Author: Ramesh Ramachandran
Publication: The Tribune
Date: March 11, 2002
URL: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020311/ncr1.htm
He's a man in search of his Indian
roots. After his ancestors left Indian shores for Thailand centuries
ago, he is back `home' on a mission. To find a suitable place where
children of Thai Brahmins ("Brahmanas," he corrects) can learn ancient
Vedic texts and scriptures.
Attired in white with his lock of
hair tied neatly behind in a bun, Var Rajaguru Vamadeva Muni is a
picture of serenity seated amidst his aides and well-wishers. "I
am here to scout for a suitable place to send Brahmana children for
pursuing Vedic studies. I want to send Brahmana boys from Thailand
so that they would learn more about priest craft, philosophy, etc,"
he says while sharing the overriding purpose of his visit. "The root
of Thai Brahmanas," he says, "is in south India, our ancestors come
from that place, and having their children study Vedic scriptures
here would enable the younger generation to go deep into their roots."
The Rajaguru (Royal Court Chief
Brahmin) to King Bhumibal Atulyatej of Thailand, Vamadeva Muni is
the purveyor of all things religious, as it were, for the Royal Family.
The Rajaguru coronates the King in a strictly Brahminical ceremony.
Also, presides over the ploughing ceremony when the land is tilled
in the presence of the King. In ancient days, says Var Rajaguru Vamadeva
Muni, the plougher was supposed to be King and tradition has it that
the King chooses the person who tills the land for the ceremony.
In India on a personal visit, the
Rajaguru on Sunday met with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On his itinerary are meetings with Union Minister of Home Affairs
LK Advani and Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar
Joshi. During his stay in India, the Rajaguru would also call on
Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Jayendra Saraswati. His
aides say visits to Tirupati, Mahabalipuram, Trichy, Chidambaram,
Rameshwaram and Thanjavur are also planned.
Thais, says the Muni, practise Buddhism
but it was not so in ancient times when Hinduism flourished. Today
the Hinduism "indigenised" by the Thais has a Buddhist influence
and that he attributes to the "confluence of cultures." That Hinduism
still holds a special place in the religious and cultural history
of that country, he says, can be appreciated by the fact that ceremonies
like the Tiru Vempavai and Sankranti have survived centuries and
are observed to this day. While Tiru Vempavai, or the Mundan ceremony,
is observed for a fortnight every January, Sankranti is celebrated
nationwide on April 13 not only by the Brahmanas but by other sections
of society.
Recalling his prior visits to India,
the Rajaguru says the last time he was here was at the invitation
of Swami Lokeshananda Giriji Maharaj, the Peethadheesh of Juna Akhara.
"That was for the Kumbh Mela thirteen years ago," he remembers fondly.
Reminiscing about his "umbilical cord" with mainland India, he says
there is a lot to be learnt from ancient Hindu traditions and beliefs.
Prodded into sharing his lineage, he says : "It is difficult to trace
my ancestry because there are few records," he says. "They came from
south India and settled in southern Thailand. I come from the province
of Pattalung and am the fourth generation of Rajagurus serving the
King.
He has a word of advice though for
all. "Using religion for selfish gains creates problems," says the
Rajaguru, "On the contrary, if one thinks religion is for the well-being
of all then problems will be solved."
