It is a matter of great pride and delight that U. Ve. Sri Sohathur Ramanujacharya Swamin , the renowned ubhaya vedantin scholar has been recognised for his monumental contributions in Sanskrit to preserving and propagating Vedic and Sampradaya knowledge, philosophy, literature and scriptures through the Institute he himself established in Bangalore.
The Institute named “Parankushachar Institute of Vedic Studies” (PIVS) was formed in 1996, by Vedavāridhi Dr. P. Ramanujacharya, to promote research and study of Vedic topics. The Institute is imparting traditional Vedic knowledge in the maukhik paramparā and is actively engaged in research ever since in ancient Vedic texts for bringing out the treasures hidden in them for the benefit of all. A library of all the books and manuscripts and subsequent collections was set up at the Institute and its detailed cataloguing (computerized database) has progressed by leaps and bounds. Currently there are approximately 4500 titles in the library.
About Veda Varidhi Dr. P. Ramanujacharya:
- Profession and Education: He is an accomplished electrical engineer with degrees, including an M.Sc. from IISc, Bangalore. Concurrently, he achieved renown as a distinguished Vedic scholar who has mastered several branches of the sacred texts through the traditional Gurukula system.
- Recognition: He received an honorary D.Litt from the Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidyapeeta, Delhi, and the title of “Asthana Vidwan” from Sri Ahobila Math. He has also served as the President of the Computers and Sanskrit section of the All India Oriental Conference.
- Location: Discussions related to his work have taken place at the Desika Vidhya Bhavanam in Mylapore, Chennai.
As one who has great respect and admiration for Sri Sohathur Swami, as he is popularly known to his students and admirers, I hereby wish to offer to him my humble “dandasamarpanam” and my heartfelt congratulations for this great honour and accolade conferred upon him. He is truly an exemplar for the entire Sri Vaishnava community both in India and abroad . 💐🌟🏆🙏🙏👏👏👏🙏🙏
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It is with utterly humble pride that I now recall how in April 2022, Sri Sohathur Swamy himself bestowed upon me a little appreciation if not honour (of course, though marked with compassion and great indulgence still laced however with a certain degree of reticence and reluctance) by consenting to be one of the speakers reviewing my just then published book. The Swamin told me he was not accustomed nor ever inclined to reading books on Sampradaya authored in the English language but would make a one-time exception in my case. He however sternly advised me to start learning Sanskrit and start writing only in Sanskrit if I wished to write on Vedic subjects. (It is a matter of personal shame and regret for me that I still have not heeded his exhortations … and continue to write in English).
My book in English, “The Nondescript God: Abstraction or Paragon?” was held at the Sri Ahobila Mutt in Bangalore under the benevolent auspices and “anugraham” of HH the 46th Srimad Azhagiyasingar Srimathe Srivann Satagopa Sri Ranganatha Yathindra Mahadesikan.
Sri Sohathur Swamy spoke for about 20 minutes at the event in the August presence of HH Srimad Azhagiyasingar. His review of my book was absolutely brilliant and so very insightful . He appreciated my effort taken to popularise Vedanta through the English language but at the same time he pointed out to several risks and challenges that are inherent in trying to translate concepts and tenets of Vedanta through a medium other than the Sanskrit language or vernacular.
In 20 minutes Sohathur Swamy covered the entire main theme of my book in all its dimensions with a scholarly sweep and flourish that took my breath away and also further enlightened the learned audience present.
The speech of Sri Sohathur Swamy on the occasion can be viewed through the YouTube video-clip below ⬇️
https://youtu.be/w5fJmiE8Wb4?si=VSS_FjMJjOD9DPXG
With deep gratitude felt now by me for the kindness he showed to me then in April 2022, once again today, on the happy occasion of his being conferred Lifetime Achievement Award , I offer my humble dandasamarpanam and congratulations to Sri U. Ve. Sohathur Ramanujacharya swamin.
Daasoham 🙏
Sudarshan Madabushi