Another patasala, part of the Ahobila Math Oriental School in Chennai, is fighting odds to keep tradition alive. The premises of the 65-year old institution was alive with students proceeding to their classes after a break. It is the much preferred destination for parents, who want quality education, which also inculcates values in the young minds.
The Veda Pata Sala, run under Sri Ahobila Math Samskrita Vidya Abhivardini Sabha, however, is a speciality of the place. Not all the Ahobila Math Schools in the State have a Veda Patasala attached. For instance, those in Vizhuppuram and Thanjavur do not run Patasalas. “But the high standard of education (Oriental curriculum) at affordable cost is a uniform feature of these institutions,” vouches an alumnus.
Gurukula system
The West Mambalam school campus resonates with Vedic syllables from 4.30 a.m., when classes begin. It is a pleasure to see young vidyartis sitting around dedicated scholars, gradually absorbing content on which hinges Sanatana Dharma. The Gurukula patasala, which comes under the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Vedvidya Pratishthan, Ujjain, is marching on despite a financial crunch. Certified as one of the best of its kind by the Pratishthan, the Patasala is managing with funds given by philanthropists. The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is a huge support, in many ways. The Acharyas make regular visits to the school to bless the young students and boost the morale of the faculty and the correspondent. During his visit in August last, Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal addressed the students and gave away certificates to Vidyartis.
The excellent results produced by the Ahobilam School every year is proof of the quality of teaching and the dedication of the teachers there. The same applies to the Veda Pata Sala too. It is with parental affection that the correspondent, 80-year old Sri Vasudevachar, handles the pupils of both the mainstream school and patasala. An absentee cannot get away without stating the reasons. Vedic learning is mandatory for all Brahmin boys after the sixth. Other students are taught Prabhandam verses.
CHENNAI: 12-07-2017---- Students leaning Vedas at Sri Ahobila Mutt Oriental Higher Secondary School in Chennai. Photo: K.V. Srinivasan
A young boy with a bandaged foot shocks him. “He is also a Patasala vidyarti. How can he attend the Veda class if his leg is injured?” The anguish in his voice is genuine and the child consoles him. “I’ll manage, don’t worry,” and in an aside whispers, “He will not stop worrying until I get well,” and adds with a chuckle, “We are careful not to get hurt like this just for his sake.”
Many have emerged as full-fledged scholars from the Patasala. “Interest in Sanskrit and Vedic learning has not waned; on the contrary, it has increased. We have Muslim students mastering Sanskrit. This is a place, where learning transcends caste and community. Unfortunately, the deciding authorities are in Ujjain and our potential or requirements are not understood.
Low salaries
“It is vital that the adyapakas (teachers) are compensated well for the great service they are doing. Low salaries do not attract qualified persons to teaching. They prefer to be Vaidikas, a lucrative option. Hence retaining good teachers has become a big challenge. This issue has to be addressed by the Pratishthan and the salaries for the teachers raised,” emphasises the administration. The rules of the Pratishthan have to be amended to raise the grant, which in turn will increase the salary of the teachers.
Perhaps the presence of qualified candidates from the South, who can be the spokespersons for the Veda Patasala, on the Board of the Ujjain Pratishthan, will help the cause of this institution. “Learned people, sensitive to the needs of the South, are a must on the Deciding Committee,” underlines the correspondent — an appeal he has made several times, in vain. He hopes that the change will take place in his lifetime so that the service to the Vedas will continue.
