India’s First Vedic Research Centre To Be Set Up At Banaras Hindu University

The foundation for the country’s first Centre for Vedic Research was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (18 September) at Banaras Hindu University, Times of India has reported.

The Prime Minister launched this centre during his two-day visit to his home constituency on the occasion of his birthday. The centre as proposed will explore forgotten ancient Vedic texts and conduct multidisciplinary research.

Envisioned to study and popularise the scientific approach and vision of the Vedic sciences and seers, the centre will also collect Vedic manuscripts for publication.

"In the ancient period, the Indian wisdom and knowledge tradition developed many branches which may be seen in the form of voluminous literature on various subjects, like the science of rituals, agamas, dramaturgy, music, architecture, astrology, astronomy, cosmology, medicine, surgery, military strategy, yoga, mathematics, metallurgy, etc. The centre will focus on all these aspects," said Head of Veda Department Upendra Kumar Tripathi, as quoted.

The centre will host a state-of-the-art research laboratory to study the effect of Vedic mantras, rituals, yoga and meditation on the human mind through neuro-psychological studies.

"Ancient seers like Pravacanakaras, Bharatmuni, Aryabhata, Bhaskara I & II, Varahamihira, Sushruta and Charaka contributed immensely to science and technology. But in the last seven-eight centuries Vedic science remained in oblivion. The centre aims at bridging the gap of these centuries by connecting it with modern science and technology", Tripathi said.