'Study of manuscripts must today'

NAGPUR: Study of manuscripts in various Indian languages is necessary in today, said MR Joshi while addressing participants of manuscript awareness programme, jointly conducted by Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek, and manuscripts resource centre. Vice-chancellor Pankaj Chande and chief guest NR Warhadpande shared the dais during the event held at Kasturba Bhavan in Bajaj Nagar.
Joshi added that the manuscripts itself were subjects of research.Manuscripts would be helpful for those who want to study languages. There is a close relation between history and manuscripts.
In his speech, Warhadpande informed that in the ancient times there were no books and everything was propagated orally. "People came to know about the rich tradition and heritage of our country in those times only after those were converted into manuscripts," he said.
Citing Sanskrit literature, he pointed out that because these valuable manuscripts were preserved well people came to know about Chanakya. Precious Shivbharat literature was discovered later.
Vice-chancellor Chande said the seminar was organised keeping in view the importance of manuscripts today. He said that there were more than nine lakh manuscripts in the country and many more were yet to be found. "The aim is to make people aware about the intellectual heights scaled by our ancestors from these," he added.
Vedas propagate equality: Chande
"Vedas not only propagate equality between a man and a woman but also says that there is no place for any kind of inequality," said Pankaj Chande during his address on the topic 'Vedic culture in 21st century'.
Chande further stated that oral citation of Vedas was an ancient tradition and there had been no change in this since ages. He pointed out that Max Mueller once had a doubt about authenticity of the tradition of oral citation for which he travelled all over India but couldn't find a fault. "People should test the profoundness of the Vedas themselves first and then make the statement about the authenticity of Vedas," he added.
Vasudeo Chorgade vouched for the authenticity of the Vedas stating that one should approach it with pure mind to understand its profoundness. Krishnashastri Arvikar read out some important parts of Vedas. Bhagyalata Pataskar, and Madhusuda Penna gave insight to the audience about various topics related to Vedic tradition, Shrautayag, Ved calendar, and Vedic Yog Science among others.