About Vydic Foundation of India

Vydic Foundation of India is a charitable trust (non-profit organization) located near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, which was created for the sole purpose of preserving and propagating the Vedas, Vedic yagyas and Vedic culture.

The Foundation operates a school that trains Vedic Pandits and currently has 40 students and 9 professors (Acharyas). The Foundation is also actively involved in feeding and helping the poor and poor students. The Vedic Yagya Center helps to financially support this Foundation.

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About Vedic School

India - Land of the Vedas India is a land renowned for its knowledge and revered by people all around the globe. The Vedas are the pillars on which this great culture and its traditions stand. Created by God, the Vedas have been passed from generation to generation since the time of the great sages of ancient India. In this generation, the precious legacy of Vedic knowledge is safeguarded by institutions which propagate the learning of the Vedas. These institutions, and the individuals behind them, are committed to ensuring that Vedic learning receives its due recognition and that the true essence of the Vedas is spread to every nook and corner of the world. The result will be an enrichment of spiritual values throughout society.

Establishment of Vedic Foundation of India The Vedic Foundation of India (VFI) was established in 2002 under the divine inspiration of renowned Samaveda Pandit Brahma Sri Samavedula Narayana Shastri. Located at Vijayawada, the Trust was registered on 14 August, 2002 under the Andhra Pradesh Govt. (Registration No. 235/02). Pandit Samavedula’s son, Sri Samavedula Trinadha Lakshmi Narasimha Murty, established the Foundation for the sole purpose of propagating the Vedas.

The Veda Vidyalaya: An Introduction

The Narayana Sanskrita Veda Vidyalaya was initially run from a rented building situated at Ramakrishna Puram in Vijayawada. Now the Vidyalaya has been shifted to Sri Siva Sai Kshetram, located at Kanchikacherla village. Sri Gadde Prasad has donated a piece of land in the precincts of Siva Sai Kshetram to establish the Vidyalaya there.

Vedas and Their Divisions/Branches

The traditional abodes of the ancient rishis and sages of India were pervaded with calm and serenity; this same atmosphere pervades the Veda Vidyalaya. The Acharyas (teachers) at the Vidyalaya impart the knowledge of the Vedas to the students with complete dedication and by means of traditional methods. Students study Rigveda, Shukla Yajurveda, Krishna Yajurveda, Samaveda, Adharvana Veda and Smartha. These Vedas contain divisions like Samhita, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads; they cover the whole gamut of various karmas, systems, and other salient features of Vedic tradition. The students adopt the traditional attire of those who study the Vedas and observe all the principles established for a Brahmacharya (one who observes celibacy until marriage). They also observe a strict regimen as traditionally prescribed for the three stipulated periods of the day.

Sanskrit Central to Vedic Education

The Vedas and the related ancient traditional scriptures have been primarily transmitted in Sanskrit. Thus, in order to have an easy access to this treasure of ancient scriptures and literature, all students in our Veda Vidyalaya master the Sanskrit language. Conversational Sanskrit is mandatory in our institution.

Facilities and Amenities Provided to the Students

In accordance with the Vedic tradition, admission to our Veda Vidyalaya is free for all the students. Room, board, and amenities are also provided free of charge. Students are lodged in “Shankara Nilayam”, a residence in the precincts of Siva Sai Kshetram. Meals are tasty and nutritious. Students’ birth anniversaries and other festive occasions are celebrated with feasts, including delicacies traditionally made for special occasions. Firecrackers are distributed to students during Diwali and the festival is celebrated with fanfare amidst the bursts of the fireworks. Day-to-day requirements like toothpaste, soaps, coconut oil, and books are provided free to all students. All students are encouraged by the Trust to take part in the Sanskrit examinations conducted by the Sanskrita Bhasha Prachara Samithi, Hyderabad. The Trust provides free training and books, and pays the prescribed examination fees. We also train students in basic English and Hindi language skills. Mathematics instruction is included in the curriculum to prepare the students for practical life after graduation. The students also receive training in yoga and meditation for their physical and mental fitness. Specific time periods are set aside for daily physical training during the morning and evening hours; monthly medical check-ups are also included in the program. Students have 20 days of vacation during Dussehra and summer break.

Discipline

Discipline is a key requirement for the success of any institution. The Veda Vidyalaya follows a strict regimen from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. each day, with education and all other activities appropriately scheduled. According to the traditional calendar, Paadyami and Asthami (the 1st and 8th day respectively) of the Telugu calendar month are treated as days of Anaadhyayana, (inauspicious days for teaching) and are therefore holidays for the students.

Spreading the Values of Vedic Culture

Students of our Vidyalaya take an active role in their community—training that will put them in good stead to be the future leaders of society. Their activities include leading local processions while singing devotional songs, conducting workshops on speaking in Sanskrit, giving lectures on spiritual issues, and conducting health camps.
We want our students to be more than mere reciters of the Veda; we want them to develop social awareness and a sense of social responsibility. In addition to playing a leading role in the spiritual and cultural development of the society, our Veda Vidyalaya is showing its influence in the fields of social service and philanthropic activities. Students help the poor and distressed people during natural calamities. They assist poor women by arranging their training in handicrafts and other breadwinning jobs (thus enabling them to sustain themselves financially). They help the poor and needy during the marriage of their children, cutting across the barriers of caste and creed. Through these efforts, the students of Veda Vidyalaya become caring, compassionate leaders.

Time for Visitors

Our Vidyalaya holds parent-teacher meetings once a month, during which time the parents receive an evaluation of their child. In addition, parents or relations are allowed to meet the children on the Paadyami and Ashtami days of the Telugu calendar. Many students communicate with their parents over the phone to share their experiences of the day to day life of the Veda Vidyalaya.

Examination Schedule

Monthly examinations assess the progress of the students, who also compete with their counterparts from other institutions in the Vedic examinations conducted by external organizations. Renowned Sanskrit scholar and Principal of Kovvuru Sanskrit College, Sri Dorbala Prabhakara Sharma, regularly evaluates the progress of the students in learning Sanskrit.

Staff of the Vidyalaya: Professional and Dedicated

Our Vidyalaya is privileged to have highly eminent Veda Pundits as teachers for the different Vedas. Similarly, the best of the lot have been appointed as teachers for Sanskrit, Mathematics, English and Yoga. In order to keep a watch on the activities of the students and to look after their well-being around the clock, the Vidyalaya has three caretakers. Our cook serves tasty, nutritious food in hygienic surroundings; two maid-servants and three security guards have also been appointed to our staff. Under the care and protection of these staff members and teachers, students feel that the Vidyalaya has become their “home away from home”.

Confidence Building Measures

We strongly believe and advocate that, “Today’s students will be the future guardians of our great Vedic tradition and culture”, and we understand that classroom education alone may not ensure the overall development of a young student. In order to give them exposure to different cultures and traditions across the country, our Vidyalaya has conducted educational tours to places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun in the northern part of the country, and Sri Sailam, Mahanandi, Alampuram, and Matralayam in Southern India. Our Vidyalaya believes that these tours strengthen the students from within, and help them become self-confident to take up any challenge in their lives.

An Appeal to the Greatness of the Heart

In the founder of our Trust, Sri Samavedula Trinadha Lakshmi Narasimha Murty, and also in his son, Pundit Samavedula Sharma, we see men committed to developing the culture of Vedic Education, striving untiringly for the realization of a long-cherished dream—to establish a Veda Vidyalaya. In earlier days, the King of the land took the task of establishing and running the Vidyalayas. Now, the responsibility to safeguard the traditions, culture and heritage of the Vedas rests on the shoulders of every one of us. Our holy scriptures (puranas) say that to actively sponsor the continuance of Vedic tradition is a divine activity. We eagerly look forward to such a noble gesture from people from all walks of life.

“Kukshow Tishtati Yasyaannam Vedaabhyasena Jeeryate Kulam Tarayate Tesham Dasa Purvam Dasaa Param” (Samskara Ganapathi)

One who serves food to the Vedic Scholars acquires merit for his family, ten generations in the past and ten generations forward. His family will be considered “blessed ones”. In other words, those who come forward and extend their helping hand for the propagation of Vedic education will always receive the blessings of the Almighty, and their name will ever be spoken in high esteem.

No matter in whatever small way one contributes, we welcome such a noble gesture! Even the great Ocean is made of nothing other than the tiniest of droplets. For the mighty banyan tree to grow into a gigantic size, only a tiny seed need be sown. Similarly, we look forward to contributions of any volume and any size for this divine and noble cause. Thus the Fundation will grow in leaps and bounds, and the intention to safeguard the Vedic knowledge will become a reality in the days to come.

Donors have the following options for contributing their righteous support for this divine cause:

(a) Adopt a Veda Acharya - the Trust is paying a salary of Rs. 15,000 per month ($300-$375/month) to those who teach the students of our Veda Vidyalaya.

(b) Adopt a Student - the Trust is spending an average of Rs. 5,000 per month ($100-$125/month).

(c) Endowment Fund - donations received for this purpose will be deposited in a separate account and the interest will be used for the maintenance of the school. Donors of Rs. 1 lakh ($2100) will be honored as Trustees.

(d) Building Fund for Construction - Rs. 50,000 (equivalent of $1000).

(e) Annadana Fund - food for students and food distribution to the poor:Rs. 25,000 (equivalent of $500).

(f) Maintenance Fund - Rs. 500 to 5,000 ($25-$100/ month) for day to day maintenance of the school.

“Vedassivah Sivo Vedaha, Vedaadhyayee Sada Sivaha”

According to Scriptures (Sastras), one cannot learn the Vedas without being a part of Lord Shiva. Thus, those who pursue the career of Vedic learning are like the incarnation of Lord Shiva himself.
In the present generation, life is fraught with problems and tensions. Pundit Samavedula advises everyone that extending a helping hand to the Veda Vidyalaya is one of the easiest ways to get rid of problems and tensions, and to amass a wealth of spirituality and divinity.

“Sodhyamanantu Tachittam Eswaraarpita Karmabhihi Vyraagyam Brahma Lokaadau Vyan ktyadha Sunirmalam” (Smruti)

Acts of charity and penance, prompted with an intention of dedicating them to God or the Almighty, will result in purity of mind, which in turn will pave way for renunciation (Vyragyam). After attaining the state of renunciation, one will reach the state of enlightenment.

“Mrutam Sareeram Utsrujya Kaashtha Loha Samankshitau Vimukha Bandhavayaanthi Dharmastamanu gachhati” (Garuda Puranam)

When we leave this human body and the funeral pyre is lit, our friends and relatives can no longer accompany us on the journey. Only our good deeds in this material world proceed with us to the heavenly realm.

To support the divine cause of promoting and propagating Vedic education is one of the very best of good deeds a human can think of doing. Let us commit ourselves for the development of Vedas and Vedic education.

This act will protect us like armor and pave the way for our moksha. We take this opportunity to appeal to all those who wish to see our great Vedic tradition flourish again:

Please come forward and be a part of this mega project!

To take birth as a human has always been considered the most wonderful blessing of God. Getting an opportunity to serve the divine cause of preserving our precious tradition—and in this life span—is icing on the cake. Having been bestowed with the privilege of a human life, we can show our gratitude to God for being so kind to us by safeguarding the tradition of Vedic Education.

Vedic Foundation of India, therefore, earnestly requests that you contribute with all your might in whatever way possible to support us in our pursuit: to hold the flag of our great Vedic Tradition flying high for ever and ever.

“Vedo Rakshati Rakshitaha” If you protect the Veda, the Veda will protect you.

In India -- Please make contribution payable to: Vydic Foundation of India, Sri Siva Sai Kshetram, Kanchikacherla - 521 180, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, India

In U.S. -- For U.S. tax deductible donations, please make checks payable to :
Sri Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Of Austin, c/o Vydic Foundation of India, P.O. Box 500271, Austin, Texas-78750, U.S.A.

“Sarve Janah Sukhino Bhavantu”
(Peace and Happiness to all)