'Over many eons, generation after generation, billions of people have sung the praise of the unique Bharatheeya culture. However the Vedhik component of this great culture has been declining because of the eroding effect of time and also because of the weakening of the human mind. Today there is sadly an acute shortage of scholars who could teach the common people the meaning and significance of the Vedhas, the Vedhaantha and related disciplines. If today the Vedhik Culture is not restored, the very fate of Bharaath’s position and prospects will be seriously affected.'

'If the reverence and respect for Vedhik culture is gone, the name and fame of Bhaarath will be destroyed. Bhaarath's life and vital spirit are based firmly based on the Vedhas. Therefore the Sathya Sai institutions are ready to dedicate their efforts for the cause of restoring the Vedhas.'

'Ghandikota Subrahmanya Shaasthree is a fully ripened doyen of Vedhik knowledge; he lived a long, fulfilled life. Recognized as the standing court scholar of the principality of Vizianagaram, he achieved great fame. He was an unequalled Vedhik scholar in the entire state of Aandhra Pradesh.'

'He not only lived upto the high standards of Vedhik living, but also fulfilled his life with devotional surrender with immense love for Svaami. Having imbibed the nectarine essence of all the Vedhas, this great scholar sincerely believed in the truth that Sathya Sai is verily the embodiment of all divinities. Possessed with such faith, he spent his last days in the closest proximity of Svaami in Prashaanthi Nilayam. He was blessed with a very long fulfilled life.'

'In his loving memory and also for the promotion of Vedhik learning and culture, I am today inaugurating the Shree Sathya Sai Ghandikota Subrahmanya Shaasthree Vedha Shaasthra Parishath. Subrahmanya Shaasthree will remain an immortal person. With a broad and nectarine heart he earned the right to immortality. It is therefore proper that his great ideals and excellent qualities and above all his valuable Vedhik teachings deserve to be widely disseminated. Sincerely hoping that Bharatheeyas will continue to follow the Vedhik path and thereby recapture Bhaarath's ancient glory, I extend my blessings to you all.'

The revered late Shree Ghandikota Subrahmanya Shaasthree was a great doyen of Vedhik learning and culture. He was a great devotee of Bhagavaan Shree Sathya Sai Baba. During his last days spent in close proximity of Baba in Prashaanti Nilayam, he was a daily recipient of Baba's Divine Grace. He passed away in peace with Baba's name on his lips and in the arms of his eldest son, G.V. Subba Rao, in Prashaanti Nilayam on the first day of Dasara, October 1986.

Shree Subrahmanya Shaasthree served for many years as the standing Court Scholar of the kingdom of Vizianagram, in northern Aandhra Pradesh. He was honored with many titles, including Sahithya Rathna, Abhinava Vidhyaaranya, etc. He was a versatile Vedhik scholar, a good speaker, writer, author and poet in Sanskrith; he was an authority on Vedhik interpretation, on Dharma Shaasthra, and on sacred ritual lore. He was a founding member of the Prashaanti Vidhvan Mahaa Sabha - Academy of Scholars, founded by Bhagavaan. Shaasthreeji was invited by Baba to supervise the performance of many Dhashara Yagnas held in Prashaanti Nilayam. The revered Shaasthree was the revealer of the holy Shree Sathya Sai Gaayathree Manthra; he was called a Rishi (Sage or Seer), by Bhagavaan Baba.

He received the grace of inspiration of Bhagavaan Baba to reveal the Sai Gaayathree Manthra in His Divine presence in Whitefield, Bangalore, on December 24^th 1977, at the holy evening time of Christmas Eve.

The Sai Eeshvara Gaayathree, now chanted by millions all over the world, reads as follows:

The outstanding features of the life of this great Vedhik scholar and savant are as follows:
 

A great traditional Vedhik Scholar, Shree Shaasthreeji developed deep faith and conviction that Baba is a Divine Avaatar of great power, and an epitomy of Divine Love. He came to this conclusion through various criteria laid down in the scriptures, that Baba, as Shiva Shakthi, is the embodiment of all divinities, Sarva Dhevathaa Svarupah.