To address the long-standing neglect of traditional Vedic scholars, Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Swamiji of Kudali Sringeri Mahasamsthan has launched the historic Ghana-Parayanam. This initiative will feature a recitation of ten key Vedic scriptures, including 10,552 verses of the Rigveda Samhita.
The recitation, which spans 90 days and involves seven hours of daily chanting, demonstrates intellectual and memorization prowess. Scholars from all over India will witness this rigorous process, ensuring its accuracy, and the reciting scholar will receive a ten-lakh rupee honorarium. This event streamed live on the Kudali Mutt YouTube channel, began on Gurupoornima, 21 July 2024, aiming to revive India’s endangered oral traditions.
Despite the profound contributions of Vedic scholars to Indian civilization, they remain largely overlooked in modern society, where recognition often favours achievers in popular fields like sports and cinema. This initiative is a vital step toward preserving the country’s ancient knowledge.
The Neglect Of Vedic Scholars: A National Concern
In stark contrast, traditional Vedic scholars, despite their profound contributions to Indian civilization, remain largely overlooked. Vedic knowledge has been integral to India’s political, economic, cultural, and educational fabric for centuries. However, the lack of recognition for these scholars is glaring. The President of India may confer awards for Sanskrit. Still, these honours are generally literary. They do not specifically acknowledge traditional Vedic scholars, especially those from oral traditions marginalized within modern academic frameworks.
The absence of social recognition has led many Vedic students to abandon traditional Gurukul studies in favour of formal Sanskrit universities, where they hope to gain academic degrees and social respect. This shift jeopardizes the survival of India’s rich oral traditions. Without intervention, the invaluable knowledge passed down through generations in Gurukuls may face extinction as existing scholars age and pass away without trained successors.
A Landmark Initiative To Revive And Recognize Vedic Traditions
In response to this pressing issue, Sri Abhinava Shankara Bharati Swamiji of Kudali Sringeri Mahasamsthan spearheads a historic initiative: the Ghana-Parayanam. This event aims to bring much-needed recognition and respect to Vedic scholars. It will feature the recitation of ten key Vedic scriptures, including Shiksha, Vyakarana, Chhandas, Nirukta, Jyotish, Kalpa. The scholars will cover the three sections of the Vedas—Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka, and Pratishakhya.
Notably, a single scholar will recite the Ghana-Patha of all 10,552 verses of the Rigveda Samhita, showcasing extraordinary intellectual skills.
The recitation will occur over 90 days and involve seven hours of chanting daily. Scholars from across India will observe this rigorous process, known as Ekaakee Ghana-Parayana or Vakta-Shrota Parayana, to ensure its accuracy. The scholar will be awarded a significant honorarium of ten lakh rupees.
Where To Watch It?
This recitation commenced on Gurupoornima, 21 July 2024, during the Chaturmasa Vrat. It is being streamed live on the Kudali Mutt YouTube channel.
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