Vedic/Sanskrit Sahitya Samman Award
Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala
About the Organization:-
Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala
The VSM was founded in 1928 and has continued publishing valuable editions of Vedic Texts. Till the date VSM has published more than 100 books. Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala, Pune was established with the aims and objectives as follows–
- To provide facilities for higher studies in Vedic literature.
- To collect books and manuscripts concerning Vedic literature.
- To publish original Vedic texts with commentaries.
- To publish auxiliary literature such as Indices, Lexicons, Notes, Original contributions etc
- To carry on research in the Vedas.
- To work out the plans to facilitate and carry out the projects.
As mentioned above one of the important aims of our Institute is to prepare the critical edition of Vedic texts with commentaries and published the original texts. While considering this objective VSM, Pune has made valuable contribution in publishing many original Vedic texts with Commentaries.
The First and foremost project handled by VSM was an authentic edition of Rigveda with and critically edited commentary of Sāyaṇ The Second important publication of VSM is the edition of Taittirīya Saṁhitā with commentaries of Bhattābhāskara and Sāyaṇācārya. Another remarkable contribution of VSM to Vedic studies is the publication of Kāṇva Samhitā with commentaries of Ānandabodha, Sāyanācārya and Anantācārya.
The VSM has from its inception founded a magnificent Library with 16000 Books related to Indology and which is one of the Best Research Libraries in the city. After the foundation of Avesta Centre in 1951 the volumes on Iranian literature have also been added to the library. In 1972 this library was inaugurated at the hands of Shri N.V. Limaye, the then Mayor of Pune and was named as Dastur Pavari Memorial Library.
In 1978 Dr. Jal Pavari donated 1700 books related to Art, Literature, Philosophy, Religion etc to commemorate the 75th birthday of his sister. This library has been named after her and was inaugurated by the Late Sadiq Ali, the then Governor of Maharashtra. The State Government has recognized the library for higher research.
Sanskrit old manuscripts Library(Operation Since- 1928)
Nature Of Innovation
The building of VSM itself is a good example of innovation. It has a remarkable shape (shape of Śyenaciti-æ येनͬ चǓ त). This shape represents that the institute is working in a Vedic field.
The establishment of Museum of Yajñīya utensils (यͯ£ य पाğ ) for the researchers, students and other interested individuals. It represents the Vedic Civilization in the light of Yajña(य£ ).
To spread the Vedic knowledge and to preserve heritage of Vedic literature VSM has collected near about 18000 Manuscripts. Many Scholars and Researchers from India and all over the world visiting VSM’s Manuscript library.
In the initial period, the institution was facing a grave difficulty for printing its publications. No commercial printer was accepting VSM’s printing work cause of diacritical marks and signs of Udātta, Anudātta and Svarit. In spite of the situation, VSM overcome the difficulty by establishing a very small unit of printing press of its own in 1978.
Research on the Veda is the main activity. There also preparing critical editions of the texts related to Vedas carries more importance. The Seminars, special lectures as well as lecture series and workshops on the topics related to Vedas and manuscriptology are arranged occasionally. We have been organizing Upanishad Adhyayan Varga for past six years. It is on every Friday at 3.45 p.m. to 5.45 m. on google meet.
The VSM has organized many national and local research seminars. Many scholars have delivered expert lectures on several topics about Vedas. Dr. Hema Patankar from U.S.A. delivering lecture on Pavitreṣṭ
The VSM has also arranged Iṣṭi-s which proved to be very much useful for the understanding of Śrauta rituals. The VSM has also organized the workshops on Manuscriptology where along with the lectures the student actually handled the Manuscripts. Dr. Bhagyashree Bhagwat delivering lecture on the topic, ‘Handling and Preparing List of the Manuscripts’
They earnestly hope that the Institute – VSM will start its journey towards ‘Śatābdi’ with the vision of Ṛṣis
Impact and Reach
The VSM publications related to Veda are regarded as Standard Editions, especially the Critical Editions of the Rigveda, The Taittiriya Samhita & Kanva Samhita.
Many research students Scholars visit this place and fulfil their curiosity from India and abroad.
We will have an incredible experience at Vaidika Samsodhana Mandalam in Pune. Attending the 5-day grantha and sarada script workshop was truly enlightening. The institute’s collection of thousands of Sanskrit manuscripts is impressive, making it an ideal place for indological studies.
The team leader and other members at Vaidika Samsodhana Mandalam in Pune are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate individuals. Their expertise in indological studies and Sanskrit manuscripts is evident in the way they conduct workshops and research. The entire team exudes a collaborative spirit, making it a welcoming and enriching environment for all participants.
Their dedication to preserving and advancing the field of Indology is commendable and adds to the institution’s reputation as a remarkable center for Sanskrit manuscript research and studies. Their critical editions of RGVEDA SAMHITA, TAITTIRIYA SAMHITA, and KANVA SAMHITA are internationally recognized as the most authentic versions of these ancient texts. I highly recommend Vaidika Samsodhana Mandalam for anyone interested in Sanskrit manuscript research and indological studies.
Scalability
To provide academic and research support in the field of Vedic Studies through the Publication To provide the reference books VSM has established Reference books in library which has more than 20000 books. It has unique collection of Avestan books also and to refer it Scholars and researchers from Delhi and abroad visits the Institution.
To provide the original manuscripts VSM has established its Manuscript library. Now all the manuscripts are digitized and first and last pages of more than 5000 manuscripts are available on the sitedharohar.org.
To guide the PhD scholars and students VSM has started PG Diploma in Manuscriptology and Paleography in academic year 2024-2025. There are 43 participants from all over India.
Out of the total collection of Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala approximately 80% manuscripts are digitalized, and they are still doing the work.
There are different types of manuscripts. They have few manuscripts in Granth script. Others are in Devanagari. Excluding three to four Palm leaf manuscripts the others are paper manuscripts. The special manuscripts we have displayed, and this site also displays those special manuscripts which are either very old one or illustrated.
VSM provides critical editions of Vedic texts, encyclopedic works, CDs/DVDs of rituals and recitation, a collection of over 15,000 manuscripts, a research library, and has organized seminars and lectures on Vedic topics.
REFERENCES
