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National Seminar on Shatapatha Brahmana-Part III
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी-शतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य : परिस्तरण एवं पात्रासादन विमर्श -(शृंखला-३)
National Seminar:Shatapatha Brahmaṇa Vijnana Bhāshya: A Discussion on Apaṃ-Praṇayana (Part–2)
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी शतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य : अपांप्रणयनविमर्श-(शृंखला-२)
Seven-day National Workshop on Jagadguruvaibhavam
सप्तदिवसीय राष्ट्रीय जगद्गुरुवैभवम्- कार्यशाला
National Seminar on Shatapatha Brahmana-Vratopayana–Part One
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी– शतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य : व्रतोपायनविमर्श – (शृंखला-१)
National Seminar on Kadambini: Vrishti Vijnana
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी –कादम्बिनी वृष्टिविज्ञान विमर्श
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी-कादम्बिनी : प्रकीर्णाधिकार विमर्श (शृंखला-११)
National Seminar on Kadambini-Part XI
National Seminar – Shatapatha Brahmana Series
राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी–शतपथ ब्राह्मण श्रृंखला
National Seminar on Yajnasaraswati

Category: Vedic Discussions

Seven-day workshop on Varna-samiksha

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February 7-13, 2023 Shri Shankar Shikshayatan organised a seven-day workshop on Varna-samiksha from February 7.2023. Varna-samiksha is a book of grammar and usage written by Pandit Madhusudan Ojha. The workshop was organised around seven themes and each theme was discussed by different experts. The workshop was conceived and conducted by Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, convener, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan and faculty member of School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The themes and speakers were–matrika-vivechan–Prof. Om Nath Vimali, Delhi University; varna ka swarup–Prof. Bhagawat Charan Shukla, Kashi Hindu Vishwavidyalaya, Benares, ranga-vivechan–Prof. Jaishankar Lal Tripathi,Kashi, Hindu Vishwavidyalaya, Benares, svar vimarsh–Dr Dayal Singh Panwar, vag-vijnana vichar–Dr Kuldeep Kumar, Himachal Pradesh Central University, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh,anantar-vidh –Dr Yaduvir Svarup Shastri of  Kameshwar Singh Darbhanga Sanskrit University, Darbhanga, Bihar and vakya-prayog ka swarup–Dr Ramachandra of Kurukshetra University.  In the first lecture, Dr Ramachandra spoke about the forms of sentence usage. He said four elements were essential for using any language–varna, akshara, pada and vakya. The journey then concludes at maha-vakya.  On the second day, the talk was on vag-vijnana by Dr Kuldeep Kumar. The essential element of vak is prana. He said it was prana from which the entire creation came into being. The entire creation is established in prana and in dissolution merges into prana. Prana is rishi. From rishi tatva is born pitr and from pitr devata and asura are created. From devatas emerged the visible universe.  On the third day, Dr Yaduvir Svarup Shastri spoke on anantar-vidhi. Anantar means limitless or without any obstruction–how two meaningful words can join seamlessly. When two words join to create a new expression, the process is called anantar. He spoke on the various aspects of such words and expressions. Chairing the session, Dr Pramod Kumar Sharma of Jawaharlal Nehru University, said Varna-samiksha was a complex work and should form part of syllabus in colleges and universities. He explained that svarith svar were of two types–nitya and naimitia, constant and inconsistent.  On the fourth day, the subject was swara. Speaking on the subject, Dr Dayal Singh Panwar explained that there were nine types of svara or sound or vowel.These are: shvasa-lakshan, nada-lakshan, vivara-lakshan, sthana-lakshan, vyakti-lakshan, geha-lakshan, sruti-lakshan, savan-lakshan and bhaga-lakshan. On the fifth day, Dr Shailesh Kumar Tiwari spoke on ranga-vivechan. There are eight types of rang or colour, of which the speaker explained in detail ranga, hunkar, nada, antastah and ushma. He referred to Pandit Madhusudan Ojha’s definition of ranga. When we strike a copper vessel with a finger, we hear a particular sound.On the sixth day, Prof. Rajdhar Mishra spoke on the forms of varna. These are vivarti, svarabhakti, anukswar and yama. On the concluding session, Dr Pankaj Kumar Vyas spoke on matrikas and explained there were five types of matrikas–brahma-matrika, akshama-matrika, rudra-matrika, bhuta-matrika and yavana-matrika.  The workshop was attended by scholars and students from different universities and educational institutions. The workshop was managed by Dr Mani Shankar Dwivedi, Dr Lakshmi Kant Vimal and Dr Bishnu Shankar Mahapatra of Shri Shankar Shikshayatan.

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Pandit Motilal Shastri Memorial Lecture on Kadambini

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September 28, 2021 Pandit Madhusudan Ojha’s Kadambini illuminated the vedic science of forecasting rain, said Dr Devi Prasad Tripathi, Chancellor, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, during his comprehensive presentation on the subject at Pandit Motilal Shastri Memorial Lecture 2021 organised by Shri Shankar Shikshayatan on September 28,2021. Dr Tripathi, a well known expert on jyotish vidya, recalled the extraordinary work done by Ojhaji on rediscovering vedic terms, unraveling the meaning of many of the terms which were lost in time and creating an invigorating body of work on vedic science. His work on forecasting rain, Kadadmbini, was but one of the many volumes Ojhaji had written on various facets of nature and Creation. Referring to Kadambini, he said, it gave a comprehensive account of forecasting rain in simple and lucid terms. How does clouds form, what happens throughout the year and what are the signs of good rain or deficit rain—these are some of the topics dealt within the book. It also explains various natural phenomena like earthquake and meteor shower. The book is divided into four chapters—garbhadhyaya (formation of clouds), dvadamasikadhyaya (monsoon development in a year),nimitadhyaya (science ofastrology) and shankuntatkaladhyaya. Speaking about vrishti or rainfall, Dr Tripathi enunciated certain principles of the natural phenomenon. All living beings survive on anna or food, anna is born from parjanya or rain and parjanya is formed out of yajna. What is this yajna from all are satiated? What is the relationship between rain and yajna? How and where does apa or water form? What is the source of water? There are many such questions which evoke curiosity.The first chapter offers answers to them. For instance, yajna is the offering of soma in agni. The sun is agni and water is soma—the sun causes rain to happen when water is offered in its fire. This is yajna. In the second chapter, Ojhaji has explained the effect of planetary movements on rain.Giving a vivid account of the Indian science of meteorology, Dr Tripathi said there were two methods of forecasting rain given in various vedic and other texts. These are—instrumental measurement and mathematical measurement. Under the mathematical measurement method, five parameters are taken into account for making the forecast. These parameters are planets, movement of the sun, the moon, planetary movements and positions. Introducing the programme, Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, convener of Shri Shnakar Shikshayatan and head of the department, Sanskrit and Ancient Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the annual lecture series began in 2008 when the institute founder, Pandit Rishi Kumar Mishra, decided to honour his guru, Pandit Motilal Shastri. The lecture is organised every year on September 28 and focuses on one of the works of Pandit Madhusudan Ojha or Shastriji. Dr Shukla gave a brief account of the scope and depth of works on vedic vijnana authored by Ojhaji, Shastriji and Mishraji. Prof. Ramachandra Jha said Kadambini was an important work on the science of rain forecasting based on ancient Indian principles. The book presents a clear explanation of the causes of rain and how to make scientific forecast. Prof. Ramachandra Pandey pointed out the importance in rain in a country which is predominatly agrarian. He said it was an easy task to make rain forecasts. There are numerous aspects which need deep examination. Fire, air, sun and moon are causes of rain and these are explained with great clarity in Kadambini. The references given in Kadambini are drawn from veda samhitas and puranas. These are also found in popular literature which makes rain, its forecasting and its influence on agriculture a part of traditional knowledge. The online programme was organised and managed by Dr Mani Shankar Dwivedi, Dr Lakshmi Kant Vimal and Dr Bishnu Shankar Mohapatra, research staff at Shri Shankar Shikshayatan.

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Rishi Kumar Mishra Memorial Lecture

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 February 2, 2019 Veda svarup ka vichar A seminar on Veda svarup ka vichar –Discussion on the meanings of Veda–was jointly organised by Shri Shankar Shikshayatan and Satyawati College, Delhi University, on February 2,2019. was the subject of the first Rishi Kumar Mishra Memorial National Seminar. Introducing the theme, Dr Santosh Kumar Shukla, convener, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan, explained the meaning of the Vedas as enunciated by Pandit Madhusudan Ojha and Pandit Motilal Shastri. He pointed out that rishis divided the essence of the Veda into four parts. He quoted the Bhagvata Purana to state that when rishis found people losing longevity, intellect and vitality, they took inspiration from the paramatma (supreme soul) who dwelt in their heart to  present the Vedas. It can be said that the rishis unveiled the meaning of the Vedas while rishis, taking forward the tradition of learning, presented the mystery of purana vidya (knowledge of the puranas). Prof. Ramesh Chandra Bharadwaj, Sanskrit department, Delhi University, said Pandit Madhusudan Ojha developed a unique way of reading the Vedas. To understand the true essence of the Vedas, it is important to read the works of Pandit Ojha and Pandit Motilal Shastri. Inaugurating the seminar, Prof. Shashi Tiwari said the Veda was tatva or essence of creation. She said it had been so explained in the Mundakopanishad. Quoting hymns from the Vedas, she said there was no difference between the Vedas and Brahma. Since all elements reside in Brahma, everything is a manifestation of Brahma. Speaking in the first session, Dr Sundar Narain Jha, Department of Veda, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth said there was adequate reference to the Veda tatva in the Taitteriya Brahmana. The Brahmana grantha (text) has illustrated the Vedas as four directions—east has been described as Rigveda, south as Yajurveda, west as Atharvaveda and north as Samaveda. The second session was chaired by Dr Jai Prakash Narain and the concluding session was presided over by Prof. Sharada Sharma, Department of Sanskrit, Delhi University.  The seminar was attended by teachers and students of Delhi University colleges, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. श्री ऋषि कुमार मिश्र स्मारक राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी श्री शंकर शिक्षायतन और सत्यवती महाविद्यालय, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के संयुक्त तत्त्वावधान में ‘वेद का स्वरूप’ विषय पर राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी का समायोजन दिनांक २ फरवरी २०१९ को महाविद्यालय के सम्मेलन कक्ष में किया गया। पण्डित मधुसूदन ओझा और पण्डित मोतीलाल शास्त्री के अनुसार वेद के स्वरूप विषय को स्पष्टकरते हुए डॉ. सन्तोष कुमार शुक्ल, समन्वयक, श्री शंकर शिक्षायतन ने कहा कि  एक ही तत्त्वात्मक वेद को तात्कालिक समाज के अनुरूप ऋषियों ने वेद का चतुर्धा विभाग किया। भागवत महापुराण में यह बतलाया गया है कि जब ब्रह्म को जानने वाले ऋषियों ने देखा कि समय के प्रभाव से लोगों की आयु, शक्ति और बुद्धि क्षीण हो गयी है, तब उन्होंने अपने हृदय देश में विराजमान परमात्मा की प्रेरणा से वेदों को अनेक रूपों में प्रस्तुत किया। क्षीणायुषः क्षीणसत्त्वान् दुर्मेधान् वीक्ष्य कालतः। वेदान् ब्रह्मर्षयोऽभ्यसन् हृदिस्थाच्युतनोदिताः ॥ भागवत महापुराण १२/६/४७ एवं ब्रह्मसमन्वय, निर्विशेषानुवाक  पृ. ४ इस वाक्य से स्पष्ट होता है कि एक तत्त्वात्मक वेद को अनेक रूपों में ऋषियों ने तात्कालिक समाज के अनुरूप प्रस्तुत किया। समय के प्राभाव से वस्तु बदलती रहती है। एक ही क्रम में ऋषि और मुनि की परम्परा चली है। ऋषियों ने वेदविद्या के रहस्य को उद्घाटित किया है जबकि मुनियों ने पुराणविद्या के रहस्य को खोला है। प्रो. रमेश चन्द्र भारद्वाज, संस्कृत विभाग, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय ने कहा कि वेदव्याख्या की पद्धति को विकसित करने वाले पण्डित मधुसूदन ओझा हैं। वेद के सही अर्थ को यदि जानना है तो पण्डित ओझाजी और पण्डित शास्त्री जी के ग्रन्थ को पढ़ना अत्यन्त आवश्यक है। उद्घाटन समारोह  के अध्यक्ष डॉ. शशि तिवारी ने कही कि वेद  तत्त्व है, इसका वर्णन मुडकोपनिषद् में है। उन्होंने मन्त्र को  उल्लेख किया- तत्रापरा ऋग्वेदो यजुर्वेदः सामवेदोऽथर्ववेदः। १.१.५ इस मन्त्र में  प्रयुक्त अपरा की श्रेणी में ऋग्वेद आदि हैं। पराविद्या की श्रेणी में ब्रह्म है। ब्रह्म और वेद एक है। क्योंकि ब्रह्म  से ही संपूर्ण तत्त्वों का आविर्भाव होता है। आविर्भाव होकर वस्तु में  ब्रह्म का ही रूप रहता है।  अत एव ब्रह्म और वेद में कोई भेद नहीं है। प्रथम सत्र के अध्यक्ष के रूप में बोलते हुए डॉ. सुन्दर नारायण झा, वेद विभाग, श्रीलाल बहादुर शास्त्री राष्ट्रीय संस्कृत विद्यापीठ ने कहा कि तैत्तिरीयब्रह्मण में दिशाओं को वेदतत्त्व के रूप में वर्णन मिलता है। पूर्व दिशा ऋग्वेद,  दक्षिण दिशा यजुर्वेद,पश्चिम दिशा अथर्ववेद और उत्तर दिशा सामवेद है।           ऋचां प्राची महती दिगुच्यते दक्षिणामाहुर्यजुषामपराम्।           अथर्वणामङ्गिरसां प्रतीची साम्नामुदीची महती दिगुच्यते।।                    तैत्तिरीय ब्राह्मण  ३.१२.६ उपनिषद्भाष्यभूमिका, द्वितीय खण्ड पृ. ११८ उन्होंने कहा कि आज भी श्रौत या स्मार्त यज्ञ में वेदी के चारों दिशाओ में इसी क्रम से वेदपाठी को रखा जाता है। द्वितीय सत्र की अध्यक्षता डॉ. जय प्रकाश नारायण ने की। समापन सत्र की अध्यक्षता प्रो. शारदा शर्मा, अध्यक्ष संस्कृत विभाग, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय ने की। कार्यक्रम का संचालन डॉ. अजय कुमार झा ने किया। कार्यक्रम में दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय के महाविद्यालयों से, श्री लाल बहादुर शास्त्री राष्टीय संस्कृत विद्यापीठ से एवं इन्दिरा गाँधी राष्ट्रीय कला केन्द्र से अनेक प्रतिभागी विद्वानों ने विद्वत्त पूर्ण शोधपत्र का वाचन किया।

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Pandit Motilal Shastri Memorial Lecture 2022 and Rishi Samman

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“Ultimate Dialogue is dialogue with self“ Lecture on Rishi Kumar Mishra’s The Ultimate DialogueBy Prof. Kapil Kapoor In essence, The Ultimate Dialogue is the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, said Prof. Kapil Kapoor, noted linguist, in his address at the Pandit Motilal Shastri Memorial Lecture on September 28, 2022. Prof. Kapoor was also honoured with Rishi Samman, an award instituted by Shri Shankar Shikshayatan to honour Sanskrit and Vedic scholars who have dedicated their life to the study of veda vijnana. Shri Shankar Shikshayatan organises the lecture to honour Shastriji on the birth anniversary of its founder, Rishi Kumar Mishra. Mishraji was the chosen disciple of Shastriji. Standing in Kurukshetra, Arjuna, who all along was eager to engage in a war with Kauravas, was paralysed by a dilemma, became sad and had several questions haunting him. He asked 21 questions to Bhagwan Krishna and if minor questions were also to be included, it would amount to 25 questions in all. If we were to study these questions and their answers, we can understand the deep meaning of Bhagavad Gita. These 21 questions are contained in 700 slokas, 18 chapters and 18 yoga. Prof Kapoor explains Arjuna’s dilemma on whether jnana was superior to karma, and if so, he asks Bhagwan Krishna, if jnana was so superior, then why do you ask me to carry out such a heinous act. Bhagwan replies–Jnana is no different from karma. Jnana is also karma. Jnana itself is karma. If that were the case, why does Bhagwan persuade Arjun to follow the path of karma. Mishraji has vividly explained the meaning of two important terms, buddhi and mana. Mana as sankalp-vikalp, resolution and doubt, and buddhi as nirnayatmaka or decisive. There is a relationship between karma and jnana. Adi Shankaracharya has explained these terms in his Vivekachudamani. Of these paths, if we have to choose one, which path should we take? Which path should Arjuna take? Bhagwan replied that he should take the path of karma. It is superior because jnana is dependent on karma. How do you understand this? In universal consciousness (chetana), three elements are present, they are in conflict and in fusion. These elements are jnana, karma and buddhi. When these elements, despite conflict and tension, merge, they become consciousness. This consciousness makes us realise that the differences we witness are virtual but not in reality it is a continuous, unbroken existence; there are no differences. In bhedha buddhi, we see only objects. But when we rise above them, we can witness their relationship with each other. Prof. Kapoor posed that the basic question in Bhagavad Gita revolved around us and them. It is related to anekta or plurality. If Brahma is one, how can Brahma be present in all of us. In our culture, many wisemen have contemplated this question. We can see the differences but not the one unit from where it all emerges. Like waves, droplets and froth in a river are all but water, the whole universe is the elliptical shaped product of Brahman. Other speakers who spoke on the occasion included prof. Omnath Vimli who dwelt on the meaning of ultimate dialogue. The meeting was coordinated by Dr Mani Shankar Dwivedi and Dr Lakshmi Kant Vimal of Shri Shankar Shikshayatan. Read edited transcript

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Workshop on Maharshikulavaibhavam

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May 15, 2016 A workshop was organised on Pandit Madhusudan Ojha’s Maharshikulavaibhavam, a comprehensive work on the meaning and concept of the term, rishi. In his inaugural address, Prof Baldev Raj Sharma (Delhi University) said rishi was the primary source of Indian knowledge tradition. The rishis presented the matter as they perceived. The main points of discussion were: the use of the term rishi in Sanskrit poetry, reference to rishi in the puranas, in the nirukta, one of the six Vedangas, and rishi-tatva in Maharshikulavaibhavam.

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Workshop on Brahmasidhanta

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January 17, 2015 Ojhaji’s book, Brahmasidhanta, formed the basis of a workshop in Delhi, The first meeting was organised in collaboration with the Indian Archaeological Society. In his address, Prof. Shudhanand Pathak said Ojhaji in his book has explained terms and concepts as given in the Brahmasutra. The workshop saw discussion on the philosophical nature of relationships; the nature of maya, atma, karma and bala, among others.

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