Varshikotsava of Rajiv Gandhi Vidya Peetham
The 20th Varshiktotsava of the Rajiv Gandhi Vidya Peetham, the Sringeri Campus of the Rashtriya Samskrita Samsthan took place on 23rd January. The morning function took place in the divine presence of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahaswamiji at Guru Nivas in Narasimha Vanam.
Meritorious students of the Rajiv Gandhi Vidyapeetham with the Jagadguru
Chief Guest Prof. K.B. Subbarayudu, Registrar, Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthan awarded gold medals to successful candidates in the University examinations and commended that the Sringeri Campus was doing unparalleled work in spreading the Shastras under the divine guidance of the Jagadguru.
The Mahaswamiji in His Anugraha Bhashanam explained that unless one knows the Shastras, one cannot adhere to Dharma. and unless one adheres to Dharma, one cannot attain Shreyas. We must be indebted to our ancestors for preserving the Shastras and passing it to us.
नाध्यापयिष्यन् निगमान् श्रमेण उपाध्यायलोकाः यदि शिष्यवर्गान् ।
निर्वेदवादं किल निर्वितानम् उर्वीतलं हन्त तदाऽभविष्यत् ।।
– If the Vedas and the Karmas enjoined in the Vedas exist today, it is because the teachers of the past have taken great pains to hand them down to the succeeding generations. They did not have any expectations of rewards or monetary benefits when they went about passing on this knowledge to the next generation. Hence they are all worthy of reverence.
The Jagadguru also mentioned about an ongoing research work in the Math that is oriented towards publishing a critical edition of a Vedantic text called “Bhashya Bhanu Prabha” written by Sri Bhatta Tryambaka Shastri (about 2 centuries ago). One is struck with wonder when one notes how many texts Sri Bhatta Tryambaka Shastri has referred to in his work. Those were not the times when printed books were available. Only manuscripts had to be resorted to. How many manuscripts could have been looked into by him? How many of those could have been committed to memory so he could refer to them when writing his work? If such is the case for works such as Bhashya Bhanu Prabhu, what needs to be said of works written by great ones such as Sri Appayya Dikshita?
When one reflects on the efforts that our ancestors undertook, we may safely conclude we can preserve the Shastras if we undertake at least a small percentage of their efforts. Today, people study a text merely with the intent of preparing for the examination. A good number of questions that are asked in the examination are too simple or are concerned with solely testing the memory of the student. Such questions are answered and medals awarded. Notwithstanding such rewards, the Jagadguru inspired the students to cultivate a deep-rooted interest in the subject of study and blessed them.
The Jagadguru released two books on the occasion – “Shabdaan Janeemahe” and “Sharada” souvenir of the Vidyapeetham.