Houston - With a comprehensive nine-point plan, respected savant
Swami Vidyadhishananda Giri clearly outlined his vision of the
roles and responsibilities of India and the US in ensuring the
preservation of the Sanskrit language which he hailed as “the
blueprint of the consciousness of the whole cosmos, and the epitome
of perfection”. In his rousing keynote address to a capacity
audience at the inaugural session of the Sixth Biennial World
Association of Vedic Studies (WAVES) conference, he exhorted gatherers
to support the establishment of Chairs of Sanskrit at universities
in this country. Sanskrit, he added, would resonate as the mother
language that birthed all world languages, and that the institution
of such a chair would draw diverse participation regardless of
race or religion.
The
swami’s theories and research, along with those of Hindu thinkers
in the exalted ilk of Dr. David Frawley, Dr. S. Kalyanaraman,
and Professor Hal. W. French, to name a few, were presented at
the WAVES conference held at the University of Houston (U of H)
on July 8-10, 2006. The event, themed Vedic Ideas for Global
Harmony and Peace in the Modern Context drew an international
delegation from India, Nepal, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Europe,
and from several cities within the USA. In his welcome address,
Chairman of WAVES Board of Directors Dr. Surendra Nath Dwivedi
told attendees that the theme for the conference “was more timelier
than ever.”
“Many
conflicts arise from differences in religion, race, political
opinion, or other beliefs. The greatest impediment to peace is
ignorance,” said Dr. Dwivedi. Over 150 scholars participated
in the three day study on the various fields of archaeology,
Ayurveda, Vedanta, Sanskrit, Hindu history and heritage, science
and astrology, Hindu scriptures and epics, and yoga. The aim of
WAVES is to foster greater understanding of Vedic and Indian studies.
In
a series of parallel sessions scholars expounded their strategies
on specific subjects. The biases and distortions demeaning the
identity and ancestry of Hindus in 6th grade social science textbooks
in the US were addressed, and reform initiatives discussed. The
ongoing violence against Hindus, and the forced exportation of
Hindu minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the persecution
of Kashmiri Pandits were described in a paper presented by
the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) executive council member Sheetal
Shah. She told of HAF’s 2005 report on Hindu Human Rights. Attendees
were informed on HAF’s ongoing dialogue with congressional leaders
on Capitol Hill on issues facing Hindus here and in the diaspora.
The unsubstantiated theory that the Aryans brought Hinduism to
India, the stereotypical depiction of the Hindu social order,
the myth that Hinduism taught that women were inferior to men,
were also subjects for panel discussions.
Years
of in-depth research and the discovery of over 2000 archaeological
sites along the banks of the long-extinct Vedic river Sarasvati
preceded the scholarly Dr. S. Kalyanaraman’s presentation of his
report, Vedic
River Sarasvati for a National Water Grid.
With the aid of pictures and a map released by NASA, he charted
the route the revived river will take in three years time. Averaging
6 kilometers in width, Sarasvati will wend her way through Ahmedabad.
Continuing on the theme of water, Swami Vidyadhishananda, a graduate
of Cal Tech and India’s famed Indian Institute of Technology,
in his talk on The Environmental Synergy of Natural Altars
showed how all naturally manifested altars in India are linked
through a complex underground cave system. He augmented his speech
with compelling photographs and said he hoped NASA would undertake
research on the phenomenon. Yoga as a tool for treating patients
with breast cancer was another informative paper of modern relevance
delivered by Houston-based Dr. Kavita Chandwani. Yoga’s stress-relieving
techniques could improve the quality of life, build the immune
system, and lengthen the chance of survival. Dr. Narayanan Komerath
of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology,
reported on his findings on micro electrical power generation
using economic variable wind turbines in every village in India.
Dr. Howard Beckman, founder of the Vedic Cultural Fellowship in
New Mexico, told of the healing power of light waves and color
spectrum vibrations in his paper The Divine Vedic Science of
Healing with Light.
Pivotal
to the theme of the conference were the many dialogues and deliberations
held to emphasize the age-old principles of Sanatana Dharma (eternal
organizing principles) to promote global harmony. The talks invited
wide audience participation. “Dharma is a series of operating
principles that cannot be confined to religion,” Dr. Kalyanaraman
told gatherers. Philosopher and exponent of Hindustani Classical
music Professor Guy Beck told of Hindu sacred music’s role in
promoting world peace. “Music crosses cultural boundaries and
helps overcome initial obstacles of language. This process would
foster deeper appreciation of Vedic and Hindu ideals and cultural
traditions,” said Professor Beck.
Understanding of the holy Vedas is rooted in the scientific Sanskrit
language, realized master Swami Vidyadhishananda Giri said. “Its
usage even in simple form allows us to revisit our ancient roots,”
he added, calling for propagation of the language. He urged gatherers
to support research on the use of Sanskrit in artificial intelligence
and as a computer-level language in the west. For India his mandate
called for the continued oral tradition of Sanskrit in Vedic schools
and for the Sanskrit language curriculum to be reinstated at school
and university levels. He asked that archaryas from esoteric lineages
of the Vedas be given credibility and support. Sanskrit manuscripts
should be preserved and translated. The swami also called for
the support and institutionalization of the keeper of family lineage
trees. He asked that official channels correct the historical
timelines, which could be referenced in the Puranas. He had one
more request of India:
“Revive ancient Puranic temples that have self-manifested altars,
don’t build new temples. Nurture and protect the ones already
in existence,” Swami Vidyadhishananda added.
With strong participation from the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha,
the youth forum gave young people the platform to express their
concerns and speak candidly to a panel of scholars. Swami Vidyadhishananda
Giri, Dr. David Frawley, BAPS’s Janak Dave, and Hindu University
of Florida’s Professor Subhas Tiwari dispensed practical advice
on the Dharmic way of life and offered down-to-earth answers on
preserving a hoary cultural heritage in the diaspora. Responding
to a question on Hindu identity, Prof. Tiwari told youth that
the teachings are bequeathed by parents to every generation: “Upholding
certain values starts at Self. You have to live dharmically and
spiritually in tune, it has to be a direct experience. A house
cannot be built on false premises, thoughts must be in tune with
deeds,” said Prof. Tiwari. He added that studying the scriptures
will help reclaim the past and generate pride in heritage. “For
reference points you have to understand who the wise ones are
and seek their help,” he said. Whether it is family, or a tough
career that keeps one centered, whatever done the dharmic way
will always produce better results, suggested Dr. David Frawley.
Because being in harmony with the universe fulfils a greater purpose
in uplifting society, he added. Another question from youth was
how to preserve India’s contribution to math, the sciences, etc,
when one has no knowledge of her contribution. The simple answer
was - it comes down to self-responsibility to educate one’s self.
Janak Dave suggested that parents make more effort to keep the
vernacular language alive in the home.
Kirsten Jones and Ravi Pinjala, students at Rice University and
the University of Texas respectively, found that the knowledge
gained at the youth symposium was “deep and inspiring.” “It was
great as it addressed several burning issues relevant to us and
made it easy to participate,” said Kirsten and Ravi in a joint
statement. Local attorney Jai Sharma can’t wait for the
next conference: “The keynote lectures were thought-provoking
and I learnt a lot,” Sharma enthused. Guest visiting from India
Balakrishna Surat felt honored to be amidst knowledgeable Hindus.
“I feel an eagerness to be more involved in future. To be more
responsible to my heritage,” said Surat. A speaker at the symposium
Dr. Abhinav Dwivedi of the Hindu University was excited that so
many voices spoke up against the false depiction of Hinduism in
the California textbooks case. “I’m also glad that we spoke about
the many misconceptions about Hinduism that even Hindus have,”
Dr. Dwivedi added. Young volunteer with Sewa International Hemendra
Pal deemed the conference “enlightening”. Prof. Subhas Tiwari
commended the effort that went into planning the event. “It was
very positive. Of course there were too many changes made at the
last minute in scheduling, and rooms were not assigned. But we
have to recognize the sincere effort,” he said.
WAVES
has developed projects promoting Hindu/Vedic studies involving
community participation globally. At the WAVES conference banquet
and cultural program held on Sunday night, scholars were awarded
plaques in recognition of their work. Houston Chapter President
of WAVES Subhash Gupta thanked delegates and guests for attending
the event. He also recognized volunteers who worked tirelessly
to facilitate the conference in this city.
The
next international WAVES conference will take place in 2008 in
Orlando, Florida.
For more information visit www.wavesinternational.net.
