Address At The Sanskrit Scholars Honouring Ceremony At Uttaranchal Sanskrit Academy

MULTI-DIMENSIONS OF SANSKRIT LEARNING

I am indeed delighted to participate in the Sanskrit Scholars Honouring ceremony organized by the Uttaranchal Sanskrit Academy. I greet the organizers, educationists, government functionaries, academicians, Sanskrit Scholars, students and other participants. I congratulate the Sanskrit Scholars who have been awarded by the Sanskrit Academy for their contribution to the promotion of this ancient language.

Uttaranchal is famous because, it is the place where Maharshi Vedavyas wrote many scriptures. Many warriors took birth and many holy rivers from Badri, Kedar, Gangotri,Yamunotri originate from here. This is the region where Rishis got enlightenment about Vedic knowledge.

Though I am not an expert in Sanskrit, I have many friends who are proficient in Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a beautiful language. It has enriched our society from time immemorial. Today many nations are trying to research on the Sanskrit writings which are there in our ancient scriptures. I understand that there is a wealth of knowledge available in Sanskrit which the scientists and technologists are finding today. There is a need to carry out research on our Vedas particularly Atharvana Veda for eliciting many valuable information in Science and Technology relating to medicine, flight sciences, material sciences and many other related fields. I am glad that the Uttaranchal Government has created this Sanskrit Academy for the promotion of Sanskrit in the state. One of the aims of this Academy is to locate the missing literature available in palm leaves spread all over the country and documenting it. For this I would suggest that they can avail the help of technology available in digital library for documenting those scriptures both in audio and video form which can be preserved as long term wealth for use by many generations. For this purpose, the Academy can get in touch with Prof N. Balakrishnan of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore who is piloting a digital library project for India.

Now, I would like to present to you an audio CD which highlights the importance of the Vedas and also how the Vedas nourish our mind, memory and intellect. This has been rendered by Tatwamasi Dixit. I would like to play the CD first:

Introduction from the CD Chanting of Ganapathi Sthothram

Sthothram is in praise of Supreme being who is the embodiment of imperishable wisdom in all eternity.

This is a salutation to the Supreme Soul who is conceived in our religion as the embodiment of all wisdom existing eternally.

Brahman bless me with ultimate knowledge

The supreme being Indra, who is the most excellent Pranava taught in the Vedas, who ensouls the entire universe, who leads the collection of Vedic utterances in Gayathri and other meters standing in their beginning, who is capable of being attained by the worshippers and who is the first in the causal link, taught the contemplative sages the sacred wisdom of the Upanishad, himself being the subject matter of them, in order to strengthen them with the power of knowledge. I salute the Gods for removing the obstacles in my path to illumination for the same I also reverence the manes. The triple regions of Bhuh, Bhuvaha and Suvaha and the entire Veda are compressed in Om. In praise of the Supreme Being that it is the embodiment of imperishable wisdom and in eternity.

Brahman may you reside in my mind for ever

My salutations to the supreme! May I concentrate my thoughts upon Him so that I may be united with Him! May I become, practicing concentration of thought without distraction. I have heard enough with my ears (and perceived pleasurable objects through the other senses)

O? my senses do not fail me now but settle yourselves in the Supreme Brahman with whom I wish to unite myself through the meditation of ?OM?.

(A Prayer offered to omniscient and omnipresent soul to remain for ever in one?s memory as one realizes ?IT? now. The sense are requested to help the devotee in this God ? realization.)

Hiranyagarbha bless me with wisdom

May He the Lord, join us with beneficial remembrance. He (who) is superior to all, He (who) has been revealed in the Vedas, He (who) is the supreme Soul and He (who) sees Hiranyagarbha who is the first among the gods and is born before all the rest.

You have heard the Vedic chanting by Tatwamsi Dixit. I had an opportunity to listen to him when he chanted in my presence. The chanting was very powerful and he gave me CD and meaning as is given above. Since yours is a Sanskrit Academy, I suggest to do research on the suggestions of the author regarding the power of the Vedic Chanting on the mind.

May God bless you.

Question and Anaswers at Sanskrit Academy

1. How much relevant in the consumer ERA of today is the Nishkam Karmayog of Gita?

- Navdha Pandey, Class-10

Ans: The teachings of Gita are relevant for all times. Nishkam Karma always will ensure peace and prosperity to the individual, family, society and the nation. Selfishness will only lead to distress and destruction.

2. Most of the countries in the world study science in their own language. Is it not possible in India?

- Uplabdhi Mohan, Class- 5

Ans: Some states have already started teaching science in their local languages upto a certain level. Work is on for translating scientific words at higher levels also.

3. We are taught that Vedmantra sounds have great power. Can it be proved by scientific instruments?

- Sikhar Singh, Class-5

Ans: Yes, it is possible to study the electrical impulses in the brain and understand the impact of veda mantra on the performance of the brain.

4. Molecule and atom are described in Sanskrit books. Can there be any coordination in the present atomic theory?

- Himanshu Gairola, Class 10

Ans: Already there is research going on in different institututions in the country to link vedic statements in science with modern concepts. Sanskrit institute at Melkote near Mysore is carrying out number of research projects in Atharvana Veda to understand and interpret various fields of science and technology namely flight sciences, materials, medical sciences etc.

5. Is there any utility of the ammunition technique which was used in the great wars of Ramayana and Mahabharata in the present context?

- Kuldeep Gaur, Class-9

Ans: This is a process of evolution. The concept of guided missiles what we are talking about today had its origin in many of the astras used in the Ramayana Mahabharata period with the mantras given by the gurus.