July 14-20,2025
A seven-day national online workshop was organized by Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vedic Research Institute, New Delhi, from July 14 to 20, 2025. The theme of the workshop was the text Vijnanavidyut authored by Pandit Madhusudan Ojha. This concise text, written by Pt. Ojha, serves as an introductory treatise to Brahmavidya (the science of Brahman). The text comprises five chapters (prakāśas), exploring the concept of the fourfold Brahman in the forms of Pura (Body), Purusha (Person), Parātpara (Transcendent), and Nirvisheṣa (Attribute-less).
Each chapter of the text was elaborated upon by subject experts during the workshop. Every day, two expert lectures were delivered along with a presiding address. A detailed account of the seven-day proceedings is given below:
Day 1 (14.07.2025): Topic – Chatushpada Brahma
- Prof. Ramanuj Upadhyay, Professor, Department of Veda, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, explained that Vijnanavidyut begins with the concept of Chatushpada-Brahma, which comprises four aspects—Pura, Purusha, Parātpara, and Nirviśeṣa. Pura includes both the Bhūtagrāma (elements like space, air, fire, water, earth) and the Ātmagrāma (sense faculties).
- Prof. Shyamdev Mishra, Professor, Department of Jyotisha, Central Sanskrit University, Lucknow Campus, stated that Pura refers to the body, which is composed of modifications (vikāras) and is supported by the perishable Purusha (Kṣara-puruṣa).
Day 2 (15.07.2025): Topic – Concept of Akshara tattva
- Prof. Vishnupada Mahapatra, Professor, Department of Nyaya, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, discussed five types of Akshara-Puruṣa: Brahma, Vishnu, Indra, Agni, and Soma. These are categorized as internal (hṛdya) and external (pṛṣṭhya), associated respectively with foundational functions like attraction and elevation, with Soma and Agni as their expressive forms.
- Prof. Satish Kumar Mishra, Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Hansraj College, University of Delhi, elaborated on these Aksharas as Veda (Brahma), Yajna (Vishnu), Praja (Indra), Loka (Agni), and Dharma (Soma).
Day 3 (16.07.2025): Topic – Concept of Avyaya (Immutable) Principle
- Prof. Ramraj Upadhyay, Professor, Department of Paurahitya, SLSNSU, New Delhi, explained that Kshara-puruṣa is the material cause, Akshara-puruṣa is the instrumental cause, and the Avyaya-puruṣa transcends both, being neither cause nor effect, yet in another sense, is the universal cause.
- Dr. Kuldeep Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, discussed the five components of Avyaya—Ānanda, Vijnana, Manas, Praṇa, and Vāk—categorized into two causal sets, one for creation and the other for liberation.
Day 4 (17.07.2025): Topic – Concept of Parameṣṭhī
- Prof. Prayag Narayan Mishra, Professor, Department of Sanskrit, University of Allahabad, discussed how Brahma, taking multiple forms, resides in Parameṣṭhī, the Sun, Earth, and Moon. These celestial forms are connected through Brahma within the cosmic structure of Īśvara.
- Dr. Yaduvir Swaroop Shastri, Assistant Professor, Department of Vyākaraṇa, Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, explained how Varuṇa contains a special essence (rasa), from which Āditya (Sun) and Yama arise. The Sun is seen revolving around Varuṇa.
Day 5 (18.07.2025): Topic – Concept of the Seven Realms (Saptalokavichāra)
- Prof. Bharat Bhushan Tripathi, Professor, Department of Vyakaraṇa, CSU, Lucknow Campus, described five cosmic realms: Svayambhu, Parameṣhṭhī, Surya, Pṛithvi, and Chandra. Each realm resides in the higher realm’s cosmic form, with Paroraja Avyaya as the ultimate foundation.
- Dr. Rajeev Lochan Sharma, Assistant Professor, Department of Nyāya, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Assam, described Vijnanatma (embodied intellect) formed by the integration of Brahma (Santatma) and Vishnu (Yajnatma), functioning through the Sun (Indra) and manifesting as intelligence (buddhi) within the body.
Day 6 (19.07.2025): Topic – Concept of Bhutatma
- Prof. Satyaprakash Dubey, Former Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur, described Bhutatma as formed from the essence of Agni and Earth and manifesting as shariratma (bodily soul), hansatmā (swan-soul), and divyatmā (divine soul). He explained that the five elements (space, air, fire, water, earth) form the physical body.
- Dr. Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Lecturer, Sanskrit, Adarsh Vedic Inter College, Bagpat, discussed the post-death journey of the soul, detailing how the five elements and deities associated with the body dissolve into their respective sources—voice into fire, prāṇa into air, eye into sun, ear into direction, and mind into moon—culminating in the pañcatva-gati (fivefold dissolution).
Day 7 (20.07.2025): Topic – Concept of Saptakosha
- Prof. Satish K.S., Professor, Department of Advaita Vedanta, National Sanskrit University, Tirupati, identified the five aspects of Avyaya—Ananda, Vijnana, Manas, Praṇa, and Vāk—as corresponding to the five sheaths (Annamaya, Prāṇamaya, Manomaya, Vijñānamaya, Ānandamaya) as elaborated in the Taittirīya Upaniṣhad.
- Prof. Maitreyee Kumari, Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University, explained the concept of chiti (selection). Chiti is the process of creation, formed through the relationship between Paratpara, Avyaya, Akshara, and Kshara Purushas, wherein each connects to the next, enabling manifestation.
The workshop concluded under the chairmanship of Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. In his daily summaries, he emphasized the concept of Chatushpada-Brahma as central to Vijnanavidyut, detailing the fourfold nature:
- Pura: synonymous with body, made of modifications
- Purusha: three types—Kṣara (perishable), Akṣara (imperishable), and Avyaya (immutable)
- Paratpara: unity of all three Purushas, forming the Prajapati named Gudotman.
- Nirvishesha: the essence of rasa (essence) devoid of bala (force), a pure undifferentiated state.
The inaugural Vedic chanting was conducted by Dr. Dharmendra Kumar Pathak, Assistant Professor, Veda Department, Central Sanskrit University, Lucknow Campus. The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Lakshmikant Vimal and Dr. Mani Shankar Dwivedi, Research Officers at Shri Shankar Shikshayatan. Held via Google Meet, the workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from over a hundred scholars, students, and Vedic science enthusiasts from various universities and institutions, making it a grand success.