International Institute of Vedic Sciences in association with Vedavyasa Bharati Trust, USCEFI & YBA organizes regular Research Seminars in the field of Vedic Sciences, in which Vedic & Sanskrit scholars from various national and international organisations are to present their on-going or recently completed research papers. Our objective is to bring together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular Vedic subject, in which everyone present is requested to actively participate.

Vedic Seminar Series 

lndia being a Nation with rich heritage of Knowledge, culture and spiritual traditions conducive to the graceful evolution of humanity on Planet Earth, has the potential and strength to meet the challenges and put back the wheels of evolutions on the right track in the right direction. This of course will only be possible with right people with right attitude. It is appropriate to remember at this juncture Sri Aurobindo, who wrote in clear unambiguous terms that India needs to prepare to lead the world as ”The Guru of the Nations”. There are many prominent scientists and social workers in addition to Spiritual Gurus; all of them firmly believe in this great role for lndia in all walks of Life.

For ‘International Institute of Vedic Sciences’, promoted by Vedavyasa Bharati Trust in collaboration with United Social Cultural and Educational Foundation of India (USCEFI) and Yoga Brotherhood of America, the inspiring and guiding force is its Founder Dr. E. Vedavyasa; who is also the Spiritual Guru of his own kind in eminence and Knowledge. The Series of  Vedic Seminars being  conducted are part of our humble and sincere efforts to translate His vision of restoring the forgotten values and treasures of our ancient Vedic Knowledge and culture for the betterment of Humanity.

Past Seminars

The themes for Vedic Seminars held so far:

1. Seminar on Vedas, Brahma Sutras, Gurukul System of Education- July ’08 

Smt. Rani Samyukta Vyas (Ammagaru) inaugurated the Vedic seminar and read out her message. She explained as to how dear these topics and Vedic subjects were to Sri Guruji, Dr. Vedavyas and his father Dr. Ananthacharya. She encouraged the USCEFI members to continue to work with selfless dedication.

Sri MVS Prasad, USCEFI President, delivered the keynote address, describing the Gurukul concepts of Vedic Education as imparted to him by Sri Guruji, Dr.Vedavyas. He mentioned that Guruji Dr. Vedavyas was a staunch supporter of Gurukul system of education and said that Guruji believed in spiritualizing Education.

He said Guruji exhorted that

“The Temples should be Schools of Spiritual Training and Universities of Vedic Knowledge as in the days of the Vedas, instead of making religion commercial  by Charging money to feed politicians and mercenaries”.

Other presenters included Sri Ramakrishna Udupa, Dr. Pavan Kumar (Sadguru Arogya Research Foundation Trust, Bangalore), Dr. KSMS Raghava Rao (Head, Dept, of Food Engineering, CFTRl, Mysore) and Dr. Hampaiah (Chairman, Bio—Diversity Board, AP) was represented by Sri Hanumanth Rao. They presented papers titled “Ashlesha Bali, Kala Tatwa Homas”, ”From Veda to Ayurveda, the Veda of Life’ “Food and Nutrition in Vedas” and “Vedic Ecology” respectively. The Vedic Seminar also witnessed presentation from curious younger generation represented by 10 years old, Kumari B. Sriranganayaki, a former Gurukul Student now staying in United States of America. She presented on the topic of ”Bramha Sutras  of Vedavyasa Maharshi”.

2. International Seminar on Organic Farming, Traditional  Medicinal Plants and Healthy foods — Nov 2008, Hotel Bliss, Tirupati

This seminar was held at Tirupati and a Seminar publication with valuable articles was published. More than 25 scientists participated including several practicing doctors from Medical Profession. International scientists of repute addressed burning issues of food security for India and new technologies for enhancement of food production.

Details of Organic farming in Taiwan and some new technologies of Agriculture in Israel have been presented by two distinguished scholars. Healthy foods have been stressed and dangers of consuming of junk foods, foods containing toxic elements and materials, foods of addictive nature have been highlighted. This helps the consumers of food about the dangers and the need for alertness in making right choices during the hour of need.

Importance of  Organic Farming and Natural farming has been covered. Medicinal plants significance was also covered in a dedicated session. The venue of the Seminar was Convention Hall of BLISS hotel in  Tirupati.

Prominent speakers included Dr. Paramkusa Rao, author of several text books on Medicinal plants which   are used by students as well as teachers in colleges and Universities all over India Dr. V.  Balasubramanyan, International Agricultural Consultant and Trainer, Scholar of FAO, Dr. Bhaskar and Dr. Renuka Dixit of Tirupati, Dr.  Vivekananda Varma famous surgeon and Dy. Supdt. of KlMS in A.P.

3. National Seminar on NIRUKTA — JuIy 2009 

A National seminar on NIRUKTA, one of the six Vedangas, was held during the Vyasa Poornima Celebrations in Bangalore in Yoga Hall of  Vedavyasa Bharati Complex (20“‘ Main, BTM Layout, Bangalore).

Papers were presented on several issues relating to the study of Nirukta by various reputed scholars. The seminar has been well attended with delegates of USCEFI, members of Vedavyasa Bharati and academicians and Vedic Scholars of various institutions including Shanti Dhama, a dedicated Institution of Vedic learning on the banks of river Cauvery in Karnataka.

The papers presented consisted of:

• An overview of Nirukta, the three parts that deals with, Yaska Maharshi’s detailed contributions, the summary of individual sections, the Vedic relevance, the relevance to the present day world, guidance to the future students for the study on Nirukta, the vast Literature and enormous contributions of many commentators in the past on Nirukta and many other connected themes.
• The Educational scope for including Nirukta in Academic subjects as a Vedanaga, its usefulness, its direct applications in day to day living
• The research scope of Studying Nirukta, the  derivations and contextual applications of words,  letters, swara and such varied factors for enriching to the sacred literature and literature of ancient Indian culture and brining it within the gambit of understanding for the inquisitive students and spiritual aspirants or sadhakas
• Some examples of words as explained in Nirukta from different sections of Yaska Maharshi’s work
• Survey of available literature and publications on Nirukta.
  

4. Vedic Chandas — July 2010

Vedanga Chandas has a distinct identity as different from laukika (worldly or tempural) Chandas. Vedic Chandas is unique. Chandas shastra has advantages as given by Pingala Maharishi. Knowledge of it is necessary for use in anganyasa and karanyasa and other rituals.

Even for Mantra anustana, chandas   helps. The various forms of the meters such as Gayathri, Daivee Gayathri, Anustoop, Pankti, Jagathi, Nrucit Gayathri etc are some popular forms. Any mantra will have the preceding Deity, the specific Chandas and Rishi useful for anustana or Siddhi.

5. Medical Astrology (Jyothisha) —Jan 2011

This has been a novel attempt in the Vedic Seminar Series. Vedanga Jyothisha is an ocean of knowledge and only one of the aspects of Astrology is selected as the theme, which is the most emerging science that is  enticing and attracting many medical practitioners and professionals. In the seminar about 20 topics of relevance to the contemporary health care as applicable anywhere on the planet have been detailed and appears were presented. From the response of the Seminar and requests for e—books of the Seminar publication, it is  evident that Medical Astrology is one of emerging themes for research.

Even though the parts of the body, its identification with planets and their position’s and rasi’s are known for very long time (nearly several thousand years from the days of Parasara Maharshi or even earlier), the emerging new incidence of diseases and chronic nature of some of them including terminal attributes, Medical astrology has become important for the present times where its applicability should be all encompassing both for diseases and for all parts of the globe.

New revelations about diseases like diabetes which is curse, it’s time of setting into the body and the time of expression or manifestation externally through symptoms is distinctly identified. This revelation of the study has been appreciated by many Medical practitioners.

6. Vedanga Vyakarana — July 2011 

 About a dozen papers were presented in the seminar covering many aspects of the Vedanga Vyakarana. The formation of the words, the letters, the speech and the formation of sentences are described. Panini Vyakaranam and its support as a base have been highlighted. In a special paper, Upasarga’s when used how they contribute to the enhancements of the words and the meanings have been demonstrated. The justification that Vyakarana is a Vedanga has been presented in a paper. In another paper, Sphota Siddhanta of Vyakarana has been explained in detail. The benefits of learning Vyakarana are enumerated by a scholar from Kaladi. In the English sections, Vedanga Vyakarana as Vedic Grammar and also in a separate paper, uniqueness of Vedanta Vyakarana as a research theme has been clearly spelt out. Ghanaka Astadyayi has been an attempt for computerizing Astadyayi.

7. Seminar on Shiksha and Kalpam — 30th June — 3rd July 2012

This Seminar, which in this series enables to complete the coverage of the last two Vedangas, has been programmed for  30”‘ June 2012 as part of Vyasa Poornima celebrations in Vedavyasa Bharati complex in Bangalore.

Several topics of common interest such as Kalpa Sutras, their applications, Agamas, differences, Shiksha and the Praatisaakhyas, Vaikhanasa kalpa sutras in particular and Pancharatra Agama outlines are covered. Astha vikritis, are also identified and pertaining s|okas are quoted for immediate reference. The Vast range of Agamas and Kalpa Sutras and Kalpas are surveyed.

8. Seminar No. 8

9. Vedic Seminar on Suryopasana – I, July 2014

10. Vedic  Seminar on Suryopasana – II, 28th July – 31st July 2015

11. Vedic Science of Parenting – Garbhasanskar & Panchakosha – July 2019

To make India Guru of Nations, India needs exceptionally good fearless and spiritual children. International Institute of Vedic Sciences conducted the work shop on Vedic Science of Parenting. This Vignan (Science) includes the Garbha Sanskar ie the Science of conceiving a Spiritual child. Then how to raise a child as per the Panchakosha method which is a Vedic Vignan. This workshop was organised at Vedavyasa Bharati Temple (A Memorial Temple of Maharshi Vedavyas and Sapta Rishis), BTM Layout, Bangalore. Vedavyasa Bharati Trust also runs a Rishi Vatika Gurukulam.

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It is observed from the feedback that even though the Vedangag are very deep and useful, it is possible to bring adequate awareness among the educated about them. Their scope, the need for study, the availability of literature about the Vedangas, is brought out effectively to the participants through the series of Vedic Seminars. So keeping this in view, USCEFI and VBT and the new institution International Institute of Vedic Sciences’ (IIVS) at Rishi Vatika, which is still in infancy — we can work out and prepare a road map in meeting the objectives through some more seminars, workshops, summer classes, short term courses etc. Any suggestions, discussions, from Scholars and the learned — USCEFI and VBT welcome them warmly and attentively.

                                                                                                                                    – M. Venkata Raghavan Director – IIVS, Rishi Vatika