School of thought

SANSKRIT MEET LAUDS NEW INSTITUTE OF HINDU LEARNING

SCHOOL has been recognised as the first independent institute of Hindu philosophies since the 16th century, it was revealed at a Sanskrit conference earlier this month.

The Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s Akshar-Pu­rushottam Darshan was officially named the first new independent school of Vedanta (one of the six ancient schools of Hindu philosophy) since the 16th century.

The news was announced at the 17th World Sanskrit Conference, an international gather­ing for Sanskrit scholars. This year, more than 600 scholars and academics came from over 40 countries for the event.

The session last Monday (9) was held for the first time in Canada at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Additional highlights of the conference in­cluded the launch of the recently authored Sanskrit works on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the Swaminarayan Bhashyam and the Swaminarayan Siddhanta Sudha by Sadhu Bhadreshdas of the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Sri Akhsar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha).

Professor Ashok Aklujkar, an organising committee member of the conference and a senior Sanskrit scholar, praised Bhadreshdas Swami as one of the most “amazing” person­alities of the religious traditions of India that he had ever met.

“His scholarly genius is jaw-dropping, and his commentaries on the Prasthantrayi are a truly great achievement,” Prof Aklujkar said.

In the conference’s inaugural address, Bhadreshdas Swami commented upon the val­ues and principles of the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan school. He said: “The essence of Ak­shar-Purushottam Darshan is to offer devotion to Purushottam (the supreme being) with lov­ing servitude, having qualitatively realised oneself as Akshar, who takes the form of the exemplary living guru.”

The following day, a session was held on the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan in which pro­fessors and swamis (gurus) presented papers before they spoke on subjects that were rele­vant to the conference.

In the evening, Akshar-Purushottam Dar­shan Vidvat Goshti, a scholarly forum in San­skrit and English, was held on the significance of the Swaminarayan Siddhant Sudha, com­posed by Bhadreshdas Swami.

Several experts on Sanskrit, including Prof George Cardona; Prof Sadananda Das; C Ra­jendran; Staneshwar Timalsina; Shrikant Ba­hulkar and Bhadreshdas Swami discussed the impact that the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan would have on the language.

The triennial World Sanskrit Conference brings together respected figures in the world of Sanskrit to advance understanding of San­skrit language and literature.