11-15-2004, 07:29 AM
As GS says, the Kanchi Math is indeed not an original Math. It was known as the Kumbhakonam Math. It would have been a non-descript Math with local influence had there not been Chandrashekharendra Sarasvati. He was an imposing personality attracted a large section of the Tamil Nad and Andhra Smarta communities towards it. CS himself was a definitely a learned scholar as can be seen from his works and I believe largely deserving of the respect he received.
The Shringeri Math is indeed socially far more conservative that Kanchi and I am sure not to GS's tastes. However, in terms of religious scholarship on the tantra and the recitational purity of the R^ig veda the Shringeri Math is perhaps superior. It is clear that this fellow Vidyashankar is a partisan of the Shringeri guys. While I do not dispute his statement, I do not see the need to be so scathing regarding Kanchi because I believe they have done a very good job in preserving the veda including the rare atharva veda tradition with which I have a special connection.
Amongst the Tamil Smartas too there are the svayamAchArya families (now a greatly dwindling population) who are self-sufficient authorities on Hindu law and religious issues. These lineages while respecting the Mathas did not really depend on them or their Acharyas for any religious authority. Often it was the other way around. I believe it is the decline of this group amongst the smartas that has greatly weakened their roots and exposed them to attacks from the Dravidian-Mullah-Missionary combine, like the current affair.
The Shringeri Math is indeed socially far more conservative that Kanchi and I am sure not to GS's tastes. However, in terms of religious scholarship on the tantra and the recitational purity of the R^ig veda the Shringeri Math is perhaps superior. It is clear that this fellow Vidyashankar is a partisan of the Shringeri guys. While I do not dispute his statement, I do not see the need to be so scathing regarding Kanchi because I believe they have done a very good job in preserving the veda including the rare atharva veda tradition with which I have a special connection.
Amongst the Tamil Smartas too there are the svayamAchArya families (now a greatly dwindling population) who are self-sufficient authorities on Hindu law and religious issues. These lineages while respecting the Mathas did not really depend on them or their Acharyas for any religious authority. Often it was the other way around. I believe it is the decline of this group amongst the smartas that has greatly weakened their roots and exposed them to attacks from the Dravidian-Mullah-Missionary combine, like the current affair.