Veda Adhyayana (Study of the Veda)

It is usual for Dr. Srinivasa Rao to take part in Veda Parayana (chanting of Vedic hymns) along with the boys of the Sanskrit school whenever he comes here.

It is usual for Dr. Srinivasa Rao to take part in Veda Parayana (chanting of Vedic hymns) along with the boys of the Sanskrit school whenever he comes here. Two or three days back, he came here and as usual sat with the boys for the evening parayana tying his dhoti in the same manner as the Brahmacharis. Bhagavan had been noticing this for some time past but had not said anything. That evening he looked at the doctor and began laughing within himself. I thought there must be something unusual. As soon as the parayana was over and the doctor got up, Bhagavan said, “What sir! Do you wear your dhoti in this way or in the orthodox style on such occasions?”*

With some nervousness the doctor said, “I do wear it in the orthodox style usually. I somehow tied it like this today. From tomorrow onwards I will wear it properly.” “That’s not it,” said Bhagavan. “The pandits who come for parayana tie their dhotis in the orthodox style. That is why I asked you.

* The orthodox style consists of weaning a dhoti round the body with one end taken in between the legs and tucked in at that back. This is how Maharashtrians and others wear the dhoti and also all married men.

Moreover, you are a Maharashtrian. You are also a married man. I am only interested to know whether you are accustomed to that style or not.” “No, Bhagavan,” said the doctor. “From tomorrow onwards, I shall wear it in that manner only.” From that day onwards, he began wearing his dhoti in the same manner as is done by married people. Bhagavan, of course, saw this and laughed within himself.

With regard to the Veda Parayana, if anybody commits a mistake, Bhagavan generally corrects him in this subtle way. In 1938, a Malayalee devotee by name Sankaran wrote Bhagavan’s biography in Malayalam and brought it to Bhagavan saying, “We are thinking of sending it to the press. Bhagavan may be pleased to go through the book before publication.” Bhagavan thereupon made a few corrections after informing the people around him. It seems that in the book it was stated in one place that people of all castes could study the Vedas. Bhagavan noticed this and corrected it to say that all castes could practise the Vedas by inserting the word abhyasa in place of the word adhyayana. As Ramanatha Iyer was there in the hall at the time, he heard all this. He did not know at the time that there was a difference between the words abhyasa and adhyayana. Hence some people thought that Bhagavan had approved of adhyayana (Study of Vedas) by all castes. With the intention of telling Kunjuswami about this Sankaran went home as soon as Bhagavan went into the hall for food.

It seems in those days Kunjuswami and Ramanatha Iyer were living in a room by the side of the path leading to Palakothu. Both of them sat on a platform in their verandahs after food and, during a discussion about sundry matters, Ramanatha Iyer said, ‘Look, Kunjuswami. From tomorrow, you also can do Vedadhyayanam. Bhagavan has decided about it today.” Bhagavan, who usually goes to Palakothu after food,

happened to be returning from there at the time and having heard this, said, “What? Is it I that decided thus? I never said all castes could do adhyayana.”

Both of them were startled by this sudden interruption and got up and with folded hands, Ramanatha Iyer said, “It is only a short time back Bhagavan had approved of Sankaran’s biography. It is stated that people of all castes could study Vedas (Vedadhyayana).” “Yes. I did go through the book. I corrected, however, the word adhyayana into ‘abhyasa (practice)’” said Bhagavan. “Is there a difference between adhyayana and abhyasa?” they asked. “Why not? Veda means jnana. So I said Vedabhyasa (practice of jnana). That’s all. I never said adhyayana (study) can be done,” said Bhagavan. Ramanatha Iyer replied, “I was not able to understand the difference. Only now when Bhagavan has explained to me clearly, I could comprehend the whole thing. Unless it is clearly stated that adhyayana should not be done by all castes, it will not be possible for ordinary people to understand.” Bhagavan said, “Let people understand in whatever way they like; why should we bother? Are we responsible for all the misunderstandings in this world?” So saying Bhagavan went towards the Ashram.