Monthly Highlights – July 2024

1.Vigyana Gurukulam is an online learning platform for kids from the Sri Kameswari Foundation. At Vigyana Gurukulam, we provide interactive training for children in the following topics

• Bharatiya Vigyaan
• Bhagawadgita
• Sarala Samskritam
• Aaryaavarta
• StotraMaalika
• Ayurveda
• Vedic Maths

Click here to know more about this program: https://kameswari.org/vigyana-gurukulam/

We are thrilled to announce that Vigyana Gurukulam’s Level-1 and Level-2 classes commenced on July 1st. The enthusiasm and active participation of our students have brought us immense joy.

2.Every day, the Veda Pathashala students are taught not only Veda and Shastra Adhyayanam but are also introduced to fundamental ideas and skills useful for understanding society and life. Additionally, students practice Kalaripayattu daily to train their bodies and minds. They are also taught Bharatiya Charitra, logical thinking, and language analysis every week. 

Students were recently initiated into the art of storytelling. Each student crafted their own story based on a given theme, an activity that was equally enjoyed by the parents.

3.We conduct a monthly examination to assess their Veda-Adhyayanam in four aspects: 1. Dharana (Recollection ability), 2. UchharaNa (Pronunciation), 3. Swara, and 4. Kavullu (Pattern identification ability). 

On July 20th, our parīkṣādhikāri conducted the monthly examination for the Veda Pathashala students. Following the exams, a Guru Puja was performed to honor our parīkṣādhikāri.

4.On Guru Purnima (July 21st), the morning began with our students and Acharya performing a puja to Veda Vyasa Maharshi and other revered Gurus. In the evening, members of the Sri Kameswari family gathered to felicitate our Pathashala Gurus, expressing our deep reverence. We also inaugurated a Guruparampara illustration at the Gurukulam.

5.We were honored to have Prof. Ajit Dada of Ved Vasudev Pratishthan, Pune visit our Pathashala. We extend our heartfelt gratitude for his time and for spending it with our Kameswari students. 

6.On July 28th, our Veda Pathashala students performed Vedic chanting during the rangapravesham event at Ravindra Bharati of a daughter from the Sri Kameswari family, marking a divine and sacred moment for all involved.

7.Aruna Parayanam, Aditya Havanam and Gayatri Havanam were performed to mark the beginning of Dakshinayana Punyakala.

8.Acharya – Srinivas Jammalamadaka attended the Gurukula Shiksha Conference hosted by Anaadi Foundation. The conference is aimed at developing a better understanding of the essence of Gurukula education and strengthening it in contemporary times, making it relevant for the learners of today and tomorrow.

He shared the experience of his days at the Gurukulam which was a blend of rigour, seva and jnana – something that is becoming very rare to see these days.

9.Acharya – Suryanarayana Jammalamadaka participated in International Trans-Disciplinary Workshop on Ayurveda, Siddha, Philosophies and South Epistemologies, organised at St. Thomas college, Palai, Kerala.

Due to the effects of the modern education system, our approach towards understanding any knowledge system has become one-dimensional, often ignoring the essential components needed for comprehending Indian Knowledge Systems. Despite the underlying knowledge being aimed at understanding the eternal, each of our knowledge systems is unique in its own way. Therefore, any vidyarthi (student) undertaking a branch of study in Indian Knowledge Systems must align their consciousness with that of the rishi (sage) who imparted that knowledge. This crucial aspect is often missing in the current education system.

Dr. J. Suryanarayana discussed how we need to re-orient ourselves when engaging with these studies from a shastric perspective and the methods of knowledge representation according to the shastras.

It was a wonderful opportunity not only to meet great Ayurveda and Siddha practitioners and teachers from various gurukulams, but also to connect with many foreigners who are dedicating their energies to promoting Bharatiya shastras.

Related pictures are shared in the gallery.