VasudhaivKutumbakam’ is an ancient Sanskrit phrase that stands for the ideology: ‘the entire world is one family’. The message signifies that despite varying backgrounds and varying beliefs, every living being is part of a greater family. Respect and honor of these differences is integral to maintaining harmony throughout the world.
This year, a unique lecture series on the universal Vedic topic of ‘Brahmavidya’ was held in cities across North America to help preserve and nurture this universal message of Hindu spirituality. Vedic literature contains not only the oldest spiritual texts known to man, but also eternal truths that lead to spiritual bliss and universal harmony.
The lectures were delivered by Pujya Bhadreshdas Swami, one of the most learned swamis in BAPS, and an accomplished scholar of Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures. After being initiated as a swami in 1981, he has been studying Sanskrit and Hindu scriptures for the last 32 years.
Having completed a 500-page thesis on the Bhagavad Gita written in Sanskrit, he has earned five Masters degrees as well as a PhD in Sanskrit. He recently completed commentaries on the Upanishads, Brahmasutras and the Gita and is currently working on a commentary on the Vedas.
In recognition of his achievements, the Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University (KKSU) in Nagpur awarded him a Doctorate of Literature as well as the honorary award of Mahamahopdhyaya, an honorary title given to prestigious scholars by the Government of India. Bhadreshdas Swami is also a Project Committee Member of the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Ved-vidya Pratishthan (MSRVVP). In addition to teaching practical spirituality, Bhadreshdas Swami enlightened the audience on classical topics such as the meaning of the word Veda, the various parts of the Vedas and their ancientness, as well as the need of understanding the Vedas in modern context.
Despite his many achievements, perhaps his greatest talent is his natural ability to lucidly explain complex spiritual topics, thus making the most arcane subjects universally relevant and interesting.
The event was appreciated by dozens of prominent Indian-Americans who attended, including philanthropist Navin Doshi, poet Anandrao Lingayat, president of the Indian Dental Association Dr Kiran Trivedi, among many others.
Upon completion of the event in Chino Hills, California, Paul S. Husson said “Swamiji did an amazing job by making such complex Vedas information so easy to understand.”
Among other attendees, Rajendra D Bhakta of Chino Hills, mentioned, “For me, Vedas was just a word about Hindu scriptures. Swamiji explained in detail the meaning and importance of “Shastras”. Knowing the perfection of the Sanskrit language and the way to study “Vedas” and “Shastras” was totally new and very enlightening”
Inspired by His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha organizes a variety of such social, cultural, spiritual and humanitarian projects around the world. The Veda Vidya lecture aimed to provide the Hindu community around North America an introduction to the Vedas, Upanishads and other ancient Scriptures while also exploring some of the topics contained therein, including the values of universal harmony, the secrets of spiritual living and effective answers to life’s toughest questions.
India Post News Service
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