THE FOUNDER AND HISTORY  OF THE PATASALA 


                 The RAJA VEDA KAVYA PATASALA, Kumbakonam was established in the year 1542 A.D. by Advaitha Vidyacharya Maharaja Saheb,   Sri GOVINDA DEEKSHITHAR a great chancellor, saint and statesman. He was the chief Minister to the three successive Nayak rulers of Tanjore; Sevvappa Nayak, Achuthappa Nayak, Raghunatha Nayak,  during the period 1532 A.D. to 1634 A.D.  HE is described as 'Advaitha Vidyacharya' by old scholars. 
                 HE has also written many books on Vedic subjects. With regular Vedic rituals of 'Agnihotram' , HE performed various Yagnas as required by the sacred books, including the great holy yagna  'Sarvathomukam''. At the ripe age of 120 HE and HIS spouse, while at their penance in the Sannadhi (Sanctum Premier) of Goddess Mangalambiga of Sri Adhi Kumbeswarar temple at Kumbakonam, are said to have merged at HER lotus feet of Sri Mangalambika. Even to-day They are worshiped in the same place: HE as Linga murthy and SHE as Bimba murthy as of this picture below.  
                HE served the kings as an able administrator with successful foreign relations and trade. HE was pivotal in the Raghunatha Nayak and Danish King Christian IV's trade agreement on 19th November, 1620 A.D. 
                HE also built several temples and Mandapams along the shores of river Cauvery and  on the famous Mahamaham  Tank, Kumbakonam.  HE helped in securing land, for the Islamic friends to build the 'Hazrat Shams Mansbir Avuliya  Dhurga', showing HIS tolerance to all religions, which is the greatness of Indian Culture and Heritage. 
                 A Copper Coin was released between 1600 to 1630 A.D, in  commemoration of his valuable service to the kingdom. (Dhinamani Chudar 20/5/1950). 

         Sri Govinda Deekshithar established this Patasala, on the southern banks of the river Cauvery, in the year 1542 A.D. With the prime aim of imparting the knowledge of VEDAS and Shastric studies. this Patasala is continuing its services for the past 458 years without interruption. The three sects Smartha, Vaishnava and Madhwa without any discrimination undergo their respective Vedic studies. 


Somayagi, Nithyagnihothri, Trivedi late   Dr.V.R.LAKSHMIKANTHA SARMA.

               Somayagi, Nithyagnihothri, Trivedi late   Dr.V.R.LAKSHMIKANTHA SARMA, a Vedic scholar,  was President & Treasurer  of this Patasala 1964 to June 1996.  During the tenure of his period he rendered yeoman service for developing Vedic studies and he has brought up this Patasala to the present level.  He formulated a unique syllabus for Vedic studies and  introduced a time bound programme of  Vedic education,  as per the traditional  'Gurukula system' of education  and  integrated general studies such as  Tamil, English, Arithmetic. This created a strong confidence in the minds of the parents about the Vidyarthi's (student) future and the student strength is increasing year after year.
            He had worked meticulously to tide over financial crisis and made a substantial contribution to this Patasala.  He constructed spacious class rooms at the first floor of the existing building to cope up with the increase in strength.  He has donated his books, numbering about 3500, to the Patasala's library.
            To his credit, he had received wide appreciation in development of Vedic studies from various Heads of Mutts, scholars and Aasthikas. He took much pain to print 'Sama Veda' texts and 'Prayoga' or rituals guides, which were out of print, for the use of Vedic scholars.