Sunday, September 30, 2018

Pazhur Patshala Revival

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.

The wife's supportive role
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. 

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.

At the Thiruvanaikaval Patshala, in the last 35 years, prior to its revival in 2012, only two students had appeared for the Vedic Examination. Since the time his brothers took charge of the Patshala in 2012, 8 students have already presented the examination, a dramatic transformation indeed. 

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:

ramblerspost said...

Very moving. I salute the commitment and dedication of this young scholar. May God guide his hand.

Anonymous said...

Superb articulation. If any help is required let us know

Anonymous said...

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

Anonymous said...

Very inspiring article.

Hindu society is indebted to him.

Anonymous said...

Marvellous Job.

Anonymous said...

I will try to see how we can support the Patshala.

Anonymous said...

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...

Unknown said...

Much needed recce of our glorious , neglected Sanathana Dharmic past.

Need the Neft Bank Details to send contribution.

Unknown said...

Much needed recce of our glorious , neglected Sanathana Dharmic past.

Need the Neft Bank Details to send contribution.

Unknown said...

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!!

PRabhu S said...

Request you to email and will share the details there.

Prabhu

shri said...

I proud to being his friend 😊
Hats off to him :)

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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 .

Unknown said...

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.

Unknown said...

அருமை. மனமார்ந்த வாழ்த்துக்கள். எந்த உதவி என்றாலும் தொடர்பு கொள்ளவும் . prakashv1983@gmail.com

cv ram said...

Excellent initiative! We should definitely encourage this for our Palzur village. -Susheel.

R.Venkatasubramanian said...

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.

Anonymous said...

nice and great job to our dharma..

Anonymous said...

Super initiative by Neelakantan.
Well written article.

Anonymous said...

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?

Acharya said...

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

R.Ramanathan said...

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.

Unknown said...

ஸீதாராம். ப்ரமஹச்ரீ நீலகண்ட வாத்யார் கைங்கர்யத்தை அனைவரும் சென்று தரிசனம் செய்து ஊக்குவிக்கும் வகையில் உதவவேண்டும்.வேதநெறி ஓங்குக.

nallan said...

The dedication & effort of Sri.Neelakantan is really laudable.kudos to him.

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

Pl provide bank details and will try and organise funds needed.

Prabhu.S said...

Can you please email me and will provide the details.
Prabhu

PURUSHOTHAMAN said...

विद्या ददाति विनयम् ।
இந்த வாக்யத்திற்கு ஏற்ற ஸ்ரீ நீலகண்ட சர்மா தம்பதியினருக்கு இந்த தீபாவளி சமயத்தில் நம்மால் முடிந்த உதவிசெோம்

Unknown said...

Please forward bank details to make my humble contribution. My email id: gcbramesh60@gmail.com

K Veeraraghavan said...

PL inform mobile no and sB account to financially support patasala

PRabhu S said...

request you to call me or email me.

M S IYER said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

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

PRabhu S said...

Thank You, Sir.
Happy to know.

Prabhu

M.S.Rajasekaran said...

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!

M.S.Rajasekaran said...

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!

PRabhu S said...

Request you to call me or email me your number.

Prabhu

s vaidyanathan coimbatore said...

The details of the bank account is not available. pl provide tks

Anonymous said...

May I request you to call me or let me know your number for me to call.

Thank You
Prabhu

Unknown said...

He took a very bold move. No doubt, he will succeed. धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।

Anonymous said...

I am unable to say much, but to convey my humble Pranams to this couple's bold initiative and service. Jai Shriram

Unknown said...

நமது வேதம், சாஸ்திரம் என்பது நம் இரு கண்கள்னு பரமாச்சாரியார் சொன்ன மந்திரம். அவசியம் உதவி செய்ய காத்திருக்கிறோம். தொடர்பு கொள்ள email id
umaganesantkvoor@gmail.com