The eternal and sacred  Vedas are the very basis or root of our Sanatana Dharma.  Vedas are the sustaining divine force of the universe bestowing all round prosperity to the entire humanity.   Vedic Studies, rendering Veda Parayanam and Veda Parayana Sravanam  (i.e. attending Veda Parayanam), all these are the most effective means  towards universal prosperity, one’s emancipation endowing ‘Parama Sreyas’.

His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 68th Peetadhipathi of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham had taken upon Himself the task of  working for the preservation of Vedic tradition, culture, practice, and propagation of this vast Vedic treasure, in its pristine form, handed down to our generation by our scholarly ancestors.   We are all indebted to the Sage of Kanchi, our Paramaacharya, as His Holiness is popularly referred to, that but for His Holiness’s  forethought, instinct and unstinted  efforts,  some of the rare sakhas  like ‘Atharvana Sounaka’  would have been lost for ever.

Their Holiness Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya Swamigal and Jagadguru Sri Sankara Vijayendra Sarawathi Shankaracharya Swamigal, the 69th & 70th  Peetadhipathees of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham directed that Veda Parayanam be organized at Swamimalai Sri SwaminathaSwamy Temple.  This apt selection of venue is significant that the “Poorvaasrama Kuladaivam” of  HH Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarawathi Swamigal is Swamimalai Sri SwaminathaSwamy;   besides,  Swamimalai is one of the six sacred Subramanya Kshetrams where the Divine Son Subramanya, assumed the name of Swaminathaswami and  initiated “Pranavopadesam’ to Father Lord Siva.  

Krishna Yajur Veda Parayanam

Sama Veda Parayanam

Initially, the Parayanam was organized  to be held  on every Anusham (Anuradha) Nakshatram, which is the Avathara Nakshatram of Sri ‘Maha Swamiji ’.   Accordingly, the Swamimalai Veda Parayanam on Rug Vedam, Krishna Yajur Vedam & Gouthama sakhai of Sama Vedam  was inaugurated on the auspicious day of Vikruthi Badrapada Sukla Shashti Anusham Monday, the  13th Sep 2010, followed by renderings on all the  following Anushams.
    
SUKLA SHASHTI & ANUSHA PARAYANAM :

Subsequently from  March 2011, the scope of the parayanam was enhanced to include  the Sukla Yajur Vedam  and the rare Jaimini Sakhai of Sama Vedam.  From Nandana year (2012 April onwards), Parayanam is also held on every Sukla Shashti besides Anusham. Thus, now 10  Vedic Scholars, 2 each from Rug, Krishna Yajur, Sukla Yajur, Goutha & Jaimini Sakhas of sama Vedams render Parayanam Anusham & Sukla Shashti.

RIG VEDA NITHYA PARAYANAM Commences on 21-09-2012:

Their Holiness have further directed that this Parayanam, presently conducted on every Anusham & Sukla Shashti, be held everyday (NITHYA PARAYANAM), with a gradual increase in the number of Vedic Scholars also. Accordingly Rig Veda Nithya Parayanam is going to be commenced on Friday, 21-09-2012 coinciding with Anushan & Sukla Shashti.  

Atharvana Veda Parayanam

Rig Veda Parayanam

 An Unique event – Atharva Veda Parayanam : Any Program on Veda Parayanam is deemed to be exhaustive (all inclusive) only when all the four Vedas (including Atharvana Vedam) are accommodated.  In our efforts to bring Atharvana Vedam also into the perview of ‘Swamimalai Veda Parayanam’, Poorna Samhita Atharvana Veda Parayanam is held as an annual event. Last year, it was held during 6th to 8th Aug 2011.

CURRENT YEAR - ATHARVA VEDA PARAYANAM for 4 days from 20th to 23rd Sep 2012 :

This Year, at Sri Dakshinamoorthy Sannidhi at Sri Swaminathaswamy temple, four-day Atharvana Veda Samhitha Parayanam will be held during 20th to 23th September 2012 daily in 2 sessions Morning & Evening, will be rendered by 4 South Indian Atharvana Veda Pundits. This is a rare and unique  programme in the sense that the 4 Pundits , besides their own Veda Sakhai, have additionally completed Vedaabyasam of Atharvana Sounaka Sakhai.  Two of these scholars are the ones whom during mid-1960s HH Sri Maha Periava sponsored to undergo Atharva Veda Paatam under an erudite, aged and reputed scholar at Gujarat.

Saama Gowthamam- Veda Parayanam

Saama Jymini -Veda Parayanam

It is customary  that  the “Chaathurmasya Vyasa Poojai Vasthram”  from Shri  Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham  is offered to  Swamimalai Sri Swaminathaswamy every year.  In line with this tradition, as directed by Their Holiness, on the concluding day of Atharva Veda Parayanam,  Ushath Kala Abhishekam was performed to the Lord;  Sri Rudram, Pancha Rudram, Sama Veda Rudram, Atharvana Veda Rudram, Kumaara Sooktham followed by chamakam, Purusha Sooktham & Nakshatra Sooktham etc were all rendered by Veda Parayana Pundits.  Sri Swaminathaswami was adorned with the “Vyasa Poojai Vastram.  The entire event was an  enthralling divine scenario.  This was followed by the concluding session of Atharvana Veda Parayanam on the same day.    Later “Kumaara Bhojanam”  was performed. 
In the evening, regular Anusha Parayanam was performed by 14 Vedic Scholars including  Atharva Veda Vidvans.   Scholars from Jaimini Sama Vedam and Athrvana Vedam were drafted for parayanam from outstations including Tirupathy, Chennai and Thorur near Trichy.  
This is a fore-runner to accommodate Atharvana Vedam also into the regular Parayanam Programme.   In this context, an informative and interesting article  titled “Atharvana Vedam - His Holiness' initiative” is presented in the following paragraph.
 
Atharvana Vedam (His Holiness' initiative):
HH Shankaracharya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal during mid 1960s  observed that “Chathur Vedhees”  were once clustered in  “Chathur Vedi Mangalams” in South India;  but now Atharvana Vedam is almost not in practice in South; and even in North, very few are there.  So with HIS cherished ideal towards  preservation and practice of Atharvana Vedam,  His Holiness directed to search and identify “Swa-Saka”  Atharvana veda Vidwans from all over the country  who could impart  their knowledge to scholars deputed by His Holiness.  Only Two Atharvana Veda Vidwans  responded to the call ;
          i)   Brahmasri Vasudev Ramanik Lal Pancholi   ( Atharvana vedam - Swa Sakai Sounakam )
               from  Sinor Village near Baroda, Gujarat.
          ii) Brahmasri  Manohar Lal Dwivedi  (Atharvana vedam; Swa Sakai Sounakam;
              also studied  Atharvana Veda Piplada  Sakai;  Professor at Kasi.)

The final selection narrowed down to Sri Ramanik Lal Pancholi.  His Holiness deputed 2  young Yajur Veda Vidwans from South to go to Gujarat Sinor Village, to stay there and  undergo full-fledged study under Sri Pancholi,  who was then already at a ripe age. The study  was of 5 years duration between 1965 to 1970. On successful completion, the deputees returned to South and to their credit, have imparted their knowledge  on Atharvana Vedam to a large number of Vedic Pandits of whom a few have studied most of the parts.   Thus, His Holiness was instrumental for the practice and preservation of Atharvana Vedam in the southern region.

Regular Parayanam Details :
   Day ….:  On all Anusha Nakshatram (Anuradha) days.                           Time …:  4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m  .
   Venue :  Sri Dakshinamoorthy Sannidhi,  Sri  Swaminathaswamy Temple,
                   Swamimalai ( Near Kumbakonam),    Tanjavoor District, Tamil Nadu.

Parayanam Content :
1) Rug Vedam - Pavamanam ;    Yajur Vedam - Acchidra Aswamedam;  Sama Vedam - Pavamanam.                                                   
2) Samhitha Moolam : Rug, Yajur & Sama Vedam (with continuity on the next parayanam day).

Anusha Nakshatram Parayanam Dates : Year Khara (24-03-2011 to 10-04-2012)
24-03-2011 Thursday     12-07-2011 Tuesday      29-10-2011 Saturday    15-02-2012 Wednesday
21-04-2011 Thursday     08-08-2011 Monday       25-11-2011 Friday      14-03-2012 Wednesday
18-05-2011 Wednesday    04-09-2011 Sunday       23-12-2011 Friday      10-04-2012     Tuesday
14-06-2011 Tuesday      01-10-2011 Saturday     19-01-2012 Thursday.

Appeal :  “Swamimalai Veda Parayana Samithi”  has been formed  for the purpose of implementation and execution  of  Veda Parayanam at Swamimalai.   All devotees are appealed to donate  and also attend Parayanam( Sravanam ) and be bestowed with the Anugraham of Their Holiness and the “Arul Kataksham” of Sri SwaminathaSwamy.
Currently, the Sambhavanai for one day amounts to Rs. 3200/-.
Generous contributions are solicited from the devout; Contributions may be made by cash/Cheque/Draft in Favour of Sri N. Ramakrishnan, Old No.70, 16th Cross, 4th Main, Malleswaram,  Bangalore-560055. Malleswaram,  Bangalore-560055. ( Mob : 8754427780;   Tel : 080-41281008 )

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