Upanishanmandiram, the ancient-knowledge house

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Upanishanmandiram, the ancient-knowledge house

Saturday March 11 2006 11:06 IST

SRIKAKULAM: A seed sown in the district headquarters in 1954 to

preserve ancient literary works, grew into a big tree on Friday,

with several centuries-old manuscripts protected in a place

called `Upanishanmandiram'.

 

It is a sort of warehouse that was founded by Vedic pundit Aravelli

Lakshminarayanacharyulu, recognised by the Government of Tamil Nadu

in the early years of its establishment.

 

At that time there were less than hundred manuscripts and other

forms of compilations but the number has increased to about 3,000

including commentaries on Ramayanam and Mahabharatam.

 

Antique texts which are in bad shape are being brought to

Upanishanmandiram for restoration, under the ongoing special drive

of retrieving manuscripts from all corners of the district.

 

As of now the ancient works are kept in the Endowments Department

office at Palakonda road due to the dilapidated condition of

Upanishanmandiram. It will be soon relocated in a own building for

which the district administration provided funds.

 

For decades, Lakshminarayanacharyulu's house acted as

Upanishanmandiram.

 

Besides preserving ancient texts, discourses and other literary

events are regularly organised at Upanishanmandiram whose importance

received due attention during the ongoing survey of manuscripts

under the National Manuscript Mission.

 

Under this project, surveyors are visiting all mandals of the

district and finding out places where ancient texts and objects were

kept. These treasures of knowledge are being recovered and kept in

the custody of the local people.

 

The history and other details of the texts/objects are being

submitted to the Endowments Department.

 

There was a strong belief that if the manuscripts are `planted' in

the agricultural fields along with roots of medicinal herbs

like `Nagalasaramu' and `Nallaganneru' by performing special

rituals, farmers will get high yields.

 

Also, it was believed that doors and locks would open on their own

if one applies a paste of `Neredubadanika' and `Nagalasaramu' to his

hands.

 

Ancient literary works, which contain such interesting facts, are

being surveyed now. Perhaps they might have many more such

interesting things not known to the world.

 

For example, 23 manuscripts related to Puranas, 15 Ayurveda, 9

astrology and 12 Agamasastras were recovered in Polaki mandal

recently.

 

The district administration is taking steps to compile the

manuscripts in the form of books so as to make them useful for the

people. Initially, efforts are on to prepare a catalogue of the

treasures.

 

The manuscripts which are in bad condition are being kept in

the `Upanishanmandiram'.

 

Others, which can be preserved without the need for any technical

backup, are allowed to be kept by the people of the cities/towns

from where they are recovered.

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