HISTORY

Introduction about the institute:

The Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala was founded on 1st August 1928, to commemorate the sacred memory of The Late Lokamanya Tilak, for the promotion of the Vedic study, Research and Publication.

After the establishment in 1928, soon in 1933 (The Late) Dr. C. G. Kashikar joined VSM as the Secretary and Editor to collaborate with the other Editor, (The Late) Pandit Sontakke in the ambitious research project of bringing out a New Critical Edition of the Ṛgveda with Sāyaṇa’s commentary. In 1983 when the VSM got the status of the Adarsh Sanskrit Shodha Samstha. Dr. T.N. Dharmadhikari was appointed as the first Director of Adarsh Sanskrit Shodha Samstha. The VSM has been honoured with Athalye Guruji Puraskar by Shri Athalye family in 2001 and Saraswatī Upāsanā Puraskāra by Ghaisas Guruji Vedapathashala Vedabhavan, 2007.

At present the third generation is working in the institute. Till date the VSM has trodden the path in the direction which was aimed at its establishment. In its long journey the institute, after overcoming the obstacles, has published 92 books including Dvds. On 1st August 2028 the VSM will complete 100 years of its establishment.

The Emblem

वैदिकसंशोधनमण्डलस्य संस्थाचिह्नस्य वैदिकार्थव्याख्या

अस्मिन् संस्थाचिह्ने विद्यमानाः सर्वेऽपि घटकाः वैदिकसंस्कृतेः, ज्ञानपरम्परायाः, यज्ञीयजीवनदृष्टेः च प्रतीकत्वेन विराजन्ते।

Vedic Interpretation of the Emblem of Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala

All the elements depicted in this emblem represent the spirit of Vedic culture, the continuity of the knowledge tradition and the Vedic vision of life centred on sacrifice (yajña).

अश्वत्थपत्रम् - अश्वत्थवृक्षः सनातनभारतीयपरम्परायां ब्रह्मस्वरूपः, वेदस्वरूपश्च परिगण्यते। भगवद्गीतायां भगवान् श्रीकृष्णः अश्वत्थं स्वविभूतिरूपेण निर्दिशति। पत्रस्य विशालरूपं वेदज्ञानस्य, जीवनस्य, आध्यात्मिकविकासस्य च द्योतकम् अस्ति।

The Aśvattha Leaf - The Aśvattha (Sacred fig) tree is regarded in the eternal Indian tradition as a symbol of Brahman and of the Vedas themselves. In the Bhagavad Gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa identifies the Aśvattha as one of His divine manifestations. The expansive form of the leaf signifies Vedic wisdom, life and spiritual growth.

सूर्यः - पत्रमध्यस्थितः सूर्यः प्रकाशस्य, प्रज्ञायाः, चैतन्यस्य च प्रतीकः। यथा सूर्यः जगत् तमसः विमोचयति, तथा वैदिकविद्या अज्ञानान्धकारं नाशयित्वा साधकं सत्यस्य मार्गे नयति। अयं सूर्यः संस्थायाः ध्येयवाक्यं “अगन्म ज्योतिरुत्तमम्” इति प्रतिपादयति—“वयं परमं ज्योतिः प्राप्तवन्तः” इति भावः।

The Sun - The Sun placed at the centre of the leaf symbolizes light, wisdom and consciousness. Just as the Sun dispels the darkness of the world, Vedic knowledge removes the darkness of ignorance and leads the seeker on the path of truth. The Sun also embodies the institution’s motto, “Aganma Jyotiruttamam”—“We have attained the Supreme Light.”

हस्तलिखितग्रन्थः - हस्तलिखितग्रन्थः ऋषिप्रणीतानां वेदशास्त्राणां, परम्परागतविद्यायाः, संशोधनकार्यस्य च प्रतीकः। अस्मिन् निहितं ज्ञानं सहस्रवर्षपरम्परया गुरुपरम्परातः संरक्षितम् अस्ति। अतः ज्ञानसंरक्षणस्य प्रसारणस्य च द्योतकः।

The Manuscript - The manuscript symbolizes the Vedas and sacred texts composed and transmitted by the seers (ṛṣis), as well as the traditional heritage of learning and research. The knowledge preserved within such manuscripts has been safeguarded through an unbroken lineage of teachers and disciples over millennia. Thus, it represents both the preservation and dissemination of knowledge.

यज्ञियाग्निः - यज्ञो वै वैदिकसंस्कृतेः प्राणः। यज्ञवेद्यां प्रज्वलिताग्निः त्यागस्य, शुद्धेः, लोककल्याणस्य च प्रतीकः। यज्ञभावना केवलं कर्मकाण्डं न, अपितु “इदं न मम” इति समर्पणदृष्टिं बोधयति। अतः यज्ञवेदिः वैदिकजीवनमूल्यानां प्रतिनिधित्वं करोति।

The Yajña Altar - Yajña is the very life-breath of Vedic culture. The sacred fire kindled upon the altar symbolizes self-sacrifice, purity and the welfare of the world. The spirit of yajña is not merely ritualistic; it teaches the attitude of dedication and self-offering expressed in the ideal, “Idam Na Mama” (“This is not mine”). Therefore, the yajña altar represents the fundamental values of Vedic life.

ध्येयवाक्यम् (ध्येयमन्त्रः) - उद्व॒यं तम॑स॒स्परि॒ ज्योति॒ष्पश्य॑न्त॒ उत्त॑रम्। दे॒वं दे॑व॒त्रा सूर्य॒मग॑न्म॒ ज्योति॑रुत्त॒मम्॥ (ऋग्वेदः १.५०.१०) - “वयं तमसः पारं गत्वा परमं ज्योतिः पश्यामः। देवेषु श्रेष्ठं सूर्यस्वरूपं दिव्यं प्रकाशं प्राप्तवन्तः स्म।”

Motto (Vedic Mantra) - Udvayaṃ tamasas pari jyotiṣ paśyanta uttaram | Devaṃ devatrā sūryam aganma jyotiruttamam || - (Ṛgveda 1.50.10) - “We have crossed beyond darkness and beheld the higher Light. We have attained the divine Sun, the supreme and transcendent Light among all luminous beings.”

समन्वितार्थः - अश्वत्थपत्रे निहितं ब्रह्मतत्त्वं, सूर्ये विराजमानं नित्यज्योतिः, हस्तलिखितग्रन्थेषु संरक्षितं सनातनज्ञानम्, यज्ञियाग्नौ प्रकटिता च अखण्डा वैदिकपरम्परा—एते सर्वेऽपि स्थायित्वस्य शाश्वतत्वस्य च प्रतीकाः सन्ति। तेषां समन्वयेन निर्मितम् एतत् संस्थाचिह्नं वेदविद्यायाः अनुसन्धानं संरक्षणं प्रसारणं च ध्येयरूपेण धारयत् “अगन्म ज्योतिरुत्तमम्” इति वैदिकसन्देशं सजीवं करोति।

Integrated Significance - The Brahman principle embodied in the Aśvattha leaf, the eternal light represented by the Sun, the timeless knowledge preserved in the handwritten manuscripts and the unbroken Vedic tradition manifested through the sacrificial fire—all these are symbols of permanence, continuity and eternity. Through the harmonious integration of these elements, the emblem of the Vaidika Samshodhana Mandala embodies the ideals of research, preservation and dissemination of Vedic knowledge. It vividly expresses the Vedic message enshrined in its motto, “Aganma Jyotiruttamam” “May we attain the hight Light.”

Vision of the Institution
दृष्टिः (Vision)

• त्रयीविद्यापवित्रायतनमाश्रित्य शुद्धसङ्कल्पबलेन अस्मत्पूर्वजैः वरीयोभिः प्रदर्शितदीर्घदर्शिलक्ष्यस्फूर्तिमादृत्य अनुष्ठानमिदं समुन्नतपदवीमारोपयितुं वयं कृतनिश्चयास्याम।
• To establish VSM at its highest position as foreseen by our Pūrvasūris is our first and foremost desideratum.

Mission of the Institution
उद्यमः (Mission)

• अनुष्ठानस्यास्य शतमानोत्सवाभ्यन्तरे (1928) नानाप्रकारैस्सारस्वतसाम्प्रदायिककर्मभिः वैदिकसंस्कृतेः विश्वोपकारितां सर्वविद्यामयतां प्रति जनानां दृष्टिं चित्तं च आवर्जयितुं समर्थायाः कार्यप्रणाल्याः संरचनम्।
• To reach the society with our Vedic thought and to increase their interest in Vedic Studies, till the centenary of VSM and to proceed accordingly.
• भारते विश्वे च विद्यमानेषु वैदिकविद्याध्ययनानुष्ठानेषु वैदिकसंशोधनमण्डलस्यास्य स्फूर्जदूर्जस्वियशःपदवीसमुपलम्भलनम्।
• To get recognition for VSM as having the brightest future.
• अस्मदनुष्ठानस्य महायशोनिधाने यज्ञियवस्तुसम्भारे अभिनवसाङ्केतिकविज्ञानसहयोगेन तत्तद्वस्तुजातस्य ससन्दर्भं स्वभावोपक्रियादिप्रख्यापकं दृश्य-श्रव्यतन्त्रपुरस्सरं विवरणम्।
• To provide the museum of the sacrificial utensils with audio-visual presentation.
• अनुष्ठानेऽस्मिन् मातृकाविभागस्य पृथगुपकल्पनम्। विभागेऽस्मिन् शोधार्थि-सामाजिकानामुपयोगार्थं बहुमूल्यसमाचारोपेतस्य दृश्य-श्रव्यसूचनाफलकजातस्य व्यवस्थापनम्।
• To develop the manuscript section as an important independent section of VSM and provide an introduction to modern technology.
• पृथक्तया वेदानामुपबृंहणार्थं वैदिकभाषाप्रयोगशाला काचन निर्मिता स्यात्, यया आधुनिक-पारम्परिक-शोधच्छात्राणां सविस्तरमस्मिन् क्षेत्रे अनुसन्धानावकाशानां सुविधा प्रदानम्।
• To develop a language laboratory for Vedic language, especially for traditional and modern scholars.
• भाष्यान्तरेषु सायणभाष्यस्य विशिष्टतानिरूपणार्थमनुसन्धानात्मकस्य एकस्य सायणभाष्यपीठस्य संस्थापनम्।
• Considering Sāyaṇācārya’s monumental literary work of Bhāṣya, to establish a Sāyaṇācārya chair in VSM.
• अनुष्ठानस्यास्य पावरीग्रन्थालयान्तर्गतस्य लोकसमाकर्षि-बहुमूल्य-वैदिकग्रन्थ-निचयस्य सकलजनसौकर्याय अङ्कीकरणम्। अवेस्ताग्रन्थसञ्चयस्य अपूर्वः अनन्यस्थायी कश्चन अवेस्ताग्रन्थनिधिः अपि अस्मदनुष्ठाने विद्यत इत्यतः ईदृशमहनीयग्रन्थनिधेः अवेस्तापीठत्वेन लोकोपकाराय सन्निधापनम्।
• Avesta study is complementary to Vedic study and considering a magnificent collection of Avesta literature, to establish an Avesta chair in VSM.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Challenges (SWOC) of the Institution

• Strengths
  1. The VSM is the one of the institutes working as a Research institute in the field of Veda. VSM is situated in Pune, which is the Cultural, Spiritual, Historical and Educational capital of Maharashtra. Due to its well-regarded educational institutions, Pune is frequently referred to as the "Oxford of the East". Currently, all reciters of all Śākhās from the four Vedas, Śrautayājins are available in Pune.
  2. The institute possesses the Museum of Sacrificial utensils, which gives the visitors a tour in the hoary past.
  3. VSM has developed a big Library having nearly 20,000 books, mostly related to Veda and allied subjects.
  4. Yet another special feature is the library full of cupboards having the books related to Avesta, Thus, VSM is the unique place to visit and study for scholars.
  5. A big Manuscript repository containing more than 18,000 manuscripts is a special feature of this Research institute. It is possible to develop as a separate section.
  6. There are 99 renowned publications from VSM. These publications have a global reputation.
  7. VSM has a promising staff that can work and contribute to different fields/ disciplines like Veda, Indology, Sanskrit Grammar, Prakrit, Manuscriptology, Music etc. with modern European Languages like German and French.
• Weaknesses
  1. VSM possesses its own building of remarkable shape situated on 1.5-acre land, but because of the permanent lease, interference with issues related to the non-academic side exists.
  2. VSM has suffered from inadequate human strength and even at present, the same situation exists. It lacks supportive administrative staff. Many posts are vacant. VSM does not have a permanent Director. Decisions are hampered- further activity has stagnated. Financial crisis has to be faced and with very limited budget, restricted funds, further accomplishment and progress are always hampered.
  3. The institute has a big library, which is being run without Librarian.
  4. Though we possess a large repository of manuscripts, due to insufficient human resources, publication of the catalogues has been hampered. A separate curator is required to maintain it.
  5. With restricted, meagre funds, a full-fledged seminar is impossible to organise. Workshops couldn't take place.
  6. It becomes difficult to pursue the objectives because of such hurdles.
• Opportunities -
  1. VSM publications have international recognition. The Institute has well known publications related to Veda and Avesta. The critical edition of the Ṛgveda is known as “Poona Edition” internationally. The publication of Avesta in Devanagari is a significant contribution to Avesta Centre.
  2. The two chairs, one related to Veda and the other related to Avesta, could be established in future.
  3. study of Veda can be done/ or practiced from different angles. The language laboratory related to Veda is very necessary for the Acoustic study. Efforts may be directed towards it.
  4. Different scientific Lexicons could be prepared (परिभाषाकोश) related to various branches of Veda. e.g. Gṛhya, Śrauta, Grammar etc.
  5. Many books from German could be translated into English for the scholars as an important aid for their study. Many such books exist in German/French in the VSM library.
  6. Many modern scholars have contributed a lot to the Veda through books, translations, lectures etc. The compilation of their contribution can be done.
• Challenges-
  1. The Institute has completed 95 years and the Centenary is approaching fast. The number of Research Publications has to be increased.
  2. The celebration itself is a challenge. VSM has to reach/approach the society and that too through the Veda only.
  3. Vedic series for children could be planned.
  4. Vedic recitation should be included even in the university syllabus/ school syllabus in modern times.
  5. Above mentioned challenges have to be considered with the actual situation having restricted financial support & inadequate human resource demanding full dedication to the work / subject.

The Aims and Objectives of the Institute

1. To provide facilities for higher studies in Vedic literature.
2. To collect books and manuscripts concerning Vedic literature.
3. To publish original Vedic texts with commentaries.
4. To publish auxiliary literature such as Indices, Lexicons, Notes, Original Contributions etc.
5. To carry on research in the Vedas.
6. To work out the plans to facilitate and carry out the projects.

Since its inception, the Mandala has focused on collection and maintenance of rare manuscripts and publication of historical material. The Mandala was initially engaged in ambitious long term research projects which continued into the new millennium. The monumental projects of publishing new Critical Editions of Rigveda with Sayana’s commentary, Srautakosha, the Taittiriya Samhita and the Kanva Samhita and other large contributions in Vedic Studies and Upanishads were carried out from 1928 - 2010.

The Mandala is also actively involved in conducting various spiritual Yajna rituals, special courses and seminars at regular intervals; for maintaining and proliferating Sanatana Dharma.

As per records, ‘Purnamasa Isti’ was conducted in 1994 by Somayaji Vedamurti Ranganath Krsna Selukar Maharaj; ‘Pavitresti’, ‘Ayuskama Isti’, ‘Mitravinda Isti’, ‘Chaturmasya Yajna’, were performed by Somayaji Vedamurti Sudhakar Kulkarni ji between 2010 – 2020.

The ancient Iranian people formed a branch of the Indo-European peoples and were very Closely related to the Ancient Indo-Aryans. Hence the Language, literature and Culture of the Iranians and Indians are akin to each other. It is, therefore, not only beneficial, but also essential, that the Avestan literature should be studied side by side with the ancient Indian literature for the proper understanding of both the cultures. With this necessity in view Mandala had opened Avesta Study Center on 20th July 1951.

A Centre for Avestic studies under the able guidance of the well-known Iranian scholar Dr. I.J. S. Taraporwala, formerly the Director of the Deccan College Post - Graduate and Research Centre, Poona. After IJS Taraporwala, Prof. M.F. Kanga Continued and took over the charge. Dr. R. P. Peer succeeded him till the beginning of the New Millennium. After that Prof. M. A. Mehendale used to engage the lectures for the scholars for some years, VSM has published Avesta in Devanagari consisting of three volumes. This is the most remarkable work from the Center. Considering all these points, VSM wants to revive the study and establish an Avesta Chair in near future.