| शाश्वतैश्वर्यम् |

The Eternal Wealth - Palm Leaf Manuscripts Heritage Centre

The Palm Leaf Manuscript Repository is a key center dedicated to the core mission of Shri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya. It was established with the divine blessings of Jagadguru Shri Shankaracharya Swamijis of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Housed within the Central Library Building, its unique architectural design symbolizes the dissemination of knowledge in all directions.

The priceless palm leaf manuscripts preserve India's ancient wisdom, dating back several centuries. Revered as Śāśwata Aiśwaryam—eternal wealth—they hold profound insights into diverse fields, including the Vedas, Vedanta, Jyotisha, Bhakti Granthas, Natyam, Itihasas, Puranas, Literature, Astronomy, Ayurveda, Architecture, Fine Arts, Yoga, and more. Written in various scripts across different historical periods, these manuscripts serve as invaluable records of our rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

Palm leaf manuscripts are highly fragile and susceptible to natural deterioration and pest damage without proper care, often resulting in their complete loss. To ensure their longevity, meticulous attention is given to their preservation, with storage in a controlled environment following both traditional and scientific guidelines. Additionally, the center has a well-structured process and dedicated facilities for the digital preservation of these invaluable manuscripts.

The center carefully preserves over 4,000 palm leaf manuscript bundles, comprising nearly 8 lakh palm leaves, along with hundreds of paper manuscripts. Originally housed in the library of Shri Kanchi Shankara Math, these invaluable texts were safeguarded for decades. The collection grew significantly through the yatras of the Kanchi Acharyas across the country. Under Acharya’s guidance, the manuscripts were later transferred to the university for advanced research and knowledge dissemination through modern technology.

University Central Library Building

Physical Preservation

Pre-Processing Centre

Following standard preservation guidelines and expert recommendations, palm leaf manuscripts undergo meticulous cleaning, oiling, and drying to enhance their longevity while maintaining their original integrity.

After pre-processing, the manuscripts are stored in a controlled environment. The storage facility features large teak wood racks with glass shelves, designed to provide optimal protection. Over the years, the unit has evolved to meet the highest preservation standards.

Processing Centre

Storage Area

Equipped with state-of-the-art digital tools, this center specializes in the advanced preservation of palm leaf manuscripts, ensuring their accessibility for future research and study.

Content Preservation

• Digitization
  High-resolution cameras are used to capture detailed images of palm leaf manuscripts. These images are then carefully edited and transferred to a secure server for archival and research purposes.

• Mechatronic Imaging Support Machine
  Indigenously designed and developed by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, SCSVMV, this patented machine enables uniform imaging of palm leaf manuscripts of various dimensions, ensuring precision and clarity in digital preservation.

• Metadata Creation
  Each digitized manuscript is cataloged with 32 metadata fields, including detailed descriptions and subject classifications, allowing for systematic organization and easy retrieval.

• Manual E-Texting
  To enhance accessibility and searchability, manuscript texts are manually transcribed into Devanagari script and stored on the server, making the content easily available for scholars and researchers.

Content Accessibility & Dissemination

• Transliteration

  The deciphered manuscript contents are transliterated into six scripts—Grantha, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Roman—ensuring wider accessibility.

• Audio Rendition

  Subject experts record audio renditions of the manuscripts, preserving their oral tradition and aiding in pronunciation and comprehension.

• Video Editing

  To enhance understanding, videos are created with synchronized text visuals, allowing users to follow the manuscript content while listening to the audio.

• Translation

  The manually transcribed e-text is translated into five Indian languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi—expanding its reach to a broader audience.

• Interface & Access

  All digitized and processed manuscript content is securely stored on a server and accessed through a customized interface within the Local Network, enabling seamless retrieval and study.

The palm leaf manuscripts being preserved at our university were meticulously collected during the Vijaya yatras of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaracharya triveni across India