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Re: Vedic scholarship in India
Kartik,
You are right that traditional Vedic scholarship is
declining. It is a very sad state of affairs, but which
one of us can blame those who choose to pursue more
lucrative careers over the difficult life of a pandit?
This is the root of the problem.
In my opinion, part of the reason for the disappearance
of the sAma veda stems from the fact that most south
Indians vaidikas are yajur vedins, followed by rg vedins,
and only then sAma vedins. Since it is difficult enough
to learn one's own veda, the others are often neglected.
Given that most Vedic scholarship occurs in south Indian
circles these days, it is not surprising that the sAma
veda is dying out.
The atharva veda has already all but died out. There are
only 6 adhyApakas in all of India who are capable of any
atharva veda adhyayana. Fortunately, there is presently
a project to record the last remaining remnants of
atharva veda recitation.
One final point: though Sringeri is a great center of
traditional learning, there are still a few other places
where it is being carried out. There is a school in
Madurantakam near Madras where traditional instruction
in veda, vyAkaraNa, tarka, mImAmsA, vedanta, and divya
prabandham takes place. This school is run by the
Ahobila Matha and is reasonably well attended. I do not
know the quality of scholars produced, however.
There are probably a few other remaining pockets such
as this.
I share your lament at what is going on. The days of
Indian scholars of Veda and Vedanta who had a phenomenal
grasp of the texts and philosophical issues is probably
all but gone. Even if there were students who wished
to pursue these kinds of studies, there are not very many
acharyas who are qualified to teach them.
Mani
