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Vedic studies should only follow lunar calendar: Karnataka University

Karnataka Sanskrit University issued a notification, saying they follow, more or less, the Western Gregorian calendar, the internationally accepted civil calendar.

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Students of Vedic studies are miffed that Karnataka Sanskrit University has issued a notification, seeking that they follow, more or less, the Western Gregorian calendar, the internationally accepted civil calendar. The notification had sought that students of Vedic studies follow uniform college timings and lists of holidays.

Filing a petition in the high court, students and staff of the Maharaja Sanskrit College, Mysore, have challenged the Karnataka Sanskrit University notification, dated July 14. The notification had made it compulsory for colleges to have uniform timing, from 10 am to 5 pm. The anadyanayana (days treated as holidays) were to be abolished, and the holidays declared by the state government were meant to be imposed on the colleges.
The petitioners contended that such a notification was opposed to the traditional practices of Vedic studies which require strict adherence to certain procedures. A course in Vedic studies is not quite like any other course of academic education, the students and teachers argued. Studies are prescribed for particular times of the lunar calendar, and proscribed at other times.
The students and teachers contended that the British colonial government introduced the weekly Sunday holiday to suit their need to take a day off and attend church services. This could not mean that even those pursuing a course in the Vedas should abide by that rule.
The petitioners submitted that the shasthras prescribe that Vedic studies be undertaken in a particular fashion, and at certain times. These conventions date back to the time the Gurukula system.
The Hindu calendar was followed, by students of the Vedas, and studies would start on Dwiteeya (2nd day) and continue till Thrayuodashini (13th day).
Chathurdashi, Hunnime (full moon day) or Amavashya (new moon day) and Prathipath (when the moon’s influence is supposed to be malefic) are not suitable for Vedic studies. These days were thus holidays, termed in the Vedic style as anandhyayana days, the traditional holiday list.
Those undertaking a course in Vedic studies are also required to perform Panchamaha Yagnas and Panchachara every day. The time for these rituals is stipulated in the Yagnavalkyamriti (a source of law).
These practices have been observed for thousands of years, and cannot be changed in the name of uniformity, the petitioners contended.
After petitioner Prasanna Deshpande sought adjournment, the high court adjourned the case to August 8.

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