Videos by Sundareswaran N.K
This is the video presentation of my paper titled "Vedic calendar from the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa" m... more This is the video presentation of my paper titled "Vedic calendar from the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa" made in the Section on Veda, of the 18th World Sanskrit Conference . 54 views
Prof. P. V. Ramankutty speaking on Prof. M. P. Sankunni Nair. Prof. Nair was a well-known critic... more Prof. P. V. Ramankutty speaking on Prof. M. P. Sankunni Nair. Prof. Nair was a well-known critic of Malayalam literature and a Sanskrit scholar. He had significant insights and new and original ideas regarding the Intellectual and histrionic traditions of India. A researcher of a different kind, he has written remarkable books on Abhinavagupta, Kālidāsa, and the Nāțya tradition. All these are written in Malyalam language. 9 views
Papers by Sundareswaran N.K
Guruvandanam Saṃskṛtamayūkhaḥ , New Bharatiya Book Corporation, New Delhi, 2025
This article, written in Sanskrit, is an appreciation of the Sanskrit poem titled Mahātmavijaya. ... more This article, written in Sanskrit, is an appreciation of the Sanskrit poem titled Mahātmavijaya. The composition (khaṇḍakāvya) is a beautiful literary piece having 100 verses written by K. L. Vyasaraja Sastri. It is a eulogy on Mahatma Gandhi. Written in the year 1949, in 100 upajati verses, the poem highlights the values, and practices such as Ahimsā, Satya, Satyagraha held by Mahatma. The style of language is elegant and simple. It reveals the high regard held by the poet towards Vedic seers and Kalidasa. The present paper is an analytical study of this beautiful century, a valuable contribution to the Classical Sanskrit literature by a modern poet.
The Traditional Trees of Bharat, 2024
This is a brief survey of references in Vedic literature to various trees and plants pointing to... more This is a brief survey of references in Vedic literature to various trees and plants pointing to the scope and necessity of further research in the field. The analysis, which follows this, is confined to some selected aspects such as ritualistic, religious, literary and socio-cultural. Given the remote age in which the Vedic literature evolved, the identification of these flora does pose a challenge especially due to limited descriptions of their characteristic features. However a thorough study of this literature by locating multiple references or descriptions of trees and plants across both Vedic and post-Vedic literature and analyzing facts from multifarious angles such as geographical, botanical, and cultural ones could indeed be much beneficial. It could throw up a mine of information and insight useful to researchers of Botany, Agriculture, Cultural Studies, Ecology, and Indic knowledge.
യുക്തിഭാഷ:ജ്യേഷ്ഠദേവൻ, 2024
This is a detailed study on Yuktibhsha, the celebrated mathematical work from medieval Kerala. In... more This is a detailed study on Yuktibhsha, the celebrated mathematical work from medieval Kerala. In fact this forms the "Foreword" to latest edition of the work. The edition is carried out by Dr. P. Rajasekhar. The commentary is also in Malayalam. The commentary is lucid and really useful for understanding the original work.
(SPCS 2024 - ISBN 978-81-19911-02-8
Festivals of India, 2024
In this paper, the descriptions of festivities in Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa are subjected to a close study.... more In this paper, the descriptions of festivities in Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa are subjected to a close study. The expressions of people in the occasions of festivals are subjected to analysis.
Even when he looks seriously upon life, Vālmīki describes all the phases of it. He depicts them with fine artistic skill in his poem (Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa). Widest range of emotions is beautifully embedded in the structure of the story. He has also vividly and beautifully described the exhilarating mood of people during festivities.
It is really surprising to note that the expressions and behavior of people (in India) in festive occasions has more or less remained the same in their modes and means. Even the outward physical formalities also have remained the same. People go out, do some shopping, enjoy delicious food in public feasts, have some merry-making and love sports, and like to dissolve one’s identity into the crowd.
Prabuddhakeralam March, 2024
A very brief introduction to Mīmāṃsā philosophy.
പൂർവ്വമീമാംസാദർശനത്തെ സാധാരണക്കാർക്ക് പരിച... more A very brief introduction to Mīmāṃsā philosophy.
പൂർവ്വമീമാംസാദർശനത്തെ സാധാരണക്കാർക്ക് പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തുക എന്നതാണ് ലക്ഷ്യം.
Bhakthapriya, a monthly published by Guruvayur Devasvam, 2024
This is a critique on Nārāyanīya, the celebrated devotional poem. It is an attempt to establish t... more This is a critique on Nārāyanīya, the celebrated devotional poem. It is an attempt to establish that through the stotrakārvya, the author is giving himself a message. Compose and sing the divine tales of Lord for the benefit of common man, that is the message.
ശ്രീമന്നാരായണീയത്തിലൂടെ, കവിയുടെ കാവ്യരചനാനുഭവങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്കു്, സൂക്ഷ്മമായ ഒരന്വേഷണം നടത്തുമ്പോൾ നമുക്കു കാണാൻ കഴിയുന്ന രസകരമായ കാഴ്ച്ചകളിൽ ഒന്നു്, കവി തനിയ്ക്കു തന്നെ നല്കാനാഗ്രഹിയ്ക്കുന്ന ഒരു സന്ദേശം ഉണ്ടെന്നതാണു്. അതെന്താണെന്നോ? ശാസ്ത്രപാണ്ഡിത്യത്തിന്റെ ഭാരവും ഭള്ളും ബലാല്ക്കാരമായി തൂത്തെറിഞ്ഞു് സാധാരണക്കാർക്കു വേണ്ടി ഭഗവല്ലീലകളെ ധാരാളമായി പാടിപ്പുകഴ്ത്തുക.
PURNATRAYI (SRI RAVIVARMA SAMSKRTA GRANTHAVALI JOURNAL) Vol, XXX No. 1, 2023
This research paper written in Sanskrit highlights the following:
In ancient Indian discourses, t... more This research paper written in Sanskrit highlights the following:
In ancient Indian discourses, there was ample room for discussion and debate. Debates and discussions were essential element in the learning process. Being critical and questioning were given due importance, at least in the level of intellectual discourses.
Perspectives on Vṛkṣāyurveda, 2023
मातङ्गजमदाक्तेन प्लवङ्गनलकेन तु। फलानि विद्धमूलस्य फलन्ति नहि वत्सरम्।।
सद्योहतवृषस्कन्धचर्मणा न... more मातङ्गजमदाक्तेन प्लवङ्गनलकेन तु। फलानि विद्धमूलस्य फलन्ति नहि वत्सरम्।।
सद्योहतवृषस्कन्धचर्मणा नह्यते दृढम्।महीरुहस्य शाखा या तस्याः पाकः फले न हि।।
[The fruits of a tree, whose roots are pierced with the long bone of a monkey (nalaka) besmeared with exudation of a rutting elephant, will not ripen for one year.
The fruits of a particular branch of a tree, which is tightly tied up with skin (from the shoulder) of a recently killed bull, will never ripen.]
We find these statements in the Vṛkṣāyurveda, a Sanskrit work said to be written in the 12th century CE . Certainly, a critical researcher would find it very difficult to accept the veracity of such statements, unless and until they are proved, based on facts. The work written by Surapala, is usually reckoned as a text on the “science of plant life” . What should be our stand or attitude towards such statements, and the works containing such statements?
This paper is a critique on this topic.
श्रीगोविन्दालोकः, Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bangalore, 2023
This is a critique on the Sanskrit commentary written by Shri Bannanje Govindacharys on the शतरुद... more This is a critique on the Sanskrit commentary written by Shri Bannanje Govindacharys on the शतरुद्रीय. The commentary is written in the lines of Madhvacharya's Vedic interpretation.
This paper (of mine) is included in the Book श्रीगोविन्दालोकः, Published by Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bangalore, 2023.
ISBN 978-81-958208-2-5
Adyar Library Bulletin (Brahmavidya) Vol. 88, 2024
In the Vedic literature, we do not get a systematic calendar – a pre-designed chart of time for r... more In the Vedic literature, we do not get a systematic calendar – a pre-designed chart of time for referring to past events or for organizing and scheduling future events. However, there is a chapter in the Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa (viz, the 10th one in the third kāṇḍa), surprisingly, which sets out all the material to make out a full-fledged calendar. Dividing a year into 12/13 lunar months, each comprising two fortnights – bright and dark, and naming all these months and 24 fortnights (distinct names for bright and dark fortnights) and even naming all the days and nights of both bright and dark fortnights, it comprises all the material to make a full-fledged calendar. Even small periods of time such as muhūrtta-s (48 minutes) and muhūrtta-muhūrtta-s (3.2 minutes) in a day (as well as night) are individually named. This paper aims to bring out the scope of developing a Vedic calendar from this chapter.
In the Book "Kerala School of Mathematics:Trajectories and Impact", Ganga books, Kozhikkod, India, Dec 2014
Keḷallūr Nīlakanṭha Somayājin (b. 1444 CE) is a prominent member of the mathematical tradition th... more Keḷallūr Nīlakanṭha Somayājin (b. 1444 CE) is a prominent member of the mathematical tradition that flourished in Central Kerala during 13th to 18th centuries CE. This tradition is said to have originated thoughts on Calculus. Nīlakanṭha is well known as the author of Tantrasaṅgraha and Āryabhaṭīyabhāṣya. But his works (all written in Sanskrit) are yet to be analysed from the angles of the philosophy of Mathematics and conceptual history. The facts that his language resembles any of the classical works on Philosophy and that his works on Mathematics contain many quotations from Mīmāṃsā texts asserting that śāstra should essentially be rational are less noticed.
THIS PAPER, WITH FULL DOCUMENTATION SHOWS THAT HE HAD BEEN HOLDING A CRITICAL AND RATIONAL APPROACH TOWARDS THE DISCIPLINE OF ASTRONOMY.
Ganita bharati Volume 39 No. 2, 2017
The way in which Nilakantha formulates and interconnects ideas is simply beautiful. It would be a... more The way in which Nilakantha formulates and interconnects ideas is simply beautiful. It would be a pleasure to read his Bhashya on Aryabhatiya, for, the language and style of argument are the same as in a polemical work of philosophy.
This paper makes a close study of the commentary on the fourth verse of Ganitapada.
The explanation given by Nilakantha for Baudhayana's approximation of sqare root of 2 is unique.
The effulgence of Indian wisdom, Ed. P. C. Muralieemadhavan, New Bharatiya Book Corporation,Delhi, 2013
Lilavati, as is well known, is the most popular and celebrated work on Indian mathematics. Th... more Lilavati, as is well known, is the most popular and celebrated work on Indian mathematics. The mathematics - the arithmetic and algebra - discussed therein is outdated. But the philosophy of science reflected in the work is very much relevant today. The way in which concepts are looked upon, how they are conceived and develped; and the thought process involved are worth to be probed into. In fact works like Lilavati assume significance from this angle of view alone.
'Regional Traditions of Sanskrit: Contributions of North Kerala', Calicut University Sanskrit Series No. 59, , 2019
P. P. Divakaran, in his significant work on Indian mathematics, 'Mathematics of India : Concepts,... more P. P. Divakaran, in his significant work on Indian mathematics, 'Mathematics of India : Concepts, Methods, Connections', names this community as Nila School. This work of Divakaran is beautifully-written. Divakaran discusses what is ‘Indian’ in Indian mathematics. He takes us along with him for a voyage through the mathematico-cultural history of India. Starting from the Rgveda, the journey ends with the culmination of activities of Nila School.
Divakaran has proposed a hypothesis about the identity or the roots of Sangamagrama Madhava the founder and originator of the Nila School of Mathematics.
It is proposed here, in this paper, to make some observations on his story about Sangamagrama Madhava.
Prabuddhakeralam, 2023
This is the modified version (textual) of a talk delivered in Malayalam language. Deals with th... more This is the modified version (textual) of a talk delivered in Malayalam language. Deals with the significance and current relevance of Veda-s. The talk was delivered in a Seminar organiszd jointly by by All India Radio, Calicut and the Department of Sanskrit, University of Calicut.
संस्कृत-मञ्जरी, 2022
कस्याश्चन जनतायाः संस्कृतिः सामान्यतः तदन्तःपातिजनानां समस्तं व्यवहारक्षेत्रम् अभिव्याप्य तिष्ठति... more कस्याश्चन जनतायाः संस्कृतिः सामान्यतः तदन्तःपातिजनानां समस्तं व्यवहारक्षेत्रम् अभिव्याप्य तिष्ठति। अत एव जनतायाः विचारक्षेत्रेषु समस्तेषु सा प्रतिफलति। परं, वेषभूषादौ, नीतिव्यवहार–कृषि–भोजनादिषु, राज्यतन्त्रे, प्रशासनप्रविधौ, दण्डनीत्यादिव्यवहारविधौ चेति समस्तेषु सामाजिकेषु व्यवहृतिविशेषेषु अभिव्याप्तायाः संस्कृतेः सर्वोप्यंशः सङ्कलय्य एकत्र – विचारपद्धतौ - सुदर्शः समुल्लसति। तेन च भाषानिबद्धस्य विचारजातस्य सुनिपुणनिरूपणेन जनतायाः संस्कृतिः अवगन्तुं शक्यते। संस्कृतभाषानिबद्धा भारतीयसंस्कृतिः अस्माभिर्निरूपणीयत्वेन व्यवसिता अस्ति। सा देशे विदेशेषु च समस्तैः सुधीभिः सुतरां महितत्वेन संश्लोक्यते। अन्यैः संस्कारैरप्रभाविता प्रत्ना वरिष्ठा च सा संस्कृतिः सुविमलधिषणैः प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्भिः ऋषिभिः प्रवर्तिता वरीवर्तीति सुविदितमेव प्रज्ञावताम्। तस्याश्च संस्कृतेर्वाहिनी वाणी नान्या संस्कृतभारत्याः इदीदमपि निर्विवादम्। अर्धमागध्यादिषु प्राकृतभाषासु तथा प्राचीनायां द्रमिडभाषायाञ्च, यद्यपि दार्शनिका विचारा निरूपिताः, छन्दोमयी काव्यात्मिका च जागर्ति वाणी, तथापि तदीयं प्रतिपाद्यजातं संस्कृतभाषानिबद्धापेक्षया अतिस्वल्पमेव विषयवैविध्येन। सा चेयं संस्कृतभाषा विश्वभाषासु सरळा मधुरा रम्या प्रौढा च चकास्तीदमपि सर्वैराद्रियत एव। तेन अहो भाग्यम् अहो भाग्यमस्माकं यत् संस्कृतभाषानिबद्धां भारतीयसंस्कृतिमधिकृत्य विचाराय मधुरायाभिप्रेताय प्रेरिता इति।
THE JOURNAL OF ORIENTAL RESEARCH, MADRAS Special Volume 93, 2023
It is an article on "Yogavāsiṣṭha" . The work, "Yogavāsiṣṭha", dealing with Advaitavedānta, is a ... more It is an article on "Yogavāsiṣṭha" . The work, "Yogavāsiṣṭha", dealing with Advaitavedānta, is a beautiful composition. Many a rigid conventional stances of Vedāntaśāstra are refuted here. One such notable feature is that the inevitability of Guru is rejected outright . Usually in Indian tradition, especially in the context of Advaitavedāntaśāstra, it is held that आचार्यवान् पुरुषो वेद. But here in this text it is explicitly stated that it is not Guru (or his upadeśa) which leads to Kaivalya (Absolute knowledge) :
उपदेशक्रमो राम व्यवस्थामात्रपालनम्।
ज्ञप्तेस्तु कारणं शुद्धा शिष्यप्रज्ञैव राघव।।
This aspect is highlighted in this article.
Another interesting feature of the text is the beautiful language. The author has reproduced, in his beautiful literary expression, many a passage from the classical works in Sanskrit (from almost all the genres).
Prabuddhakeralam, 2023
It is a critique on the story of Ramayana as condensed in the Narayaniya stotra of Melputtur Nara... more It is a critique on the story of Ramayana as condensed in the Narayaniya stotra of Melputtur Narayana Bhattatiri. It is pointed out that the scholar in the poet has crossed the boundaries of propriety and has shown obsession-like enthusiasm not to leave out even trivial incidents described in the Valmiki Ramayana. The present author criticizes the poet in letting out the golden opportunity to eulogize the पादसेवनभक्ति of Lakshmana.
Prabuddhakeralam, 2023
It is a brief Introduction to Yajurveda in Malayalam.
Prabuddhakeralam (A journal of Ramakrishna Mission) , 2022
This article briefly discusses the beautiful narrative techniques employed by the Upanishad-s to ... more This article briefly discusses the beautiful narrative techniques employed by the Upanishad-s to impart the ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
Upanishad-s, as is well known, speak of the one and only one truth, which when realized makes the knower also merge into THAT ONE.
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Videos by Sundareswaran N.K
Papers by Sundareswaran N.K
(SPCS 2024 - ISBN 978-81-19911-02-8
Even when he looks seriously upon life, Vālmīki describes all the phases of it. He depicts them with fine artistic skill in his poem (Vālmīkirāmāyaṇa). Widest range of emotions is beautifully embedded in the structure of the story. He has also vividly and beautifully described the exhilarating mood of people during festivities.
It is really surprising to note that the expressions and behavior of people (in India) in festive occasions has more or less remained the same in their modes and means. Even the outward physical formalities also have remained the same. People go out, do some shopping, enjoy delicious food in public feasts, have some merry-making and love sports, and like to dissolve one’s identity into the crowd.
പൂർവ്വമീമാംസാദർശനത്തെ സാധാരണക്കാർക്ക് പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തുക എന്നതാണ് ലക്ഷ്യം.
ശ്രീമന്നാരായണീയത്തിലൂടെ, കവിയുടെ കാവ്യരചനാനുഭവങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്കു്, സൂക്ഷ്മമായ ഒരന്വേഷണം നടത്തുമ്പോൾ നമുക്കു കാണാൻ കഴിയുന്ന രസകരമായ കാഴ്ച്ചകളിൽ ഒന്നു്, കവി തനിയ്ക്കു തന്നെ നല്കാനാഗ്രഹിയ്ക്കുന്ന ഒരു സന്ദേശം ഉണ്ടെന്നതാണു്. അതെന്താണെന്നോ? ശാസ്ത്രപാണ്ഡിത്യത്തിന്റെ ഭാരവും ഭള്ളും ബലാല്ക്കാരമായി തൂത്തെറിഞ്ഞു് സാധാരണക്കാർക്കു വേണ്ടി ഭഗവല്ലീലകളെ ധാരാളമായി പാടിപ്പുകഴ്ത്തുക.
In ancient Indian discourses, there was ample room for discussion and debate. Debates and discussions were essential element in the learning process. Being critical and questioning were given due importance, at least in the level of intellectual discourses.
सद्योहतवृषस्कन्धचर्मणा नह्यते दृढम्।महीरुहस्य शाखा या तस्याः पाकः फले न हि।।
[The fruits of a tree, whose roots are pierced with the long bone of a monkey (nalaka) besmeared with exudation of a rutting elephant, will not ripen for one year.
The fruits of a particular branch of a tree, which is tightly tied up with skin (from the shoulder) of a recently killed bull, will never ripen.]
We find these statements in the Vṛkṣāyurveda, a Sanskrit work said to be written in the 12th century CE . Certainly, a critical researcher would find it very difficult to accept the veracity of such statements, unless and until they are proved, based on facts. The work written by Surapala, is usually reckoned as a text on the “science of plant life” . What should be our stand or attitude towards such statements, and the works containing such statements?
This paper is a critique on this topic.
This paper (of mine) is included in the Book श्रीगोविन्दालोकः, Published by Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bangalore, 2023.
ISBN 978-81-958208-2-5
THIS PAPER, WITH FULL DOCUMENTATION SHOWS THAT HE HAD BEEN HOLDING A CRITICAL AND RATIONAL APPROACH TOWARDS THE DISCIPLINE OF ASTRONOMY.
This paper makes a close study of the commentary on the fourth verse of Ganitapada.
The explanation given by Nilakantha for Baudhayana's approximation of sqare root of 2 is unique.
Divakaran has proposed a hypothesis about the identity or the roots of Sangamagrama Madhava the founder and originator of the Nila School of Mathematics.
It is proposed here, in this paper, to make some observations on his story about Sangamagrama Madhava.
उपदेशक्रमो राम व्यवस्थामात्रपालनम्।
ज्ञप्तेस्तु कारणं शुद्धा शिष्यप्रज्ञैव राघव।।
This aspect is highlighted in this article.
Another interesting feature of the text is the beautiful language. The author has reproduced, in his beautiful literary expression, many a passage from the classical works in Sanskrit (from almost all the genres).
Upanishad-s, as is well known, speak of the one and only one truth, which when realized makes the knower also merge into THAT ONE.