guidance. However, the available space at their rented location in Kumbakonam became increasingly inadequate. This led to the idea of establishing a proper Veda Patasala.
At first, Gururamji was hesitant about the concept. He felt it was beyond his means. However, Sarma Sastrigal, driven by his firm belief in the importance of preserving the ancient Vedic traditions, encouraged him to seize this divine opportunity. He advised Gururamji to seek a plot of land where they could build a small, simple ‘kutir’ (cottage) to begin the Patasala.
Upon returning to Chennai, Sarma Sastrigal reached out to a few of his friends, and they quickly rallied behind the idea. With collective support, they formed the Mantra Peeteswari Trust and devised a financial plan for constructing the Patasala. Gururamji, fully committed to the vision, contributed his life savings toward the project.
Once sufficient funds were raised, they acquired a plot of land on the banks of the Kaveri River in Kumbakonam. The Patasala was named Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala, in honor of the ‘Thayar’ (Mother Goddess) of the nearby Kumbeswara temple. The construction of the building was completed in 2017, and by November 2020, the Patasala became home to over thirty students.
The People Behind the Patasala
The success of Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala can be credited primarily to Gururamji. Despite the comforts of city life in Chennai, he chose the path of selfless service to become a teacher (Adhyapak) with no financial expectations. This was his dream project, and Sarma Sastrigal feels blessed to have supported it.
Sarma Sastrigal’s daughter, Smt. Sowmya, also deserves significant recognition for her enthusiastic and wholehearted support of the Patasala. Despite being a city-bred girl with no prior exposure to such rural, spiritual settings, Smt. Sowmya adapted to her new life and took on a vital role in managing the institution. She is regarded by the children as a mother figure, and Gururamji as a fatherly figure.
The success of the Patasala is also a testament to the unwavering dedication of Sarma Sastrigal’s extended circle of supporters. His “A-team” of devoted men who share his passion for religious revival has been instrumental in realizing the vision of this sacred institution.
Finally, Sarma Sastrigal expresses his gratitude to the benefactors who contributed generously to the construction of the Patasala, as well as to the engineers and workmen who worked diligently to bring the vision to life.
In his own words, the creation of the Patasala has brought his life full circle. He sees this project as the culmination of his lifelong efforts to preserve and propagate the Vedas, aligning with the vision of Adi Shankara Bhagavat Pada’s Sopana Panchakam. Sarma Sastrigal believes that the preservation of the Vedas is essential for the prosperity and well-being of the entire world.
The future of the Patasala involves expanding its student base and continuing to improve the quality of education. The Trust Board and Gururamji are committed to ensuring that the Patasala remains a beacon of spiritual knowledge, continuing to serve the people of India and the world for generations to come.
I must confess that in this birth, two things that I have been able to do have made me exceedingly happy. One is my serving as pracharak in the RSS in my younger days and the other is my founding and being a trustee for Sri Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala. It is God’s grace that I have achieved both the milestones – especially the Patasala.
Veda Vidhya Bhavan
To accommodate further growth and provide an encouraging learning environment, the Patasala has recently acquired a plot of land of approximately 8000 sq. ft, close to the existing premises and build our Veda Vidya Bhavan. The Bhoomi Pooja for the Veda Vidya Bhavan, performed on 15th September 2024. So, join us in this noble endeavour to preserve our Vedic heritage. Your generous contribution will help ensure the continued growth and success of Mantra Peeteswari Veda Patasala and make a significant difference in the lives of countless students and help ensure that the Vedas continue to inspire and enlighten generations to come. The existing GoSamrakshanam (Gho shala) will also be expanded to a larger scale as part of this initiative.
Make a donation to support the operations of Veda Patasala, you can also get tax benefits by qualifying for Section 80G tax exemption. Help us reach more people by sharing this brochure and spreading the word about the importance of preserving our Vedic heritage.
