Palakkad: Bhagavad Gita (chapter 18) describes a Sanyasi as an elevated soul who performs his duties for the benefit of mankind with no selfish interest. This narrative perfectly suits Swami Sanmayanada Saraswathy who relinquished his cozy life and opted for an altruistic path. “Far from the madding crowd” the Ascetic has built his abode in a lush green village, Nallepilly, some 20 kilometers south-east of the historic Palakkad town in Kerala.
Slightly different from the conservative approach this monk believes “Sanyasi is a Tyagi who has renounced all mundane pleasures to perform his duties unattached. The Sanyasi, in his state of dispassion, dedicates all his actions to Brahman the ultimate truth. A Sanyasi sees Brahman as every living and nonliving thing in the universe. A Sanyasi lives in this world like a lotus in water unaffected by water, performing the Dharma without attachment and resigning all actions to the Supreme”
Swami Sanmayanada Saraswathy believes his primary duty is to “enlighten the humans with virtuous knowledge” and with this objective he has established the Adi Sankara Vidya Peedam in 2004. The Vidya Peedom has CBSE recognition and runs up to 10th standard with a total strength of over 500 students.
Regarding the curriculum Sanmayanada Saraswathy said, “Along with formal lessons we teach the Values to the children. To bring out a breed of enlightened souls with correct character, we need to catch them young and inculcate moral values and ethics of life in their virgin minds. That is what we are doing in our Vidya Peedam.”
Regarding the motto of the Vidya Peedam, Swamiji elaborated, “Our intent is to impart right and essential knowledge to the young children. We are here for Value based education that will help the pupil to acquire Satwika Gyan (virtuous knowledge). Satwika Gyan will teach them to become self-controlled, selfless, self-realization, self-study, self-regulation, self-discipline, self- development, and self-determination, self-confident, self-concept, self-esteemed.
Swamiji sounds right that “value-based education is a must for multiple factor like physical value, mental value, moral value, disciplinary value, emotional value, social value, political value, practical value, cultural value, educational value, national value, international value, aesthetical value, ethical value, economical value, religious value and so on.”
In the 12 acre plus lush green land of the Vidya Peedam there are umpteen number of medicinal and fruit plants grown “for the benefit of the children”. We want the children to know nature and also feel about the gifts of nature. We make them familiar with the herbs with therapeutic values so that the knowledge could come handy for them in an emergency situation.”
Apart from the medicinal herbs the school has a Goshala, a few yards away from the main building. “In this modern busy life, I am not sure if our children ever had a chance to see or fondle Gomata (mother cow) from near vicinity or cuddle a calf. Here the children have that opportunity. Surprisingly, many of the children are taking immense pleasure in fondling the cow and its calf. Here in the Vidya Peedam the children are in the lap of Nature.”
The Vidya Peedam has a well maintained computer lab where the children are imparted basic computer skills. The Vidya Peedam has a library and a spacious play ground where the students practice both athletics and sports. Children area also trained in traditional sports like Khabaddi and Kho, said Swami ji
Vidya Peedam gives prominence to health.” To keep the children mentally agile and physically fit yoga is made compulsory for all. As Swami Sanmayanada Saraswathy says “Yoga is not just about asanas. Yoga unites body, mind and soul. Yoga gives us deep knowledge on how to keep one’s body fit and mind calm and composed. It tells you what to eat, how to eat, when to eat and what to avoid. Through yoga and meditation one can attain the state of Sthitapragyan (nonchalant). “Bodily health is just one aspect of overall wellness. Equally important, if not more, is mental health. Only a knowledgeable, relaxed and stable mind can effectively overcome the emotional stresses of life. Yoga makes you mentally stable and tranquil.”
In every sense Swami Sanmayanada Saraswathy is a Karma Yogi who is dispassionate to the mundane world. “Through Nishkama Karma (desireless action) one can shed his vasanas.” Being a Karma yogi the Sanyasi does the same. “In this manner a Karmayogi lives like a Sanyasi in thought and a Sanyasi like a Karmayogi in deed.”
Swami Sanmayanada Saraswathy believes that whether one is a Grihastha (householder) or a Sanyasi, he should never renounce his duties which are obligatory. He should only dispel the desires. Perform your duties unattached.
