The Protectors of Wisdom
What about jnana (divine higher knowledge) and ithihasa (ancient remembered history)?
Jnana is understood through sincere practice driven by genuine desire, blessed experiences, and humble surrender toward the supreme eternal reality. Ithihasa is the remembered history of lakhs and crores of years ago, remembered eternally for the dharma — righteous living and rightful conduct — it embodied.
How are these protected? Who and what are we trying to protect them from?
Our Elders put in place a beautiful method to protect this real wealth. Jnana and Ithihasa are protected through daily chanting in temples in the presence of, and as an offering to, the Supreme Reality, Bhagavan!
Every day, we observe priests and scholars seated in front of the deity or in mantapas chanting jnana and ithihasa such as Valmiki Ramayanam (recorded history of Mother Sitha and Sri Rama), Srimad Bhagavatham (recorded teachings of God’s avatars), Divya Prabandham (recorded outpourings of devotee-poet experiences that naturally aligned with Vedic essence) etc. We observe how these are taught in Vedic schools, centres dedicated to teaching Vedic knowledge, to ensure that this wealth is passed on to future generations.
What real wealth do these pass on to future generations?
We, the humans, are today adding plastic to the environment, poisonous gases into the air, harmful chemicals into water, and pesticides into the soil. Much of this is driven by greed and ignorance. In the process, we are digging our own grave through horrible diseases and irreversible damage to the body and mind.
The lifestyle, the values, and the purpose practiced by Sathrughna, Bharatha, Lakshamana, Mother Sitha, and Sri Rama show us all sides — on the surface as humans, and in depth as soul and supreme. Hanuman, Sabari, Guha, and Jatayu showed what qualities to practice and how to practice them in ways that ultimately benefit everyone, not just oneself. Ravana and Surpanaka showed what greed can do.
What about other forms of wealth—money, one’s home, jewellery, land, deposits?
All other wealth must become useful for the same purpose. God does not advocate the sacrifice of anything that He gives, but recommends that we put them to proper use for the right purposes.
He doesn’t stop you from doing anything, but greed can ultimately bring society down as a whole. Today, we are breathing polluted air and eating unhealthy food. Let’s all think constructively and holistically. Question yourself whenever you are in a dilemma. Use Ramayanam as the mirror that can show you who you are and what you should be.
Do you want to chant it?
If you want to chant and learn it, it is important to choose the right source that carries this wealth of knowledge. Valmiki Ramayanam remains the foundational source of Sri Rama’s history. It was composed by sage Valmiki during Sri Rama’s lifetime and later sung by Lava and Kusa in front of Sri Rama Himself, who endorsed it. He certified that what Lava Kusa sang accurately preserved the events, actions, and intent of His life in complete detail.
When other versions move away from it, the original historical and dharmic essence may gradually become diluted.
Those who are chanting Ramayanam in temples and their own homes are doing a great service to mankind. They are ensuring that the message of Ramayanam stays intact for generations. It is a big responsibility to carry this powerful and important wealth.
Whether we absorb the message and live up to it is a choice that we all must make!
– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Divya Saketham, Statue of Equality
21st May 2026
Today, this Maha Samrajya Pattabhishekam is being conducted here to give us all an opportunity to participate and receive the blessings and grace of Sri Sitha Ramachandra Swami. Sacred water from 40 rivers across Bha:rath (India) was brought here to be offered in service to the divine couple as part of the Pattabhisheka Mahotsavam.
8 Comments
JaiSreemanNarayana!
JaiSreeRama!
JaiSreeHanumana!
JaiBadriNarayana!
JaiLakshmiNarayana!
Jai Srimannarayana, Thank you for the comment. Please state what inspired you in the article, or whether you have any question or other related topics for peer discussions.
Acharya Divya Tiruvadigale Saranam
Jai Srimannarayana, Thank you for the comment. Please state what inspired you in the article, or whether you have any question or other related topics for peer discussions.
Jai Srimannarayana 🙏
What inspired me most in this article was the beautiful comparison between protecting material wealth and protecting spiritual wealth. The explanation that jnana and ithihasa are preserved through daily chanting in temples was deeply moving. It made me reflect on how our elders created living systems of preservation, not merely through books, but through continuous practice, devotion, and transmission across generations.
I was especially touched by the point that the true wealth of Ramayanam is the knowledge of the ideal human being. In today’s world, where greed and materialism often dominate, the article beautifully reminds us that the lives of Sri Rama, Mother Sitha, Bharatha, Lakshmana, Hanuman, and others are not merely stories to admire, but mirrors through which we must examine our own lives and conduct.
The mention of Sriman Varadacharya’s uninterrupted chanting for 12 years was also extremely inspiring. It shows the level of dedication required to preserve dharma and sacred knowledge for future generations.
One thought that stayed with me is this: while modern society invests heavily in protecting physical and digital assets, how much effort are we putting into preserving values, character, and spiritual wisdom? The article strongly highlights that preserving Ramayanam is ultimately preserving humanity itself.
Adiyen enjoyed reflecting on these points and would also love to hear more discussions on how temple traditions and oral chanting methods helped preserve Vedic knowledge so accurately across centuries.
Jai Srimannarayana 🙏
Jai Srimannarayana! That’s a great summary of what inspired you. Thank you for sharing on the platform. It’s great to see readers reflections and ultimately take pride in contemplating together to know and learn from our time-tested practices. – Acharya Webteam.
🙏🏻 OM Asmad Gurubhoy Naham Adiyen Ramanuja Dasa Jai Srimanarayana Swamiji 🙏🏻
Jai Srimannarayana, Thank you for the comment. Please state what inspired you in the article, or whether you have any question or other related topics for peer discussions.