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<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 1- 21.09.2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai, Centre for Hindu Studies, IACS Unversity of Calcutta, University of Stockholm and Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (affiliated to University of Mumbai) Organized Online Research Methodology Workshop from 21st<\/sup> September to 3rd<\/sup> October 2026 for the students and researchers of Sanskrit, Philosophy, Hindu Studies, Archaeology & Ancient Indian culture. The workshop was mainly focused on data collection & analysis, literature review & research gap identification, citation style & diacritics, research ethics, academic writing, textual criticism and AI tools in research. Numerous intellectuals presented their lectures at the workshop. The Inaugural program started with preamble presented by Prof. Dr. Madhavi Narsalay. The program inaugurated by Prof. Kavita Laghate, Prof. Ferdinando Sardella, Prof. Kamal Kishore Mishra and Dr. Sumanta Rudra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By giving many examples in Bhagavadgeeta Dr.Kavita Laghatetalked aboutBridging Tradition and Modernity through systematic research methods. Dr. Laghate talked about the decoding systems which refer to the specialized textual criticism and hermeneutic techniques in Sanskrit research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Key note speaker was Prof. Ferdinando Sardella- a prominent scholar and Professor in the History of Religions at Stockholm University who specializes in modern Hinduism, interreligious dynamics, and transnational religious movements. While navigating social sciences and religious studies, Prof. Sardella explained his critical realism as a holistic research methodology. He positioned it as a vital middle ground between the rigid objectivism of positivism and the highly subjective, discourse-heavy nature of constructivism. By utilizing this approach, his framework emphasizes that while knowledge generation is inherently theory-dependent and shaped by human discourse, a real world with distinct causal structures still exists. Consequently, his methodological thoughts encouraged researchers to balance structure and agency <\/strong>while exploring deep-seated causal tendencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first session started with Dr. Shakuntala Gawde\u2019s crystal clear elaboration on \u2018What is Research\u2019? Dr. Gawde explained every bit of research by giving excellent examples. She highlighted how classical commentators such as Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, and Yaskacharya prioritized rigorous logical reasoning and argumentation alongside or above traditional textual authority when refuting opposing schools of thought or establishing new philosophical positions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She emphasized that close and critical reading, critical textual analysis, and contextual interpretation are fundamental steps in research. She claimed that ancient shastrakaras are researchers and research methodology can be observed through their styles of writings. She presented ancient research methods for understanding different devices of research methodology which are still relevant in modern day research. Students have experienced an excellent rational researcher in the form of Dr. Gawde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next session started with Dr. Meenal Katarnikar\u2019s interactive talk on Epistemology. She elaborated differing concepts of perception and knowledge, her talk fostered cross-cultural understanding and dialogue. She stated that knowledge comes largely through logical reasoning and innate ideas, independent of sensory experience called Rationalism. She explained the constructivism – the idea that humans construct knowledge through their own experiences and social interactions very well. The workshop concluded with question answer session. We want to congratulate to the Head of the Department Dr. Suchitra Tajane and specially Prof. Dr. Madhavi Narsalay for her tireless efforts for oraganizing the workshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 2- 22.09.2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first session of second day was started with the lecture of Prof. Suraj Pandit. He presented his thoughts on \u2018Archeological methods and Cultural Processes\u2019. Dr. Suraj Pandit emphasized that archaeological methods are essential for understanding past human societies through the systematic study of material remains. Archaeology uses methods such as excavation, survey, stratigraphic analysis, dating techniques, and the study of artefacts to reconstruct patterns of human life and cultural change. He stated that in studying cultural processes, archaeological evidence helps us to understand how societies developed, interacted, adapted to their environment, and exchanged ideas and technologies. Dr. Pandit\u2019s approach highlighted the importance of interpreting archaeological remains within their wider social, economic, environmental, and cultural contexts rather than viewing artefacts in isolation. Thus, archaeological methods provide the evidence through which processes such as migration, interaction, continuity, transformation, and cultural development can be studied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second session started with talk of Prof. Ithamar Theodor on Articulating a Methodology for the Study of Bhagavadgita. He emphasized the need to approach the text through a systematic and context-sensitive hermeneutic framework rather than treating it merely as a philosophical or religious document. His methodology considers the Gita<\/em> within its broader Mahabharata<\/em> context while also attending to its theological, philosophical, literary, and historical dimensions. Prof. Theodor highlighted the importance of examining the text\u2019s internal concepts, especially its understanding of dharma, yoga, action, knowledge, devotion, and liberation, and of recognizing the relationship between these ideas and the text\u2019s overarching theological vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The speaker of third session was Prof. Namita Nimbalkar. She presented her thoughts on Identification of Research Gap. She emphasized that identifying a research gap is a foundational step in research methodology, critical thinking, and the formulation of an original dissertation topic. In her lectures and coursework on research methodology, she highlighted that a well-defined research gap goes beyond simply pointing out missing literature; it requires scholars to engage in rigorous critical analysis and deep reading to uncover contradictions, conceptual inconsistencies, or unexamined perspectives within existing scholarship. For researchers, particularly in fields like philosophy, ethics, and social sciences, she viewed gap identification as a pathway to decolonizing the mind and revitalizing localized knowledge systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last session started with lecture of Prof. Mau Dasgupta on Citation Methods. According to Prof. Mau Dasgupta, citation methods are an essential part of research methodology because they provide proper acknowledgment to the sources and ideas used in academic work. She stated that effective citation helps researchers maintain academic honesty, avoid plagiarism, and establish the credibility of their arguments. She emphasized that citation methods also enable readers to trace the original sources and verify the information presented by the researcher. Also Dr. Dasgupta mentioned that depending on the discipline and research requirements, different styles such as APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard may be used. Thus, proper and consistent citation is not merely a formal requirement but an important practice that strengthens the reliability, transparency, and scholarly value of research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 3- 23.09.2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first session started with Dr. Vinay Pawar who presented a lecture on Tantrayukti \u2013 Way to Indian Research Methodology. Dr. Pawar emphasized that while modern western methodology focuses extensively on the outward mechanics of thesis construction such as structural formatting and chapter numbers, classical Indian methodologies – particularly through the application of Tantrayuktis<\/em> – excel in determining what<\/em> to write, establishing the legality, depth, and systematic completeness of information. In his scholarly elaboration, he highlighted that these interpretive and structural devices ranging from 32 to 36 tools like Apavarga<\/em> and Niyoga<\/em> serve as an essential blueprint for conducting unambiguous, rigorous scientific inquiries. By aligning traditional concepts with contemporary frameworks, Dr. Pawar advocated for utilizing Tantrayukti<\/em> to bridge historical intellectual rigor with modern scientific validation, demonstrating that India’s indigenous cognitive traditions offer a robust, self-contained mechanism for advanced critical analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second lecture started by Prof. Mau Dasgupta.<\/strong> She elaborated her knowledge on Methods of Transliteration in Research Methodology. Drawing from her extensive expertise in handling ancient Vedic, classical Sanskrit, and regional texts, she emphasized that static transliteration schemes like IAST must be adapted dynamically to prevent the erasure of distinctive localized pronunciations. For instance, in her talk, she explained for using specialized diacritical variants – such as reserving \u1e5b<\/em> strictly for modern flapped consonants in Hindi and Bengali, while applying r\u0325<\/em> for the vocalic r<\/em> of classical Sanskrit. Ultimately, Prof. Das Gupta viewed transliteration as a vital bridge in text reconstruction and translation studies, arguing that flexible, phonetic-centric methods are necessary to preserve authentic oral and textual histories when shifting across diverse linguistic layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third session started with the topic of Research Methodology used in Astika Darshanas <\/em>by Prof. Uma Shankar. What an excellent elaboration it was! Dr. Uma systematically explained that while studying darshanas <\/em>you have to read the author\u2019s mind and read between the lines. She said that, six orthodox schools-Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, <\/em>and Vedanta<\/em> – do not operate on mere dogma, but employ a highly sophisticated, multi-dimensional framework of validation. She stated that, central to this methodology is the acceptance of the Vedas<\/em> as an authoritative source of knowledge (Shabda Pramana<\/em>). However, Prof. Shankar highlighted that this scriptural authority acts as a baseline for deep, systematic inquiry, rather than an end to critical thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Last session concluded by Prof. Varsha Shirgaonkar on the topic- Annales School of Historiography : Data collection and Analysis. In terms of data collection, <\/strong>her insights highlighted how the Annales movement expanded the historian’s toolkit beyond conventional state archives and official chronicles. She said that, historians began gathering diverse, non-traditional sources\u2014such as demographic records, land registries, folklore, material culture, climate data, and myths – to reconstruct the everyday lived experiences of ordinary people. When it comes to data analysis, she elaborated the school\u2019s integration of social sciences like geography, sociology, and economics to examine long-term structures rather than short-term political events. She explained how this analytical shift introduced quantitative methods, serial data tracking and the study of collective mentalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 4- 24.09.2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first session started with Dr. Meenal Katarnikar who presented a lecture on<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to write a dissertation? She highlighted that writing a dissertation is an extensive, iterative process centered around philosophical and methodological rigor. She emphasized that a dissertation should never be a mere descriptive summary or listing of literature. Instead, students must move beyond surface-level reviews to synthesize arguments, analyze historical or conceptual contradictions, and anchor their research within a clear epistemological and ontological framework. Dr. Katarnikar elaborated that, a successful dissertation balances a deep critical appraisal of existing knowledge with independent logical reasoning, ensuring that every claim made is rigorously supported by primary textual evidence while remaining sensitive to research ethics and structural coherence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second lecture started by Dr. Ravikant Sangurde. He elaborated his knowledge on Data collection and Data Analysis. He emphasized that data collection and data analysis form the backbone of any robust research methodology. His perspective links systematic empirical inquiry with ethical data handling, advocating that data collection must be meticulously planned to ensure objectivity, validity, and freedom from research bias. Dr. Sangurde highlighted that a successful study requires matching the appropriate tools – whether primary methods like structured surveys and qualitative interviews or secondary datasets – directly to the underlying research questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third session started with the topic of Research Methodology in Culture Studies by Dr. Prachi Moghe. She advocated for a methodology where living oral traditions and tangible relics act as reciprocal archives,<\/strong> arguing that regional history cannot be authentically reconstructed without the direct narratives of its original inhabitants. Her perspective emphasized “demystifying” the core socioeconomic and historical realities that underscore modern rituals. By treating fast-disappearing community customs, localized material findings, and regional dialects as critical data points, Dr. Moghe emphasized that a researcher’s primary responsibility in culture studies is to build participatory, ground-up frameworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Last session concluded by Dr. Suchitra Tajane on the topic Plagiarism. She explained- that this term traditionally referred to under terms like k\u0101vya-caurya<\/em> (poetical theft), v\u0101\u1e45maya-caurya<\/em> (literary theft), or bh\u0101va-caurya<\/em> (theft of ideas) – represents a critical breach of academic integrity and research ethics (\u015bodh-naitikat\u0101<\/em>) also it involves using someone else’s textual translations, commentary styles, manuscript interpretations, or analytical frameworks without proper citation. She said, to stop plagiarism, you must properly attribute traditional primary texts and secondary literature while writing critical commentary or analysis in your own words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 5- 25.09.2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n First session started on the topic -Insights of Nyaya in Modern Research by Dr. Rudraksha Sakrikar . Dr. Sakrikar framed the Ny\u0101ya Dar\u015bana<\/em> not as a relic of ancient theology, but as a robust, universal methodological apparatus. He emphasized that the foundational pillars of Ny\u0101ya<\/em> epistemology – perception (pratyak\u1e63a<\/em>), inference (anum\u0101na<\/em>), comparison (upam\u0101na<\/em>), and authoritative testimony (\u015babda<\/em>) – parallel modern scientific rigor. By systematically structuring arguments to eliminate logical fallacies (hetv\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/em>), Dr. Sakrikar demonstrated how Ny\u0101ya provides researchers with a clear cognitive compass to navigate hypothesis testing, evaluate qualitative evidence, and ensure error-free textual and analytical reasoning in modern multidisciplinary research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second session conducted by Prof. Madhavi Narsalay on the topic Collection of data and data analysis. Prof. Narsalay highlighted that data collection in Indological and cultural studies must transcend superficial curation; it requires gathering a cross-disciplinary matrix of epigraphic, textual, folk, and historical sources. Her insights revealed that data analysis is fundamentally an interpretive bridge, where structural deconstruction allows researchers to uncover hidden socio-political narratives, such as ancient statecraft or the evolving socio-cultural status of community deities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third session was on topic -Textual Criticism conducted by Dr. Iravati Kulkarni. She demonstrated how systematic textual criticism isolates original layers from later layers, preventing the misinterpretation of classical wisdom. Ultimately, her approach elevated the practice from mechanical editing to a deeply interpretive dialogue, ensuring that primary literary sources are preserved and studied in their most authentic form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last session was on Research Methodology used in Western Theories which was conducted by Prof. Uma Shankar. Prof. Shankar evaluated how western paradigms – ranging from strict logical dualism to post-positivist qualitative systems – influence data framing, hypothesis testing, and the determination of objective truth. Her insights revealed that while western methodology offers powerful tools for systematic, logical, and structural verification, it often operates with conceptual boundaries that can sideline holistic or indigenous modes of thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Day 6- 26.09.2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n First session started with Mr. Tameesham Pandya on the topic- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Research Methodology Pandya underscored that integrating AI tools into research methodology can significantly strengthen the adeptness, accuracy, and depth of reviewing existing scholarship. Rather than advocating for a complete automation of the process, the text illustrates a harmonious intersection where AI-driven capabilities – such as machine learning and automated pattern recognition – serve as an analytical engine to elevate human critical thinking rather than replace it. Ultimately, Mr. Pandya\u2019s thoughts framed that AI not as a shortcut, but as a transformative partner capable of helping scholars untangle complex literature ecosystems more systematically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second session was on Good and Bad Research conducted by Dr.Priya Vaidya. She explained that good research transcends mere data accumulation; it must be rooted in deep conceptual clarity, academic integrity, and an alignment with human-centric values. Conversely, “bad research” is characterized by superficial compliance with frameworks, data manipulation, or a lack of genuine critical inquiry. Her thoughts emphasized that high-quality research requires a “student of life” mentality, where the scholar prioritizes long-term intellectual enrichment and societal value over rushed, low-impact publications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third session started on the topic-Theoretical Research by Ms. Renuka Panchal. She emphasized the fundamental role of textual, philological, and conceptual frameworks in generating new knowledge. Rather than treating theory as isolated from practical life, her thoughts framed theoretical inquiry as an essential lens through which historical, cultural, and psychological phenomena are decoded and contextualized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Last lecture was conducted by Dr. Rupali Mokashi on Research in Epigraphy. Dr. Mokashi advocated for a methodological shift that uses epigraphic data to reconstruct the lived realities of historically marginalized groups. Her thoughts emphasized that while inscriptions provide an unyielding, scientifically sound chronological framework for dynasties, they are equally pivotal for uncovering societal shifts – such as the evolution of scribal castes, shifts in property rights, and the often-overlooked agency of female economic donors in sacred spaces. Ultimately, she framed epigraphical research as a vital restorative lens that bridges the gap between strict scriptural texts and the actual, practical conditions of ancient and early medieval. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Report by- Dr. Medha Deshpande<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Day 1- 21.09.2026 Department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai, Centre for Hindu Studies, IACS Unversity of Calcutta, University of Stockholm and Bhaktivedanta Research Centre (affiliated to University of Mumbai) Organized Online Research Methodology Workshop from 21st September to 3rd October 2026 for the students and researchers of Sanskrit, Philosophy, Hindu Studies, Archaeology & Ancient …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4150,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,11,2,14,16,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4168"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4171,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4168\/revisions\/4171"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4150"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanskritbhavan.mu.ac.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}