Hinduism the evolution? - Introduction

Translation  

of 

'Indhu Madham Enge Pogirathu?' 

(Where is the Hindu Religion heading?) 

By Agnihothram Ramanuja Thaaththaachariyar 

INTRODUCTION 

Suruthi Shmiruthi ithikaasa 

Puraana miimaamsaathvaaya suthra visaaratha 

Vedaarththa rathnaakara 

Vedhavaachaspathi 

Mahobaathyaaya 

Mahamahobaathyaaya 

Agnihothram 

Ramanuja Thaaththaachariyar  

My salutations to the world of Tamil knowledge.  

The world is celebrating the service of the weekly Tamil Magazine Nakkiiran in enlightening the Tamil society. This celebrated magazine Nakkiran, requested me to write in detail about the Hindu religion in their weekly magazine.  

Why should they came to me? After my birth in famous religious city of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, and began to start my Vedic lessons (vedhathyayanam)  with my great uncle Thiru Pattusami  I asked the following question : “What is the meaning for the Veda that you are reciting? I do not understand? After knowing the meaning we can continue with the Vedic Lessons.”   

However, my great uncle ……  

Said “Don’t head in that direction at present”. However upon my insistence, he took half an hour to brief me about the Vedas and their content. At that time I may be ten or twelve years old.  

I was in an English medium elementary school. Whatever he said stuck in my heart. Later on during the days of  Vedic lessons I used to read the poetic dramas written in Tamil language.  

After finishing the Ganaanthakam, Rakshanaanthan, Yajur vedhaathyayanam  we started Shasthram dhayaasam. My father and his older brother used to discuss the meanings of various Vedic verses. They used to explain it to me also.  

Once in a year, on a day of Navaraathri celebrations (nine nights of celebrations dedicated to Goddesses),  at the Pudukkottai Raja Sabhai (Royal Court), usually Vidhvath Sabhai (Academy of scholars) will take place. My father and his older brother were usually invited to conduct discourses on Vedhas. Attending several of these discourses my knowledge of Vedhas have enhanced considerably.  

While my father and his older brother were interested in Vedic studies, their younger brother Gopala Desikachar, a scholar of various Shastras (religious literatures), was a dominant politician, nationalist and journalist. During my association with him, I was motivated and resolved to get involved in offering religious discourses.  

During those days we used to subscribe to “The Hindu”, an English daily newspaper, and to Sudhesamithran, a Tamil daily newspaper. Everyday,  I used to read both these newspapers.  

Thus, I gained the knowledge of the religious tradition, and was anxious to offer it to the betterment of the society. It was principally due to my family’s environment!  

Probably, I guess, that the editor of Nakkiiran, requested me to come forward and render this service to the society at large.  

Today’s Hinduism though has incorporates ideas, practices and opinions of several individuals as well as societies and evolved from several shapes, the Brahmins took leadership to safeguard the essence, tradition and practices and paved the way for others to follow. Yet, the religious beliefs of people other than Brahmins, has been prevailing among their society with varied values and beliefs. The Brahminyam (religious beliefs of Brahmins) with all their commonality, yet is incapable of functioning effectively, due to varied concepts, wrongful paths  and fragmentation .   

This condition is still prevailing. Various classes and numerous casts prevailing in India is world renown fact. The poor classes of Hidhus are living with a religious concept that is completely opposite to the one held by the upper class Hindus. Does the word “Hindu” points to the caste or the religion? Everybody is wondering over this question. There is no caste with the name “Hindu”. This fact is put to rest by the government declarations. Even before the government’s conclusions, we learn this fact from historical accounts.  

Under these circumstances, on behalf of the Tamil weekly magazine “Nakkiiran” , they requested me to write about the Hinduism. The magazine dedicated to the welfare of the public-at-large, taking initiative to educate the people about the Hindu religion, is a great service. Everybody is appreciating their effort. The articles of “Nakkiiran” is regarded by general public as very sensible.   

The female society, at present, is advancing at a rapid pace. The male society shall realize their greatness and sacrifices. Along the same lines, in our life, we must believe in God and one must not indulge in discriminate among the humanity on the basis of “Varnashrama Dharma” (caste basis). After reading my series of articles people have overwhelmingly glad and conveyed their appreciation. It is only to appreciate the strides of the society in improving the relations among various classes and castes, that I still came forward to help even at my ripe age.  

“Let the blowing wind bring only joy and happiness.    

  Let the daytime bring only joy and happiness.    

  Let the night time bring only joy and happiness.”  

  I pray for continued success of the initiatives of “Nakkiiran”.   

Agnihothram Ramanuja Thaththaachariyaar    

Agnihothram Ramanuja Thaththaachariyaar 

(Maha Periyavarin Nanbhar) 

Agnihothram Ramanuja Thaththaachariyaar hails from the temple city of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, from a very religiously orthodox Vaishnava hindu family. Since generations of his ancestors were performing a type of sacrificial rites called “Agnihothram” he earned this title. At an early age he started to reciting Vedas and as was growing up, unless like others, he was motivated to learn the meanings and essence of Vedic verses. He realized that the Vedic verses are created not merely for reciting but one must know the essence of its nucleus. Hence, he started his journey towards its research and discovery.   

In addition, he believed that this treasure shall not be confined to a select narrow sect of the population. Even at his early age he advocated that everyone is entitled to learn Vedic verses and its meanings. At the religious orthodoxy prevailing, approximately, seventy years back it was not possible. Yet, at an age of twenty five he started a movement to take Vedas to the masses. He was a religious revolutionary at that time. After the independence of India, he met with national independence revolution leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr. Ambathkar and argued to earn a special status for Hindu religion in the Independent India.   

He has earned soulful friendship of “Maha Periyavar” H.H. Chandrashekara Saraswathi, of Kanchi Kamakoti. He delivered innumerable lectures and discourses in the conventions organized by “Maha Periyavar” on Tamil sacred texts “Thiruppaavai” and “Thiruvempaavai”. Organized Association of Mutts for which, “Maha Periyavar” was the president and he was the secretary.  

“Samskritha Vidyalaya”, located at Thiruppathi awarded the title “MahaaMahopaathyaaya” in honor of his service to the religion. His researches were published in a book titled “Varalaatril Pirantha Vainavam”. Even at his ripe age of nearly 100, this “Vaithiika Ilaingnar” (Vedic Youth),  is enthusiastically engaged in conducting classes on Vedas and translating Vedic verses.