Author: B Sivakumar
Publication: The Speaking Tree
Date: September 11, 2011
URL: http://www.speakingtree.in/public/view-article/Reviving-Tradition
Introduction: 69th pontiff, the Kanchi Kamakoti
Peetham, talks to B Sivakumar of the changing dynamics of ancient wisdom
Q.: The recent discovery of wealth in the
Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram has triggered an ownership row.
What is your view on that?
A.: No one has any right to the wealth discovered in the temple, as it was
donated to the temple deity by the king. The treasure was safely tucked away.
Whatever value it may have today, the treasure still belongs to the temple.
Even now, the king visits the temple daily keeping the tradition alive. This
is how the royal family expresses their bhakti to Padmanabha Swamy.
Q.: Why is Kanchipuram known as a mukti sthal?
A.: There are seven mukti sthals in the country including Ayodhya, Dwarka
and Kanchi. Kanchi is a mukti sthal because Adi Shankara attained samadhi
here. Also, the seat of Goddess Kamakshi is located in this city. All the
processions taken out by different temples during various festivals have to
go through the streets of the Kamakshi Amman temple. Hence, Kanchipuram is
a sacred town and a mukti sthal as well.
Q.: The Kanchi Math is not recognised by other
maths in Sringeri, Dwarka and Joshimath. Does this bother you?
A.: To say that the Kanchi Math is not among the original maths is wrong.
This math is the moola or main math and all others are its branches. It was
in Kanchi that Adi Shankara attained mukti and also established the chakra
in the Kamakshi Amman temple. Whether the math is recognised by others or
not, that doesn't affect us. Our main aim is to spread the values of dharma
and truth among the people and we are able to achieve that.
In the olden days, there was much debate and
discussion among seers on abstract philosophical ideas - it was an intellectual
exercise. Are you still following tradition? The debates and discussions on
abstract philosophical subjects are still in vogue. But I miss my guru.
Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi whenever
I discuss spiritual and philosophical matters with learned pandits. When he
was alive, I sought his opinion in spiritual matters, but now I just do what
I think. We exchange ideas and also argue over several points in the Upanishads
and other scriptures. This enriches our knowledge. It's a daily routine.
Q.: How successful is the Kanchi math in reviving
Vedic traditions?
A.: The math has opened pathshalas across the country to impart Vedic knowledge
to people. Nearly a crore is spent annually on hostels and other expenses
for running these schools. The math does not collect any fees from students.
We are satisfied with what we have achieved so far. Recently, we have opened
a pathshala near Chennai. It also houses a CBSE school. The students here
not only study Vedic literature, but also attend regular school and take exams.
Thus, a student gets qualified in both modern as well as traditional education.
Q.: How relevant is Advaita today?
A.: Advaita will always be relevant. The only problem is that while many give
lectures and discourses on advaita, they themselves, do not practise what
they preach.
