9-10 April 2016

"National Conference on "Puranic Literature"

The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a two days’ National Conference on “Puranic Literature” in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan, VIP Colony, Bhubaneswar on 9th and 10th April 2016. Many scholars from different parts of the state and of the country participated in the Conference, organized on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Academy. Prof. Gopal Krishna Dash, former HOD of Dept. of Sanskrit, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar and Prof. Gangadhara Panda, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University were the guests in the inaugural function of the Conference.
The inauguration started at 10.00 AM on 9.4.2016 with offering of flowers and lighting of lamps at the feet of Lord Jagannath. Pandit Harekrishna Dhupal Sharma chanted the Vedic Mangalacharana. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra, member of AYOS welcomed the guests. Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS delivered the introductory speech. In his speech Prof. Gopal Krishna Dash highlighted mainly the time and history of the Puranas. Prof. Gangadhara Panda talked about the derivation, subject divisions and the relevance of Puranas in the modern era. President Sri Sudarsan Nayak said “Puranic literature is the invaluable treasury of Indian wisdom. It should be widely propagated”.
Academic sessions started after the inauguration. For two long days various topics on the Puranic literature were discussed. “Source of knowledge in Puranas, “Contribution of Odisha to the Puranic literature”, “Poetic beauty of the Puranas”, “Itihasa and Purana- a Study”, “Ecological Discussions in the Puranas”, “Son of Satyavati- the composer of eighteen Puranas”, “Life after Death – a Discussion in the Light of Markandeya Purana”, “Brahman in Brahma Vaivarta Purana” etc. are some of the topics on which elaborate discussions were held. Scholars from Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Nayagarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh etc. presented the papers and discussed on it.
At 4.00 PM on 10.4.2016 the valedictory function was celebrated. The meeting was presided over by Sri Sudarsan Nayak. Senior journalist Sri Sugyan Chaudhury was the guest of the occasion. Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS welcomed the guests. In his speech Sri Chaudhury said “Puranas are the repositories of Indian traditional knowledge”. Drawing a comparison between Indian literature with non-Indian literature he said “Indian literature is full of morality and human values. This knowledge should be preserved and propagated for the well being of the world”. Sri Sudarsan Nayak said Indian knowledge is not limited to spiritual knowledge only. It is also a store house of empirical knowledge too. For example the Vedic Mathematics is a very high standard Mathematics. Dr. Indulata Das thanked the guests and the audience. The meeting ended with chanting of Santipatha by Sri Narasimha Bharati.

12.3.2016

AYOS ORGANISES LECTURE ON "RUDRA TATTVA"

The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized lecture on “Concept of Rudra Tattva” on 12.3.2016 at 6.00 PM in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan, VIP Area, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar. The speech was delivered by eminent scholar and writer Sri Rajkishor Mishra. The meeting was presided over by Rtd. IPS officer and renowned Sanskrit scholar Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya.
The programme started with offering of flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati. Mangalacharana was chanted by Dr. Narasimha Bharati. Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS welcomed the guests and the audience.
In his speech Sri Rajkishor Mishra said Rudra is the earliest epithet of Siva. In the Vedic period Rudra was considered to be the indwelling fire in the rain cloud and the lightening coming out of it was considered to be Parvati. Rudra is said to be a fierce deity and nothing but fire. Later He appeared to be both beneficial and malefactor. The beneficial aspect is Siva and the ferocious aspect is Rudra.
There was a question-answer session after the lecture in which many scholars put their questions. Sri S. Sundar Rajan, the veteran Sanskrit scholar, present in the meeting put various questions and discussed some other aspects of Siva. Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya in his presidential address highlighted many more aspects and glories of Siva. He also discussed about many places of Odisha which are considered sacred because of their association with Lord Siva.  
Dr. Indulata Das thanked the speaker and the guests. The meeting came to an end with Santipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.  

14.2.2016

AYOS ORGANIZES ONE DAY SEMINAR ON
 “SANSKRIT AS M.I.L IN THE CURRICULUM”

The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a one-day open seminar on “Sanskrit as MIL in the Curriculum” in the Academy’s Extension building in A/52, Rameswar Patna, Ratha Road, Bhubaneswar on 14.2.2016. The seminar started at 10.30 AM with offering of flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati and chanting of Mangalacharana. Retd. IPS officer and renowned Sanskrit scholar Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya presided over the meeting. Retd. IAS officer and renowned Sanskrit scholar Sri S. Sundar Rajan was the chief guest of the function. Dr. Indulata Das, Director delivered the welcome address and anchored the programme.
In his lecture Sri Upadhyaya narrated an experience of his own. He had authored a book in Odia language and it was in the press for publication. A professor of Odia was requested to do the proof reading of the book. In course of correction he incorporated many more mistakes to the book than before. The person who had typed the text was much less educated but had some elementary knowledge of Sanskrit. He discarded the corrected copy of the book and did the proof reading himself. This is the result of a little knowledge of Sanskrit, Sri Upadhyaya said. The knowledge of our mother tongue is enriched and is more fortified if we learn Sanskrit.
Another speaker Professor Pratibha Manjari Ratha, Vanivihar said earlier a student of science in the college level could not get a chance to read Sanskrit if he or she desired. But after the introduction of Sanskrit as MIL, the science students got a scope to offer Sanskrit as a subject.
Dr. Pratima Sadangi, Reader in Sanskrit, BJB College said many brilliant students are offering Sanskrit as their MIL subject. Names of 12 students of her class figured in the list of first twenty in the Council examination. Sri Anupam Bose, a member of AYOS and a speaker of the occasion said Sanskrit has entered so intimately into our lives that it is impossible to live without it. No rite can be performed without Sanskrit. Smt. Manaswini Sadangi, a faculty of Dept. of Sanskrit, Vani Vihar said Sanskrit is our pride and our identity outside India. In foreign countries we Indians are known by this great language and not by any of the regional languages. Dr. Indulata Das said a mother can never have animosity with her children. So also Sanskrit can’t have any animosity with any of the regional languages. If some people ever discover any imaginary danger from Sanskrit to any regional language, it is surely prompted by some other ulterior reason, she said. Sri Bhaskar Chandra Pattnaik, Retd. OAS said many more steps should be taken to popularize Sanskrit among students. Because class room is the only place to learn the great language Sanskrit which is the repository of our culture and tradition. Chief guest Sri S. Sundar Rajan said languages like Hindi, Bengali, Asamiya, Telugu, Tamil etc. are nurtured by Sankrit. Sanskrit is the lifeblood of all the regional languages.
Other speakers present in the open seminar, while expressing their views extolled Sanskrit in superlative terms and welcomed Govt.’s step to include Sanskrit as MIL in the curriculum in the +2 and +3 classes. They also viewed unanimously that the students would be greatly benefitted by this. 

13.2.2016

AYOS organizes lecture on “Polyandry and the Marriage of Draupadi”

The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized lecture on “Polyandry and the Marriage of Draupadi” on 13.2.2016 at 6.00 PM in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan, VIP Area, Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar. The speech was delivered by Dr. Indulata Das. The meeting was presided over by Rtd. IPS officer and renowned Sanskrit scholar Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya.
The programme started with offering of flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati. Mangalacharana was chanted by Dr. Narasimha Bharati. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra welcomed the guests and the audience.
In her speech Dr. Indulata Das said like polygyny polyandry is also found in many parts of the world. There is polyandry in countries like England, America, Kenya, Nepal, Bhutan and India etc. In India also there are places like Kerla, Punjab, Uttarakhand etc. where polyandry is practiced even now. But it is not so wide or is popular among people. Polyandry mostly takes place under compulsion not out of choice. As affluence is the main cause of polygyny so also poverty is the main cause behind polyandry. Scarcity of agricultural land is the major cause which drives all the brothers of one family to marry one wife so that the small land which they have may not be divided.
Speaking about polyandry in the Mahabharata, Dr. Das said Mahabharata is not only a piece of literature but is also a history. In many places of Mahabharata as well as in other literary works Mahabharata has been mentioned as a book of history. Ramayana and Mahabharata are the two books which are traditionally accepted as history. Mahabharata is also a book of Smriti. Smriti is also known as Dharma Shastra because it is a moral code of conduct. Mahabharata is equally important from the sociological point of view. It has awarded recognition to many known, unknown and little known customs of India. Polyandry is one such custom which was practiced in India sporadically and did not have much popularity. Maharshi Vyasa gave recognition to this custom and declared in non-dubious terms that it was not an act of Adharma. Since persons with high moral stature and with high status in the society like the Pandavas accepted it as an act of Dharma polyandry was no more considered to be despicable in the society. Marriage of Draupadi to the five Pandavas influenced the then political scenario. The righteous Pandavas became more powerful with the patronage of Panchala. Ultimately there was the victory of the Dharma.
There was a question-answer session after the lecture. Sri Arun Upadhyaya in his presidential address said polyandry was being practiced in ancient India. Even now it is being practiced in many parts of the country, he said with specific examples.
Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra thanked the speaker and the guests. The meeting came to an end with Santipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.  

9.1.2016

AYOS organizes lecture on “Yogic Traditions in Thailand”

         The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a lecture on “Yogic Traditions in Thailand” on 9.1.2016 at Fakir Mohan Hall, VIP Area, Bhubaneswar. The meeting was presided over by notable Sanskrit scholar and Retd. IPS officer Sri Arun Kumar Udahyaya. The lecture was delivered by Prof. Pratibha Manjari Ratha, Dept. of Sanskrit, Utkal University, Vanivihar. The programme started with lighting of lamp by the guest and chanting of Mangalacharana by Dr. Narasimha Bharati. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra welcomed the guest and the audience. In her speech Prof. Ratha said there is lingual, religious and cultural similarity between India and Thailand. Indian Hathayoga is widely spread and practiced in Thailand since long which is evident from the sculptures installed in the temples. Especially in a temple named “Wat Pho” there are sculptures of many Yogis in various Yogic postures. Yogis are seen assuming Kukkutasana, Ustrasana, Pavanamuktasana, Vajrasana, Natarajasana, Siddhasana, Goraksasna etc. Names of the Yogis who are seen assuming the postures are inscribed as Kalajit, Kuddhalaka, Soma, Govindra, Narada, Kalasiddha etc. It is also written on the walls of the temple that these Yogis are seen in postures to impart the knowledge of Yoga Therapy. There was a question-answer session after the speech in which many questions related to the topic were discussed.

         In his presidential address Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya said Yoga is a necessity for a human being. Yoga keeps the body and mind problem-free and man leads a much better and higher life by the practice of Yoga. Sanskrit scholar and Retd. IAS Sri S. Sundar Rajan and Sri Nageswar Rao, senior IPS officer etc. were among those present in the programme. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra and Shantipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.

25-26 Dec 2015

AYOS ORGANISED ALL INDIA YOGA-AYURVEDA SEMINAR ON 25TH AND 26TH DEC. 2015

         The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a two-day All India Yoga-Ayurveda Seminar on 25th and 26th December 2015 in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan, VIP Area, Bhubaneswar. This was the seventh consecutive annual Yoga-Ayurveda Seminar. The Acadmy has been organizing a seminar on the same dates in the same month every year since 2009.
         The Ayurveda topic was “Kashyapa Samhita: a Study” and the Yoga topic was “Swami Sivananda Saraswati’s life and philosophy”.  
         The inauguration function took place at 10.00 AM on 25th Dec. in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan in which Sanskrit scholar Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya, Retd. IPS was the chief guest and Sri Basudeva Bahinipati, Director AYUSH, Govt. of Odisha was the guest of honour. The meeting was presided over by Sri Sudarsana Nayak, President, AYOS. The function started with Vedic Mangala Charana chanted by Pandit Harekrishna Dhupala Sharma which was followed by Dhanvantari Vandana sung by Dr. Bighneswari Dash. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra welcomed the guests and the introductory speech was delivered by Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS.
         The Academic sessions started from 12.00 O’Clock and continued upto 4.00 PM. On 26th the Academic session started at 10.00 AM and continued up to 4.00 PM. Many topics like “Kasyapa Samhita: its Tradition and Subject”, “Lasuna Kalpa (Garlic treatment) in Kasyapa Samhita”,  “Diseases of Children and their Treatment”, “Contribution of Kashyapa Samhita to Ayurvedic Pharmacy”, “Amla Pitta in the Light of Kashyapa Samhita”, “Utility of Shatapuspa with Reference to Kasyapa Samhita”, “Formation of body Components in Garbha according to Kasyapa Samhita” “Snehapana Treatment according to Kasyapa Samhita”  etc. were discussed. In Yoga topics like “Life and Philosophy of Swami Sivananda Saraswati” , “What Becomes of the Soul After Death: an Appraisal”, “Nadayoga according to Swami Sivananda Saraswati” , “Thought Power: a Study” etc. were the main topics.  
Scholars from different parts of Odisha, Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow etc. participated in the seminar.
         In the valedictory function Sri S. Sundar Rajan was the chief guest and Prof. Pratibha Manjari Ratha, former HOD, Dept. of Sanskrit, Utkal University  was the guest of honour. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS. The guests opined that knowledge of Sanskrit is indispensable for the correct understanding of the texts of Ayurveda and Yoga.

12.12.2015

AYOS organizes lecture on “Charaka Samhita and Indian System of Medicine”

      The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a lecture on “Charaka Samhita and Indian System of Medicine” in the Fakir Mohan Bhavan in Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar on 12.12.2015 at 6.00 PM. Dr. Ajit Kumar Nayak, Asst. Professor, OUAT was the speaker of the occasion. Renowned Sanskrit scholar Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya presided over the meeting.
          The meeting started with offering of flowers at the feet of Goddess Saraswati and chanting of Vedic Mangala Charana by Sri Narasimha Bharati. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra, a member of AYOS extended hearty welcome to the guests and the audience. In his speech Dr. Ajit Kumar Nayak said medicines, according to Indian tradition were created before the creation of living beings. Ayurveda means the knowledge of leading one’s life properly. Dhanwantari is believed to be the god of Ayurveda. Charaka is a very famous name in Ayurveda. Charaka redacted the book named Agnivesa Tantra which was later known as Charaka Samhita. Charaka attaches importance on both food and regimen. Samana (alleviation) and Samsodhana (purification) are the two important methods of Ayurvedic treatment.
There was a question answer session after the speech in which many scholars participated and enriched the discussion. The discussion was mainly focused on the science of Nadis in Ayurvedic treatment.
In his presidential address Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya said Charaka traditionally is identified with Patanjali, the great doyen of Yoga. There is also difference of opinion about whether there was one Charka or a group of Ayurvedic Vaidyas were known as Charakas.
Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra thanked the guests and the audience. At last the meeting ended with chanting of Santipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.

 14.11.2015

AYOS organizes lecture on “Research Methods on Vedic Literature”

      The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a lecture on “Research Methods on Vedic Literature”on 14. 11.2015 in the Rajbhavan Club House inside the Rajbhavan premises. Renowned scholar and Retd. IPS Officer Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyay was the speaker of the occasion. Renowned Sanskrit scholar and Retd. IAS Officer Sri S. Sundar Rajan presided over the meeting.
          The meeting started with offering of flowers at the feet of Goddess Saraswati and chanting of Vedic Mangala Charana. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra, a member of AYOS extended hearty welcome to the guests and the audience. In his speech Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya said Veda is the repository of eternal knowledge. Intensive research is required to understand the inner and real meaning of the Vedas. A few cautions are required while carrying on research work on the Vedic literature. In cases of words with multiple meanings the appropriate and fittest meaning has to be chosen very carefully. The foreigners have distorted the meaning of many of our texts. They have gone to the extent of physically destroying our great libraries in order to destroy our knowledge. 
         There was a question answer session after the speech in which many scholars participated and enriched the discussion. In his presidential address Sri Sundar Rajan quoted extensively from the Vedas, Upanisads and Gita and said that thorough research should be done on our books and literature.  At last the meeting ended with chanting of Santipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.

10.10.2015

AYOS ORGANISES LECTURE ON FEMININE IDENTITY IN THE PURANAS

         The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a lecture on “Feminine Identity in the Puranas” in the Rajbhavan Club House, Bhubaneswar on 10.10. 2015  at 6.00 PM. Dr. Pratima Sadangi, Reader, Dept. of Sanskrit, BJB College was the speaker of the occasion. It was the 105th consecutive lecture of the Academy. The meeting was attended by eminent scholars and important citizens like Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya, IPS. Retd. Sri S.N. Panigrahi, IAS, Sri Sugyan Chaudhury, senior journalist etc.
          The programme started with offering of flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra welcomed the guests and the audience.
In her speech Dr. Pratima Sadangi said a woman has to play various roles in the family like a daughter, wife and mother etc. In many cases she has been a subjugated entity. But at the same time she has been able to do great sacrifices.
There was a question answer session after the lecture was over in which the audience participated with enthusiasm. Sri Sundar Rajan, in his presidential address said woman is the symbol of Shakti or power. 
The meeting ended with Santipatha.

27.9.2015

ACADEMY OF YOGA AND ORIENTAL STUDIES OBSERVES SANSKRIT DIVAS

         The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies observed Sanskrit Divas on 27.9.2015 in the Academy’s Extension Building in A/52, Rameswar Patna, Bhubaneswar at 10.00 AM. The meeting was presided over by Dr. Narasimha Bharati. Sri S. Sundar Rajan, eminent Sanskrit scholar and Retd. IAS was the Chief guest of the function. Dr. Pratima Sadangi, Reader, B.J.B College, Bhubaneswar was the guest of honour of the function.
The function started with offering of flowers and lighting of lamps at the feet of Lord Jagannath. Dr. Indulata Das delivered the welcome speech. Dr. Pratima Sadangi highlighted greatness of Sanskrit language. Sri Sundar Rajan said Sanskrit is the mother of all languages of the country. If it dies no regional language would be able to survive. Sri Pankaj Mishra, another guest of the occasion said how Macaulay vitiated the education policy of India so that Indians can never be united. Some students and ex-students of the Academy also shared their views about the necessities of Sanskrit in learning Yoga. Dr. N. Bharati, in his presidential speech counted many practical problems that the language is facing in the present day society.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by the students of the Academy.
  

12.9.2015

AYOS ORGANIZES STATUS OF SARATHI IN ANCIENT INDIAN SOCIETY

         The Academy of Yoga and Oriental Studies organized a lecture on “Status of Sarathi in Ancient Indian Society” in the Rajbhavan Club House, Bhubaneswar on 12.09.2015  at 6.00 PM. Dr. Indulata Das, Director, AYOS was the speaker of the occasion and the meeting was presided over by Sri S. Sundar Rajan. It was the 105th consecutive lecture of the Academy. The meeting was attended by eminent scholars and important citizens like Prof. D.P. Ray, former vice-chancellor, OUAT, Sri Arun Kumar Upadhyaya, IPS. Retd. Sri S.N. Panigrahi, IAS, Sri Sugyan Chaudhury, senior journalist etc.
          The programme started with offering of flowers at the feet of goddess Saraswati and Vedic Mangalacharana by Dr. Narasimha Bharati. Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra welcomed the guests and the audience.
In her speech Dr. Indulata Das said in ancient Indian society Sarathi was not a mere driver. He was an important officer of the king. Sumantra, the Sarathi of king Dasaratha was highly qualified and was an economist. He was one of the eight illustrious ministers in Dasaratha’s court. He was the most important advisor of king Dasarath. Sanjaya was the chariot driver of king Dhritarastra. He was bestowed with the supernatural eye (Divya Dristi) to see the Mahabharat war from a long distance and gave the running commentary of the Mahabharata war to the king. A Sarathi in ancient India, was a learned man who had good knowledge of geography, about various aspects of horses, their training and treatment. He had a good knowledge of good and bad omen. He was also well versed in warfare. The status of Sarathi was never that of a lowly paid employee with a low respect in the society. Even Lord Krishna and kings like Salya willingly opted for being a chariot driver in battles.
There was a question answer session after the lecture was over in which the audience participated with enthusiasm. Sri Sundar Rajan in his presidential address said Sarathi had great contribution for the society. Even winning or losing a battle was sometimes decided by the movement and behavior of the Sarathi.
Sri Mihir Kumar Mishra thanked the audience and the guests. The meeting ended with Santipatha by Dr. Narasimha Bharati.   

  8.8.2015