An international conference on the Ramayana began Thursday at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in Uttarakhand. The three-day event, co-organized by IIT Roorkee and Shri Ramcharit Bhavan, USA, focuses on the Ramayana’s significance in education and the Indian knowledge tradition.
Scholars, seers, and researchers from India and abroad are attending the conference. Approximately 150 research papers will be presented, exploring themes related to the Ramayana and associated spiritual literature.
Education and Societal Values
Speakers at the conference emphasized integrating Ramayana values into modern education. They stated education’s primary purpose extends beyond earning a livelihood. The core aim involves serving humanity and fostering societal well-being.
Professor K K Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, addressed the gathering. He highlighted his institute’s anthem, which draws inspiration from a couplet in Goswami Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas. The anthem reflects a dedication to social service.
Professor Pant quoted the Ramcharitmanas line, ‘Parhit saris dharma nahin bhai,’ meaning ‘There is no greater religion than serving others.’ He connected this to IIT Roorkee’s anthem, ‘Sarjan hit jeevan nit arpit,’ which translates to ‘Life is always dedicated to the welfare of creation.’ Both expressions underscore the importance of service to society.
Pant asserted the principles of the Indian knowledge tradition hold immense value. He linked core Ramayana values to current global and national challenges. These values include duty towards parents, social responsibility, and honesty in public life. The ideal of Ram Rajya also serves as a model.
Specific contemporary issues connected by Pant were sustainable development, health, ethics, and nation-building. He urged young individuals to perceive knowledge as a tool for societal contribution. This perspective aims to build a developed India by 2047, shifting focus from merely pursuing high salaries.
Ramayana for Character Building
Saint Mahamandaleshwar Swami Hari Chetananand also spoke at the conference. He discussed the importance of the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and other religious texts. These texts contribute to character building and promote inner peace.
Swami Chetananand noted the contemporary focus on mobile phones and material possessions. He presented the Ramayana as a complete guide for life. It teaches fundamental values essential for personal and social development.
Key values taught by the Ramayana include sacrifice, devotion, reverence for the guru, and social harmony. Swami Chetananand commended the organizers for assembling spiritual leaders and scholars near the Ganges river.
Conference Highlights
The inaugural session included several significant events. The ‘Gita Shabd Anukramanika,’ a Gita Word Index, was officially released.
Professor Om Prakash Gupta, founder of Shri Ramcharit Bhavan and a professor at the University of Houston-Downtown, provided details on the research papers. He confirmed approximately 150 papers would be presented during the conference. These papers are based on the Ramayana and related spiritual literature.
A posthumous award, the ‘Ramayana Ratna,’ was presented to Professor Mahavir Agarwal. This honor recognized his five decades of teaching, research, and service. Professor Agarwal made significant contributions to Sanskrit literature and Indian knowledge traditions.