30 year old Neelakantan rejects lucrative offers, moves to the once renowned Pazhur Patshala, aims to create students as 'iconic' examples in Dharma Sastras
He has created a corpus of 2100 books on Sastras using OCR technology
A young 30 year old has just begun a long journey
in his quest to protect the Sastras. R Neelakantan has quit a high paying job
at a Vedic Patshala in Madras and moved to Pazhur, a remote town on the Western
outskirts of Tiruchirapalli in an effort to revive the once renowned Patshala.
Not so much in the distant past, the entire town of
Pazhur was filled with Vedic Vidwans and the streets reverberated with Vedic
recital. For almost half a century, the patshala in Pazhur ranked among the best
in the State. Angarai V Krishna Ganapadigal served there as a teacher for
45years and produced several eminent Vedic scholars. His son, popularly
referred to as Matunga Ganesh Vadhyar, is said to be the Number One Vedic
Teacher in Bombay.
Just under a century ago Ramachandra Iyer, the then
collector of Karur, with an intention to protect Vedantham created a Vedic Patshala
in Pazhur. He created a trust, allocated lands in the town and directed that
the income from the lands be handed over to the Vedic Trust to run the
Patshala. The Trust still owns 4 houses in Pazhur.
This was one of the only three renowned Brahmin run
Patshalas in the State, the others being the ones in Thiruvidaimaruthur and
Manakkal, near Tiruvarur, that consistently doled our Vedic Scholars in good numbers.
Quality of
Pazhur Patshala
The story goes that the Chettiar Patshalas that
were in dominance in Tamil Nadu would not accept any break away students from
the Pazhur Patshala. The view was that those who could not survive Pazhur were
unlikely to survive elsewhere such was the parental guidance of the Acharyas at
Pazhur.
It was one of the few Patshalas in the previous
century that combined both Vedas and Sastras. However since the 1980s, the Patshala
saw a downturn coinciding with the trend of the traditionalists moving away
into full time academics.
Neelakantan, who belongs to the fifth generation of
Vedic Scholars, has set out on an onerous task of reviving the century old
patshala. He studied only till class 2 in a formal school and moved to the Raja
Patshala in Kumbakonam for Vedic Education at the age of seven. Later he completed
class X, Class XII and MA through the Open University Model (NIOS). After 8 years at the Raja Patshala, he learnt
Sanskrit from Mullai Vasal Krishnamurthi Sastrigal.
Neelakantan then moved to Pune where for 5 years he
was under President awardee Devadutta Gannda Patil. He also learnt Nyaya Sastras and
Meemaamsa Sastras.
After his five year initiation at Pune, he became a
guest lecturer at Venkateswara Vedic University in Tirupathi. Over the last
three years, he taught Sastras at Jagath Guru Vidya Bhavan, Ambattur. However,
he was keen to move away to a traditional location away from the distractions
of a city life.
He was already earning a high salary in Madras and his friends and relatives
warned him about the likely lifestyle changes in a remote location such as
Pazhur, and discouraged him from the move. But Neelakantan was not to be undone
by such comments. His young wife, much against the current trend has supported him
in his decision and happily moved to Pazhur in June this year with their two
daughters. His wife also doubles up as a full time cook for the entire bunch of
students at the Patshala. For the last four months, she has been waking up
early morning and taking care of the entire requirements of the students
including cooking for all them, in addition to taking care of her two young
daughters. Neelakantan has already undertaken an oath that he will get his two
daughters married only to Vaideehas, so this tradition continues.
Besides being a full time Guru at the Pazhur
Patshala, he also teaches at the Madhwa Patshala in Srirangam and at the
Sankara Mutt Patshala in Thiruvanaikaval. His brothers, Vyakarana Ratnam Manikanda Ganapadigal and Nyaya Ratnam Veda Vachaspathy Brahmashree Subramanya Ganapadigal run the Patshala in Thiruvanaikaval and support him at the Pazhur Patshala as guest lecturers.
Gurukulam
Model
He has clear views on how a Patshala should be run
in the current scenario “Each student has different capabilities and interest.
The absorption ability too is different for each of the students. One has to
understand this."
Keeping this in mind, he has devised a customized model that takes into account the capabilities of each student. He says that such customization is not possible in universities or in large institutions and is a viable option only in a Gurukulam model of education.”
Neelakantan talks personally each day to each of his students in an effort to create and sustain their interest in Vedas and Sastras. And the result, even at this very early stage, is there to see. The students seem to have bonded really well with the Guru and are seen with him all the time discussing very issues relating to the Vedas and Sastras. It is a vibrant environment at the Patshala and there is chanting all through the day.
Keeping this in mind, he has devised a customized model that takes into account the capabilities of each student. He says that such customization is not possible in universities or in large institutions and is a viable option only in a Gurukulam model of education.”
Neelakantan talks personally each day to each of his students in an effort to create and sustain their interest in Vedas and Sastras. And the result, even at this very early stage, is there to see. The students seem to have bonded really well with the Guru and are seen with him all the time discussing very issues relating to the Vedas and Sastras. It is a vibrant environment at the Patshala and there is chanting all through the day.
Neelakantan conducts a surprise inspection at 3pm with one of his students to see where he has reached that day. And tells him in a friendly tone that he will do another re-check later in the evening on the progress made. That's truly inspiring for any student, for a Guru to pay such personalised attention through the day.
Shortage of
Experts on Sastras
There are serious issues relating to protection of
Vedas and Sastras. He bemoans the fact that in the last few decades only five
students have completed both Vedas and Sastras in the entire State. In the
century gone by, when there were doubts on Sastras, there were real experts who
would come out and clarify. Currently, if there are serious doubts on any
issues relating to the 18 Puranas, there is none to look up to. There are no
experts on Dharmas Sastras.
Neelakantan's focus at the Pazhur Patshala is primarily on
Sastras, with an eye on developing the analytical ability of the students. He
encourages his students to debate on issues relating to the Sastras. As one
watches him from a corner at the Pazhur Patshala, one can sense the great
relationship that he has forged with his students. Each of them is seen
listening to him with great interest. A couple of them are seen engaged in a
heated debate with the teacher on issues relating to Ekadasi and Dwadasi and
the process to be followed on these days by Vaishnavites, Saivites and others.
He has been practicing Dharma Sastras for the last 6
years.
Using Technology
to Protect Sastras
From a young age, Neelakantan was interested in
technology and took an oath to protect the Sastras through effective use of
technology. He has been constantly exploring ways to use technology to improve
the traditional way of life and as a tool in everyday life to protect our Sastras.
As the first step in this direction, he sourced an
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for Sanskrit from Germany and has created
an offline corpus that now includes 2100 Sanskrit books with indepth insights
into our Sastras. Within a few minutes, he can now get reference to any content
from these 2100 books which was hitherto not possible. It is to be remembered
that Dharma Sastras require proof to be told for every query unlike the Vedas
which focuses purely on recital.
On the anvil is an exclusive Vaideeha magazine to
support the Vaideehas across the country. He has created an online Vaideeha
group comprising of 130 people across TN to exchange thoughts on Sastras.
Just a Book
Keeper of Sastras
Neelakantan exhibits great sense of modesty for his
age. His phone does not stop ringing as I sit near him through the day. Many
Vaideehas from across the country seek free solutions from him as an expert on
critical issues relating to Dharma Sastras. They take forward his solutions with
their customers and make money out of it. But Neelakantan remains unflustered
for he sees himself as just a book keeper who God has assigned to protect and
safe guard the Dharma Sastras. He is happy doing that irrespective of the
financial challenges he faces now after the move to a remote location such as
Pazhur.
Rejecting
Lucrative Offers
Lucrative offers came his way from across TN as is
the trend these days (the immediate rush to capture those that are good) but he
has resisted the temptation to go after money. While monetary compensation is
important, he believes that doing good, teaching and passing our historical
traditions to others are just as important. Spreading knowledge is ultimately
good. Everything reduces after you have given, but his knowledge seems to grow after
every such conversation and dissemination, is his view.
He is keen to stay
put at Pazhur and churn out a bunch of students who are well versed in both
Vedas and Sastras. Currently he finds them sitting in two unaligned corners. His
ultimate goal is to bring the two together and is hoping that he will be able
to take some steps in this direction in the next 10 years. He is looking to develop
the students at the once renowned Pazhur Pathshala as iconic examples in
Sastras.
As is the case with such stories, the financial remuneration to him is very minimal. The physical pressure on the wife is very high, having to cook for the entire bunch of students, day in day out. There is little financial incentive or premium attached to a young scholar who has chosen to create the NextGen after rejecting other lucrative offers away from teaching.
But Neelakantan is unmindful of these challenges and is determined to help protect the Sastras.
43 comments:
Very moving. I salute the commitment and dedication of this young scholar. May God guide his hand.
Superb articulation. If any help is required let us know
Dear Prabhu,
Only because of such evolved soul, dharma and Vedas are still protected in traditional means as well. Thanks &
With warm regards,
K.RAMESH
Very inspiring article.
Hindu society is indebted to him.
Marvellous Job.
I will try to see how we can support the Patshala.
Story is very very nice. So moved by the dedication of the young couple.
I always dream for a life like this, where day is filled with shravanam of sastras, vedas, puranas deeply soaked in bakthi and to be of service to veda brahmanas.. no tv, mobile, internet...
Much needed recce of our glorious , neglected Sanathana Dharmic past.
Need the Neft Bank Details to send contribution.
Much needed recce of our glorious , neglected Sanathana Dharmic past.
Need the Neft Bank Details to send contribution.
Very selfless decision. God bless him with strength & prosperity. While his ideas and efforts are noble, we find that very few parents want to send their children to Gurukulas. Even those inclined are looking for "dual" programs (along with regular school curriculum?). Hope more students are drawn to him!!
Request you to email and will share the details there.
Prabhu
I proud to being his friend 😊
Hats off to him :)
We are proud to have such great scholar as our close relative and his wife ganga is like our daughter. We will support in case of any requirements
Proud to be his neighbour. Mean while I am also learning many technical skills from him. Thank God, to have such a intellectual folks in palur. Seems vibrant and makes the surrounding positive .
I am very happy to hear the move by Shri .Neelakantan.
As an alumnus of this Patasala under the tutelage of Brahmasri. Angarai Krishna Ganapatigalin 1955-56,I pray to Mahaperiava to bless Shri .Neelakantan to bring Pazhur Patasala to it's glorious status of the previous century.It may not be out of place to mention here that my beloved father in law Bramhasri.S.R.Venkatesa Iyer was the Chief Trustee of this Pazhur Patasala for almost five decades.At this juncture I respectfully remember my beloved father Shri A.J Ramaswamy Iyer who admitted me to this Patasala as per the advice of Mahaperiyava.
அருமை. மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துக்கள். எந்த உதவி என்றாலும் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவும் . prakashv1983@gmail.com
Excellent initiative! We should definitely encourage this for our Palzur village. -Susheel.
It is really thrilling to hear that the very famous Pazhur Patasala is getting revived in a novel way by the erudite young scholar Brimhasri Neelakanta.I know his family for three generations.I am a native of Angarai and I know this Patasala has produced many scholars including the famous Allure Viswanathan Sivachariar who was instrumental in developing hundreds of Sivachariar.Sri. Neelakanta needs all help - moral financial physical from Hindu community in this noble pursuit.
nice and great job to our dharma..
Super initiative by Neelakantan.
Well written article.
Very inspiring article.
I have been contributing regularly to "Smt. Jayanthi Janakiraman Ninaivu Dravida Veda Agama Patashalas" @ Thirunangur.
However, the article mentions that there are just two other Brahmin run Veda Patashalas and the one at Thirunangur is not one of them.
Does this reflect the position when the Pazhur Patashala was established years back, or on account of different practices?
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षित:|
Our land is safe with such dedicated Souls. I would like to personally help the cause. Details of bank account will help. Whatever we might do will still look small compared to what Mrs & Mr Neelakantan have taken upon themselves.
Regards
S Acharya
Kudos to you sir for taking up such a initiative. Many of us do not have your service oriented mind. Most important of all my greatest appreciation to your patni for taking up this hard task, considering how modern Brahmin girls are turning out to be.
ஸீதாராம். ப்ரமஹச்ரீ நீலகண்ட வாத்யார் கைங்கர்யத்தை அனைவரும் சென்று தரிசனம் செய்து ஊக்குவிக்கும் வகையில் உதவவேண்டும்.வேதநெறி ஓங்குக.
The dedication & effort of Sri.Neelakantan is really laudable.kudos to him.
With the present trend of deviating age-old address,the steps taken by shree neelakata vadhyar is quite astonishing. I pray lord Sri venkateswara to bless him in all his endevour and also to increase vidhyarthi forse in the coming years and also the vidhyarthi to become fullfledged sastra pundits and to develop the culture as is being done by Sri neelakata vadhyar u
Pl provide bank details and will try and organise funds needed.
Can you please email me and will provide the details.
Prabhu
विद्या ददाति विनयम् ।
இந்த வாக்யத்திற்கு ஏற்ற ஸ்ரீ நீலகண்ட சர்மா தம்பதியினருக்கு இந்த தீபாவளி சமயத்தில் நம்மால் முடிந்த உதவிசெோம்
Please forward bank details to make my humble contribution. My email id: gcbramesh60@gmail.com
PL inform mobile no and sB account to financially support patasala
request you to call me or email me.
I'm the grandson of Angarai V Krishna ganapadigal. We are very proud of him. Ganapadigal's three sons are preaching vedham @ coimbatore, Mumbai
V MOHAN, Erode
Thank You, Sir.
Happy to know.
Prabhu
Please let me know the bank account details.Shri.Neelakantan and his life partner cannot cope with the physical and financial stress indefinitely. The cause is noble. Some professionals can get, as a reciprocal gesture, the Trust registered and accept donations qualifying for 80 G exemption, not with a view to amass wealth but make this pious project complete it's mission successfully. ஊர் கூடி தேர் இழுப் போம்!
Please let me know the bank account details.Shri.Neelakantan and his life partner cannot cope with the physical and financial stress indefinitely. The cause is noble. Some professionals can get, as a reciprocal gesture, the Trust registered and accept donations qualifying for 80 G exemption, not with a view to amass wealth but make this pious project complete it's mission successfully. ஊர் கூடி தேர் இழுப் போம்!
Request you to call me or email me your number.
Prabhu
The details of the bank account is not available. pl provide tks
May I request you to call me or let me know your number for me to call.
Thank You
Prabhu
He took a very bold move. No doubt, he will succeed. धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
I am unable to say much, but to convey my humble Pranams to this couple's bold initiative and service. Jai Shriram
நமது வேதம், சாஸ்திரம் என்பது நம் இரு கண்கள்னு பரமாச்சாரியார் சொன்ன மந்திரம். அவசியம் உதவி செய்ய காத்திருக்கிறோம். தொடர்பு கொள்ள email id
umaganesantkvoor@gmail.com
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