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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/12/stories/2005061202500200.htm)

He takes joy in delving into ancient manuscripts

"Religious intitutions and leaders are responsible for the authentic

dissemination of Hindu philosophy."

 

Understanding the complex components of Vedic scriptures has been an exercise,

both dear and facile for him. He does not stop with understanding the idea but

starts interpreting it in the most authentic and indisputable of forms. His

recent mind-boggling research into the intricacies of ancient Sanskrit texts in

Pondicherry has resulted in bringing out the first volume of a rare edition.

 

The former Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Sanskrita Vidya Peetam in Tirupati,

N.S. Ramanuja Tatacharyar, who was in Tiruchi recently to release his

`vyakyanam' on Vishitadavitam, found time to explain his contribution to Hindu

philosophy in general and Sanskrit in particular to M. Balaganessin.

 

HE HAS contributed around 60 research papers on different `sastras' that have

been published in various research journals. He has also guided scholars from

foreign countries including Japan, the United States of America and Germany in

their research. His contribution in the form of interpreting Sanskrit

manuscripts at the Government Oriental Manuscripts Library in Chennai to bring

out 14 editions and the presentation of Sanskrit papers at national and

international conferences during the past five decades are no mean achievements.

 

But, Dr. Ramanuja Tatacharyar considers these feats as a drop in the ocean.

Eminent Sanskrit scholars from around the world should take an integrated

approach to the overall growth and development of not just the linguistic

significance of the ancient tongue but also to interpret the untold mysteries in

the Vedas and scriptures.

 

The Bhakthi Movement has donned a new dimension in the present-day context, with

hundreds of people thronging temples of deities of their liking on important

occasions. However, religious institutions and leaders have the greater

responsibility of authentic dissemination of Hindu philosophy. This is all the

more necessary in the larger interest of the posterity.

 

The real content of Hindu philosophy must be popularised. According to him,

masses and devotees look on Sanskrit merely as a language for performing

`archanas' or `abhishekams' and allied rituals. "It is high time this myth is

rooted out and steps initiated to bring out the lucidity and essence of the

Sanskrit language," he says. His association with the Government Oriental

Manuscript Library in Chennai for six years since 1952 proved the cradle for his

research programmes in the five decades that followed. He was instrumental in

bringing out 14 books using the bundles of manuscripts collected during the

British period. "I assisted the curator of the library in compiling the

manuscripts and also to edit and publish rare forms of books including the

`Sribashyaprakasika,' `Vedantakalpataruvyakhya,' `Ayapadesasataka,'

`Mahimnastava' and `Malhanasta.' Some of these books were released with a

commentary," he points out.

 

What concerns him is that the real treasure in the library was yet to be

explored. "The library accounts for a little over 60,000 manuscripts, including

40,000 in Sanskrit and the rest in Tamil. Only a part of the manuscripts in

either language have so far been deciphered, edited and brought out as books for

our successors. Efforts must be made to publish books utilising the thousands of

unexplored manuscripts available there," he says.

 

To execute this stupendous task, a finger count number of individuals or

scholars would not suffice. The support and services of erudite scholars must be

mobilised so that the manuscripts could be brought out in the form of books.

 

"Many foreigners have been evincing a keen interest in taking up research

programmes in Sanskrit. I am happy to note that institutes such as the

`Samskrita Bharathi' have been doing their bit to motivate the people of our

country, irrespective of the age group divide, in popularising the language.

However, academic efforts by schools and colleges would go a long way in

encouraging future citizens to learn the language." He feels that Sanskrit could

be introduced as one of the optional languages in schools and colleges.

 

He has held several posts including that of Senior Sastri of the Sanskrit

Dictionary Department in Deccan College at the P.G. Research Institute in Pune,

and principal of K.S. Vidyapeetha at Tirupati. His latest assignment was as

honorary professor of the Department of Indology at the French Institute in

Pondicherry where he analysed various facets of `Nyaya,' `Vyakaranam,' `Mimamsa'

and `Vedanta' sastras to bring out the first volume of `Sabdabodha Mimamsa.'

 

In Tiruchi, he was honoured with a purse of Rs.25,000 and a shawl in recognition

of his erudition and contribution to the growth and development of the language

and Hindu philosophy. "The purse is a small honour; he deserves much more," was

the crisp comment of the Srimad Andavan of Periyashramam, seconds before

honouring him.

 

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