Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnuhu Gurur Devo Maheshwaraha
Guruhu Sakshaath Parabrahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namah
When we Vidyarthees leave our homes and come to the Guru’s residence for the traditional system of Gurukula education, there is always a forlorn feeling amongst us. With our parents, siblings and other frivolous joys of an unfettered childhood left behind, we enter the pathashaala for a life of discipline, dedication and devotion.
The introductory para above may have set a poignant mood in you, but for us Vidyarthees, we believe nothing better could have happened to us!! The grace and benevolence of our Vaadhyaar, was enough to dispel any misgivings about what was in store for us. He ensured that we were more than well taken care of.
He ensured that we were pampered with the best of food – nutrition and taste uncompromised. We celebrated every festival with so much joy, gaiety and vigour, it was hard to remember home. We had the best quality clothes, sweets, care and concern that we could have ever imagined. Our Vaadhyaar was our mother, father, brother and God. He knew everyone by name and personally ensured that we were well taken care of. If it was Deepavali, he would ensure that we had a good oil bath, wore new clothes and burst fire crackers. If it was Navarathri, he would ensure that we had all the toys to make a beautiful kolu. If it was Sankara Jayanthi, he would ensure that we had the duties, skills and exposure to organizing events of that scale.
All this, while he instilled in us the regimen of a Brahmachari. Waking up early every morning, rigorous practice sessions through the day, continuous evaluation tests and competitions, strict discipline, exposure and experience in organizing social events, practicing empathy with elderly and feeble devotees – made us what we are today. Across India, if one mentions that he has observed his Gurukulavasam at Veda Bhavan, Hyderabad there is a good chance that he will be respected, if not revered.
Our Vaadhyaar’s demise is a great personal loss to us. His affection cannot be substituted. The concern he had for our welfare, cannot be replicated. We believe, our best Guru Dakshina can be, to live as per his teachings and practice – a life of sacrifice for the sake of Vedic Dharma. He was an epitome of sacrifice for this cause, and we pray that the Almighty grants us too, the unflinching Guru Bhakthi that our Vaadhyaar had.
Tvameva Maatha cha Pitha Tvameva Tvameva Bandhuscha Sakhaa Tvameva
Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva Tvameva Sarvam Guru Deva Deva
30 Comments
Yugandhar · July 12, 2020 at 12:50 pm
It’s a great loss to many of us who use to look up to him when ever we needed divine blessings.
OM SHANTI.God will give him Moksha since he has groomed so many Ghanapati’s to serve the society,
Sudhir Raghuram · July 12, 2020 at 2:43 pm
It is a great loss to the Vedic World. He stood like a banyan tree and groomed many a children into Vedic scholars. He made every effort to bring in scholars across the country to Veda Bhavan and nurtured the thoughts into the children. What started with 3 children at his home, now became more like an university. He was a great visionary. When it comes to guru bhakti, he has immense bhakti on Periyava. Bhagyanagaram Mahaswamy Seva Samiti was fortunate to have his blessings and guidance in every event of Periyava. He was a guiding force for many of us.
S.thiagarajan · July 12, 2020 at 12:52 pm
All true. He ensured all vidhyathis get best of every thing and forget the home to concentrate on the studies for their future. Even in a large gathering of poojas, he eyes always have 360° view to ensure everyone is taken care of. Let us all pray God to give us strength to move ahead on the path laid by him.
Chidambaram R Kavassery · July 12, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Rama Rama Rama Rama – We are shocked and saddened, with the sudden passing away of Bramhasri. Venkatarama Ghanapatighal. We pray Jagadhguru Sri Shankaracharya and Sri Parameshwara to bless Ghanapatighal Mama’s family to give the strength to bear and overcome this irreplaceable loss. Our condolences to the Sishya Kodi of Veda Bhavan Hyderabad.
Rama Rama Rama Rama – Ramaswamys, BHEL
V K ravichander · July 13, 2020 at 11:31 am
We wre still to come out of the shock that Gurunathar Ganapadigal mama has left us .
He is a replica of simplicity, always smiling and a magnanimous personality. No words to express. We pray almighty and Mahaperiyava to give us in particular the family members to withstand this loss- during Sankara jayanthi celebration as a volunteer I had the opportunity to move with him and get his blessings – om shanti om shanthi 🙏🙏
S Ravi Swaminathan · July 12, 2020 at 12:55 pm
I revered him and respected him a lot. Iam now 68. Have been his admirer right from the inception of Ved bhavan. His very presence brings goose pimples and I involuntarily stand up when I see him in person and fold my hands and bow my head.Tears too down my eyesas I write this blog. He was a dignified man and affection personified. In one sentence to sum up. THE BANYAN TREE ST VEDA BHAVAN HAD FALLEN.OM SHANTI…
Raman iyer · July 12, 2020 at 12:55 pm
No word to say
.i am lucky in my life that tomove with him and got his blessing. We pray the god to give rest inpeace.
C.N.Sundaram · July 12, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Brahmasri Venkatramaganapadigal has succeeded in establishing vedabhavan,a professionally run institution,supporting number of vedapandits,groomingyoung brahmin boys to learn veda..He was a true friend,philosopher&guide..He was an achiever..His simplicity with authority on Hindu dharma was admired by all learned scholors..sarvasri Raman ganapadigal & srinivasan ganapadigal were the pillar of strength..
S.Venkatramani, BSNL(AGM Retd.) · July 12, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Sad demise of our beloved Guru and guide, is shocking and an irreparable loss to all the asthikas, especially the Patasala vidyarthys. I hold Venkatrama Ganapatigal in high esteem and reverence. He has been my guide and advisor in times of need , I miss him badly from now on.
He was like a giant banian tree, giving shade, shelter, vedic knowledge and wisdom to all his students, at the same time he was a humble & a helpful person, with simple living and high thinking. Now a days, one hardly finds such a noble and self less person who ,sacrificed and dedicated his life for the spread of vedic knowledge and our culture. Though now he is (physically )no more , but his spirit, teachings , his blessings, I am sure will be there us forever.
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
N Balasubramanian · July 12, 2020 at 3:01 pm
Sad demise of our beloved guru n guide is shoking news to all. My heartfelt condolences to Sriram Ganapadigal n to his family members. I still remember, the olden days from Mallikarjuna nagar till now how much efforts he had put in for developing the Veda Patasala. Still, further expansion programme presently at Shamirpet is on. Let us together make his dream fulfilled. Gurubhyo namaha
கணபதி வெங்கட்ராமன் · July 12, 2020 at 1:53 pm
It is unrecoverable loss for many and met him only twice during my visit to vedhabhavan. All his disciples/ sishyas who visited our house to ensure we follow sandana dharma to the core on all rituals. All of them humble in nature and focus on the Veda to the core. He is developed a Sanadana army at Hyderabad is only going to grow bigger. His affection to all young Vidyathri is adorable. I witnessed such one afternoon where he treated them as guru, god, matha and pita which I cannot forget. I feel those children going to miss his presence at Veda Bhavan. No words to comment or age I have to explain his great work for the service he rendered to sanadana dharma.
Ravikumar Srinivasan · July 12, 2020 at 2:17 pm
All sishyas have to emulate the ideals propounded by this great soul, which would be the best way to pay homage to the Maha vidwan, a true devotee of Mahaperiava. Our condolences to the sishya community at Veda bhavan.
NatarajanParameshwaranவ · July 12, 2020 at 2:40 pm
மிக சிறந்த வேத பண்டிதர். வேதபவனம் ஆரம்பத்தில் இருந்து இன்று வரை அதன் வளர்ச்சிக்கு அயராது பாடுபட்டார். வேத பவன் வருபவர்களிடம் அன்புடனும் பாசத்துடனும் பேசுபவர். அவரது சிவலொக ப்ராப்த்தி ஆன்மிக உலகிற்கு மிக பெரிய இழப்பு. அவரது ஆத்மா சாந்தி அடைய எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனை ப்ராத்திகிறேன்.ஓம் சாந்தி சாந்தி.
நடராஜன்.
NatarajanParameshwaran · July 12, 2020 at 2:55 pm
1984 வேத பவன் ஆரம்பத்தில் இருந்து இன்று வரை அதன் வளர்ச்சிக்கு அயராது பாடுபட்டார்.அவரது ஆத்மா சாந்தி அடைய எல்லாம் வல்ல இறைவனை ப்ராத்திகிறோம்.ஓம் சாந்தி சாந்தி
Sudhir Raghuram · July 12, 2020 at 3:01 pm
It’s a great loss to Vedic world. He lived every moment for it and did whatever he could for it. What started with 3 students has transformed into an University called Veda Bhavan. He made every effort to bring in scholars across india to nurture noble thoughts into their mind. He had immense bhakti for Periyava. Bhagyanagaram Mahaswamy Seva Samiti has been fortunate to have him in all our events. He has been a guiding force for many of us.
Jambunathan J · July 12, 2020 at 4:04 pm
A wonderful Guru left us all in lurch and reached the abode of Sankara.His contribution in encouraging the common man to do His lawful duties to the souls in the form of “Srartham”…can not be forgotten.(in those years of 90s) His humble advice and facilities arranged made me strictly follow the practice of doing full fledged Srartham from Hiranyam till date.To mention a few services rendered by VedaBhavan under his stewardship.
In fond memory of revered Guru.
Jambunathan.Yapral.
Geeta Sridhar · July 12, 2020 at 4:06 pm
He was a great guru & a divine guide , was respected by everyone! His demise is an irreparable loss not only to Vedabhavan but to our entire society. We pray God to give strength to his family .
N chandrasekaran · July 12, 2020 at 5:27 pm
A great soul who lived for vedas AMD because of him Veda Bhavan stands tall.
Dr K Sureshkumar · July 12, 2020 at 7:09 pm
Great soul dedicated to Vedas and Sanathana Dharma
It is attributable to Sri Sastrigal who built up Vedabhavan to such a height to permeate values and culture among upcoming torch bearers of our Dharma
I pray Lord Al mighty to rest his soul in peace @ Sivaloka We need to think in terms of how to establish a corpus fund in the name of late Guru for this kinds of activities . So that his name remains with all of us and his spirit will guide us going forward
Dr K Sureshkumar · July 12, 2020 at 7:11 pm
Great soul dedicated to Vedas and Sanathana Dharma
It is attributable to Sri Sastrigal who built up Vedabhavan to such a height to permeate values and culture among upcoming torch bearers of our Dharma
I pray Lord Al mighty to rest his soul in peace @ Sivaloka We need to think in terms of how to establish a corpus fund in the name of late Guru to continue with all these activities
P S Ramanarayanan · July 12, 2020 at 8:33 pm
Our family has known Shri Venkatrama Ganapadihal since 1985. I still remember my father telling me that he started Veda Bhavan with two children and a cow. It is only his hard work and perseverance that has helped establish Veda Bhavan to the top level it is seen today. He has been quintessential to nurturing hundreds of students lives. Always humble and a vibrant person with a heart of gold
Shri Venkatrama Ganapadigal may not be in a physical form with us but his learnings his ideals his aspirations his teaching will always be the living soul of Veda Bhavan
P S Ramanarayanan · July 12, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Our family has known Shri Venkatrama Ganapadihal since 1985. I still remember my father telling me that he started Veda Bhavan with two children and a cow. It is only his hard work and perseverance that has helped establish Veda Bhavan to the top level it is seen today. He has been quintessential to nurturing hundreds of students lives. Always humble and a vibrant person with a heart of gold
Shri Venkatrama Ganapadigal may not be in a physical form with us anymore but his learnings, his ideals, his aspirations, his teaching will always be the living soul of Veda Bhavan
Ramkumar · July 12, 2020 at 10:07 pm
A grest pesron . Irreparable los to all of us who know him.
Om Shanthi.
R. R. Chandramouli · July 12, 2020 at 10:54 pm
A great soul who devoted himself for the Veda parirakshanam. A simple and non assuming scholar with whom I had the fortune of being associated from a very young age. A big task is ahead for the team to complete his dream of the Vedic University in Shamirpet. Sincerely pray that his soul get to the lotus feet of Sri Lalitha Mahatripura Sundari as he was devout Bhakta of Ambal.
Ambarish R Angiras · July 13, 2020 at 10:50 am
The passing away of a beloved Guru leaves a void that can never be filled.
His contribution in the creation, sustaining and development of Veda Bhavan as a spiritual institution has no parallels.
As worthy followers, it will be our privilege to uphold the values and tradition he stood for.
V K ravichander · July 13, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Shocking news of the sudden and untimely demise of Gurunathar- it is an irreparable loss to us and in particular to SRIRAM Ganapadigal and family – pray lord to give them the strength to withstand this loss-.Mama was a replica of simplicity- om shanti om shanthi 🙏🙏
M A SUBRAMANIAN · July 14, 2020 at 3:36 pm
i have had the good fortune of knowing our beloved Ganapati for 5 years , i.e.since 2015 . I recall his bountiful blessings with a cheerful countenance when I prostrated before him to seek his blessings before celebrating my 70 th year in that year. Ever since that year I have had several opportunities to visit him at the Veda Bhavan and each time he used to welcome me with a benign grace and shower his blessinga.
To have started the Veda Bhavan and managed it for a full 50 years without unflinching devation is no mean achievement. He has trained many a vidyarthi in Rig and Krishna Yajur Vedas with a selfless spirit. The way in which he oversaw the Veda Patasala with a paternal affection was amazing. Each festival he used to organise with supreme effiiciency. All this shows that he had the munificent blessings of the Sage of Kanchi in all his endeavours. His serene face and cheerful disposition is unforgettable.
Destiny has removed him from our midst and I have still not recovered from the shock caused by his sudden exit. May his noble soul rest in peace and may his divine spirit guide us all in the years to come.
T.R.Viswamani · July 16, 2020 at 2:48 pm
Fortunate enough to come in contact with Brahmashri Venkatrama Ganapadigal in 1968 when we were actively working for Veda Rakshana Samithi with anotherGreat Late Annadurai Iyengar. I had close association with him and also with his son Shri SreeramaGanapadigal.
News of his sivaloka prapthi gave me a rude shock. We have lost a Veda Parvatham/Vruksham. It is a real loss to vedic community.
You will realise only very few can perform like Late Venkatrama Ganapadigal in the field of imparting vedas to innumerable students. It was a big noble contribution to vedic community.
MURALIDARAN G SBI KPM · August 3, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Really unbearable. Knows the Ganabadigal as a shishya of Sriman Ramasamy Ganabadigal of Kancheepuram and close to my father LIC Gopalakrishna Iyer and to me during my official tenure at Hyderabad. He practiced the dharma of feeding which his father, Sri Ranganatha Iyer was doing.Ganabadigal not only taken care of Vedham but the teachers of Vedha and their family. I pray and wish Sri Sriram Ganabadigal to carry on and make the dreams of Ganabadigal. I pray to Mahaperiyava to shower the Vedabavan and it’s reachers, staffs and Vidhyarthees. Namaskaram
రాయవరపు కృష్ణ చైతన్య శర్మ · October 4, 2020 at 8:26 pm
వందే గురు పద ద్వంద్వమ్ అవాంగ్మానస గోచరం.
రక్త శుక్ల ప్రభామిశ్రం అతర్క్యం త్రైపురం మహః !!🙏
శ్రీ చంద్రశఖరేంద్ర సరస్వతీ మహస్వామినాం చ అనుగ్రహేన వేదభవనో నిత్యం వర్ధతాం..🙏