The Contribution of the Akṣara-Puruṣottama Darśana in Vedic Tradition

Concept

Indian darśanic thought presents a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the self, the world in which it lives, and its relationship with all that exists. Its constant inquiry into the most profound and fundamental questions has continued to enlighten humankind throughout many millennia. Who are we? Why do we exist? What is the nature of the world? Is there a divine being, and if so, what are they like? How can we overcome misery and experience everlasting bliss? These are but a few of the questions that have sourced, inspired and guided human thought throughout its existence. In search for meaningful answers to these and many other questions, great ācāryas and thinkers provided original perspectives and interpretations of sacred works, which eventually culminated in the birth of various schools of thought known as darśanas.

The formation of darśanas transformed the Indian experience. By offering revolutionary and comprehensive ways of understanding the self, the world, and the divine, they presented reflections with significant bearing on one’s experience of both the phenomenological and unperceived world. Their perspectives encouraged one to view the familiar and the ordinary through a broader, more encompassing paradigm. Darśanic reflection, revelation, and relevance served as a catalyst that brought together the intricacies of reasoned thought with the infinite complexities of life. Darśanic principles provided viewpoints that both enlightened and inspired. They served as beacons that revealed how to view the world we live in, provided insight into what it means to live a meaningful life, and guided us on how to make life more meaningful.

Such interweaving of doctrine and praxis resulted in the identity of a darśana becoming limited not to just well-organized ideas written in a text or deliberated in conversations, but exemplified, reaffirmed, and witnessed within the lives of its followers. A darśana refused to be reduced to just thoughts and reflections, but took on a wider framework, encompassing as many dimensions as human experience. Therefore, to witness a darśana, one had to study its sacred texts and literature, understand its principles, perceive its expression in the lives of its practitioners, become familiar with its history and culture, and perhaps more importantly, experience its transformative effects in one’s own life.

About the Central Sanskrit University

The Central Sanskrit University was established in 1970 for the development and promotion of Sanskrit. It is fully funded by the Government of India. It functions as an apex body for the propagation and development of Sanskrit and assists the Ministry of Human Resource Development in formulating and implementing various plans and schemes for the development of Sanskrit studies. It has assumed the role of a nodal body for the effective implementation of various recommendations made by the Sanskrit Commission set up by the Government of India, Ministry of Education in 1956 to consider the propagation and development of the Sanskrit language and education in all its aspects.

The major objectives are to propagate, develop and encourage Sanskrit learning and research. This also serves as central, administrative and coordinating machinery for the management of all Campuses. The Government of India has formulated various schemes and programs for the development of Sanskrit education and is implementing these through the university and other agencies.

About Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval

Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval, plays an important role in assessing the necessity of Sanskrit education and promoting Vedic studies in Gujarat.

The university implements notable academic and administrative programs to encourage effective dialogues in Sanskrit. It also produces qualitative publications and multidisciplinary research works in scriptural literature. To make students more efficient, the university locates and gathers scientific, philosophical and value-oriented portions in Sanskrit scriptures and literature to incorporate into its curriculum for the betterment of course academia. This endeavors to minimize the gulf between conventional Sanskrit-scriptural science and modern approach to the natural sciences.

About Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH)

The Akshardham Centre for Applied Research in Social Harmony (AARSH) is an academic institute that aims to bring about greater awareness to the study of Indian manuscripts, culture, language, theology, and philosophy. Located at the majestic Swaminarayan Akshardham in Gandhinagar, the center was founded in 1991 under the visionary guidance of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. Since its opening, AARSH has become a home to a network of scholars, professionals, and community leaders who come together to collectively enhance their research and skillsets and gain new perspectives.

AARSH excels as a center for learning and innovative research. Providing access to exceptional resources, study and discussion spaces, and ample opportunities for creative expression, the Institute serves as a comprehensive source for academic excellence. By grounding intellectual study and investigation in real-world applications, AARSH serves as a platform for scholars to discuss practical applications of philosophy and the sciences to increase social harmony and to find innovative solutions to communal problems.

About BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, New Delhi

The BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute at Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Delhi, was inaugurated by Pramukh Swami Maharaj on Sunday, 4 July 2010 in the presence of leading scholars of India.

Since its inauguration, the Institute has become a home of innovative research and collaborative study. Its considerable growth in membership, the expansion of its research facilities, and increased affiliation with other internationally acclaimed institutes pay testament to the commitment of its members and research faculty. The Institute’s outlook toward developing a multi-disciplinary approach to academic study and toward recognizing cultural beliefs and practices on their own terms has built an interface between modern academia and traditional modes of scholarship. In doing so, the Institute allows for the possibility to amalgamate contemporary, valuable systems of transmission along with an intellectually rigorous traditional scholarship.

BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute strives to encourage interdisciplinary study of various cultures, religions, philosophies, languages, and texts to promote a better understanding through comprehensive educational, research-oriented, and publication programs.

Patrons

Prof. Dr. S.R. Bhatt, Chairman of Indian Philosophical Congress(IPC), Delhi
Mahamhopadhyay Vasishta Tripathi, President of Kashi Vidvat Parishad, Varanasi.
Mahamahopadhyay Harikrushna Satpathi, Ex. Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupti and Ex. Vice Chancellor of KISS Deemed University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Prof. Srinivasa Varkhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
Prof. Dr. Gautam Patel, Ex. Chairman of Gujarat Rajya Sanskrit Academy, Gandhinagar.
Prof. Dr. Ravindra Panda, Vice Chancellor of Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri.
Prof. Dr. Lalit Patel, IC Vice Chancellor of Shree Somnath Sanskrit University Veraval.
Prof. Dr. Madhusudan Penna, Vice Chancellor of Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Nagpur, Ramtek.
Prof. Dr. Gajendra S. Panda, HOD of the Sanskrit Department, L.D. Arts College, Ahmedabad

Coordinators

Prashant Bhatt, OS, AARSH Research Centre, Swaminarayan Akshardham, Gandhinagar, [email protected], Mob. – 9879110020
Harikrushna Pedhadiya, Assistant Professor, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, Sarangpur, [email protected], Mob. – 8320846079

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Last date for Acceptance Form & Abstract Submission: 25 October 2022

Last date for Research Paper Submission: 10 December 2022

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A select number of papers presented at the conference will be published in the form of an edited volume. Selection of the papers will solely depend upon the critical evaluation by the peer editing, reviewing, and publishing committee.

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