Veda is the mother of all shastras, said Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It came from God Himself. With a vision to contribute to the revival and worldwide propagation of Sanatana Dharma, that is enshrined in the Vedas, Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Veda Gurukulam has been established at Sathya Sai Grama by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.

October 10 2021, the fourth day of Navaratri marked the commencement of Sri Satya Sai Veda Gurukulam. The esteemed guests for the ceremonies were Sri T B Jayachandra and Sri Malladi Surya Kiran Sharmaji. Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai said that this Gurukulam is the crest jewel of the mission. That it will lead every student from Vedavida to Brahmavida.

The guiding purpose of the Gurukulam is to promote the practice and research of Vedic studies. After imbibing this knowledge, students will be encouraged to travel the world to spread the Vedantic teachings. The Gurukulam will focus on the Rig Veda and the Yajur Veda. Acharyas who are adept in these two Vedas, after having acquired their vidya at the Sri Venkateswara Veda Vigyana Peetam at Tirumala, have been chosen to teach at the Gurukulam.

Shishyas will be offered board and lodging, for the entire tenure of their stay, completely free. Both Para Vidya (spiritual knowledge) and Apara Vidya (secular knowledge) will be imparted. Students will be trained for 15 years, which is the primary school to university. Academic subjects with emphasis on English speaking for effective communication, along with computer education will also be taught. Secular education through the NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) board will also be imparted.

Spread over 2.5 acres at Sathya Sai Grama, the Veda Gurukulam will be inaugurated in phases. Disseminating this priceless wisdom enshrined in the Vedas to the world and relating it to the contemporary context will be the core task of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Veda Gurukulam.

Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma – everything is divine, said Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. That is the beauty of our Vedic knowledge. And this incomparable knowledge should reach every nook and corner of the world. This is the only knowledge, the only idea that will redeem humanity – the idea that everything is divine. And to continue the tradition of the Vedas is why the Gurukulam has been started, concluded Sadguru.

The official inauguration of the first phase of Sri Sathya Sai Veda Gurukulam took place on October 15, 2021 in the presence of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. This auspicious day was graced by Sri Bachampalli Santosh Kumar Shastry, hailing from Dharmapuri, Telangana. He is a renowned Hindu priest, speaker, and writer, known for his pravachana (talks), literature on jyotiṣha (astrology) and Hindu dharma.

Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai in His Divine discourse said, “Of all the projects such as the hospitals, schools, university, nutrition programmes, and various other rural development programmes, Veda pathshala is closest to my heart and in times to come, I want to see it grow into a Vedic university, that will offer various aspects of learning and teaching to the students. This is just the beginning and should continue for hundreds of years from now. The initial batch of students are very fortunate to be the first ones to study here. It is Sri Adi Shankaracharya, who spread the idea of Vedas and Vedanta in this country. But for him, we would not be what we are today as a country.

India is one country where Vedic education is being followed for thousands of years. That continuity is what is Sanatana (for all times). This alone is permanent; all other things will change. In this temporary world, Vedic education alone is permanent. What is most important to Me is you realising your true divinity within. Your education ends when you realise that you are Divine. According to Me, that is graduation, till then I would consider you only as uneducated.

Therefore, all the students studying in the Veda pathshala have a great responsibility on their shoulders. Learn everything with utmost shraddha (dedication), bhakti (devotion) and with the feeling of atma samarpaṇa (self-dedication). In the coming future, this Gurukulam will grow into many more such Gurukulams, and it will be the responsibility of the students passing out from the portals of this Veda Gurukalam to look after them.” Thus ended another beautiful talk by Sadguru on this very holy day of Dussehra.