Shri Shankar Shikshayatan is happy to organise a seven-day National Workshop on Vyakaranavinod from November 17 to 23, 2026. Vyakaranvinod is a simplified text on Sanskrit grammar written by Pandit Madhusudan Ojha. In six chapters, Ojhaji has explained the intricacies of language and grammar in a comprehensive manner. Ojhaji had kept students of Sanskrit in mind while writing this book.
Report Shri Shankar Shikshayatan organised a national seminar through an online platform on Saturday, 31 October 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The seminar focused on the section entitled Patra-nirnejana and Purodasha-Sampadana from Shatapatha Brahman Vijnana Bhashya, authored by Pandit Motilal Shastri. The seminar was part of a series devoted to the study of various subjects discussed in the Shatapatha Brahmana. Dr. Vishva Bandhu, Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Tripura University, Tripura, delivered a lecture on his assigned topic. He said that the Shatapatha Brahmana contains the statement: “Chaturdha vihito va agneh agnih asa.” The Hindi Vijnana Bhashya offers a new perspective in its interpretation of this statement. Purusha is Agni, Prakriti is Agni, Virat is Agni, and Samvatsara is Agni.The Imperishable (Akshara) Agni itself is called Purusha Agni. This is the first form of Agni and is also the principle that governs the universe. The second is Prakrita Agni, the Agni that gives form to things. The third Agni is Hiranyagarbha. Within this Agni called Hiranya resides the Arsheya Agni known as Rishi-Prana, which is Virat Agni. The fourth Agni is the presiding solar Agni of the Chayana yajna. This solar Agni is the Agni called Samvatsara. (Shatapatha Brahman Vijnana Bhashya, p. 710.) Dr. Satyendra Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, presented his views on Patra-nirnejana. He said that the Bhashya provides a logical resolution of the question of animal violence in its treatment of pashu-alambhana-vijnana. Just as consciousness exists in the human being, consciousness also exists in the animal body. It therefore follows that wherever the alambhana of an animal is described, alambhana means the touching of the animal. (Ibid., p. 737.) Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Maharshi Valmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal, said that five animals are described in this context. The third among these animals is the cow. The source of the principle of the cow (go-tattva) is Parameshthi. The world of Parameshthi is the Soma world. The deity of Parameshthi is Vishnu. The Saumya Prana is the soul of the principle of the cow, while the solar Agni is its body. The Sun has one thousand rays. From this perspective, the number of the go-tattva is one thousand. Of the go-tattva divided into one thousand parts, 333 parts are associated with the earthly Vasu deities, 333 parts with the atmospheric Rudra deity, and 333 parts with the celestial Sun. The remaining one is well known by the name Kamaga vi. In the language of the Puranas, this Kamaga vi is referred to as Kamadhenu. (Ibid., p. 753.) Dr. Satyavrat Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Central Sanskrit University, Maharaja Shri Ranvir Singh Campus, Jammu, delivered a lecture on Aptya in Patra-nirnejana. He explained that Aptya is of three kinds: Ekatā, Dvitā, and Tritā. The morning pressing (Pratah-savana) has Ekatā Aptya for the Vasu deities, with Agni as the principal deity. The midday pressing (Madhyandina-savana) has Dvitā Aptya for the Rudra deities, with Vayu as the principal deity. The evening pressing (Sayam-savana) has Tritā Aptya for the Aditya deities, with Indra as the principal deity. (Ibid., p. 724.) Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, Centre of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, presided over the programme. He said that Agni-tattva, Vayu-tattva and Aditya-tattva have a central place in Vedic science. The same Agni assumes these three forms because of its dense, liquid and subtle states. In essence, these three principles are one and the same Agni. (Ibid., p. 724.) Shri Umesh Shastri, Vaidika, Department of Veda, Maharshi Valmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal, recited the Vedic Mangala-charana in the traditional intonation. The programme was conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan. Scholars, teachers, and research students from universities and colleges in several states, along with scholars interested in Sanskrit learning, participated enthusiastically in the seminar and contributed to its successful completion. Correct the series title and focusClarify technical terms for general readers National Seminar Shatapatha Brahman Vijnana Bhashya: Patra-nirnejana and Purodasha-Sampadana Vimarsha Series 10 Report Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan organised a national seminar through an online platform on Saturday, 31 October 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The seminar focused on the section entitled Patra-nirnejana and Purodasha-Sampadana from Shatapatha Brahman Vijnana Bhashya, authored by Pandit Motilal Shastri. The seminar was part of a series devoted to the study of various subjects discussed in the Shatapatha Brahmana. Dr. Vishva Bandhu, Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Tripura University, Tripura, delivered a lecture on his assigned topic. He said that the Shatapatha Brahmana contains the statement: “Chaturdha vihito va agneh agnih asa.” The Hindi Vijnana Bhashya offers a new perspective in its interpretation of this statement. Purusha is Agni, Prakriti is Agni, Virat is Agni, and Samvatsara is Agni. The Imperishable (Akshara) Agni itself is called Purusha Agni. This is the first form of Agni and is also the principle that governs the universe. The second is Prakrita Agni, the Agni that gives form to things. The third Agni is Hiranyagarbha. Within this Agni called Hiranya resides the Arsheya Agni known as Rishi-Prana, which is Virat Agni. The fourth Agni is the presiding solar Agni of the Chayana sacrifice. This solar Agni is the Agni called Samvatsara. (Shatapatha Brahman Vijnana Bhashya, p. 710.) Dr. Satyendra Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, presented his views on Patra-nirnejana. He said that the Bhashya provides a logical resolution of the question of animal violence in its treatment of pashu-alambhana-vijnana. Just as consciousness exists in the human being, consciousness also exists in the animal body. It therefore follows that wherever the alambhana of an animal is described, alambhana means the touching of the animal. (Ibid., p. 737.) Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Veda, Maharshi Valmiki Sanskrit University, Kaithal, said that five animals are described in this context. The third among these animals is the cow. The source of the principle of the cow (go-tattva) is Parameshthi. The…
प्रतिवेदन श्रीशंकर शिक्षायतन वैदिक शोध संस्थान द्वारा दिनांक ३१ अक्टूम्बर २०२६, शनिवार को सायंकाल५-७ बजे तक अन्तर्जालीय माध्यम से राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी का समायोजन किया गया। पण्डित मोतीलाल शास्त्रीप्रणीत शतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य नामक ग्रन्थ के ‘पात्रीनिर्णेजनं पुरोडाश-सम्पादन’ नामक प्रकरण पर विचारकिया गया। इस ब्राह्मणग्रन्थ के विविध विषयों को आधार बना कर यह राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी समायोजित की गई थी। डॉ. विश्व बन्धु, सह आचार्य, संस्कृत विभाग, त्रिपुरा विश्वविद्यालय , त्रिपुरा ने अपने निर्धारित विषयपर व्याख्यान दिया। उन्होंने कहा कि शतपथब्राह्मण का यह वचन है ‘ चतुर्धा विहितो वा अग्नेः अग्निः आस’। इसमन्त्र की व्याख्या में हिन्दी विज्ञान भाष्य ने अभिनव दृष्टि दी है। पुरुष अग्नि है, प्रकृति अग्नि है, विराट् अग्नि हैऔर संवत्सर अग्नि है। अक्षर अग्नि को ही एव पुरुष अग्नि कहा गया है, यह अग्नि का पहला रूप है और यहीविश्व का सञ्चालक भी है। दूससी वस्तु स्वरूप को बनाने वाली अग्नि प्राकृत अग्नि है। तीसरी अग्नि हिरण्यगर्भ है।इसी हिरण्य नामक अग्नि में ऋषिप्राण नामक आर्षेय अग्नि रहता है जो विराट् अग्नि है। चौथा अग्नि चयनयज्ञ कीअधिष्ठात्री सौर अग्नि है, यही सौर अग्नि संवत्सर नामक अग्नि है। (शतपथब्राह्मण विज्ञानभाष्य पृ. ७१०) डॉ. सत्येन्द्र कुमार यादव, सहायक आचार्य, वेदविभाग, सम्पूर्णानन्द संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, वाराणसीने पात्रीनिर्णेजन विषय पर अपना विचार प्रस्तुत करते हुए कहा कि भाष्य में पशु आलम्भन विज्ञान में पशुहिंसाका समाधान तार्किक रूप में प्राप्त होता है। जिस प्रकार मानव में चेतना रहती है उसी प्रकार पशु शरीर में भीचेतना रहती है। इस से यह सिद्ध होता है कि जहाँ जहाँ पशु का आलम्भन का वर्णन है वहाँ वहाँ पशु का स्पर्शकरना अर्थ ही आलम्भन का तात्पर्य है। (वही पृ. ७३७) डॉ. अखिलेश कुमार मिश्र, सहायक आचार्य, वेदविभाग, महर्षि वाल्मीकि संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, कैथलने कहा कि इस प्रसंग में पाँच पशुओं का वर्णन प्राप्त होता है। इन पशुओं में तीसरा पशु गौ है। गौतत्त्व कीउत्पत्ति का स्थान परमेष्ठी है। परमेष्ठीलोक ही सोमलोक है। परमेष्ठीदेवता का नाम विष्णु है। सौम्यप्राण गौतत्त्वकी आत्मा है। सौर अग्नि गौतत्त्व का शरीर है। सूर्य के एक हजार रश्मियाँ हैं। इस दृष्टि से गौतत्त्व की संख्या एकहजार हो जाती है। एक हजार भाग में विभक्त गौ तत्त्व के ३३३ भाग पार्थिव वसुदेवता से संबद्ध हैं। ३३३ भागआन्तरिक्ष्य रुद्रदेवत से संबद्धा हैं, ३३३ भाग द्युस्थानीय सूर्य के साथ संबद्ध हैं। एक बची हुई संख्या कामगवी नाम से सुविख्यात है। पुराण की भाषा में इसी कामगवी को कामधेनु शब्द से व्यवहार होता है। । (वही पृ. ७५३) डॉ. सत्यव्रत पाण्डेय, सहायक आचार्य, वेदविभाग, केन्द्रीय संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, महाराजा श्रीरणवीरसिंह परिसर, जम्मू ने पात्रीनिर्णेजन में आप्त्या होती है, इस पर अपना व्याख्यान दिया। यह आप्त्या तीन प्रकारकी होती है- एकता, द्विता और त्रिता । प्रातःसवन अग्नि प्रमुख वसु देवताओं के लिए एकता नामक आप्त्या होतीहै। माध्यन्दिन सवन वायु प्रमुख रुद्रा देवता के लिए द्विता नाम वाली आप्त्या होती है। सायंसवन इन्द्र प्रमुखआदित्य देवताओं के लिए त्रिता नाम वाली आप्त्या होती है। (वही पृ. ७२४) प्रो. सन्तोष कुमार शुक्ल, आचार्य, संस्कृत एवं प्राच्यविद्या अध्ययन संस्थान, जवाहरलाल नेहरूविश्वविद्यालय, नई दिल्ली कार्यक्रम के अध्यक्ष थे । उन्होंने कहा कि वैदिकविज्ञान में अग्नितत्त्व, वायुतत्त्व औरआदित्यतत्त्व की प्रधानता है। यह एक ही अग्नि अपने घन-तरल-विरल अवस्था के कारण ये तीनों तत्त्व बन जातेहैं। इन तीनों तत्त्वों के एकरूप ही अग्नि है। (वही पृ. ७२४) श्रीमान् उमेश शास्त्री, वैदिक, वेदविभाग, महर्षि वाल्मीकि संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, कैथल ने सस्वरवैदिक मङ्गलाचरण का पाठ किया। कार्यक्रम का सञ्चालन श्रीशंकर शिक्षायतन वैदिक शोधसंस्थान केशोधाधिकारी डॉ. लक्ष्मी कान्त विमल ने किया। इस कार्यक्रम में अनेक प्रान्तों के विश्वविद्याल और महाविद्यालके आचार्य, शोधछात्र, संस्कृत विद्या मे रुचि रखने वाले विद्वानों ने उत्साह पूर्वक भाग ग्रहण कर गोष्ठी को सफल
Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan organised a national online seminar on September 30, 2026 to examine the Vedic principles underlying the preparation of purodasha (a ritual offering) mixed with water. The discussion centred on the chapter Udaka Mishrita Purodasha Sampadan from Pandit Motilal Shastri’s Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnanabhashya. Scholars from leading Sanskrit and Vedic institutions explored the roles of water, plants, Agni, Soma and Prana in the Vedic understanding of nourishment and the processes of nature. The seminar also examined the classification of elemental principles in Vedic science and the interpretative framework developed in the Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnanabhashya. The exchange brought together scholars and researchers from different parts of the country to discuss the scientific interpretations of Vedic texts presented in this work. Acharya Pandit Sanjay Pandey, a renowned Vedic scholar from Ayodhya, explained that different vessels are used for water in a yajna. These include the Prokshani Patra, Madayanti Patra, Sravanti Patra and Upasarjani Patra. Water that enters plants and enriches them with their juice is called Upasarjani. (Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnanabhashya, p. 670) Dr Arun Kumar Mishra, Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, University of Delhi, Delhi, observed that the principles of Agni (fire) and water occupy a central place in Vedic science. Soma is another name for water. The principle expressed in the phrase Agnishomabhyam Jagat—the universe originates from Agni and Soma—is well known. The element of water provides the foundation and support for Agni. When water is poured into fire, it rises upwards in the form of vapour. The water used in the Upasarjani vessel is associated with the flour-based substance used in the preparation of the offering. This relationship is supported by a Yajurvedic passage: Sam apah oshadhibhih, sam oshadhayo rasena—water combines with plants, and plants combine with their juice. (Ibid., p. 671) Dr Vishwesh Vagmi, Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Uttarakhand University, explained that barley and wheat are classified under the term oshadhi (plant or vegetation) in this context. The earth is associated with oshadhi, while water constitutes our food. Our bodies are formed through the combination of these two. He cited the following passage: Tasmad oshadhayah kevalyah khadita na dhin vanti; oshadhaya u ha apam rasah; tasmad apah pitah kevalyo na dhin vanti; yadaivobhayyah samsrishta bhavanti, athaiva dhin vanti. The passage explains that plants consumed on their own do not fully nourish us, just as water consumed on its own does not fully nourish us. Plants derive their essence from water, and it is when the two are combined that they provide nourishment. (Ibid., p. 674) Dr Nitin Arya, Assistant Professor, Department of Vyakarana, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, explained that Abhiplava refers to the principle of Go-tattva, identified with Prana (the vital force) bearing the name Manogarbha. This principle is characterised by an inwardly directed mental impulse that spreads from the centre towards the periphery. (Ibid., p. 677) Professor Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, presided over the seminar. He explained that Vedic science classifies the principles of existence in five ways. The Vak (speech) of the Svayambhu Mandala is Brahma; that of the Parameshthi Mandala is Vishnu; that of the Surya Mandala is Indra; that of the Prithvi Mandala is Agni; and that of the Chandra Mandala is Soma. The Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnanabhashya provides interpretations of a wide range of subjects through this framework. (Ibid., p. 697) The Vedic students of Maharshi Gautama Samaveda Vidyalaya, Bihar, under the guidance of Dr Kamalraj Upadhyay, Professor at the institution, collectively recited Vedic invocations for auspiciousness. The programme was conducted by Dr Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer at Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan. Scholars, faculty members, research students and others interested in Sanskrit learning from universities and colleges across several states participated enthusiastically, contributing to the success of the seminar. Clarify the seminar’s main purposeAdd a stronger opening summary
प्रतिवेदन श्रीशंकर शिक्षायतन वैदिक शोध संस्थान द्वारा दिनांक ३० सितम्बर २०२६, बुधवार को सायंकाल ५-७ बजे तक अन्तर्जालीय माध्यम से राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी का समायोजन किया गया। पण्डित मोतीलाल शास्त्री प्रणीतशतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य नामक ग्रन्थ के ‘उदकमिश्रित-पुरोडाश-सम्पादन’ नामक प्रकरण पर विचार कियागया। इस ब्राह्मणग्रन्थ के विविध विषयों को आधार बना कर यह राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी समायोजित की गई थी। आचार्य पण्डित सञ्जय पाण्डेय, प्रख्यात वैदिक, अयोध्या, ने कहा कि यज्ञ में जल के लिए भिन्न भिन्नपात्र होते हैं। जिनके नाम इस प्रकार हैं- प्रोक्षणीपात्र, मदयन्तीपात्र, स्रवन्तीपात्र, उपसर्जनीपात्र। वह पानी जोओषधि में प्रविष्ट होकर उन्हें रसयुक्त बनाता, वह उपसर्जनी कहलाता है। (शतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य पृ. ६७०) डॉ. अरुण कुमार मिश्र, सह आचार्य, संस्कृत विभाग, दिल्ली विश्वविद्यालय, दिल्ली ने कहा कि वैदिकविज्ञान में अग्नि तत्त्व और जल तत्त्व ये प्रधान हैं। जल का ही दूसरा नाम सोम है। ‘अग्निषोमाभ्यां जगत्’, यहसिद्धान्त अत्यन्त प्रसिद्ध है। अग्नि का प्रतिष्ठा और आधार जल तत्त्व ही है। अग्नि में जल को डाल कर अग्निवाष्परूप में ऊपर जाता है। उपसर्जनी के जल के पिष्टद्रव्य के साथ संबन्ध है। इसमें यजुःश्रुति प्रमाण है। ‘समापओषधिभिः, समोषधयो रसेन’। (वही पृ. ६७१) डॉ. विश्वेश वाग्मी, सह आचार्य, संस्कृत विभाग, हेमवती नन्दन बहुगुणा विश्वविद्यालय, उत्तरखण्ड नेकहा कि यव और गेहूँ ये अन्न औषधिपद से व्यवहार किया जाता है। ओषधि पृथ्वी है, जल हमलोगों का अन्न है।इन दोनों के मिलन से ही हमारा शरीर बनता है। ‘तस्मादोषधयः केवल्यः खादिता न धिन्वन्ति, ओषदय उहापां रसः, तस्मादापः पीता केवल्यो न धिन्वन्ति, यदैवोभय्यः संसृष्टा भवन्ति अथैव धिन्वन्ति। (वही पृ. ६७४)डॉ. नितिन आर्य, सहायक आचार्य, व्याकरण विभाग, संपूर्णानन्द संस्कृत विश्वविद्यालय, वाराणसी नेकहा कि जो वस्तु केन्द्रभाग से परिधि की ओर फैलने वाला मनोगर्भित प्राण नाम वाला गोतत्त्व ही ‘अभिप्लव’है।(वही पृ. ६७७) प्रो. सन्तोष कुमार शुक्ल, आचार्य, संस्कृत एवं प्राच्यविद्या अध्ययन संस्थान, जवाहरलाल नेहरूविश्वविद्यालय, नई दिल्ली कार्यक्रम के अध्यक्ष थे । उन्होंने कहाँ कि वैदिकविज्ञान में पाँच प्रकार से तत्त्वों कावर्गीकरण है। स्वयम्भूमण्डल का वाक् ब्रह्म है, परमेष्ठीमण्डल का वाक् विष्णु है, सूर्यमण्डल का वाक् इन्द्र है,पृथ्वीमण्डल का वाक् अग्नि है, चन्द्रमण्डल का वाक् सोम है। इस प्रकार से विविध विषयों की व्याख्याशतपथब्राह्मणविज्ञानभाष्य प्राप्त होता है। (वही पृ. ६९७) डॉ. कमलराज उपाध्याय, प्राध्यापक महर्षि गौतम संगवेद विद्यालय, बिहार के वैदिकबटुकों नेसामूहिक सस्वर वैदिक मङ्गलाचरण का पाठ किया। कार्यक्रम का सञ्चालन श्रीशंकर शिक्षायतन वैदिकशोधसंस्थान के शोधाधिकारी डॉ. लक्ष्मी कान्त विमल ने किया। इस कार्यक्रम में अनेक प्रान्तों के विश्वविद्यालऔर महाविद्याल के आचार्य, शोधछात्र, संस्कृत विद्या मे रुचि रखने वाले विद्वानों ने उत्साह पूर्वक भाग ग्रहण कर गोष्ठी को सफल बनाया।
Shri Shankar Shikshayatan is happy to invite you to our eleventh discussion Shatapatha Brahmana on November 30, 2026. This is part of our annual series of seminars on Pandit Motilal Shastri’s Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya.
नवंबर 2026 श्री शंकर शिक्षायतन को 30 नवंबर 2026 में हमारी ग्यारहवीं चर्चा शतपथ ब्राह्मण में आपको आमंत्रित करते हुए खुशी हो रही है। यह पंडित मोतीलाल शास्त्री के शतपथ ब्राह्मण विज्ञान भाष्य पर सेमिनारों की हमारी वार्षिक श्रृंखला का हिस्सा है।
English Translation of VyomavadaAuthor: Pandit Madhusudan OjhaTranslators–Santosh Kumar Shukla, Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Wilson JohnPublishers: Saraswatam Publishers and Shri Shankar ShikshayatanYear: 2026 The Universe in Space (Vyomavada) is one of the most remarkable works of the great Vedic savant Pandit Madhusudan Ojha, whose vast corpus sought to recover the scientific, philosophical and cosmological vision embedded in the Vedic texts. Pandit Madhusudan Ojha authored more than a hundred works covering Vedic cosmology, philosophy, linguistics, ritual science and history, and `Vyomavada` occupies a central place among his writings on creation and the origin of the universe. In this work, Ojhaji presents a profound exposition of creation based on the concept of `vyoma`—space as the primordial principle from which the universe emerges, evolves and is sustained. In Ojhaji’s interpretation, creation is not merely a physical event but a continuous process linking consciousness, energy, speech, sacrifice and matter within an integrated vision of reality. The selections translated in this volume reveal the depth and originality of Ojhaji’s thought. They illuminate his explanations of the relationship between space and air, the emergence of the elements, the role of Vedic categories such as Ṛk, Yajus and Sāman in cosmic manifestation, and the correspondence between the macrocosm and the human being. More than a study of ancient cosmology, the book invites readers to enter an intellectual tradition that views the universe as an interconnected whole, where matter, life, mind and spirit arise from a common source. These translations aim to make accessible one of the most significant yet little-known contributions to modern Vedic scholarship and to introduce contemporary readers to Pandit Madhusudan Ojha’s far-reaching vision of the origins and structure of the cosmos. This volume will be of interest to scholars of Vedic studies, Indology, philosophy, history of ideas, comparative cosmology and all readers seeking a deeper understanding of India’s intellectual heritage.
Shri Shankar Shikshayatan is happy to invite you to our ninth discussion Shatapatha Brahmana on September 30, 2026. This is part of our annual series of seminars on Pandit Motilal Shastri’s Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya.
Report A National Seminar was organised by the Shri Shankar Shikshayatan on Monday, 31 August 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. through an online platform. The seminar focused on the chapter entitled “Preparation of the Upavesha and Cooking of the Sacrificial Offering” (Upavesha Sampadana and Havih Paripaka) from Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya, authored by Pandit Motilal Shastri. The seminar was organised around various themes of the Shatapatha Brahmana, with particular attention to their interpretation and exposition in the Vijnana Bhashya. Prof. Devendra Prasad Mishra, Professor and Head, Department of Veda, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, stated that an innovative interpretation of the statement “Pankto vai yajnah” is found in the Shatapatha Brahmana Vijnana Bhashya. The Year-long Sacrifice (Samvatsara Yajna) consists of five divisions: Agnihotra, Darshapurnamasa, Chaturmasya, Pashubandha, and Somayajna. These are also described in another form as Paka Yajna, Havir Yajna, Mahayajna, Atiyajna, and Shiroyajna. (Shatapatha Brahmana, p. 627) Prof. Yogendra Bhanu, Professor and Academic Dean, Maharaja Surajmal Brij University, Bharatpur, explained that the fire in which the sacrificial substance is cooked is spread with a wooden implement shaped like a hand. This wooden implement is called the Upavesha. Acharya Sayana, in his commentary on the Shatapatha Brahmana, explains it as the piece of wood used for spreading the burning embers: “Angara-vibhajanartham kastham upaveshah.” The ritvik or Agnidhra who performs the act of placing the vessel (kapala) recites the Yajurvedic mantra “Dhrishtir asi” while lifting the Upavesha. (Ibid., p. 619) Dr. Archana Kumari, Associate Professor, Department of Grammar, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, stated that Soma is offered as an oblation into the fire. From the perspective of its seven forms, the statement “Saptasanstho vai Jyotishtomah” is used. These seven forms are Agnishtoma, Atyagnishtoma, Ukthya Soma, Shodashistoma, Atiratra Stoma, Vajapeya Stoma, and Aptoryama Stoma. She further explained that, corresponding to the seven forms of Agni, food (anna) is also described as being of seven kinds: “Yat saptannani tapasajanayat pita.” (Ibid., p. 629) Dr. Pawan Kumar Pandey, Assistant Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, explained that the Adhvaryu, while reciting the mantra “Dhishanam asi parvati prithvad ity as tvag vetu,” spreads the black antelope skin and places the drshat (grinding stone) upon it. The stone holds the grain that is to be ground and is therefore also referred to by the term Dhishana. Since it forms a part of a mountain, it is described as a fragment of a mountain and is designated Parvati in the Shatapatha Brahmana. (Ibid., p. 622) Prof. Santosh Kumar Shukla, Professor, Institute of Sanskrit and Ancient Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, presided over the programme. He explained that Agni is described in three forms: Amat, Kravyat, and Havyavat. The fire present within the body of a living being is called Amat; the fire that consumes a dead body is Kravyat; and the fire through which the gods receive the sacrificial offering is called Havyavat. He observed that the Hindi Vijnana Bhashya contains a wide range of subjects and emphasised the need to study it carefully and attentively. (Ibid., p. 640) Dr. Kamalraj Upadhyaya, Professor and Vedacharya, Shri Totadri Kamalanayan Veda Vidyalaya, Parkota, Anupshahr, Bulandshahr, rendered the Vedic Mangala-charana in traditional recitation. The programme was conducted by Dr. Lakshmi Kant Vimal, Research Officer, Shri Shankar Shikshayatan Vaidik Shodh Sansthan. The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from professors, research scholars, and scholars interested in Sanskrit learning from universities and colleges across several states. Their active participation contributed to the success of the seminar.
