Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai in collaboration with Renaissance Universal (RU) Mumbai has organized National Webinar on Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji’s multifarious contribution on 11th October 2021 at 2.00 p.m. Webinar started with the introductory speech by the chief guest Prof.S.R.Bhat (Chairman, Indian Philosophical Congress). Prof.Gopalchandra Mishra (Former V.C., University Gaur Banga) has chaired the programme.
Dr.Shakuntala Gawde (Head and Asst.Professsor, Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai) welcomed all and gave welcome speech. In her speech Dr.Gawde stated how Shri Shri Anandmurtiji has given his thoughts on different issues like Spiritual philosophy, literature, music, philology and sadhana, yoga psychology, ananda marga etc.in brief. The Programme started with the Saraswati Vandana based on Prabhat Sangeet by Dr.Manisha Kulkarni (Asst.Prof., Dept.of Music, University of Mumbai). The Saraswati Vandana was based on Raga Darbari Kanada, sung very beautifully by Dr.Kulkarni according to the prabhat sangeet tradition. She presented a paper on Prabhat Sangeet. Dr.Kulkarni elaborated the central idealogy of Prabhat Sangeet through practical. She has sung Raga Jaunpuri and Raga Shivaranjani in the frame of prabhat sangeet very aptly.
Next speaker was Prof.Bulbul Dhar (Dept.of Political Science, Jamia Milia Islamia University, New Delhi), her topic was Yoga Psychology. She elaborated that, Anandmurtiji’s Yoga Psychology reimagined the traditional belief in ‘Chakras’ as being due to interaction of subtle energies through nerve plexuses. The third speaker was Dr.Karuna Shankar Upadhyay (Head of the Hindi Dept., University of Mumbai), his topic was Shri Shri Anandmurtiji’s literature. Dr.Upadhyay stated that, Anandmurtiji’s teachings on literature and spiritual philosophy are a synthesis of Vedic and Tantric philosophies. Anandmurtiji considered himself to be “an incorrigible optimist” in his thinking. His ideas are collected in the series of books called ‘Subhashita Samgraha’ which form part of the philosophical scriptures of Anand Marga idealogy.
Dr.Sindhu Poudyal (Asst.Prof., Dept.of Philosophy, Central Tripura University) was the last speaker, her topic was ‘Ananda Sutram’. She elaborated the progressive utilization theory (PROUT). This theory is created by Shri shri Anadmurtiji. The theory is in line with Anadmurtiji’s Neohumanist values which aim to provide ‘proper care’ to every being on the planet including humans, animals and plants.
After the scholarly speeches, question-answer session was conducted. Dr.Mishra gave his scholarly remarks on the papers. Acharya Divya Chetanananda Avdhut proposed vote of thanks.
Report by Dr. Medha Deshpande, Research Assistant, Department of Sanskrit