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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why have a patashala for Shastra studies? What is the scope for such scholars?

    For Atma-labham - with a deep understanding of Sanatana dharma, scholars can live dharmic and contentended lives and also help others do the same.

    For traditional teaching in gurukulas and patashalas – the number of Shastra scholars are very limited. There is a need for more scholars to propogate Shastra parampara. Did you know that 95% of our ancient knowledge are still in manuscripts because no qualified scholars are available to unlock what is in them?

    For research and teaching in modern institutions – there is a need for more scholars to take up research, application to modern day problems and teach in universities. Applying Panini grammar concepts to Natural Language processing and other Artificial Intelligence methods is one such example for modern day application. Did you know that every Engineering college, starting with IITs, is now opening an Indic Knowledge System cell where there is a need for Sastra scholars?

    Above are some employment opportunities, but we are expecting that with the way the interest in this area is increasing, more opportunities will open up in the future.

  2. What is being taught in this patashala?

    Nyaya/Tarka (Logic) Sastra and Vyakarana (Grammar) Sastra and Vedanta Shastra are being taught by well-trained traditional Vidwans. There is a saying काणादम् पाणिनीयम् च सर्व शास्त्रोपकारकम् | Nyaya (from Kanada Muni) and Vyakarana (from Bhagavan Panini) are useful for studying all Shastras.

  3. How is Shastra study different from studying Vedas?

    Vedas preserve the sacred sounds of mantras. The focus in Veda patashalas is memorization and chanting the mantras perfectly. In Shastra study, memorization is minimal, but, logic and analysis is required of the highest order.

  4. What are Shastras and why should they be studied?

    Shastras support the understanding of Vedas and dharmas and applying what is said in Vedas.

    There are 14 dharma vidya sthaanas – 4 Vedas, 6 Vedangas (Siksha, Vyakarnam, Jyotisham, Niruktam, Chandas and Kalpam), Nyaya, Mimamsa, Dharma Sastra and Puranas. The 4 Upavedas (Ayurveda, Dhanur Veda, Artha Sastra and Gandharva Veda) are also added to give 18 vidya sthaanas. Together they constitute the complete body of shastras on which Sanatana Dharma rests.

    While all the Shastras have their own special place, 4 of the Shastras are given special importance requiring detailed studies over several years – Nyaya, Vyakarana, Mimamsa and Vedanta.

  5. How is the teaching of Shastras done in this patashala?

    Shastras are taught exactly as per parampara and tradition, in gurukula method. It has come through an unbroken guru-shishya parampara over thousands of years. We can expect that dedicated students who go through full studies will turn out to be extraordinary scholars and dharmikas and will make a huge contribution to the well-being of the world.

  6. Can youngsters joining this patashala hope to have a normal university degree if required?

    Along with studies in the patashala, some of the current students are doing university degrees without impacting the Shastra studies. The patashala also tied up with a few universities for this. For younger students, the patashala will support students to take up National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) exams for 10th standard and 12th standard also. This will be valid for entry into any university, just like a 12th standard certificate from a regular school. 

  7. Can Shastra studies be done in parallel to normal school or college education?

    Shastra studies require lot of analysis and self study and enquiry. For proper and full study of a shastra, it is not recommended to be done in parallel with any other regular education. However, an overview of a Shastra may be obtained by such a study.

  8. Is it necessary for this to be residential?

    The shishya has to be an antevasi and stay along with the acharya. This enables the teacher to observe the student throughout 24 hours and completely mould the student holistically and ensure that the true vidya fully reaches the student. This is how Shastras have traditionally been taught, be it in the house of the guru, or in patashalas. However, if there is a specific situation where residential study is not possible but the student has a deep interest, it can always be discussed with the acharyas and a suitable solution can be found.

  9. What is the location of the patashala?

    The patashala is located in a place with divine ambience in Nanganallur, Chennai. It is believed that Nanganallur was once a forest where tapas was done by sages. Patashala is located near the famous Anjaneyar temple. It provides a calm atmosphere for the study of sastras.

  10. How is the boarding and lodging taken care of?

    The patashala has a homely atmosphere and all the needs of students are taken care of by the management, including boarding and lodging.

  11. How is food prepared?

    Currently, clean and hygenic food is prepared with love and care and aacharam by the students and acharyas, as per requirements of Swayam-pakam.

  12. What are the fees?

    It is our duty to provide dharmic education for free to all deserving students. At the same time, all are welcome to contribute based on their ability and support dharma.

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