Special lecture held on Vedas

ALIGARH : The Department of Sanskrit, Aligarh Muslim University organized a lecture on “Relevance of the Vedas in Modern Times” under its special lecture series started a couple of weeks ago.

Speaking on the topic, the guest speaker, an eminent scholar of Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit, Prof. Satya Prakash Sharma, former Chairman, Department of Sanskrit, AMU and presently President, Indian Society of Buddhist Studies and President, Prakrit Development Board, MHRD, Government of India, explained the essence of the Vedas and highlighted the principles of ‘live and let live’ and ‘give and take’ envisaged therein. He quoted several Vedic hymns which emphasize on universal brotherhood, mutual coexistence with peace and harmony. He also emphasized the need for inculcating in people the moral values of ancient Seers for a better tomorrow for humanity.

Prof. Arif Nazeer, Dean, Faculty of Arts focused on the teachings of the Vedas which promote affinity and mutual understanding among various sections of society.

Prof Kafeel Ahmad Qasmi, former Dean, Faculty of Arts, made a comparative study of the teachings of Holy Quran and the Vedas.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Prof Himanshu Shekhar Acharya, Chairman, Department of Sanskrit, while discussing briefly the topic of the lecture, pointed out that the Sanskrit literature, beginning from the Vedas, emphasizes on maintaining a balance in the acquisition of Dharma (righteousness), Artha (earning wealth) and Kama (fulfilment of desires), and the lack of balance in the acquisition of all these three (Trivarga) is the main reason behind all the calamities, both natural as well as man-made.

Saikat Das, a PhD scholar, conducted the programme and Vishakha extended a vote of thanks.