Om Sri Gurubyo Nama:
Om Sri Mahaganapataye Nama:
Raso Vai Sah: रसो वै सः
God is the one who enjoys the ultimate rasa, and its rapture
It is now a little more than a year since we made our individual contributions towards “Veda Rakshanam” as directed by Sri Mahaaperiyavaa in his Deivaththin Kural. Last year when I took up this exercise, I thought we would collect roughly around Rs 6 Lakhs based on some crude calculation – it didn’t work. We made only Rs 4.5 lakhs. This basically translates to approx Rs 4000 per month to a patasala. I don’t have to tell you how much it costs us to run a basic family. Here we are talking about family of the vedic scholor, vidyarthis and some cows etc. Considering all these, Rs 4000 per month is definitely falls shorter than their average needs. One thing I want to emphasis here is the contributions split between India and outside of India. Surprisingly, we made 60-40! Given the conversion rate, I was expecting more contribution from folks in US.
The funds collected in 2012 was put on a FD with a bi-yearly interest accrual at 9.5% apr effective mid-July, 2012. First installment of interest was received during mid-Jan 2013 (roughly 20K). We considered totally 3 padasala and we chose one. Other two were not considered due to few reasons. First one has started receiving support from wealthy NRIs from US since January. Second one was rejected due to lack of proper administration, lack of trust with the people who run. So we chose Thogur padasala to be supported through this blog. This is a rare Jaimini vaishanava padasala, run as a gurukulam – very small town called Thogur near Trichy- very dedicated , who takes care of the vidyarthis like their kids – supporting 15 cows etc. Actual amount will be transferred to them in the next couple of weeks. If anyone wants to know the details, please email me at mk.netid@gmail.com.
Now moving on to 2013….
Since Jan 2013, I have been receiving inquiries from several of our readers about initiating similar drive in 2013 ! Although work pressure kept me busy for a long time – still keeping me busy. More than that, I was very hesitant to come and ask again. I am not used to doing this….Even now, I am nervous J Anyway, let me gather some courage to ask your feedback on what you think. Before I ask, I am asking all your opinion on this. Before that, please read on to understand change in the contribution amount based on Periyava’s upanyasam. do this, then I want to structure the contribution in alignment exactly with what Mahaperiyava said. Those who have a copy of “Sri Periyava Kural” may listen to this plea of His Holiness, on track 6, Volume 1, titled “Veda Rakshanam”. Here are His words::
I am asking you to give me one “sampathi daan”. Everyone should study Vedas daily and make your children do it – let this be on one side. It is no doubt an important duty. There is another work much more important than this. You should help to run Veda Patashalas continuously uninterrupted. For this purpose, you should give financial help both to students and the teachers. Further, you should establish many more schools to teach the Vedas, to teach their meaning and to conduct tests on those subjects. During the period of studies, the students should be given stipends. On passing examination, suitable prizes depending on marks obtained, should be given. Veda can exist only if you do so. For all these, funds are necessary. Every month, on the day of your birth star, put one rupee* in a Savings Box, remembering me (am I not asking you to give?). On your birthday, add another five rupees**. At the end of the year, send the accumulated amount to Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust., You are spending a lot, You pay taxes, This is the tax I levy on you. For me you have to pay a rupee a month. Thus, if everyone does this, just like the saying “many drops of water make an ocean”, Veda Rakshana Nidhi Trust will become self-sufficient”.
* – now adjusted to US $1 and Rs 10; ** – now adjusted to US $5 and Rs Rs 50
I am told that one gets 13 birth stars in one year – I am terrible in Tamil stars and months – never able to understand 🙂
If you A family of 4 following Sri MahaSwamigal’s above scheme could contribute up to $64 or Rs 2400 per family/year – hope my calculation is correct. As opposed to Mahaperiyava’s direction, I am collecting it up front as opposed to waiting for the end of the year.
As always, I want to do this collaboratively. Can you all please respond to this poll to let me know your thoughts in contributing $64 or Rs 2400 for this cause in 2013?
I am fine with any outcome of this poll. In my opinion, the outcome is already decided by Periyava and we will get to know what it is after this poll is over!
Let me guarantee you one thing – the funds collected are/will-be well accounted-for and not even expenditure on account of local town bus-fare would be debited to that.
Let me end this note with my favorite topic – nithya karma::
It is said Vedas are the very breath of Sri Mahavishnu. And for Sri Mahaaperiyavaa it was/is “Veda Rakshanam”. In his Deivaththin Kural Sri Mahaaperiyavaa has emphasized on all of us the importance of performing our Nithya Karma Anushtaanams regularly or at least our Sandhyavandanam of which Gayatri Japam is a part. He almost pleads with us to perform 1008 Gayatri everyday, if not at least 108, or 54 or 12 being the barest minimum. Regardless of veda samrakshanam or not, let us do our nithya karma without fail and not letting down our dear Periyava!
Jaya Jaya Shankara Hara Hara Shankara
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