Category: Rishi Samman Awardees

Well-known Sanskrit scholar and activist, Dr Srikrishna Semwal was honoured with Rishi Samman 2026 by Shri Shankar Shikshayatan on September 28,2026. Acharya Dr. Shri Krishna Semwal The distinguished Sanskrit scholar, Acharya Dr. Krishna Semwal ji, was born on January 4, 1944, in Yamunapur village, located near the Kedarnath Jyotirlinga temple in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. His mother was Smt. Deepa Semwal and his father was Shri Nathoram Semwal. He earned an M.A. in Sanskrit, an Acharya in Grammar (Vyakarana), as well as the Sahitya Ratna, Shiksha Shastri (B.Ed.), and Ph.D. degrees. He has contributed significantly as a member and convener of the Sanskrit Advisory Committee of the Government of Delhi, and as a member of various committees of the Sahitya Kala Parishad from 1978 to 1984. He served as a Government of India-nominated member and Vice President of the All India Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan; General Secretary of the Management Committees of Shrimad Dayanand Gurukul Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya (Kheda Khurd) and Brahmarshi Ramprapannacharya Veda Vedanga Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya; Executive Member of the Indraprastha Sanskrit Parishad and Delhi Pradeshik Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan; Joint Secretary of the All India Veda Vidyan Parishad; and nominated member of the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan/Akademi. He has been a managing committee member of several prominent institutions, including the All India Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan (Government of India), Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Akademi, and Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy. He contributed significantly to the structuring and establishment of academies such as the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy, Haryana Sanskrit Academy, Himachal Pradesh Sanskrit Academy, Andhra Pradesh Sanskrit Academy, and Assam Sanskrit Academy, as well as the founding of Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Assam Sanskrit University, and numerous National Sanskrit Vidyapeethas. Additionally, he has served on the Academic Councils and Research Committees of multiple universities. Serving as Chief Editor of Sanskrit Manjari (Quarterly), he has also been a successful editor of esteemed Sanskrit periodicals such as Sanskrit Manjusha, Sanskrit Ratnakarah, and Sanskrit Pracharakam. Notable original Sanskrit literary works authored by him include: Piyusham, Bhakti-Rasamritam, Vagvaibhavam, Sanghe Shaktih Kalau Yuge, Priyadarshaniyam, Bhimashatakam, Vyavaharika-Sanskritam, Sarvamangalashatakam, Himadriputra-Abhinandanam, and Sanskrit Saurabham. A magnum opus among his works is the 16-volume Sukti Samucchaya (compilation of aphorisms), spanning Vedic, Brahmana, Upanishad, Aranyaka, Sankhya-Yoga, Vedanta, Mimamsa, Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Smriti, Jaina Philosophy, Bauddha-Charvaka Philosophy, Vedanga, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas, and Kavya-Mahakavya. In recognition of his distinguished contributions to Sanskrit, various institutions across India have honored him with numerous accolades. These include the title of ‘Vidya Vachaspati’ conferred by Gurukul Mahavidyalaya Haridwar, the degree of ‘D.Litt.’ from Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha (Deemed University) Tirupati, and the honorific title of ‘Distinguished Scholar’ (Pratishthit Vidwan) from Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya. He has also been honored with the prestigious Presidential Award of Certificate of Honour for Sanskrit Services by the Hon’ble President of India, a Special Honour by Uttarayani, ‘Uttarakhand Gaurav’ by the Uttarakhand Club, awards from the Haryana Sanskrit Academy and Himachal Sanskrit Academy, and a Distinguished Scholar Award from the All India Oriental Conference. Shri Shankar Shikshayatan feels deeply honored and privileged to confer the Rishi Samman upon the revered Acharya Dr. Shri Krishna Semwal ji, who remains ceaselessly devoted to the study and preservation of the Sanskrit scriptures. Renuka Smt. Renuka Mishra आचार्य डॉ. श्रीकृष्ण सेमवाल संस्कृत के प्रतिष्ठित विद्वान् आचार्य डॉ. श्रीकृष्ण सेमवाल जी का जन्म देवभूमि उत्तराखण्ड के रुद्रप्रयाग में स्थित केदारनाथ ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग मन्दिर के समीपवर्ती ग्राम यमुनापुर में 4 जनवरी 1944 ई. को हुआ था। इनके माता का नाम श्रीमती दीपा सेमवाल और पिता का नाम श्रीनाथोराम सेमवाल था। इन्होंने संस्कृत विषय में एम. ए., व्याकरण में आचार्य, साहित्यरत्न, शिक्षाशास्त्री और पीएच. डी. की उपाधि को प्राप्त किया है। दिल्ली सरकार के संस्कृत सलाहकार समिति के सदस्य एवं संयोजक, साहित्य कला परिषद् के विभिन्न समितियों के सदस्य 1978-1984 ई. तक, भारत सरकार द्वारा मनोनीत अखिल भारतीय संस्कृत साहित्य सम्मेलन की समिति के सदस्य एवं उपाध्यक्ष, श्रीमद्दयानन्द गुरुकुल संस्कृत महाविद्यालय, खेड़ा खुर्द एवं ब्रह्मर्षि रामप्रपन्नाचार्य वेद वेदाङ्ङ्ग संस्कृत महाविद्यालय की प्रबन्ध समिति के महामन्त्री, इन्द्रप्रस्थ संस्कृत परिषद् तथा दिल्ली प्रदेशीय संस्कृत साहित्य सम्मेलन की कार्यकारणी के सदस्य, अखिल भारतीय वेद विज्ञान परिषद् के संयुक्त सचिव एवं उत्तर प्रदेश संस्कृत अकादमी के मनोनीत सदस्य के रूप में इन्होंने अपना योगदान दिया है। अखिल भारतीय संस्कृत साहित्य सम्मेलन, राष्ट्रीय संस्कृत संस्थान, भारत सरकार, उत्तर प्रदेश संस्कृत अकादमी आदि अनेक संस्थाओं की प्रबन्ध समिति के सदस्य तथा उत्तराखण्ड संस्कृत अकादमी आदि अनेक संस्थाओं की प्रबन्ध समिति के सदस्य तथा उत्तराखण्ड संस्कृत अकादमी, हरियाणा संस्कृत अकादमी, हिमाचल प्रदेश संस्कृत अकादमी, आन्ध्रप्रदेश संस्कृत अकादमी, असम संस्कृत अकादमी आदि अकादमियों के संरचना में और उत्तराखण्ड संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, असम संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय तथा अनेक राष्ट्रीय संस्कृत विद्यापीठों की स्थापना में महत्त्वपूर्ण योगदान देते हुए अनेक विश्वविद्यालयों की विद्यापरिषद् एवं शोध समिति के सदस्य रहे हैं। संस्कृत मञ्जरी (त्रैमासिक) के प्रधान सम्पादक के रूप में कार्य करते हुए इन्होंने संस्कृत मञ्जूषा, संस्कृतरत्नाकरः, संस्कृत प्रचारकम् जैसे महनीय संस्कृत पत्र-पत्रिकाओं के सफल संपादक रहे हैं। इनके द्वारा प्रणीत प्रमुख मैलिक संस्कृत काव्यों के नाम इस प्रकार हैं-पीयूषम्, भक्तिरसामृतम्, वाग्वैभवम्, संघे शक्तिः कलौ युगे, प्रियदर्शनीयम्, भीमशतकम्, व्यावहारिकसंस्कृतम्, सर्वमंगलाशतकम्, हिमाद्रिपुत्राभिनन्दनम्, संस्कृत सौरभम्। इनके प्रमुख कार्यों में 16 खण्डों में निबद्ध सूक्तिसमुच्चय हैं। जिनके नाम हैं- वैदिक, ब्राह्मण, उपनिषद्, आरण्यक, सांख्य-योग, वेदान्त, मीमांसा, न्याय-वैशेषिक, स्मृति, जैनदर्शन, बौद्ध-चार्वाक दर्शन, वेदाङ्ङ्ग, रामायण, महाभारत, पुराण और काव्य-महाकाव्य । संस्कृत में महनीय कार्य हेतु इनको भारत के विभिन्न संस्थाओं ने अनेक पुरस्कारों के द्वारा पुरस्कृत किया है। जिनमें गुरुकुल महाविद्यालय हरिद्वार द्वारा ‘विद्यावाचस्पति’ की उपाधि, राष्ट्रिय संस्कृत विद्यापीठ (मानित विश्वविद्यालय) तिरुपति से ‘डी. लिट्’ की उपाधि तथा सम्पूर्णानन्द संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय से ‘प्रतिष्ठित विद्वान्’ की उपाधि से इन्हें सम्मानित किया गया है। महामहिम राष्ट्रपति द्वारा संस्कृत सेवाओं के लिए राष्ट्रपति सम्मान, उत्तरायणी द्वारा विशिष्ट सम्मान, उत्तराखण्ड क्लब द्वारा उत्तराखण्ड गौरव, हरियाणा संस्कृत अकादमी द्वारा सम्मान, हिमाचल संस्कृत अकादमी द्वारा सम्मान, अखिल भारतीय प्राच्यविद्या सम्मेलन द्वारा विशिष्ट विद्वत् सम्मान से सम्मानित किया गया है। श्रीशंकर शिक्षायतन सतत संस्कृतशास्त्र साधना में निरत महनीय आचार्य डॉ. श्रीकृष्ण सेमवाल जी को ऋषिसम्मान से सम्मानित कर अपने आप को गौरवान्वित अनुभव कर रहा है।रेणुकाश्रीमती रेणुका मिश्राप्रबन्धन्यासीआश्विन कृष्णपक्ष, द्वितीया विक्रम संवत् २०८३२८ सितम्बर २०२६, सोमवार

Acharya Ramachandra Pandey, a well-known scholar of jyotish-shastra, was born in Dhaurhara village, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on July 3, 1949.He was introduced the subject of jyotish-shastra by his father, Pandit Rupnarain Pandey. After his studies, he began teaching first at Central Sanskrit University, Jammu, before joining Kashi Hindu University, Varanasi, as an acharya. About 25 students completed PhD under his guidance. He has presented over 250 research works at national and 25 works at international forum. Among several publications, noted works authored by him include Chandragolvimarsha, Mansagari,Grihalaghav,Muhurthachintamani,Jyotishpraveshika, Lilawati,Suryasidhanta and Krishiparashar. He has been involved with Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit University, University Grants Commission and Guwahati University. He was rewarded with Special Honour by the UP government in 2007, Aryabhat Samman in 2007 by the Rajasthan Government, the President’s Honour in 2009, Bhaskaracharya Samman by Delhi Sanskrit Academy in 2011 and Karpatra Samman in 2019.

Rishi Samman for 2023 was conferred on Acharya Manu Dev Bhattacharya. Acharya Bhattacharya was the former head of Department of Vyakaran, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He passed away in 2020. Acharya Manudeva Bhattacharya (1949-2020) was a renowned expert on vyakaran-shastra (grammar) and a famous poet in Sanskrit. He dedicated his entire life to the study, exploration and propagation of Sanskrit. His academic journey took him to the well-known Sanskrit centre, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi. He became famous as an acharya in the department of grammar in the university. He was well known for his contributions at Banaras Hindu University. In his long career of 40 years, Acharya Bhattacharya oversaw the dissertation of over 20 doctoral students. His writings on grammar were published in journals in India and abroad. He has written extensively on vyakaran-darshan, mahakavya (great epic),khanda-kavya and theatre. His works include Vishudhavaibhavam Mahakavyam, Vaishnavavaibhava-mahakavyam, Ramakrishnacharitamritam, Panditarajavaibhavam and Raghunathavaibhavam among others. He has been conferred several honours for his contribution to Vedic literature.

Well-known linguist and scholar, Prof Kapil Kapoor was bestowed with Rishi Samman during the Pandit Motilal Shastri memorial lecture held in New Delhi on September 28,2022. Prof. Kapoor is a former Professor of English, Centre for Linguistics and English (from 1996) and was designated as Concurrent Professor, Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi in 2000 (the only Concurrent Professor at JNU). He has been the Dean of the School of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, JNU, 1996–1999, rector (Pro-Vice-Chancellor) of JNU, 1999–2002. (Retired from JNU in 2005.), Editor-in-Chief of the 11-Volume Encyclopaedia of Hinduism (sponsored by Parmarth Niketan / India Heritage Research Foundation, USA) published in January 2012.

The Rishi Samman 2021 was awarded to well-known Vedic scholar, Prof. Ganeshi Lal Suthar on August 28, 2021. Prof. Suthar was the first director of Pandit Madhusudan Ojha Shodh Prakosht, Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). He has to his credit 19 publications and several more edited volumes on the works of Pandit Madhusudan Ojha.

Renowned Sanskrit grammarian, Dr Pushpa Dikshit, was honoured with Rishi Samman for 2020. Speaking about her work, Dr Jwalant Kumar Shastri said Acharya Dikshit, with her profound knowledge and love, had made Panini’s grammar popular among a wide circle of scholars and students.Her work, Mahasandhi, has crafted a new path of learning and understanding Sanskrit.

Prof. Revaprasad Dwivedi was a renowned poet, playwright and scholar of veda shastras. His most significant works, Sitacaritam and Svatantryasambhavam are two epic poems. He has written extensively on Sahityasastra (Poetics) and produced such great works as Kavyalankarakarika, Natyanusasanam, and Sahityasarirakam. Dwivedi has edited many works, of which The Complete works of Kalidasa is his greatest contribution to Sanskrit literature. He has also presented research papers in various seminars on Sanskrit and Oriental studies.He is an Emeritus Professor of Sanskrit, Banaras Hindu University and the founder of Kalidas Samsthan, Varanasi. He taught in Banaras Hindu University from 1977-1995 in various capacities. He worked as Dean, Faculty of Sanskrit, Banaras Hindu University for three terms (1979-81; 85-87; 87-89). He was Emeritus fellow of the University Grants Commission from 1990 to 1992. Prof. Dwivedi has been honoured for his many contributions to Sanskrit language and literature. He received a Certificate of Honor from The President of India in 1978. He was honoured with four awards for his Svatantryasambhava, an epic poem: Sahitya Akademi Award, 1991; Kalpavalli Award by Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, Calcutta, 1993; Vacaspati award by K.K. Birla Foundation, New Delhi, 1997; and Sriveni award by R.J. Dalmiya Sriveni Trust, Delhi, 1999. He was conferred nine different awards on his works by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. He also received two Mitra Puraskara, one Bhojapuraskara and one Vyasapuraskara .

Dr Mullaivasal R. Krishnamurthi Sastrigal retired as the Principal of the Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai, after guiding students for three decades. He completed his Doctorate on the topic “Ishta Siddhi Vivaranam” from Madras University. Dr Sastrigal is a traditionally trained scholar in “Veda Adhyanana” under the tutelage of his father Brahmashri Rajagopala Ghanapathigal and studied “Mimamsa” and “Vedanta Sastra” under the guidance of eminent faculties like SR Krishnamurthi Sastrigal and Polagam Rama Sastrigal. After retirement, he set up a School for Vedanta Studies under the traditional method under the name and title “Brahma Vidya Bhavanam”. He is the Managing Trustee of the Mullaivasal Heritage Trust, whose core objective is to identify, preserve and propagate various branches of Indian Knowledge Systems, and Values through various modes and publish books.