Tuesday, February 28, 2017


Veda Sapthaham



A laudable effort is being made to bring the ancient Vedas from the hallowed confines of veda pathasalas to the lay public. The trailblazer in this mighty endeavour is the hightly respected Dr Kuroor Damodaran Namoothiripad, (85?), a Vedic scholar and researcher who was formerly Professor in IIT, Madras.

This unusual attempt is being brought about in saptaham format at the venerable Thekke Madham, Thrissur, a renowned cultural center of Kerala.

Saptaham is the recitation extending over seven days. Suka muni, the son and disciple of Veda Vyasa recited the entire Bhagavatam to Maharaja Parikshit in an assembly of learned saints on the bank of the Ganges at Hastinapura over a period of seven days. Bhagavatham is now recited in the saptaham format, in honour of Suka muni’s recital.

Later on Ramayanam and Narayaneeyam also started being recited as saptaham. In the present venture, the gist of the Vedas are being presented to the discerning public in the now well-established saptaham format at Thekke Madham, a monastery established by Padmapadacharya, a disciple of the mighty Advaitha philosopher Adi Sankara of Kalady (788 – 820 AD).

This acharya from Kalady had established four Madhas at different parts of India for the propagation of Vedantha and Advaitha philosophy. It is believed that following the path of this great teacher, four of his disciples established four Madhas under a single roof at Thrissur and they were;
1. The Thekke Madham by Padmapadacharya (Sanandana), the first Peethadhipatiof Puri Govardhana matha,
2. The Idayil Madham by Totakacharya (Ananda Giri), the first Jagadguru of the Jyotirmaṭha Pīthaṃ, near Badrinath,
3. The Naduvil Madham by Sureshwaracharya (Maṇḍana Miśra), the first Peethadhipati of Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham and
4. The Vadakke Madham by Hasthamalakacharya, the first Peethadhipati of Dwaraka Peeth.

The Saraswathi Mandapam at Thekke Madham is hosting the Veda Saptaham.

The Sapthaham consists of chanting of various mantra in Rigveda, explanatory speeches on the various aspects- spiritual, scientific and literary- of the Vedic hymns.

The dates of the Yajna are from 28th February to 3rd March 2017.

The inaugural session was on 28th February 2017, at 9:30 AM. HH Shrimad Vasudevananda Brahmnanda Bhoothi Swamikal, the Mooppil Swamiyar of Thekke Madham lit the lamp and blessed the Yajna. Acharya Dr MR Rajesh, Kulapathi Kasyapashram, Calicut, delivered the inaugural address. The oratorical rendering by Dr Kuroor, every day will be followed by an interactive session- Vijnana Sadas- in which the eminent scholars will take part, at 4:30 pm. Cultural programmes will be staged after the interactive session

A book by name "Rigveda Vyakhyanam" authored by Dr Kuroor will be released during the inaugural session.

Mahakavi Akkitham, Padmasree awardee, who has translated Vyasa Bhagavatham to contemporary Malayalam, will be the chief guest at the valedictory ceremony.

Many Vedic scholars and knowledge aspirants from different parts of India are reaching in Thrissur to attend the unique Yajna.

Prof. T.K Devanarayanan          Chairman                                
Prof. M Madhavankutty,            Convener
Vadakkumpad Narayanan         Co-ordinator


Vijnana Sadas
Sl       Date & Time Paper Presentation                    Cultural Programme
1        27-02-2017 Dr. N Gopalakrishnan     
 06:00PM     (Director,
Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage)
Message of Veda

2        28-02-2017 Dr. C.M Neelakandan                Chakyar Koothu   
 04:30 PM    Vedic Education and
                             interpretation in Kerala

3        01-03-2017 Dr. V.K Vijayan                          Chakyar Koothu
 04:30 PM    Veda and Literature

4        02-03-2017 Dr. Padoor Subrahmanya           Akshara Shloka
Shastrikal
 04:30 PM    Veda and Jyothisha                 

5        03-03-2017 Dr. Lakshmi Shankar                 Nada Mathuri
 04:30 PM    (HOD Sanskrit Department
Sree Krishna College, Guruvayur )
Veda and Vedanta

6        04-03-2017 Dr. M.V Nateshan                      Panchari Melam
  04:30 PM    (Reader,
Department of Sanskrit Vyakarana,
Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit)
The role of Vedangas
in the study of Veda

7        05-03-2017 Dr. P.C Muraleemadhavan        Kathakali
  04:30 PM    (Professor, Rashtriya Sanskrit
    Samsthan, Thrissur)
    Veda Apowrusheya

Other eminent participants;
Shri. Madamb Kunjukuttan, Shri. Kothamangalam Vasudevan Namboothiri, Dr. KMJ Namboothiri, Shri. Oravankara Damodaran Namboothiri, Shri. Vadakkumpad Pasupathi Namboothiri, Dr. Naras Ittiravi Namboothiri, Dr. KV Vasudevan. Adv. P Parameshwaran, Shri. S Haridas, Shri. Parameshwarn Moorthiyedath, Dr. Pazhoor Damodaran, Shri. Edamana Vasudevan Namboothiri, Dr C Govindan Namboothiri, Shri. CR Keralavarma Raja etc.

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Bhaagavatha Gnaana Yajnam



For the first time, outside Kerala, Bhaagavatham is being read in Malayalam.



In Kerala, Ramayanam has been read in the local language, Malayalam, in the “Kilippattu” form of Adhyaatma Ramaayanam composed by the legendary Tunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan. However, we were reading the Bhaagavatham or the story of Bhagawaan SreeKrishna in Sanskrit, a language that is no longer understood by the teeming masses.

As a result of strenuous effort spread over a long period of time, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Mahaakavi Akkitham, translated Vyasa Bhaagavatham into simple Malayalam language. Mahaakavi Akkitham has been divinely inspired to match Vyaasa Bhaagavatham verse for verse.

For the first time, outside Kerala, ACHYUTHAM 2017 brings Bhaagavatha praarayanam in Malayalam. This mega event of ‘Srimad Bhaagavatha Gnaana Yajnam’ is being conducted in Chennai at the Egmore Ayyappa Temple Auditorium.

Verses of Vyaasa Bhaagavatham are being read by followed by Malayalam verses of Akkitham’s Bhaagavatham. The Yajna Achaaryan, Shri Kailiyadu Vijayan Master M.A MPhil, gives his discourse based on these verses.

In this regard, a press meet was conducted to highlight the features of the proposed Bhaagavatha Gnaana Yajnam at the Chennai Press Club, Chepauk on 3rd February 2017. This event was reported in Tamil News papers and Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi.

The Inaugural Ceremony on held 5th February. The Bhaagavagtha Gnaana Yajnam is conducted from 6th to 18th February from 6:30 AM to 6 PM. After deeparaadhana, the Yajna Achaaryan gives his discourse based on various Upanishads. The concluding ceremonies will be held on the last day, Sunday 19th February till 1 PM.

A copy of the Malayalam version of Bhaagavatha grantham was received in person from its translator Mahaakavi at his Akkitham Mana residence at Kumaranallur, Palakkad District. The local newspapers were present on that auspicious occasion.

The Yajna Aachaaryan was ceremoniously received along with the copy of Akkitham’s Malayalam Bhagavatham at the Temple to the accompaniment of poornakumbham, thaalappoli and vaadyam.


5-February 2017, Sunday
05:30 AM MahaGanapathy Homam – Brahmasri Radhakrishnan Namboothiri

06:00 PM
Devotees of SreeKrishna Welcoming with due ceremony, Panchaloha Vigraham, Malayalam version of Srimath Bhagavatha grantham, which was received in person from its translator, Padmasri-awardee Mahakavi Akkitham.
Reception of Acharyan with poornakumbham, thaalappoli and vaadyam.

07:00 PM Inaugural public function commences
Lighting lamps by Thanthri – Singing of Guruvandana and Ganapathy stuti Honouring Thanthri
Vedic recital - Sri Suktam and Purusha Suktam by C.S Mahadevan Iyer
Welcome speech by “Amrita” Suresh Babu C.K. Inauguration by
Chief Guest
Vote of Thanks
Yajna Acharyan escorted to the dais
Sreemath Bhagavatha Mahatmayam by the the Yajna Acharyan Sri Vijayan Master
Pooja by Melshanthi
8:00 PM Bharatanatyam by Ms Shubhavadana Chandramohan


6-February 2017, Monday
06:45 AM Vishnu Sahasranaama, group prayer
07:00 AM Reading of Bhagavatham and Discourse
10:00 AM Reading and Discourse
01:00 PM Prasadaoottu
02:00 PM Reading and Discourse
05:30 PM Vilakku Pooja
06:45 PM Discourse on Upanishad
07:45 PM Cultural Programmes

Topics of Discourse: Soodha-Shaunaka Samvaadam, Vyasa-Naarada Samvaadam, Kunti Stuti, Bheeshma Stuti, Mahaprasthanam, Curse befalling Raja Parikshith, Advent of Suka Muni (Entire Skanda-1).

7-February 2017, Tuesday

Topics of Discourse: Origin of Universe, Brahma-Naarada Samvaadam, Vidura-Maitreya Samvaadam, Ten types of Species, Varaha Avataram, Destruction of Hiranyaksha, (Skanda - 2, 3 – Chapters 1 to 19).

8-February 2017, Wednesday
Topics of Discourse: Kapila Avataram, Upadesham by Kapilaacharya, Daksha Yaagam, Dhruava Charitam, (Skanda - 3: Chapters 20 to 33, Skanda – 4: Chapters 1-12).

9-February 2017, Thursday
Topics of Discourse: Pruthu Charitam, Puranjanopakhyanam, Rishabha Avataram, Bharata katha, Bhadrakaali PraturBhaavam.
(Skanda - 4: Chapters 13 to 31, Skanda – 5: Chapters 1-10).

10-February 2017, Friday

Topics of Discourse: Dhruava Sthiti, Naraka Sthiti, Ajamila Upakhyanam, Narada Katha, Narayana Kavacham, Vrutrasura Vadham.
(Skanda - 5: Chapters 11 to 26, Skanda – 6: Chapters 1-12).

11-February 2017, Saturday

Topics of Discourse: Story of Vritrasura, Narasimha Avataram, Sadachaara Nirnayam, Gajendra Moksham. (Skanda - 6: Chapters 13 to 19, Skanda – 7, 8: Chapters 1 to 4).

12-February 2017, Sunday

Topics of Discourse: Amrutamadhanam, Vaamana Avataram, Matsya Avataram, Surya Vamsha Katha, Ambareesha Upakhyanam. (Skanda - 8: Chapters 5 to 24, Skanda – 9: Chapters 1 to 9).

13-February 2017, Monday
Topics of Discourse: Parashurama Avataram, SreeRama Avataram, Kuru Vamsha Katha, Yadu Vamsha Katha, SreeKrishna Avataaram. (Skanda - 9: Chapters 10 to 24, Skanda – 10: Chapters 1 to 3).

14-February 2017, Tuesday

Topics of Discourse: SreeKrishna Leela, Kaliya Mardhanam, Govinda Abhishekham, Raasa Leela. (Skanda - 10: Chapters 4 to 33).

15-February 2017, Wednesday

04:00 PM Rukmini Swayamvara Ghosha Yaathra with naadaswaram, thaalapoli and Kaikottikali

Topics of Discourse: Arrival of Akrura, Kamsa Vadham, Rukmini Swayamvaram. (Skanda - 10: Chapters 34 to 54).

16-February 2017, Thursday

Topics of Discourse: Other Vivaahams, Narada-durshta-SreeKrishna Charitam, Raajasooyam, Kuchela Upakhyanam. (Skanda - 10: Chapters 55 to 81).

17-February 2017, Friday

Topics of Discourse: Bandhu Sangamam, Subhadra Haranam, Santaanagopaalam, Navayogi Samvaadam, Uddhava Upadesham (24 Masters). (Skanda - 10: Chapters 82 to 90, Skanda - 11: Chapters 01 to 15).

18-February 2017, Saturday

Topics of Discourse: Uddhava Upadesham (continued), SreeKrishna Swarga Aarohanam, Mukti of Raja Pareekshith. (Skanda - 11: Chapters 16 to 31, Skanda - 12: Chapters 1 to 5).

19-February 2017, Sunday

06:45 AM Vishnu Sahasranaama, group prayer
07:00 AM Reading of Bhagavatham and Discourse
09:15 AM Breakfast
10:00 AM Reading and Discourse
11:30 AM Abhishekham, Samarpanam, Guru Dakshina
12:30 PM Achutham 2017 concludes. Celebratory meeting.
01:30 PM Prasadaoottu

Topics of Discourse: Markandeya Upakhyanam, Conclusion of Bhagavatham. (Skanda - 12: Chapters 6 to 13).