Sri.Venkata Ramana Deekshitulu, cross the ocean or do Kain-karyam

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Hindus Educated in Science Choose to Become

Priestshttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/428391.cmsHYDERABAD,

INDIA, January 17, 2004: Three well-educated Hindu men are profiled in

this compelling article explaining how religion has always been the

crux of their life. For example, Venkata Ramana Deekshitulu, head

priest at the Tirumala Venkateshwara Swamy Temple, has a

post-doctoral research degree. Deekshitulu explains, "I got an

opportunity to go to the US and do research on human cancer tissues.

But, according to the Vaikhanasa Sastras, I cannot do Kain-karyam

(serve the Lord) once I travel across the sea. Hence, I turned down

that offer." Born into a family of archakas (priests), Venkata choose

to serve the Lord of Tirumala and fulfill his commitment to the

elders. Similarly, M. V. Soundararajan, head priest of Chilkur Balaji

temple, was once a commerce professor at Osmania University and he

says, "Normally, people believe that scientists are necessarily

rationalists. Truth is bhakti, it has nothing to do with science.

Faith and education are not related. It is wrong to argue that a

person who studied science should have no faith in religion and vice

versa." Rangarajan does regular pujas at the Chilkur Temple. At one

time he worked as a biomedical engineer for a company that producers

pacemakers and his annual salary was substantial. The article

explains what these three men have in common, "Their educational

qualifications and experience in the field of science have not come

in the way of fulfilling their hereditary commitment."HPI adds: The

issue of "crossing the ocean" has been significant, with even Swami

Vivekananda being chastised for it upon his return to India in the

late 19th century. However, in these days of fast air travel, and the

existence of temples in every major city, many priests have decided

these rules no longer apply. In the days of travel by ship, it would

have been impossible to maintain the necessary daily rituals and

purity required of the priest. HPI would appreciate any comments on

this issue of crossing the ocean.