About Us
Vedapathashala
Veda Vedanta Gurukula Mahavidyalaya (VVGM), is a unit of Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri. It is an institution focused on study, research and propagation of Vedas and Vedic knowledge. Founded in 1990-91, this institution had been associated with Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham for many years as an affiliate before becoming an integral unit of the Peetham. Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the first and foremost of the four Amnaya Peethas (Ultimate Seats of Vedic Knowledge) established by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya.
The Jagadguru (the current pontiff) of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the Chancellor of Veda Vedanta Gurukula Mahavidyalaya.
This institution is located in Madipadu Village, Achampet Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. Long ago, this place was called Madipadu Agraharam and even before that, it was called Sweta Sringachalam. At this place, the holy river Krishna flows northwards, and then turns east, which is considered very auspicious. Through a stone engraving at the foot of an imposing nearby hill called the Bharadwaja Konda, it is learnt that Sage Bharadwaja did intense tapas (spiritual practices) at this very place. Consequently, this place is also known as “Bharadwaja Tapakshetram”. With the blessings of the Jagadgurus of Sringeri, at this location, on a serene 86-acre campus, Vedic education is being imparted for the last thirty years, in a traditional manner. At this Veda pathashala, it is expected that all the four Vedas will be taught by competent Gurus, who themselves would be involved in continually enhancing their knowledge.
It is envisaged that there will be about one hundred students, drawn from different parts of India, who will be learning Vedas here. It is expected that six of the many shakhas (branches) from all the four Vedas will be taught in this Veda Pathashala. They are likely to include: Rigveda Shakala Shakha, Shukla Yajurveda Kanva Shakha, Shukla Yajurveda Madhyandiniya Shakha, Krishna Yajurveda Taittireeya Shakha, Samaveda Ranayaniya Shakha and Atharvaveda Shaunaka Shakha.
Of the total original body of Vedic Knowledge comprising 1131 shakhas, only 13 are remaining; the rest are currently not available.
It is in this context that our Vedapathashala’s yeomen service to preserve and propagate the remaining Vedic heritage, through its Adhyapakas (Veda teachers), each specialising in one of the Shakhas, has been and will continue to be an important contribution. The students will also be taught to read, write and speak in Samskrutam (Sanskrit) language. Most Veda pathashalas in the world specialise in one or two shakhas. Hence, among all the Vedic institutions, the Veda Vedanta Gurukula Mahavidyalaya is preeminent. Over the coming years, there are plans to organise teaching of other shakhas in the future such as Krishna Yajurveda Maitrayaniya Shakha, and Jaiminiya and Kauthuma Shakhas of Samaveda.
Today’s world is going through perpetual crisis. It is clearly expounded in our Shastras that when dharma is not given its due importance, it results in suffering in the world. Vedas are the quintessential source of Dharma – वेदोऽखिलो धर्ममूलम्. Thus the Vedas are the one major hope for humanity in its pursuit for alleviation of suffering and enhancing peace and harmonious life. It is our collective responsibility to protect this treasure. The Mahavidyalaya seeks to disseminate this learning to humanity, by having regular publications, pujas for welfare of devotees that can be witnessed through the digital medium by those who cannot personally visit, teaching various texts via the digital platform, conducting retreats, etc.