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AWARDS & HONORS TO SRI VUPPULURI GANAPATHI SASTRY GARU
ASTHANAVIDWAN OF PITHAPURAM SAMSTHANAM-A FAMILY TRADITION
Sri V. Bhimasankara Sastry, the grandfather of Sri Ganapathi Sastry was one of the most respected Asthana Pandits in the Pithapuram Samsthanam, His son Sri Gangadhara Sastry (father of Sri Ganapathi Sastry) was also made the Asthana Pandit at the age of eight years. The anecdote connected with it goes as follows.
When he was eight years old (around the year 1872) Young Gangadhara Sastry was taken to the Pithapuram Samsthanam by his father. The Raja Saheb was a man of great culture and one endowed with a keen desire to patronise scholars of ancient learning (in the manner of the great Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagar Empire). When the arrival of Sri Bhimasankara Sastry was announced, the Raja Saheb was in the Durbar Hall taking a walk to and fro across the half in a leisurely manner. He was in a relaxed mood. Sri Sastry was invited inside and offered a seat. Sri Sastry however did not take his eight year old son inside. Before proceeding to the Rajah's presence, he to!d his son to wait outside, beyond the proverbial seven dwarams, and await the pleasure of the Raja Saheb for entering within.
Now, the young boy waiting outside could get a glimpse of that part of the Durbar Hall that lay directly in the line of the seven Dwarams. Whenever the Raja Saheb crossed that line, the boy could get a fleeting view of the former, by peeping through the Dwarams. By the same token, the Raja Saheb also had happened to see the short peeping figure of the boy, whenever he crossed the line of the Dwarams. He wondered who it could be and felt curious to know.
On enquiry, he was told that the boy was none else but the son of Sri Bhimasankara Sastry. He immediately ordered the boy to be brought inside. The boy was ushered into his presence. The Raja Saheb had taken it into his head to test the strength of character of the eight -year- old Sri Gangadhara Sastry.
Soon after he was ushered Into the hall, the boy made his obeisance to the ruler and stood there by the side of his father. He was not offered a seat by the Raja, not did he attempt to take one. The Raja Saheb was surprised by this restraint on the part of the boy. Any other boy of his age in similar circumstances would have lowered himself on one or the other of the numerous seats in the hall, but not this boy. The pleased Raja had thereupon formally offered a seal to the boy which he (the boy) accepted with calm dignity. The boy came out in flying colours in the first test.
Now came the second test. The court Jester was summoned and ordered to perform his comic antics. The objective was to penetrate and ruffle the composure of the young boy and make him (augh (or at least smile), but the young Gangadhara Sastry was made of sterner stuff. He sat there calmly on his seat looking at the antics of the jester with complete unconcern. The jester, for all the trouble and exertion taken by him, simply failed for once in his career to penetrate the mask of seriousness of the boy.
This was a revelation to the Raja Saheb. He never expected to find such maturity of behaviour in an eight-year-old boy hailing from a village. It was the only experience of its kind in his whole life. It spoke volumes for the culture and the quality of upbringing of the boy. Impressed by his composure and poise and his presence of mind, the Maharaja had right away announced an annual stipend of Rs.116/-to the eight-year-old Gangadhara Sastry and it was continued during his life-time. Not only that, the ruler had predicted that the boy would blossom into one of the greatest of scholars and an eminent personality.
Eventually, Sri Ganapathi Sastry also had been appointed as Asthana Pandit of the Pithapuram Samsthanam with an annual stipend of Rs. 407/-
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TITLE OF VEDA BHASHYA V1SHARADA
In the year 1929, Sri Sastry visited Machilipatnam on the invitation of Sri Puranam Suri Sastry, a distinguished citizen of the town interested in the promotion and encouragement of Vedic learning. His discourses on Veda were arranged and Sri Ganapathi Sastry had lectured there for twenty days on the esoteric truths of the 82 Prasnas of the Veda. His lectures were widely appreciated by the elite of the town. They were acclaimed as the best. On that occasion, the title of Veda Bhashya Visharada was conferred on him.
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APPRECIATION FROM THE KANCHI SEER
In the 1930's, His Holiness the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham had visited Kakinada with his full
entourage of elephants, horses and chariots. Bhiksha was arranged to him by Sri Sastry's elder brother Sri V.Bhtmasankara Sastry, the noted lawyer of Kakinada. Sri Ganapathi Sastry took part in the Panditha Sabha conducted by the seer on that occasion, in that Sabha, Sri Ganapathi Sastry was asked by His Holiness to conduct Shastrardha with the scholars of the Kanchi Mutt present there. Sri Sastry came out victorious in the scholarly 'encounter' there in the august presence of the Shankaracharya. The latter was all praise for the Scholarship of Sri Sastry. He enquired from Sri Sastry whether the points made by him and his scholarly observations (during the Shastrardha) were, in fact, from the ancient Vidyaranya Bhashyam. When Sri Sastry offered to bring the Bhashyam and show it to Him, He was pleased to observe that He had full confidence in the word of Sri Sastry and that there was no need for referring to the texts to prove it.
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APPRECIATION FROM HIS HOLINESS SAHABJI MAHARAJ OF DAYALBAGH
During his short stay of a few months in Dayafbagh (Agra) in the first half of 1935, Sri Sastry had occasion to engage in Shastrardha with Pandit Manirama Sastry, a grammarian and a noted Sanskrit scholar of Dayalbagh, in the August present of His Holiness Sahabji Maharaj the Fifth Revered Leader of the Radhasaomi Faith, and the August Founder of Dayalbagh. His Holiness Sahabji Maharaj Himself was the most eminent of scholars in the Vedas, Shastras and the Upanishads and in all the philosophical systems of the orient and of the Occident. Sri Sastry had earned the approval of His Holiness in the Shastrardha. He had the privilege of being complimented by His Holiness Sahabji Maharaj Himself. The Latter was pleased to observe that He did not come across a scholar of Sri Ganapathi Sastry's integrity.
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MEETING WITH SRI T. A. VENKATESWARA DEEKSHITAR OF BOMBAY
Sri Ganapathi Sastry had visited Bombay in the December of 1955 on a month - long private visit. During his visit to the Shankara Mutt there he had a chance meeting with a noted Sanskrit scholar of the place by name Sri T. A. Venkateswara Deekshitar. After preliminary exchange of ideas, their discussion shifted to the subject matter of the Vedas and Shastras. Sri Deekshitar was agreeably surprised at Sri Sastry's depth and width of scholarship, his mastery of the Vedas and the different rituals, like Yagna and Chains. After his return to Secunderabad (where he was staying at the time), he continued to correspond with Sri Deekshitar and dear some of his (Sri Deekshitar's) doubts on matters relating to the Vedas and Shastras.
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MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA
Sri Ganapathi Sastry met the President of India (and one of the greatest of the oriental scholars of the world) Dr. Sir S.Radhakrishna during one of his annual camps at Bolarum. The President knew the scholarship and eminence of Sri Ganapathi Sastry for a long time (earlier) and he was pleased to observe that scholars of his (Sri Ganapathi Sastry's) eminence and calibre were becoming a rarity, day by day.
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THE TITLE OF VEDA BHASHYALANKARA
The title ofVeda Bhashyalankara was conferred on Sri Sastry by His Holiness the Jagadguru of the Sringeri Mutt during one of His sojourns in Secunderabad. The Jagadguru had this title engraved on a golden plate and presented it to Sri Sastry.
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ASHTAGRAHAKOOTAM-1962, VISIT TO KOLLUR
Sri Ganapathi Sastry visited Kollur (near Tenali) during the Ashtagrahakootamin 1962. He was accompanied by his third daughter Mrs.Y.Kameswari during that trip. He was the main speaker/president of that largest (ever) congregation of an estimated ten thousand intellectuals, scholars in the Vedas and Shastras, besides a number of Peethadhipatis and Mathadhipatis, The Chief guest of the function was Sri A.Kaleswara Rao, the veteran freedom-fighter and elderly statesman of Andhra Pradesh. The eminence of Sri Kaleswara Rao can be gauged by the fact that Pandit Nehru had at one time offered to him the post of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, though it was declined by Sri Kaleswara Rao on grounds of old age.
The congregation was so large that an estimated ten bags (Quintals) of Rice used to be cooked for each meal. Among those who attended the function were Sri Narayanaswamy IAS, and other high -ranking officials.
As soon as Sri Kaleswara Rao began his address a roar of protest was heard from the audience. A section of the audience raised an objection questioning the credentials of Sri Rao to address the congregation. Their plea was that Sri Kaleswara Rao was not a Vedic Scholar but only a political/Secular leader. As the president of the function, it fell to the lot of Sri Ganapathi Sastry to reply to the objections. At the outset, quoting chapter and verse from the Vedas and other scriptures, he upheld the candidature of Sri Kaleswara Rao explaining that the Polity necessarily has to lean on two pillars - one being the Vedas and the Vedic heritage and the other being the political arm. Without these two, the state could not be sustained. He further eulogized the sacrifices and services of Sri Kaleswara Rao in the Freedom struggle, stating that no better person can be had for the job. The impeccable credentials of Sri Kaleswara Rao were upheld and explained in a masterly exposition. The entire audience was spellbound by the cultured and learned defense of Sri Rao's candidature by Sri Sastry. The whole congregation thereupon withdrew its reservations and allowed Sri Rao to proceed with his speech.
At the end of the meeting, Sri Kaleswara Rao paid his obeisance at the feet of Sri Ganapathi Sastry saying that he (Sri Rao) had never come across such oratorical skills and masterly advocacy of a cause in a difficult situation.
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MEETING WITH KAVI SAMRAT SRI VISWANADHA SATYANARAYANA
During the course of the meeting (Sabha), the Kavi Sam rat came on to the stage and raised doubts about some matters relevant to the Ashtagraha Kootarn. As the President of the meeting the onus of replying to the complicated points raised by the Kavi Sam rat lay on Sri Sastry. SriViswanadhaSatyanarayanawasno ordinary person. Only a scholar with mastery over the Vedas and Shastras can answer the points raised by him.
Sri Sastry took the stage and cleared the doubts (raised by the Kavi Samrat) point by point in a lucid and convincing style, quoting profusely from the Vedas and Shastras. At the end of his exposition, he enquired from the Kavi Samrat whether he was satisfied with the elucidation. The latter replied in the affirmative. From then onwards, Sri Viswanadha Satyanarayana became an ardent admirer of Sri Sastry. One instance proves this point.
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REGARD OF KAVI SAMRAT FOR SRI GANAPATHI SASTRY
The Kavi Samrat paid a visit to the Maharajah's College of Education, Vizianagaram during the 1970s. Among the lecturers there was V.V.G.Sastry, the eldest son of Sri Ganapathi Sastry, who was introduced to him as such by Dr.S.C.Sarma, Principal of the College. When V VG. Sastry (the author of this biography) greeted him with folded hands, the Kavi Samrat said: "Why do you salute me, Sir? It is I who should offer Pranams to you". Such was the esteem in which he held Sri Ganapathi Sastry.
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CONTRIBUTION TO SANGRAHA ANDHRA VIGNANA KOSHAM
An encyclopedia of Andhra Vignana was compiled In the 1 960s by the Sangraha Andhra Vignana Kosha Samiti. Sri Khandavailli Lakshmiranjanarn, the Secretary of the Samiti had written to Sri Ganapathi Sastry requesting him to write an article on Yajurveda for inclusion in the Vignana Kosham. [Vide letter of the Sangraha Andhra Vignana Kosha Samiti No. 38, Arts and Science/1 99,dated 30. 1 0. 1 967]. Accordingly an article dealing with the subject was written by Sri Sastry and it was included in the Sangraha Andhra Vignana Kosham.
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TITLE OF VEDA BHASHYACHARYA
The title of vedabhashyacharya was conferred on Sri Sastry by His Holiness Sri Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeer, under the auspices of the Ancient Indian Spiritual Cultural Association of theVedic Cultural centre:
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INVITATION FOR THE WORLD TELUGU CONFERENCE
Sri JalagamVengala Rao, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh had extended an invitation to Sri VGanapathi Sastry on the occasion of the WorldTelugu Conference on 1 8.04. 1 975. The telegram dated 08.04.1 975 says: 'To Sri Vupputuri Ganapathi Sastry, Veda Pandithulu, Kakinada-Kindly attend Sanrnanann function on Eighteenth April arranged during World Telugu Conference, Hyderabad. Letter follows:- Vengala Rao, Chief Minister and President Reception Committee".
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TITLE OF ASTHANA VIDWAN, T.T.D.
Sri Ganapathi Sastry was appointed as Saptagiri SamslhanaVeda Vidwanmani by SriTirumalaTirupathi Devasthanam, in 1979. For this purpose, a function was got up on 25.08.1979 in the Surya Kala Mandiram, Kakinada underthe Chairmanship of Dr.M.Chenna Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Sri RV.R.KPrasad, I AS, Executive Officer, TirumalaTIrupathi Devasthanam and a host of other dignitraries and the elite of the town were present on the occasion.
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TITLE OF AMNAYA SARASWATHI
On that occasion, the tile of Amnaya Saraswathi was conferred on Sri Sastry by the Andhra Veda Vidwan Mandali in Connection with the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Sri nnadandhra Veda Shastra Parishad, Kakinada. Messages were received from the Jagadgurus of the Sringeri and Kanchi mutts on the occasion, wishing the function a grand success.
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MESSAGE FROMTHE JAGADGURU OFTHE SRINGERI MUTT
In His message addressed to Sri Akella Prabhakara Murthy, Secretary of Srimadandhra Veda Shaslra Parishad, Kakinada, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee Celebrations, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri had sent a message (on 02.08.1979) expressing His happiness. He lauded the proposal of honouring the President of the Parishad Sri Ganapathi Sastry on the occasion. Commenting on the subject, the Jagadguru said: "Sri Ganapathi Sastry's knowledge of the Vedic meanings is worthy of recognition by the world of scholars. By honouring such a scholar, you will only be showing your regard for Vedas and Shastras", The Sringeri Jagadguru conveyed His blessings saying:
- Let the programme be conducted in a grand manner without any hitch.
- Let the Srimadhandhra Veda Shaslra Parishad grow from strength to strength under the illustrious guidance of Sri
Ganapathi Sastry and reach new heights in the cause of the Vedas and Shastras.
- Let all those dedicated Astika Sikhamani workers like you who are engaged in the pursuit of such laudable activities, be the
recipients of the Grace of Sri Sarada Chandramowleeswara.
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MESSAGE FROMTHE JAGADGURU OFTHE KANCHI MUTT
At the behest of His Holiness Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi, the Paramacharya of the Kanchi Mutt, His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi had sent the following Blessings on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Parishad and the honouring of Sri Ganapathi Sastry on the occasion.
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DR. M. CHENNA REDDY'S TRIBUTE
Dr. M. Chenna Reddy was pleased to comment to Sri Ganapathi Sastry that he (Chenna Reddy) had never come across a true scholar (and a worthy Brahmin) like him in his whole life.
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HONOUR BY THE GOVT. OF ANDHRA PRADESH
Towards the end of March 1981, the Government of Andhra Pradesh had sent a telegram to Sri Ganapathi Sastry as follows;
"Andhra Pradesh Government desires to honour you as an eminent person in your field of activity on 5"1 April at Ravindra Bharathi during Ugadi Telegu Cultural Festival. Kindly intimate acceptance by wire. Letter follows: Bhattam Sri Rama Murty Minister for Cultural Affairs Government of Andhra Pradesh." He attended the function.
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ASTHANA VEDA PANDIT GOVT.OF ANDHRA PRADESH
During the Chief Ministership of SriT.Anjiah, the Government of Andhra Pradesh appointed Sri Ganapathi Sastry as State Laureate in Veda (Aslhana Veda Pandit) of the Andhra Pradesh State for life, with effect from 01.11.1981, as part of the effort to give a fillip to the cultural activity in the State [Vide G.O.Ms.No. 1225, dated 30.10.1981 of the Education (D) Department and G.O.Ms.No,1386, of 28.12.1981 of the same Department].
In a letter to Sri Ganapathi Sastry dated 12.10.1981, Sri Bhattam Sri Rama Murty (Minister for Special Employment Schemes and Cultural Affairs, Government of Andhra Pradesh) stated as follows (English Translation) in his citation:
"In recognition of your Contribution and Services (past and present) to the revitalization and renaissance of theTeiugu Jathi the Government of Andhra Pradesh has appointed you as Asthana Vidwan. In this connection it has been decided to arrange a function (for your assumption of office) on the Andhra Pradesh Formation (01.11.1981) at 5 RM. in the Ravindra Bharathi in the presence of the Hon.Chief Minister, SriTanguturi Anjaiah.
We request you kindly to make it convenient to attend the function and accept our felicitations."
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CANCELLATION OF ASTHANA VIDWAN APPOINTMENT
This appointment was however cancelled by the N.T. Rama Rao Government soon after it came to power in 1983 (Vide letter of Hon. Minister for Education, Sri Ananda Gajapathi Raju, D.O. letter No. 189/D2/82, dated 01.04.1983].
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HONOUR BY SHYAMNAGAR WELFARE AND CULTURAL SOCIETY, HYDERABAD
On behalf of the Shyamnagar Welfare and Cultural Society, Hyderabad, Sri M.R.Shyam Rao and others had organized a function on 02.11.1981, intheAnjiah Auditorium, Shyamnagar to honour Sri V.Ganapathi Sastry. It was presided over by Sri Bhattam Srirama Murty, Hon. Minister for Cultural Affairs, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
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HONOUR BY RAJAHMUNDRY GURUJI
Sri Sastry was honoured by "Rajahmundry Guruji" Sri Bonumaddi Ramalinga Siddhanti at his house in Rajahmundry on the Vijayadasami Day (27.10.1982). The function was attended among others by Sri Pantham Padmanabham, Chairman of the Zilla Parishad and Sri T.Venkatramayya, former APCC (I) Secretary, On that occasion, Sri Siddhanti praised the Scholarship and erudition of Sri Ganapathi Sastry and made a fervent appeal to the Central Government "to accord national recognition to the erudition of Sri Ganapathi Sastry who is probably one of the greatest living Vedic Scholars".
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TITLE OF KALA SARASWATHI
The Andhra Pradesh KalaVedika, Hyderabad had honoured Sri Ganapathi Sastry with the title of Kala Saraswathi in 1984, under their scheme of honouring theTeluguVeiugus.
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HONOUR FROM THE TELUGU ASSOCIATION OF MADRAS
He was honoured by the Madras Telugu Association for his unmatched contribution to the cause of the Vedas and the Vedic Heritage.
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APPRECIATION FROMTHEJAGADGURU OF KANCHI KAMAKOTI PEETHAM
His Holiness Sri Chandrasekarendra Sasraswathi had, on more than one occasion, directed the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh to meet Sri Ganapathi Sastry for clearing the doubts on spiritual matters. The Jagadguru compared Sri Sastry to a Kalpa Vrusksham and told them that they need not have come (all the way) to Him for clearing their doubts, when they have a^TfSr (i.e. Sri Ganapathi Sastry) in their own backyard (i.e. Andhra Pradesh),
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TITLE OF PADMA BHUSHAN
Sri Sastry's fame travelled far and wide and it eventually resulted in his name being suggested by the State Government along with those of others for the Padma Sri award. Notwithstanding this fact, Sri Sastry was selected (by the Govt.of India) for the award of Padma Bhushan, He was the only recipient of Padma Bhushan from the Andhra State during the year (1985).
When he was told of this honour, he wanted to know in what way it would further his life goal of salvation. There was no answer to that question and all his children and grandchildren remained tongue-tied with astonishment at his detachment and spiritual bent of mind. His children were for his receiving the award personally from the President. On their suggestion, he reluctantly agreed to do so. The reason for his reluctance was his poor state of health and the frailness of his body and its unsuitability for a Jong and arduous journey from Hyderabad to New Delhi at the age of 97. As the date of the function was drawing near, it became evident to all concerned that he could not possibly undertake the journey unduly rocking the boat of his health. It was felt to be an avoidable risk and the idea of journeying to Delhi was accordingly given up.
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