Symposium On “Contributions Of Śrī Vācaspati Miśra To Āstika Darśanas”

Nithin Sridhar is a Practising Hindu, Author, and Speaker He is the Director & Chief Curator of INDICA Center for Moksha Studies (Advaita Academy) dedicated to the dissemination of Advaita Vedanta.

He has authored six books on various aspects of Hindu culture and practice. His first book “Musings On Hinduism '' provided an overview of various aspects of Hindu philosophy and society. His book ‘Samanya Dharma’ enunciates upon general tenets of ethics as available in Hindu texts. His latest book ‘Isopanishad: An English Commentary’ is an English translation and commentary on one of the prominent Hindu texts. However, his most widely read book is “Menstruation Across Cultures: A Historical Perspective'' which examines menstruation notions and practices prevalent in different cultures & religions from across the world. His upcoming book is a commentary on the opening verses of Manusmriti.

He teaches courses on Hinduism for Indica Courses and regularly contributes articles and delivers lectures on religion, spirituality, and culture at various platforms. Earlier, he had also served as the Editor of IndiaFacts- a portal on Indian history and culture. He tweets at @nkgrock.

Dr. Swamini Svatmavidyananda Saraswati has taught at several universities nationally, including UC Berkeley. She is widely recognized as a scholar of Advaita Vedanta, and is a disciple of Pujya Sri Swami Dayanandaji Saraswati, an internationally known Acharya of the Advaita Vedanta tradition, interfaith leader, and scholastic author of Vedanta, responsible for the inception of the All India Movement for Seva (AIM for Seva), a non-profit enabling rural Indian children to receive a proper education. She is widely in demand for lectures and seminars, in the USA and internationally, for her expertise in interreligious engagement, and in-depth training and scholarship on Advaita Vedanta. Dr. Saraswati is the Acharya of Arsha Vijnana Gurukulam, which was founded in 2004 and has centers in Atlanta, GA, Eugene, OR, Washington DC, Detroit, MI, Milwaukee, WI, and Fort Meyers, FL.

Prof. Bishnupada Mahapatra is presently the Professor & Head of the Department at the Department of Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi. He has studied Nyaya Vaisheshika Shastra and Darshana Shastra under a number of teachers including Prof. Vashistha Tripathi, Prof. Rampujan Pandey, Prof. Rajaram Shukla, and Prof. Sudhakar Dixit among others. He has published more than 50 Research Articles and eight books. He regularly presents at National and International Seminars and Conferences and has guided many students in PhD.

Prof. Mahapatra has received many awards including Maharshi Badarayan Vyas Samman, President Award in 2015, Vidwatbhushan Awarded by Kashi Vidwat Parishad in 2017, and Abhinandan Samman from GOVT. Sanskrit Mahavidyalay, Sikkim in 2016.

Dr. Sandeep Kumar Sharma is a traditionally trained scholar in Nyaya and Vedanta Shastras. He has studied Nyaya Shastra and completed the Tenali exams in Nyaya shastra under the tutelage of Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Devadatta Govinda Patil. He completed his Vedanta Adhyayana under the tutelage of Dr. Kuppa Vishwanatha Sharma in Tirupati. He has Completed his Ph.D. in Nyaya shastra from National Sanskirt Univrsity, Tirupati. He has worked as a guest lecturer in Maharshi Panini Sanskrit University, Ujjain for a short period. Dr. Sandeep runs three Veda shastra pathashasalas in Madhya Pradesh. He is at present training around 6 students in nyaya shastra, and around 100+ students are studying Madhyandina Shakha od Shukla Yajur veda in the pathashalas administered by him in Madhya Pradesh. Dr. Sandeep is bestowed with titles - Shastra Pravara by Sringeri Math and Shastrakalanidhi by the Governer of Madhya Pradesh.

Srinivas Jammalamadaka studied Nyaya/Tarka Shastra under Sri. Ambadipudi Radhe Shyama Shastri, Advaita Vedanta under Sri. R. Mani David's Sastrigal, and Vyakarana under Sri. Ganti Dattatreya Murthy. He has completed the Tenali exams in Tarka Shastra and appeared for the Tenali exams in Advaita Vedanta. He has completed MPhil & PhD in Nyaya shastra. He is presently the Assistant Professor at the School of Shastric Learning, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek. He has been conferred awards such as - Tarka-Ratnam & Vidwan Mani by Sri Kanchi Shankaracharya, Shastrakalanidhi by Madhya Pradesh State Governor.

Karthik Sharma is currently working as an Assistant Professor in Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth situated in Kochi,Kerala. He completed his graduation and Post graduation in Advaita Vedanta from The Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore. Karthik Sharma completed his traditional studies in Advaita Vedanta under Dr. K. S. Maheswaran Namboothiri’s guidance, completing all the 15 levels of exams followed by the Mahapareeksha in Advaita Vedanta at Kanchee Veda Vedanta Sastra Sabha, Tenali. He also learned Tarka-Sastra in traditional style under Dr K. E. Devanathan. He also learned advanced Vedanta texts under Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Mani Dravid Sastrigal. Karthik Sharma has participated as resource person in several Vakyartha sadas, Seminars,debates and Workshops across India.

Karthik Sharma was honoured with the Golden Ring (Suvarnanguleeyakam) by Mahasannidhanam, Sringeri Mutt in the year 2019. He was also awarded with the title ‘Advaitavedantaratnam’ by Kanchi mutt in 2019 and advaita-vedāntavidvanmaṇiḥ’ by Indic Academy in the year of 2021. He was also honoured with the vidyānidhipuraskāra by sringeri mutt in the year of 2022.

Dr. Satyanarayana C T currently works as Senior Linguist Scholar in the Department of Linguistics, Vyoma Linguistic Labs Foundation. He completed his PhD in Advaitha Vedanta from Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bangalore in the year 2022 on the topic "A Critical Analysis of Tarkika Theories as Found in Advaitha. He previously worked as Asst. Professor at Veda Vijanana Sanskrit Mahapatashala in the Department of Advaitha Vedanta.

He has also completed his studies of Krishna Yajur Veda (Aranyaka, Brahmana & Samhita) and his areas of specialization include: Advaitha Vedanta, Yoga, Prachina Nyaya, Navnya Nyaya, Mimamsa, and Karmanushthanam. He has received many awards including Silver medal in National Level Speech Competition on Vedanta Shastra and First Place in State Level Speech Competition on Poorva Mimamsa.

He is currently studying advanced texts such as Dinakari and Gadadhari under Prof. B.V Venkataramaanacharya and advanced Mimamsa texts under Prof. Subraya Bhat.

Dr. Pushkar Deopujari is a Assistant Professor in Vedanta at Calicut Adarsha Sanskrit Vidyapeetha,Kozhikode, Kerala. He completed his Ph.D. from Pondicherry University, Puducherry. He is trained in various systems of Indian Philosophy with special focus on Vedanta and Yoga at Veda Vijnana Gurukulam, Bangalore under the guidance of Prof. Ramachandra Bhat. He has also sucessfully completed the prestigious ‘Tenali’ Exam, conducted by Kanchi Kamakoti Matha under the guidance of Dr. K.S.Maheshwaran.

Dr. Deopujari has published more than 10 research articles in various journals and regularly participates in National Seminars and Shastra Training Programmes. He has received many awards including: 'Advaita-Ratnam' title from Kanchi Kamakoti Matha, 'Advaita Vedanta Vidvanmani' title from Indic Academy, 'Vidyanidhi' award from Shri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, and 'Samskruta-Grantha-Puruaskara' award from Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bengaluru

Dr Ganesh Ishwar Bhat is the HOD & Professor in Advaita Vedanta Department, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan(Deemed University) Rajiv Gandhi Campus, SRINGERI. Born in Sirsi, North Kanara Dist. Karnataka. He had his Krishna Yajurveda adhyayana at Swarnavalli Mutt. After studying Advaita Vedanta under HH Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji, he has qualified in the title examination Vidwan (M.A) from Karnataka Sanskrit University and M.A. in Sanskrit from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore. He received vidyāvāridhi (Ph.D.) degree from the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha Tirupati, for the thesis namely A Critical Study of Advaita Philosophy in Vishnupurana on the basis of Sridhariya Commentary. He completed his Shikshashastri ( B Ed) in Rajiv Gandhi Campus Sringeri. He has edited 7 books and has written several research articles in Sanskrit and Kannada language. He has delivered lectures in several religious programs & participated in many Vakyarthasabhas and Kavigoshthis in different parts of the country.

Sri Kuvalaya Datta is a traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta who currently works as a teacher of Advaita Vedanta at Datta Peetham, Mysuru. He studied Samaveda under Sri. Rajesha Shrouthy and Advaita Vedanta under Dr. Kuppa Vishvanatha sharma. He is currently pursuing his PhD on the topic "Nyayasudha Jignasadhikarana sameekshanam" from National Sanskrit University, Tirupati under the guidance of Sri. Ganapati Bhat.

Sri Krishna Sharma is a traditional Scholar of Samaveda & Advaita Vedanta who currently works as a teacher of Samaveda at Datta Peetham, Mysuru.He studied Samaveda under Sri. Rajesha Shrouthy and Advaita Vedanta under Dr. Kuppa Vishvanatha sharma. He has also studied Panini Vyakarana, Ashta Brahamna, Shiksha Vyakarana, and Smarta Prayoga. He is currently pursuing PhD in Advaita Vedanta from Karnataka Sanskrit University, Banglore. He has received Veda Vibhushan award from Maharshi Sandeepani Rastriya Vedavidya Pratishthan, Ujjain.

Dr. Tulasi Kumar Joshi is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sanskrit in the Vasanta College for Women, Rajghat, Varanasi. He has had the rare opportunity to study Vyakarana, Nyaya and Vedanta from imminent Acharyas such as Shri. Purushottam Tripathi, Prof. Rajaram Shukla, Shri Mani Dravid Shastrigal & Shrihari Dhaygude. He has completed Ph.D from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, guided by Prof. Dhananjay Kumar Pandey, MA (Sanskrit), from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi & Ācārya in Śāṅkara Advaita in the Sampurnananda Sanskrit University. Following the completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Tulasi Kumar Joshi joined Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan as Guest Faculty in Advaita Vedanta at their Guruvayoor Campus. He has delivered lectures on Vyākaraṇa, Nyāya and Advaita Vedānta at several Vakyārtha Sabhas. He has been invited to several Workshops, Seminars and Conferences, and has published research papers in national and international journals. He has keen interest in Yogic Philosophy too. He is also an expert in the epistemological and metaphysical aspects of Indian philosophy. He devotes significant effort in conducting and participating in traditional discourses on the Śāstras. He has also prepared students for such discourses. He has been conferred with the prestigious award of Suvarṇa-angulīyakam from the Mahasannidhānam at Sringeri Sharada Peetham.

Pt. Rajeshwar Vishwasshastri Deshmukh Ghodajkar is a Traditional Scholar of Nyaya, Purana, and Vedanga. He has studied Purana and Vedanga in Shri Umagauri Adwaita Vedanta Vidyapith, Satara under Pt. Govindshastri Kondanikar Joshi. Then he completed his studies of Nyaya Shastra under Pt. Devdattashastri Patil at Shri Nrusimha-Saraswati Pathashala, Pune.

He regularly participates in Vakhyarthasabhas including: Sri Ganapati Vakyarthasabha, Sringeri, Sri Subrahmanya Vakyartha Sabha, Pune, Sri Vidyasudhisabha, Srishakatapuram, Karnataka and Sri Durga Vakyartha Sabha, Nanded. He also participated in International Vidvat Mahasabha organized by Indic Academy in 2019.

Pt. Rajeshwar Deshmukh ji has received many awards and accolades including Manorama Award from Samskruta Bharati, Hyderabad; Nyaykovid and Nyaychudamani from Vedshastrottejak Sabha, Pune; Vidwatpravar, Vidyanidhi, and Swarnaguliyak awards from Sri Sringeri Sharadha Peetham; and Dattamaharaj Kavishwar Smruti Award from Shri Mahaganesh Adhishthan, Pune. He has received special honors from Vedanta University, Shri Dattadevasthan, Ahmednagar in 2012; Shri Umashankar Advaita Vedanta Vidyapeeth Satara in 2012, and from Sri Krishnananda Saraswati Shankaracharya Shakatpura in 2013.

Dr. Janakisharan Acharya, born on 5th August 1985 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, is a distinguished scholar in the field of Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta. He completed his education with B.A. honors in Sanskrit in 2007. His academic journey continued with the achievement of a Shastri in Vedanta Darshana in 2010 and an Acharya in Advaita Vedanta in 2012 from Central Sanskrit University (formerly Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan) Sringeri Campus. His academic excellence was further recognized when he secured the UGC NET & JRF in 2011, followed by UGC NET in 2013.

He earned his Ph.D. in Advaita Vedanta in 2016, with a thesis titled "An Edition and Critical Study of Kaivalyadeepika with own Prabha Commentary of Krishna" from Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval (Gujarat)

With over a decade of teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, He has been a valuable contributor to the field of Sanskrit studies. He served as a guest lecturer at Central Sanskrit University, Ved Vyas Campus, Balahar. At present, he is working as Assistant Professor at Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Veraval, Gujarat from 2014. Dr. Acharya has held administrative positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Darshan at Shree Somnath Sanskrit University from 2014 to 2017 & 2023 to till date.

Dr. Acharya's contributions extend to research and publications. He has presented 39 research papers at various conferences, seminars, workshops, and symposia. Additionally, he has attended 16 workshops and training programs and organized 23 conferences and seminars. He has authored/edited 13 books and published 22 research papers/articles in Journals and 17 chapters in books. He has also served as the editor of "Somjyoti" and "Shodhjyoti" (the UGC CARE listed research journal) of Shree Somnath Sanskrit University.

Furthermore, Dr. Acharya has been actively involved in research projects, guiding M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars, and delivering 81 invited lectures at conferences, seminars, and workshops. He has received several prestigious awards, including the S. J. Jindal Trust Gold Medal, Lekhan Visharad, and the Bharatgaurava Pandit K. S. Ramaswami Sastri National Award, among others. His dedication and commitment to the field of Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta make him a renowned scholar.

Jayaraman Mahadevan holds a PhD in Samskrita from the University of Madras (2006-2010) (Topic: The Doctrine of Tantrayukti – A Study). He underwent traditional Gurukula education, in Vedas (Taittiriya Shakha–Mula) and (Prasthana Traya) Shastras (1998-2005), in Veda Vijnana Gurukulam, Bengaluru, Under Pracarya Kotemane Ramachandra Bhat. He is currently Director of Division of Textual Research in Yoga, Indica Academy. He earlier served as the Director, Research Department, of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai, for over a decade (2010-2021). His expertise in the field of Yoga, academics and Research has been recognized and utilised by various academic and research organisations by nominating him to various academic boards and councils including the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library-CSIR, Govt of India (Task force member), Kalakshetra Foundation (Governing Board Member), Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, Chennai. He recently received (2021) Saṃskṛta Grantha Puraskara from Karnataka Sanskrit University for his Sanskrit book Mantra-artha-cintanam. His Tamil translation of the Sanskrit text Hatha Yoga Pradipika was published earlier this year by INDICA.

Trained in Sanskrit and Advaita Vedanta by his hyper-polyglot, polymath and spiritually accomplished sakala-shaastra-paarangata father, late Sri Paturi Sitaramanjaneyulu garu, Dr Nagaraj Paturi is seriously committed to the transmission of Vedic sciences to the present generation. In his PhD thesis (1998, University of Hyderabad), he developed an Indic Model of Myth Criticism of Literature and in his MPhil (1987, University of Hyderabad), he foregrounded Vakyapadiya as the theoretical foundation of the Ashtadhyayi. In addition to over 50 publications and about 60 conference/seminar/workshop papers, Dr Paturi has designed several courses pertaining to the contemporary applications of Vedic Sciences and has been successfully teaching them and getting them taught. Formerly Senior Professor of Cultural Studies FLAME School of Communication (& FLAME School of Liberal Education) and a Visiting Professor, University of Chicago (USA), Dr Paturi is currently Senior Director and Chief Curator at INDICA, a Distinguished Professor, Curriculum Designer, Executive Committee Member, Board of Studies, MIT School of Vedic Sciences (Pune, Maharashtra), Member, Board of Studies at Kavikulaguru Kalidasa Sanskrit University (Ramtek, Maharashtra) and Rashtram School of Public Leadership (Sonipat, Haryana). He is also the Editor-in-Chief of International Journals of Studies in Public Leadership and is a member of the Advisory Council of Veda Vijnana Shodha Samsthanam (Bengaluru, Karnataka). He has provided consultancy to numerous culture research, theatre, and dance innovation projects. He has authored scores of creative writing works for Classical Dance, Modern Theater, and magazines and has delivered several series of talks and other programs on Radio and Television channels.