Brahmaswam Madham, also written as Brahmasva Mutt, is a Vedic-Vedantic monastery established by Padmapada and Sureshvara, two of the direct disciples of Adi Shankaracharya in Thrissur in Kerala. Brahmaswam Madam has been serving, for several centuries now, as the main center for imparting Vedic teaching to the Namboothiri Brahmin community in Kerala. Most of the Namboothiri families, spread all over Kerala, especially its middle region, insist on the male members of their families being instructed in recitation of Vedas. They all resort to the Brahmaswam Madham where boarding and lodging is provided free, besides the teaching of the Vedas, and instruction in systematic religious brahmin routine prescribed for a Brahmachari.
Of the three mutts, which make up the Brahmaswam Matha
complex, all situated on the banks of a large pond, the northern monastery
(Vatakke – Matham) is the largest. It imparts instruction only in Rig Veda and
it is the one to which most students resort. The other two, the central
monastery (Natuvil Matham) and the southern monastery (Thekke Madam), give
instruction also in Yajur Veda and Sama Veda.
In all the monasteries, both students and teachers reside
together and follow strict rules which are prescribed for them. An early bath
and surya namaskara (prostration facing of the rising sun) 120 to 200 times,
while chanting Vedic mantras, mark the commencement of the day. This is followed
by the recital of the Veda by the students, in groups, under the guidance of a
teacher. This continues until the midday meal and also after the meal, until
the evening meal, and sometimes even later. The process is repeated until the
entire Veda is learnt by heart.
The aim is to enable the students to take part in a
sixteen-day Vedic quiz competition known as Katavalluranyonyam, held annually
in a temple at a place known as Katavallur. Only students who pass the test in
their own mutt are allowed to participate in the Katavallur competition,
success at which is considered highly prestigious.
The service that the Brahmaswam Madham has rendered, in the matter
of fostering, propagating and preserving the Vedic tradition in Kerala, is
invaluable.