A unique five-day national conference, Message of Mahapuranas was held between June 23 and June 27 at ISKCON, jointly organized by

Vol.15 No. 8 August -2015 ETERNAL VALUES IN MAHAPURANAS RECALLED Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri, Chairman, National Sanskrit Commission, New Delhi, lighting the lamp to mark the inauguration of National Conference on Mahapurana while others (from left) Sri. K.G. Raghavan, Hon. Secretary, BVB, Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa, President of ISKCON Bengaluru, Sri. Sri. Sri. Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji, Mataadipati of Kailash Ashram Mahasamsthanam and Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, former Governor of Bihar and Jharkhand join. A unique five-day national conference, Message of Mahapuranas was held between June 23 and June 27 at ISKCON, jointly organized by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, and ISKCON. This was a follow-up of the conferences entitled Veda Samvada and

Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai of Jammu being honoured by Sri.Sri.Sri. Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji Mataadhipati of Kailash Ashram Mahasamsthanam while others (from left) Sri. K.G. Raghavan, Sri. Madhu Pandit Dasa, Sri. Pathi Sridhara, Sri. H.N.Suresh joins. Message of Upanishads and held in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The conference began on the 23rd July with the recitation of verses from the Mahapuranas by students of Sandipani Gurukula, under the direction of Smt. Rohini Chakravarthy. Sri K.G. Raghavan, Hon.Secretary of the Bhavan s Bengaluru Kendra welcomed the gathering. Shathavadhani Dignitiries on the dais join together to launch the DVD s on Message of Upanishad 2

Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, Renowned Vedic Scholar being honoured by Sri. K.G. Raghavan, while others (from left) Sri H.N. Suresh, Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, Sri Stoka Krishna Dasa, and Sri. Bharatashrabha Dasa of ISKCON joins. Dr. R. Ganesh gave a synoptic view of the Puranas. Prof. Satyavrat Shastri, the first Jnanapeeth awardee in Samskritam, and Chairman, National Sanskrit Commission, New Delhi, in his inaugural address brought out the eternal Prof. Murali Manohar Patak, Gorakhpur being honoured by Sri. K.G. Raghavan and Sri. H.N. Suresh 3

Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, launching the book on Message of Upanishad while from left Dr. S. Ranganath, Sri. H.N. Suresh, Justice Dr. M. Rama Jois, Sri. Stoka Krishna Dasa, Sri. Bharatarshabha Dasa and Sri. K.G. Raghavan joins. values enshrined in the Puranas and stressed that they are relevant for all times to come. Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, Renowned Vedic Scholar Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai of Jammu, Prof. Murli Manohar Pathak of Gorakhpur, Prof. K.E. Devanathan of Tirupati, and Dr. H.S. Nagabhushan Bhatta of Bengaluru were honoured for their lifetime contribution to indological studies. Prof. Satya Vrat Shastri with Children who participated during the inaugural function as Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara. 4

Prof. K.E. Devanathan of Tirupathi being honoured by Sri. H.N. Suresh while others join Sri. Sri. Sri. Jayendrapuri Mahaswamiji, Mataadhipati of Kailasa Ashram Mahasamsthana in his address brought out the interrelationship between Sruti, Smriti and Puranas. Sri Madhu Pandit Dasa, President, ISKCON, Bengaluru, 5 in his presidential remarks highlighted that Puranas are highly scientific and not mere stories or works of fiction. Six papers were presented in the first academic session. Vid. Ganapaiah Holla of Kumta nicely brought out the concept of Sri. Sri.Sri. Jayendra Puri Mahaswamiji Mataadhipati of Kailash Ashram Mahasamsthanam with the children who participated in the inaugural programme

Invocation by Vedic students during the inaugural Ceremony creation according to Vayu Purana in the background of the 18 Mahapuranas. Vid. G.S. Natesh of Shivamogga highlighted how power and position are not permanent and how society would be safe in the hands of good and righteous people as depicted in the Padma Purana. Dr. Sujatha of Dharwad brought out the political thought in Garuda Purana with special reference to Acharya Kanda of the text. Shatavadhani Dr. R.Ganesh depicted the ecological concept with special reference to Bhagavata, Matsya, Bhavishya, Dr. H.S. Nagabhushan Bhat being honoured by Sri. H.R. Ananth, Vice Chairman, BVB, while Sri. H.N. Suresh and Sri. Vedavyasa, Member, BVB Bengaluru Kendra Committee joins. 6

Students of Sandipani Gurukula reciting few passages from Mahapuranas during the inaugural function. Shiva and Vishnu Dharmottara Puranas. Dr. Mahadevan brought out the managerial aspects of the Puranas by quoting relevant passages from the Puranas. Dr. Shanthakumari from Pondicherry brought Shuddha Advaita of Vallabhacharya succinctly with her philosophical acumen. The second day s deliberation began with chanting from the Puranas. The forenoon saw six papers being presented. Dr. Pranav Sharma Shastri from Pilibhit (U.P.) brought out the impact of Puranas on Hindi literature with reference to Tulasi, Nirala, Surdas and Mahavir IMPACT OF PURANAS ON INDIAN LITERATURE 7 Prasad Shastri. Dr. Kumudavalli depicted social concepts in Matsya Purana with special reference to Raja Dharma. Nadoja Dr. Hampa Nagarajaiah brought out the significance of Jaina Mahapuranas by quoting select passages extempore. Dr. G.T. Narasimhachar delineated on Periya Purana, a Tamil poetic account depicting the sayings of 63 Nayanars in relation to Puranas. Vid. Ananth Sharma presented his views on advaitic concepts occurring in Vishnu Purana with special reference to concepts like Brahman, world, emancipation and so on. Vid. Ramprasad brought out the significance of pilgrimages and thirthas with special reference to Jangama Tirtha, Sthavara Tirtha and so on. The afternoon session had six papers. Prof. Murli Manohar Pathak of Gorakhpur presented

his views on the impact of Puranas on the literature of Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, and Bhojpuri languages and on various dialects other than Samskritam. Dr. Harsha made a powerpoint presentation on the impact of Puranas on Ayurveda under various heads like background patterns, themes, future and so on. Prof. Ved Kumari Ghai of Jammu highlighted the Neelimatha, a Kashmiri Purana which depicts the cultural history of Kashmir and how that became a source book for Rajatharangiri of Kalhana later on. Dr. Keladi Venkatesh Jois gave a personal account of palm leaf manuscripts based on the Puranas available in the Keladi museum. Smt. Lalitha Narayanaswamy highlighted the concept of Lalitha according to Brahmanda Purana in the background of Lalitha Sahasranama. Prof. G. Ashwathanarayana highlighted Dance feature Ras presented by artists of Natyanjali 8 Dhashavatara presented by Surya Kalavidaru Kannada works based on Puranas with special reference to adaptations, translations and editions. This was followed by Smt. Gangamma Keshavamurthy s kavya vachana on Rukmini Swayamvara based on Bhagavata Dashama Skanda. A dance feature, Krishnaleela, was presented by Surya Kalavidaru. Later a dance feature Ras was presented by Natyanjali under the direction of Sri. Ashok Kumar. The third day s deliberations began with chanting from the Mahapuranas. Five papers were presented in the morning session. Dr. K.B. Sudarshan clearly brought out that in the Puranas, the sun is one of the most powerful gods whose fame is mentioned in a number of Puranas like Vishnu, Garuda, Matsya and

Bhavishya. Dr. H.S. Nagabhushan Bhatta highlighted the various festivals mentioned in the major Puranas with special reference to Skanda Purana. Dr. Chakravarthy Ranganathan of Tirupati brought out the society reflected in Vishnu Dharmottara Purana with special reference to Raja Dharma and the four-fold caste system. Dr. Vaidehi made a powerpoint presentation on science in Puranas with special reference to chemistry, biology, veterinary sciences, human anatomy and so on. Dr. Sheela Kumari of Mysore highlighted the popular stories in Puranas with special reference to those pertaining to that of Dhruva and Nahusha as occurring in the Vishnu Purana, Hiranya Kashipu of Padma Purana and so on. In the afternoon session, six papers were presented. Vid. Shankara Bhatta depicted Gita(s) in Puranas with particular reference to Uddhava Gita and SIMILARITIES IN DIVYA PRABANDHA AND PURANAS. 9 Chanting based on Puranas by Veda Brahmashri Sri. Raghavendra Hedge and Dr. Tirumala Avadhoota Gita of Bhagavata Purana, Devi Gita of Devi Bhagavata Purana, Guru Gita of Skanda Purana, Yama Gita of Vishnu Purana, Shiva Gita of Padma Purana and Ganesh Gita of Ganesha Purana. Dr. Shivashankar traced the background of Om from the vedas and upanishads and placed them in the context of Agni Purana. Prof. K.E. Devanathan of Tirupati depicted the interrelationship between Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa Agamas with that of Vishnu, Bhagavata, Koorma, Varaha, Skanda and Brahma Vaivarta Puranas. Dr. S. Krishna Kumar drew a connection between astrology and Puranas and highlighted how Puranas are used for prediction, remedies and performing various festivals and rituals in a nutshell. Sri M.A. Jayarama Rao presented

Kavya Vachana with selected verses from Varaha Purana. Dr. G.N. Bhat of Mangalore depicted the role of human values according to Garuda Purana by quoting relevant passages. The day concluded with a delectable Katha Keerthan by Smt. G. Shobha Naidu. The fourth day began with chanting based on the Puranas. Three papers were presented in the forenoon session. Sri Dilip Bellave highlighted the personality of Krishna as depicted in Bhagavata Purana. Vid. Ganapati Hegde gave a general survey of Shaiva Purana and highlighted the Shiva consciousness occurring in Brahma, Vayu, Linga, Skanda and Shiva Puranas. Katha Keerthan by Smt. G. Shobha Naidu 10 BHAGAVATA PURANA IS THE ESSENCE OF VEDIC LITERATURE Prof. K.G. Krishnamurthy discussed the content and noteworthy features of Puranas with text-based analysis. The afternoon session had six papers. Prof. V.R. Tripura highlighted the similies, alliteration and metaphors occurring in Vishnu, Markandeya, Vayu and Varaha Puranas. Prof. D.K. Subramaniam of Tumkur discussed how Gajendra Moksha is a link between Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana by quoting relevant passages. Vid. Suryanarayana highlighted the concept of Vishnu as occurring in Vaishnava Puranas. Vid. M.R. Sridhara Sharma of Honnali traced the vedic background of Dakshinamurthy and related it with reference to Puranas. Prof. Madhusudana Shastri of Dharwad made a synaptic survey of sastraic elements occurring in the Puranas with special reference to vedangas and the six systems of Indian

philosophy, taking relevant passages from Vayu, Narada, Agni, Koorma, Bhagavata, Vishnu and Matsya Puranas. Sri Gangadhar Bhode highlighted the importance of language and grammar based on the Vishnu Purana. The day concluded with the staging of the play, Sambhavami Yuge Yuge directed by D.K. Shinde. The last day s deliberations commenced with the chanting of Puranas. Prof. M.N. Chandrashekar highlighted and stressed that a special feature of the Hari Vamsha is to show the non-difference between Hari and Hara. Dr. S.Ranganath derived the word Arya from traditional Sambhavami Yuge Yuge presented by Kalavidara Balaga 11 PURANAS RELEVANT TO MODERN TIMES sources and gave an account of five migrations of Aryans according to the Puranas. Sri Shankarlal Mehta of Kolkata drew references from Markandeya and Brahmanda Puranas and related it to Soundarya Lahari of Shankaracharya and Keerthans of Muthuswamy Dikshitar. Sri. Bharatarshabha Dasa of ISKCON depicted that Bhagavata Purana is the very essence of vedic literature. Stoka Krishna Dasa of ISKCON delineated the poetic descriptions of autumn in Bhagavata Purana by drawing the relevant passages. Sri S. Sundararajan, former I.A.S. Officer, depicted the message of Vishnu Purana. Dr. G.B. Harish drew attention to the Thirthankaras as depicted in Jaina Puranas. He said that the ascent of Jeeva from the animal instinct towards transforming into a liberated being is highlighted in the Puranas.

In the afternoon session, four papers were presented. Dr. Shilpa Datar stressed on Panchakosha, Tridosha and Trigunas and related it to puranik statements. Vid. Narayana Bhatta highlighted the importance of Ashtanga Yoga, Manvantara and Gaya in the background of Vayu Purana. Smt. Goda Gopal quoted relevant passages from Divya Prabandha and drew similarities to it with various puranas. Dr. Sridhar Hegde highlighted the importance of Vishnu in the light of Padma Purana. In his valedictory address, Prof. K.T. Pandurangi stressed the relevance of Puranas to modern times. He was honoured for his lifetime achievements. Dr. M. Rama Jois stated that Dharma is the backbone on Dr. S. Ranganath which all the Puranas have been formulated. Dr. S. Ranganath was the master of ceremonies and moderated the five-day event with his scholary opening and closing remarks. All daily sessions of the conference began with recitation from various Puranas by a team of two led by Vid. Raghavendra Hedge. The programme was a grand success as many youngsters attended the programme and expressed their happiness. A view of the book exhibition organised during the Message of Mahapurana s Conference 12

BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN AND SAI GRACE FOUNDATION ENDOWMENT PROGRAMME: SRI. YADALAM NANJAIAH SETTY MEMORIAL LECTURE HELD ON 14TH JULY 2015 AT KHINCHA AUDITORIUM H.H. Sri Swami Japanandaji, Chairman, Sri Ramakrishna Sevashrama, Pavagada being honoured by Sri. Yadalam Gangadhara Setty, while Sri. H.N. Suresh and Yadalam Vijay Kumar joins. H.H. Sri Swami Japanandaji, delevering the Sri. Yadalam Nanjaiah Setty Memorial Lecture on the topic : Relevance of Bhagavad Gita 13

BHAVAN S DR. K.M. MUNSHI INSTITUTE OF ART & CULTURE PROGRAMME VARSHA VAIBHAVA A DANCE FEATURE BASED ON COMPOSITIONS OF SHATAVADHANI DR. R. GANESH PRESENTED ON 19TH JULY 2015 AT KHINCHA AUDITORIUM Dr. Shobha Shashi Kumar Dr. Deeksha Shastry and Dr. Nayana Somayaji Artists who performed in the dance feature a Varsha-Vaibhava pose for a group photograph along with Dr. Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, Dr. R. Ganesh and Sri. H.N. Suresh 14

BHARATIYA VIDYA BHAVAN AND INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS PROGRAMME : PERINI - A LECTURE DEMONSTRATION HELD ON 19TH JULY 2015 AT KHINCHA AUDITORIUM Dr. Sudha Murty, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation, lighting the lamp along with Bhavan s Director Sri. H.N. Suresh and Artist Sri. Kalakrishna BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION MUSIC PROGRAMMES AT INDIAN INSTITUTE OF WORLD CULTURE, BASAVANAGUDI, BENGALURU ON JULY 10, 2015 Flute concert by Sri Jayatheertha Kulkarni and party 15

BHAVAN-INFOSYS FOUNDATION OUTREACH CULTURAL PROGRAMME JUNE 27 & JULY 25, 2015 Carnatic Music on Madolin Artistes : Sri. V. Akshay Violin : Sri. Arjun Dinakar Mridanga : Sri R. Ganesh Ghatam : Sri. T. Nataraj on June 27, 2015 at Prof. B.K. Subba Rao College, Vidyaranyapura Music Concert : A Journey with Harmonium Artistes : Harmonium : Dr. Ravindra G. Katoti, Tabla : Pt. Udayraj Karpoor, Tabla: Sri. Sumit Nayak, Harmonium: Sri. Chirag Kanitkar, Manjira: Sri. Venkatesh Purohit on July 25, 2015 at Sri. MPL Shastri PU College, Vidyavihara, Rajajinagar 16

Remembering the Krishna Raos Dancers of Maha Maya have been paying tribute to their Gurus Chandrabhaga Devi and U S Krishna Rao through an annual endowment programme at the Bhavan. Befitting the occasion, well-known dance couple Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran will dance this year on the occasion on Aug. 9. Recipients of Karnataka Kalashree at a relatively young age, the Kirans have been training dancers in North Bengaluru, pitching in their best for the overall development of the Kiran Subramanyam and Sandhya Kiran 17 WATCH OUT FOR AUG 9, 14, 2015 dancers and the art itself, through their dance school Rasika. Their confidence as teachers has given rise to the Rasika Dance Ensemble, the professional performing outfit of the school. Although born and brought up near Chitradurga, Bharatanatya dancer K Nagaraj moved to Bengaluru in search of a livelihood, which proved to be a turning point for his dance. His rangapravesha was in 2013. He is learning Odissi too, and teaches dance at several city schools. Nagaraj received the Kala Pratibha award in 2008. The recital of Kirans and Nagaraj is at 6 pm at Bhavan. Evening of Dasapadas The BVB-Infosys Foundation programme is carrying out its objective of reaching art to different corners of the city, drawing an enthused audience. The Indian Institute of

World Culture is the next venue for an evening of Dasapadas by Sushma Shyamprsad, on Aug.14, at 6 pm. Sushma is a gold medallist in Hindustani music, having done her post-graduation from the Kala Sangeet Vishwa Vidyalaya, Khairagarh. She conducts classes at the Dr. Rajguru Music Academy, INFOSYS FOUNDATION PROGRAMME ON AUG 14. Bengaluru, while learning from Pandit Parameshwara Hegde. Online teaching of music is another of her music activities. - Jyothi Raghuram Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bangalore - 560 001 Kala Bharati School of Visual & Performing Arts Admission Open Mridanga Tabla Veena Flute Carnatic Vocal Hindustani Vocal Sugama Sangeeth Bharatanatyam Kathak Drawing & Painting Keyboard Violin All Classes : Saturdays : 4.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Sundays : 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon For more details contact : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Race Course Road, Bangalore - 560 001. 18

Mon 6.00 p.m. - ESV Hall 03. Prof. M.S. Hanumantha Rao Memorial Endowment lecture Speaker : Prof. K.J. Rao Topic : Jnana is not just knowledge Fri 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall 07. Book launch by Sri JSD Pani, President, Federation of AYUSH Industry Title : Holy Cancer How A Cow Saved My Life A memoir by Amit Vaidya PhD (US) Sat 6.30 p.m. - Khincha Hall 08. Horizon series of BVB-ICCR : Music Concert Orchestra by Bangalore School of Music (in association with Indian Council for Cultural Relations) Sun 6.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall 09. Prof. U.S. Krishna Rao and Smt. Chandra Bhaga Devi Endowment. Bharatanatya by Sri. K. Nagaraj, Guru Sri. Kiran Subramanyam and Guru Smt. Sandhya Kiran Fri 6.00 p.m. 14. Dasara Padagalu by Smt. Sushma Shyamprasad (in association with Infosys Foundation) Venue : Indian Institute of World Culture, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru PROGRAMME : AUGUST - 2015 Sat Independence Day 15. Celebrations : 9.00 a.m. : Flag Hoisting at Bhavan s premises R.C. Road. 9.30 a.m. : Bhavan s BBMP Public School, Srirampuram. Sat 6.30 p.m. 22. BVB Infosys Foundation Outreach programme : Sitar recital by Ustad Hafiz Bale Khan Tabla : Sri Shylesh Shenoy Venue : MES Kalavedi, MES College, 15th Cross, Malleswaram, Bengaluru. Sat 3.00 p.m. - Khincha Hall 29. Raksha Bandhan celebrations : Smt. Vimala Rama Jois and Dr. Rama Jois Endowment Chief Guest : Sri. Sadananda Gowda Hon ble Union Minister for Law 19

20 August -2015