Melkote ASR Seminar on Taittireyopanisad
Dominik Wujastyk
ucgadkw at UCL.AC.UK
Fri Feb 27 12:46:48 UTC 1998
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Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:53:43 +0530 (IST)
From: Academy of Sanskrit Research <asrbng at blr.vsnl.net.in>
Academy of Sanskrit Research, Melkote 571 431
Vol. 9
October-December 1997 No.4
Seminar on Taittireyopanisad
Academy organised a Seminar on Taittireyopanisad on 18.11.97 and
19.11.97 in the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced
Scientific Research, Bangalore. Prof. M.A.Lakshmithathachar in his
welcome speech gave a brief account of the various activities of the
Academy especially its role in bringing together the traditional
Pundits and modern Scientists on a common platform. Noted Scientist Prof.
Roddam Narasimha, Director, National Institute of Advanced Studies,
Bangalore, inagurating the seminar said how one can easily learn Sanskrit
by remaining in any corner of the world in this advanced age of Science
and Technology and especially in the field of Electronics, Computers,
Networking and Communication. Speaking on Taittireyopanisad he said that
the eternal principles such as student-teacher relationship, the
discipline, ethics and the code of conduct, knowledge and experiences as
explained in the Upanisads still speak to a large number of people even
today with such a clarity, dignity and magic and lead them in the right path.
Sri M.A.S.Rajan in the course of his Presidential remarks said
that essentially the work carried out in the Academy is the preparation
of Sanskrit research material, such as critical editions, word
encyclopedias, bibliographies, and so on, as to attend to their printing
and publication. Undoubtedly the field of Sanskrit or Kannada
publication was not virgin territory. So, one of the first concerns was
to eschew imitation and redundancy. Ensuring scholarly excellence was
another strong requirement. Publications were chosen with great care,
with an eye on the gaps in existing scholarly literature. By and large,
outstanding commentaries not widely known, were utilized. The Academys
encyclopedias and directories are entirely new, and fill a known lacuna
in scholarly literature.
He went on to add that mention of the word research usually calls
to mind the most common and dramatic kind of research, namely
scientific research. Since not all topics, taken from the scriptures,
are amenable to scientific examination-nation, one needs to be
selective and pick up topics which deal with phenomena and material
objects but not the texts which are based on intuitive experience?
This is an issue that needs to be given deep thought before choosing
topics of study.
Concluding, he felt that one point seemed to be clear. Each of
the domains such as Scientific or Philosophic has a frontier and those
from either side looking across the frontier, have to do so with a
certain regard for the erudition and integrity of those on the other
side.
Dr. N.S.Anantha Rangachar in his keynote address gave a
detailed description on the contents, structure and the greatness
of the Upanisad and its relevance to the modern age.
Apart from the scholars of the Academy many other scholars
participated in the Seminar and presented papers.
Following were the papers presented in the seminar :
1. Panditaratnam K.S.Varadacharya - Message of the Taittireyopanisad
2. Dr. N.S.Anantha Rangachar - Siksavalli A study
3. Prof. M.A.Lakshmithathachar & Dr.M.A. Jayashree -The five
sheaths in Taittireyopanisad
4. Vidvan N.K. Srinivasa Iyengar - Taittireyopanisad & Shanti
Pata
5. Dr. P.Narasimhan - Satyam Jnanam Anantam Brahma
6. Vidvan S.Narasaraja Bhattar - Sribhasya and Taittireyopanisad
7. Vidvan S.Narayana - Taittireyopanisad - Text and its commentaries
8. Vidvan M.A.Alwar- Puccha Brahmavada
9. Vidvan B.V.Ramapriya - Bhoktr Bhogya sahitya vicara
10. Vidvan V.Sowmyanarayanan - Brahman as blissful (Ananda
Meemamsa as explained in Bhagavadvisayam)
On 19.11.1997 in the Valedictory Session Prof. B.V.Sreekantan,
Radhakrishna Visiting Professor, NIAS, while delivering his
valedictory address spoke on Consciousness in Upanisads. Sri
B.K.Bhattacharya, IAS., Chief Secretary Government of Karnataka in his
presidential remarks beautifully brought out the impact of the upanisads
on the lives of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Ravindranath Tagore and
also mentioned about the insights he got, with regard to the intuitive
and mystic experiences of the Upanisadic seers. H.H.Rangapriya Swamiji
blessed the audience and the organisers of the seminar.
A Short Term Course on Vedanta in day to day life was organised
by the Academy from October 25th to 29th in Jawaharlal Nehru Centre
for Advanced Research, Bangalore. This was inagurated by H.H.Rangapriya
Swami with the lighting of a lamp, the jnana depa. Swamiji in his first
lecture showered his blessings on the audience, who were from all walks
of life both men and women, students, working and retired professionals.
Before stepping into the field of Vedanta every seeker of knowledge
should try to find the answer to the question `Who am I?. Answering this
question he said every individual is not merely the physical body but
also the individual soul inhabiting and controlling the body. Further he
has also the inner soul or the Lord who is all pervasive. The initial
response ignited by Sri Swamiji was followed by the enlightening
lectures of several scholars of profundity, who kept intact the zeal
and enthusiasm- of the participants throughout the course. Sri Sri Sri
Rangapriya Swamiji in his first lecture impressed upon the audience of
knowing ones own self before venturing into the field of Vedanta.
Smt. Rama Srinivasan dealing with the topics matter and
conscious principles briefly described the theory of evolution according
to Vedanta and said every individual soul is not only of the nature of
consciousness but also possesses consciousness as its attribute. The
individual soul should strive hard to overcome restrictions caused by
this material body and attain its natural state she said.
Dr. N.S.Anantha Rangachar speaking on the Eruvaratattva tattva -
the controller of matter and soul said that this supreme self is devoid
of all inauspicious qualities and a repository of all auspicious
qualities and the individual soul should surrender unto him for his
emancipation.
Dr. P.B.Vidyarthi, (philosopher) of Ranchi explained the purpose
of life and said physical pursuits and spiritual pursuits are not opposed
to each other; On the other hand they go hand in hand.
Professor M.A. Lakshmithathachar in his lecture vividly brought
out that ones own enjoyment derived by offering services to the Lord may
also become an obstacle in offering such services. While offering such
services to the Lord absolute selflessness is a must he said.
Dr. S.M.S.Chari and Prof. Bhuvarahacharya Swamiji spoke about the
fundamental Vedantic texts in Sanskrit and Tamil respectively and
explained concept of Ubhayavedanta.
Vidvan N.Viraraghavacharya from Chennai in his lecture on the
final emancipation said that offering services with the one and the only
goal of pleasing the Lord, Parartha Kainkarya is the summum bonum of
Vedanta. He quoted ample instances to show how Alwars and Acharyas had
brought into practice all the Vedantic teachings in their day to day life.
Vidvan M.A.Alwar spoke on Karma, free will and destiny, and
Varnasrama Dharma.
On 29.10.1997 H.H. Harshananda Swamiji presided over the
Valedictory function while blessing the participants he stressed the need
of such courses to rejuvenate the society and said that many of the
vedantic messages can easily be incorporated in our day to day life.
Prof. K.T. Pandurangi in his valedictory address lauded the efforts of
the Director in arranging such useful courses.
Workshop on Manuscriptology & Paleography
A workshop was organised jointly by Indira Gandhi National Centre
for Arts and Oriental Research Institute, Mysore University Campus. The
Director of the Academy, Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar was invited as
a resource person. In his lecture cum demonstration he mentioned how
Sanskrit could play a vital role in the field of computer science. For
instance, the compression techniques found in the soutra works, the
operating system used in the meemamsa system, sangatis explained in the
purva and the uttara meemamsa systems could be of much use to the
computer scientists. Similarly computers could also render invaluable
service in the field of Sanskrit as it could show the practical
application of the grammatical rules without any flaw. In the usage
of words in a sentence, semantic analysis etc. the application of the
rules of Paninian grammar, the rules of semantic analysis could be done
more efficiently by the computer than by the learned pundits he said.
Later he gave a detailed account of the Sabdabodha Project undertaken
by the Academy, which was followed by the demo of various software,
developed- under this project. Many of the scholars in the audience
expressed their eagerness to undergo training in the field of Sanskrit
and computers after listening to the lecture.
Sri S.Narayana and Sri S.Krishnan, Research Scholars of the
Academy attended the work-shop from 27.11.97 to 17.12.97. The workshop
proved to be very useful as the scholars working in various fields of
Sanskrit were introduced to ancient scripts like Sarada, Grantha, etc.
Participants in the workshop also visited the Academy and acquainted
themselves with the activities of the Academy.
Seminar on The Vedic base of Tantra Sastras
Vidvan Sri S.Narasaraja Bhattar, scholar of the Academy
participated in the seminar on The Vedic base of Tantra Sastras between
27.11.97 29.11.97, conducted jointly by Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda
Vidya Pratishthan, ujjain and Akhila Bharatiya Sanskrit Parishat at
Lucknow. He presented his paper on The validity of Pancharatra Agamas
Demo at Kannada Ganaka Parishat, Mysore
Sri R.Sudhakar, Computer Programmer, ASR, attended the inaugural
function of Kannada Ganaka Parishat at Mysore, on 19.10.1997 and
presented a demo of latest software developed by ASR especially the
Kannada software for generation and identification of the nominal and
verbal forms in Kannada.
Guest Lectures
At the invitation of the Academy Dr. Kapil Kapoor, Dean, School
of languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, delivered lectures on
the Structure of Astadyayi, the Paninian grammar. He explained about
the processing system of the Paninian grammar to derive a verbal form
from its root. Speaking on what Sanskrit grammar can do for computers he
said as the computational linguists are in need of a particular kind
of grammar, which must be formal, algorithmic, explicit, rule-bound and
exhaustive, it is only the Paninian grammar which comes to this
expectations. Later going through the softwares developed by the
Academy he expressed his willingness to associate himself with the
activities of the Academy in whatever manner possible.
Directors Programmes
a) A seminar Ramanuja and Melkote was organised under the
auspices of Yadugiri Yatiraja Mutt at Chennai in connection with the 80th
year celebrations of H.H Yadugiri Yatiraja Jeeyar swamiji. Speaking on
the subject Prof. M.A.Lakshmithathachar said there is an inseparable
connection between Sri Ramanuja and Melkote. Without Sri Ramanuja
Melkote would have ceased to be a Jnanamantapa, the abode of knowledge.
Sri Ramanuja was responsible for the renovation of Melkote Temple and
organising the worship of Lord Tirunarayana in accordance with
Eruvarasamhita. Considering the role played by Melkote in reviving
Divyaprabandha tradition and also the feeling of Nammalwar towards Lord
Tirunarayana Sri Ramanujacharya dedicated the decade Orunayakamai to Lord
Tirunarayana at Melkote. Sri Ramanuja lived for 12 years in Melkote and
propagated his philosophy, Visistadvaita after vanquishing all his
opponents in scholarly debates. At this place he prayed to Lord
Tirunarayana to restore Srirangam to its original glory as the centre of
Srivaisnavism. For these reasons Melkote is also called the place of
victory of Sri Ramanuja or Samyami Sarvabhauma Vijayasthana by Vedantadesika.
b) Refresher Course
Department of Sanskrit Studies in Kuvempu University, Shimoga
organised a UGC sponsored Refresher Course in Sanskrit for Sanskrit
lecturers from 8th to 31st October 1997. Prof. Lakshmithathachar
inaugurated the course at Sahyadri College campus, Shimoga. In his
speech, he urged the participants to infuse self confidence in learners
of Sanskrit and tell them that they should be proud to learn Sanskrit, a
storehouse of knowledge. Most of the times Sanskrit pundits are very
much depressed because they dont have social recognition like other
professionals. There is no reason for this inferiority complex, as
Sanskrit has a world of know-ledge in it and it can contribute to all the
fields of studies.
c) Gita Jayanti Samiti of Chikkaballapur organised Gita Jayanti
for a period of one month in connection with their golden jubilee
celebrations. Prof. M.A.Lakshmithathachar was invited to deliver a
lecture on the Message of Bhagavadgita, on 18.12.1997. In his lecture he
brought out the significance of the first and the last chapters of
Bhagavadgita and said everyone should follow Arjuna and surrender oneself
unto the Lord. When there is confusion with regard to right and wrong,
Lord Krishna the charioteer of Arjuna will also be the charioteer of each
and every soul and lead him in the proper direction. Those who neglect
the inner voice of the Lord will be doomed to destruction. Once the
individual soul accepts Him as his charioteer he should stop backseat
driving.
Dignitaries visit
Prof. K.T.Pandurangi, Kulapati, Poorna Prajna Vidyapeeta & Vice
President, Dvaita Vedanta Research Foundation, Bangalore, and Sri
Narasimha Rau, former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka and the
present Chairman of the foundation visited the Academy on 11.12.1997.
Going through the Academys activities and its output they lauded the
efforts of the founders of the institution who strived hard in creating
the institution. Prof. K.T.Pandurangi said that he could feel that
Sanskrit is still alive here, but not the same when he visited other
Sanskrit institutions. It was the opinion of the visiting dignitaries
that both the Academy and the Dvaita Vedanta Research Foundation must
interact more and more towards achieving certain common aims and goals
and thereby rejunevating the cultural heritage of our country.
c) Nupura - Navaba Nandini
Nupura, an organisation specialising in dance ballets on various
themes like Srikrishna Parijata, Deva Kannika and so on, organised Navaba
Nandini, a dance drama based on the theme of Bibi Nachiyar, a muslim
princess falling in divine love with Selvapillai, the procession deity
of Melkote, on 27.12.97. The performance was remarkable for its
depiction of sarasa, viraha and other rasas connected with the theme.
Prof. Lakshmithathachar who was invited as the Chief Guest of the
function, said that the story is an allegory of the individual soul
yearing for the union with the Lord. He suggested Nupura to choreograph
a dance ballet on the life of Ramanuja based on Ramanuja Asupadi, a
composition written in the style of Gita Govinda.
d) Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (RSS), New Delhi nominated Prof.
Lakshmithathachar as an expert member of a committee constructed for the
purpose of automation of several RSS centres. Automating the RSS
Centres, Examinations, Academic activities etc. were discussed in the
meeting held on 10.11.97.
Academy thanks the following individuals for their kind gesture.
* Sri Vilas M.Vaidya, New York $100
* Mrs. Vijaya Pandit, USA 10,000-00
* Sri S.Lokanathan, Satyamangalam 5,000-00
* Sri M.S.Chaktravarthi, Bangalore 2,001-00
* Sri C.S.Rangaswamy, Bangalore 1,000-00
* Smt. Alamela Venkataraman,
Bangalore 501-00
* Sri C.S.Venugopal, Bangalore 500-00
* Others 605-00
Local programmes Tiruppavai Upanyasams
As a part of Alwar Divya Prabandham Project, T.T. Devasthanams,
Tirupati organised a month long Tiruppavai discourse in Andavan Ashramam,
Melkote. In the course of his lecture Prof. Lakshmithathachar said that
the message of Tiruppavai which is nothing but the essence of all vedas
and the upanisads must be presented in a way to facilitate the
adoption of the same by everybody irrespective of caste and creed.
Hayagrivaradhana
As in the previous years, this year also the worship of Lord
Hayagreva, presiding deity of learning, was performed on 6.10.97 in the
premises of the Academy. Staff and citizens of Melkote participated and
received the blessings of Lord Hayagreva.
Tulasi Püja
On the day of Uthana Dvadasi (12.11.97) the staff of ASR
organised Tulasi Püja at the Academy campus.
Book Exhibition
Janapada Seva Trust, Melkote organised its annual book
exhibition called Bharati from 21-11-97 to 24.11.97. Prof.
Lakshmithathachar inagurated the exhibition. He appreciated the efforts
of Sri Surendra Koulagi, Secretary of the Trust in inculcating reading
habit among the citizens of Melkote, particularly children. He said that
knowledge is available at the doorsteps of every reader due to the advent
of modern printing technology. But utilisation of this opportunity lies
with the readers. Vidvan Umakantha Bhatta, Pundit, Sanskrit College,
Melkote who spoke on the occasion described how, in ancient times, books
were revered. Referring to the importance of books he said Acharya
Ramanuja who went all the way to Kashmir to refer to Bodhayana Vritti
grantha to write his great commentary on Brahmasutras viz. Sribhasya.
Vedic learning for the modern age - Visistadvaita vedanta goes
Hitech computers in operation to spread the message of the Vedanta. A
library having collection of books not available any where else in India
and a faculty carrying on the work of Ramanuja in a manner he would have
blessed and admired. Only Prof. M.A Lakshmithathachar can gift this
type of a project to the world of Hindu philosophy.
May his tribe increase.
T.C.A. Ramanujam
Former Chief Commissioner
of Income Tax, Chennai.
A Great service to preserve the Sanskrit language. All
Indians are proud of Prof. Lakshmithathachar and the Academy. We pray
for all success for this esteemed
institution. K. Jyoti Kumaran
Hon. Secretary
Indian Hockey Federation
Annanagar (E), Chennai.
A massive effort to revive our ancient language and culture. It
is indeed awe inspiring. Calls for substancial support from the urban elite.
N.Sivaraman
Centre Manager, IIT Study circle,
15th Main Road, RMV Extension,
Bangalore.
My friends and I visited the Academy today. My present visit was
after about two decades after my previous one. I was delighted to see
the progress made during this period under the guidance and leadership of
Sri Lakshmithathachar.
The garden reminds one of the ancient ashramas. The Academy
itself has the latest equipment and has been rendering excellent service
to the cause of Philosophy and Vedanta. I wish the Academy a bright
future.
N.Narasimha Rau
Former Chief Secretary, Goa &
Chairman, Dvaita vedanta Study
and Research Foundation, Bangalore.
Thank you for your gracious hospitality. I am extremely
impressed with the wonderful resources and the great spirit of
scholarship and good will that I find here. Best
wishes. Leslie Orr
Associate Professor
Department of Religion Concordia
University Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
I am both deeply moved and deeply honored to have been here and
to have seen this place, the garden, the texts, the good people here.
Thank you for your generous hospitality.
Steven P.Hopkins
Assistant Professor
Department to Religion
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA 1908.
Additions to the Library
During the last quarter 748 valuable books were added to the
library. Out of which 20 books were purchased and the remaining 728
books were received as donations from the well wishers.
Some important titles are listed below;
1. Srivaisnava Samhita Vol.I-III (Eng) by Krishnapremi Maharaj,
1992-94, Akhila Bharata Sadhu Sangha, Bombay
2. Jaina Dharma by Rajendramuni Shastri (Hin), University
Publication, New Delhi, 1996, Rs.600/-
3. Sugama Hindi Jnanesvari by Santa Jnanesvar, Sahitya Academy,
New Delhi, 1996, Rs.250/-
4. Samaveda Samhita: Text with English Translation by Griffith
RTH, Parimal Publication, Delhi, 1996, Rs.450/-
5. Vaidikatva in Indian Philosophy and Religion (Eng) by
Mudgal SG, Aarsh Shodha Samsthan, Gandhinagar, 1996, Rs.90/-
6. Hamare Purvaj (Hin) by Harith DP, Harith Sahitya Prakashana,
New Delhi, 1997, Rs.225/-
7. Advaitabodhaviveka (Skt) by Digambara Mahapathra, MVVV
Vidyapeetha, Gaziabad, 1992, Rs.25/-
8. Post Independence Sanskrit Epics (Eng) by Ranganath S, Eastern
Book Linkers, Delhi, 1996, Rs.300/-
9. Srimad Visnu Bhakti Kalpa Lata (Hin) Padmashree KB, Pitambar
Publication, New Delhi, 1995, Rs.46/-
10. Art & Science of Sadhana : Meditation (Eng) by Virajeswara
Swami, Cave Temple, Bangalore, 1996, Rs.3/-
11. Kavya Kiranavali (Skt) by R.K.Mishra, Meerut, 1994, Rs.80/-
12. Keeta Bhøngárcikam (Hin), by Triveni Prasad T, Triveni Prasad
Tripathi, Jounpur, 1996, Rs. 50/-
13. Rgvedadasagrantha (Rgveda Samhita) (Skt) by Vinayakasharma,
Veda Patashala, Punyapatnam 411004, 1986, Rs.200/-
14. The Scientific Approach of Shankara Vedanta by Gangolli D.B,
Adhyatma Prakashana Karyalaya, Holenarasipur, 1997, Rs.30/-
15. Tatvadepa, ASR, Journal, Jan-June-1994 V (1) 94 Ed. by K.S.
Narayanachar, ASR, Melkote, 1997/- Rs.40/-
16. Ravana Bhasyam (Hin), edited by Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Bharati
Mandir, Jaipur, 1967, Rs.15/-
17. A Constructive Survey of Upanisadic Philosophy by Ranade,
Bharateeya Vidyabhavan, Bombay, 1968, Rs.20/-
18. Bharateeya Samskrita Kosha, (Marathi), edited by
Mahadevashastri Joshi.
* * * *
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