'Love for Vedic studies minimal'

The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (RKMIC) here is translating the Vedas into Bengali but there is a dearth of qualified people with expertise in the subject and a dip in interest in studying the ancient Indian scriptures, its secretary said here on Friday.

"West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given us Rs 1.5 crore when we requested for funding to translate the Vedas. We have already published several books. But even though we have interest in this issue now, we won't get sufficient men of qualification," said RKMIC secretary Swami Suparnananda Maharaj.

He said the love for the study of Vedas has become "very, very minimal".

Vedas refer to the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda, which codified the ideas and practices of Vedic religion and laid down the basis of classical Hinduism. They were probably composed between 1500 and 700 BC, and contain hymns, philosophy, and guidance on rituals.

--IANS

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