Chaturvedi

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Chaturvedi is a word describing a person who is proficient not only in the vedic branch into which he was born, but in all four Vedas. The word "Chaturvedi" comes from the words "chatur," meaning four, and "vedi," meaning one who has learned the Vedas. Becoming a Chaturvedi was considered a significant achievement, which carried with it an elevated social status. Legend holds that it takes 16 human lives for a soul to master the four Vedas, the holy books of unlimited knowledge. If one masters all the Vedas in a single human life, this superhuman achievement earns one the title of Chaturvedi. This title was achieved by Sri Prasanna Venkatachariar Chaturvedi, a child prodigy, at the age of 13.

Chaturvedi is also a Brahmin family name indicating that the title bearer's forefathers were proficient in all of the four Vedas. Some Chaturvedis keep other surnames, such as Mishra, Pathak, and Choubey. They are usually fair-skinned compared to other clans.

Chaturvedis are also known as Mathur Chaturvedis. People who belonged to Mathura are known as Mathura Ke Choubey. Among the Mathura ke Choubeys, there are two classifications: Mithe (sweet) and Kadwe (bitter). Mithe Choubey belongs to the group of people who negotiated peace with the Muslim invaders, leaving their colonies and choosing to settle elsewhere. Kadwe Choubey belongs to the group who did not negotiate with the Muslim rulers, choosing to stay and fight for their homeland by engaging in guerrilla warfare with the invaders.

The major populations of Chaturvedis can be found in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, but Chaturvedis are present in all the states. Mathur Chaturvedis still have their roots in Mathura and they are all bound together by the Mathur Chaturvedi Mahasabha. They usually host Sabhas (meetings) for Chaturvedis living in a particular city. Kanpur and other cities of Uttar Pradesh are famous for the large number of Chaturvedi Sabhas. The annual Mathur Chaturvedi Mahasbaha (a very large gathering) is held every year in Mumbai and prominent Chaturvedis from all over India and other personalities are invited to this gathering.

1 Origins
2 Practices
3 Events
4 External links

[edit] Origins

There are several anecdotes about how the Chaturvedis came to India. One belief is that they were priests in Alexander the Great's army, who later decided to settle in India after Alexander's retreat. The Chaturvedis' pride and urge to fight could be attributed to such military ties. Some people also find the physical features of Chaturvedis (fairer complexion, physical build) more akin to European roots. However, there are contradictory stories, such as evidences of Chaturvedi wrestlers in Shoorshen's army, and Chaturvedis who helped Shri Krishna get their kingdom back and defeat Kansa. Their roots are said to be far back in Aryan culture, when dissidents of a particular tribe settled in the foothills of Kashmir and the River Indus (modern Pakistan), after several invasions and famines forced them to migrate once again in smaller groups and search for greener pastures. Their traditions are in some ways similar to those of Persians and Romans, as groups from the same tribe are said to have fled toward Europe.^{[citation needed]} However, not much of these stories are documented.

[edit] Practices

As part of the Brahmin caste, Chaturvedis are strict vegetarians and usually do not smoke or drink. Strict followers of Chaturvedi traditions do not eat onions or garlic. Chaturvedis are known for their unique traditions among the Brahmins. Even today, every Chaturvedi Brahmin wears a sacred thread around his body called a Upanayanam or Janau around his body given to mark the point at which male children began their formal education. As far as marriages are concerned, Chaturvedis prefer not to marry outside their community.

[edit] Events

In Jaipur, Rajasthan, the Chaturvedi community recently celebrated the first Chaturvedi youth festival on December 24-25, 2006. It was organized by Akhil Bharatiya Chaturvedi, Yuva Prakoshtha and Rajasthan Yuva Sabha. About 2000 members of the Chaturvedi community enjoyed cultural activities and the delicious food for which they are well known. It was attended by the famous personalities of India, who have given India an identity to the world; which includes the famous poet and chief copy editor of The Hindustan Time Pt. Suresh Neerav. Pt. Suresh Neerav has taken India to the new heights in the modern world of literary and poetry.