The Dvaita Vedânta Studies and Research Foundation

A Letter from the Dvaita Vedânta Studies and Research Foundation

Disclaimer: The following information is provided for the benefit of scholars and devotees who may wish to obtain rare materials on Dvaita Vedânta for their own use. The maintainers of this website however have no affiliation with the DVSRF, and offer no guarantees whatsoever. It is up to individuals to decide what they want to do, and act accordingly. We also cannot forward messages to the DVSRF -- please contact them directly by conventional means using the information given.

[N.B. Explanatory notes marked `SR' are by Shrisha Rao, the original addressee in this instance.]

(From Prof. K.T. Pandurangi, Director, dated August 1998.)

Address details:

Dvaita Vedanta Studies & Research Foundation
No 33/163, 10-B Main Road, Jayanagar I Block, Bangalore 560011
India

Phone: 646658 Director's Ph.6648215 (Country code 91, area code 80)

The life and conduct of Indian people have been influenced and guided by Vedânta philosophy for centuries. Vedânta philosophy is a way of life. It has ennobled the life of man all along, and has moderated him in his conduct. In the present age of science and technology, the moderation of man's conduct by the Vedânta philosophy is needed very much. It enables him to retain and nourish the moral and human values in the rush of hectic modern life. Therefore, it is necessary that even modern man have a reasonable knowledge of Vedânta philosophy and know that his life and conduct are rooted in Vedantic thought and culture. It is the responsibility of scholars and academic institutions to provide such a knowledge to all in the modern context with a modern perspective. The Dvaita Vedânta Foundation was established in 1983 to serve this purpose.

The Vedânta philosophy has developed in India in three important schools, viz., Advaita, Vishishtadvaita, and Dvaita propounded by Sri Shankara, Sri Ramanuja, and Sri Madhva respectively. The schools of Vallabha, Nimbarka, and Chaitanya are closer to the later two. A vast literature of Vedânta has developed in these schools. Some important classics of these schools have been published and some research has been carried on both by European and Indian scholars. However, a vast literature is still in the form of manuscripts. Books printed in the last century and this century also need to be critically edited with the right critical apparatus. When the study and research began in the last century, philosophy scholars had a limited knowledge of Sanskrit, barring a few exceptions. Now, the situation has changed. We have scholars with sound knowledge both of philosophy and of Sanskrit. Further, there is considerable interaction between modern knowledge and ancient knowledge in the humanities and science. Therefore, the time is ripe to comparatively evaluate the Vedânta thought from a modern perspective. A good many young scholars have undertaken study and research in Vedânta thought recently. There is also the need to coordinate and to provide facilities for these efforts. Keeping all this in view, the Dvaita Vedânta Foundation formulated its objectives.

The objectives

To organize the comparative study and research in Vedânta with an interdisciplinary approach with the other systems of Indian philosophy, Western philosophy, ethics, religion, and scientific thought.
To collect rare old Sanskrit manuscripts of Vedânta, and edit and publish them with detailed introductions in English. To reprint the Sanskrit Vedânta books published long back (1904-1916) in Kumbakonam in book form with detailed English introductions. [I believe the reference above is to the publications of the late G.R. Savanur, some of which have been reproduced by the DVSRF. -- SR]
To prepare dictionaries of technical terms of Vedânta, anthologies of discourses on philosophical issues, lessons on select Vedânta texts. To translate select works into English and Kannada.
To organize endowment lectures, seminars, group discussions, traditional types of discussions, etc.
To fully utilize the electronic media to cater the knowledge through lessons, discussions of Vedânta topics, and lectures.

Programmes already carried out:

Publications

i) Twenty Sanskrit Vedânta works published with detailed English introductions. Prominent among these are:
(a) Nyayamrtam with Advaita Siddhi and four commentaries, in three volumes; (b) Brahmasutra bhashya with seven commentaries with a detailed introduction. This is planned in five volumes, of which two have already been released (c) Srimad Bhagavatam with eight commentaries for different skandhas with detailed introductions in English and Kannada. This is planned in six volumes, of which two have already been released.
ii) Six translations and studies in English have been published. The prominent ones are:
(a) Vishnutatvavinirnaya with English translation. (This has recently been translated into Japanese also.)
(b) Brahmasutra bhasya with Tatvaprakasika (first five adhikaranas only) with English introduction.
(c) Madhva's Philosophy of the Vishnu Faith, by Glasenapp (translated from German into English).

iii) Six studies in Kannada. Dr. B.N.K. Sharma's History of the Dvaita School of Vedânta has been translated into Kannada.

Seminars

Four seminars on these topics:

i) Epistemology of Vedânta
ii) Hermeneutics of Vedânta
iii) Creative development of Vedânta during the 19th and 20th centuries.
iv) Visnutatvavinirnaya.

Endowment lectures

Twenty endowment lectures in the names of distinguished scholars like Prof. B. Venkatesachar, C.M. Padmanabhachar, Lakshmipuram Srinivasachar, and Tirumala Rao Kadakol are organized annually.

A quarterly newsletter

This has information regarding the activies of the Foundation, Vedânta book reviews, and popular articles on Vedânta.
[I will try to give a sample of an extract from a newsletter later if I get the time. -- SR]

To promote and stabilize the academic activities of the Dvaita Foundation, the following funds have been created:

i) The Library and Research Fund
ii) Endowment Fund
iii) Building Fund
iv) Maintenance Fund

Persons who are interested in the promotion of Indian philosophy, particularly Dvaita Vedânta, may contribute as follows:

To enrol as advance subscribers to the publications of the Foundation by paying $250. Under this scheme, a set of thirty-six books already published will be given. Books to be published until the end of this century will also be given in future. [A really good opportunity at a good price; many of the books are worth keeping just for their introductions; if you don't avail of this opportunity, no one knows when the next one might come. -- SR]
To enrol as a Patron Member at a cost of $250.
To institute an Endowment lecture in the name of a revered person of the family or a scholar, at a cost of $250.
To contribute suitable amounts to the Library Fund, or the Research and Building Fund -- $100 or more.

So far, the Foundation has published books worth Rs. 15.00 lakhs. These have been supplied to all important educational institutions in India and abroad. Every Indian, in particular the followers of Madhva philosophy, should have a set of these books as the intellectual heritage of thousands of years. This is the discharge of one's `R^ishhi-R^iNa'. A set of books or a few important books may also be donated to the important libraries where Indians have settled in sufficient numbers. These may also be presented to prominent Indologists and traditional scholars settled in the United States.

No system of thought survives unless it is made a part of the contemporary world knowledge, and preserved painstakingly.

Promoting the publication programme of the Dvaita Vedânta Foundation is promoting your forefathers' intellectual tradition, which is a reservoir of wisdom.

sd/-

K T Pandurangi
Hony. Director
Dvaita Vedânta Foundation

Addendum:

For those of us who may already possess or have access to several of the books published by the DVSRF, and thus or otherwise be unwilling or unable to pay $250 for the entire set, here are details of some other works published by Prof. Pandurangi; for brevity, I am not copying his descriptions for any except #3 (please note that not all these are DVSRF publications):

1> Brahmasutra Bhashya with seven comm., vols I & II $30 each volume.

2> Srimad Bhagavatam, vols. I and II, $25 each volume.

3> Nyayamrtam of Sri Vyasatirtha with Advaitasiddhi and three commentaries, viz., Tarangini, Kantakoddhara and Prakasa, in two volumes. Crown quarto size, 730 pages each, Rs. 240 per volume (dollar price not listed)

Nyayamrta of Sri Vyasatirtha is a polemical work composed during the 16th century. It reviews major Advaita concepts such as Mithyatva, Avidya, Sattatraividhya, etc., and also the import of the Aikyasrutis. Advaitasiddhi is a reply to Nyayamrta. Tarangini, Kantakoddhara, and Prakasa examine the replies given by Advaitasiddhi and affirm the Nyayamrta position. The views of major early Advaita writers like Anandabodha, Sriharsha and Chitsukha are compactly stated in the Nyayamrta and reviewed. A detailed summary of the Dvaita-Advaita arguments is given in a long introduction. Six useful appendices are added. References to the Purvamimamsa and Nyayas made in Nyayamrta, Advaitasiddhi and in the three commentaries are especially noted in an appendix.

[There is a detailed introduction in English which is a must-read for any layperson interested in getting a solid understanding of Dvaita-vs.-Advaita polemics. -- SR]

4> Pramana Paddhati of Sri Jayatirtha with eight commentaries.
Crown quarto size, 400 pages, price Rs. 120/-

[I paid the DVSRF $25 this last year, and it is definitely a steal at that price, or even at a much higher one. The commentaries on this text by Sri Raghavendra and by Sri Janardana Bhatta are especially worth having seen. -- SR]

5> Brihadarayabhavabodha of Raghuttama Yati. Photo-reprint of 1904 edition in Pothi form with a detailed introduction in English and a detailed Subject Index. Demi octavo 770 pages, price Rs. 100/-

[Paid $25 for this as well, and is worth it if you're interested in looking at the bhAshhya on this Upanishad. -- SR]

6> Chandogyopanishatpadartha Kaumudi of Vedesatirtha. Photo-reprint of 1907 edition in Pothi form with a detailed introduction in English and a detailed Subject Index. Demi octavo 466 pages, price Rs. 80/-

[FYI, the previous two works and their authors are honored by none other than Sri Srinivasa Tiirtha, aka Sri Srinivasacharya, the illustrious subcommentator on the VTVN-TIkA: `raghUttamamunIn.h vande; tachchhishhyAnamalAtmakAn.h chhA.NdogyabhAshhyasaTTIkAkartR^In.h vedeshayoginaH'. -- SR]

7> Aitareya Bhasyartharatnamala of Tamraparni Acharya. Photo print of 1906 edtion in Pothi form with a detailed English introduction and a detailed subject index. Demi octavo 540 pages, price Rs. 80/-

8> Nyayamrtodahrta Jaiminiya Nyaya Mala, of Sri Vijayindra Tiirtha. (no details given)

9> Visnutatvavinirnaya of Sri Anandatirtha with English translation. Demi octavo 300 pages, price Rs. 40/-

[I'm sure many of us have seen this; gives a literal translation of the mUla, and extracts from the TIkA. Not the same thing as studying the text with TIkA/TippaNI-s, but a good start for a beginner. -- SR]

10> Visnutatvavinirnaya with Kannada translation. Demi octavo 242 pages, price Rs. 30/-

11> Brahmasutranuvyakhyanam of Sri Anandatirtha. Crown octavo 342 pages, price Rs. 40/-

12> Sarvamula of Sri Madhvacharya, Vol I Gita Bhasya and Gitatatparya critically edited with detailed Introduction in English. Demi octavo 400 pages, price Rs. 70/-

13> Tatvaprakasika of Sri Jayatirtha with English translation. Demi octavo 136 pages, price Rs. 30/-

14> -- do -- Kannada translation Rs. 25/-

15> Isavasya Talavakara (Kena) and Kathaka Upanisads with English translation -- according to Sri Madhvacharya's Bhasya and detailed notes in English. Crown octavo 152 pages,
price Rs. 12/-

16> Satprasna, Atharvana, and Mandukya Upanishads with English translation and notes. Crown octavo 150 pages, price Rs. 15/-

17> Chandogya Upanisad with English translation and Notes. Crown octavo 372 pages, price Rs. 30/-

18> Brihaaranyakopanisad with English translation and Notes. Crown octavo 404 pages, price Rs. 40/-

[Prof. Pandurangi sent this along with #5; very useful if, like me, you're not all that smart about understanding the commentaries by yourself, and need a crutch at times. -- SR]

19> Aitareya Upanisad with English translation and notes. Crown octavo 206 pages, price Rs. 25/-

20> Taittiriya Upanisad with English translation and notes. Crown octavo 118 pages, price Rs. 15/-

21> Essentials of Yuktimallika. A critical summary of the Yuktimallika of Sri Vadiraja Tirtha in English. Demi octavo 250 pages, price Rs. 75/-

22> Advaita Navanitam of Sri Krishnavadhuta Pandita -- critical edition with detailed introduction in English. Demi octavo 66 pages, price Rs. 45/-

23> Essentials of Upanishads. Demi octavo 108 pages, price Rs. 20/-

[See the Dvaita Home Page for an extract. -- SR]

24> Essentials of Bhagavadgita. Demi octavo 32 pages, price Rs. 10/-

[Parts previously posted to the Dvaita list and the MSP list; see archives for details. Will eventually appear on the DHP. -- SR]

25> Essentials of Dasaprakarana. Demi octavo 48 pages, price Rs. 10/-

26> Mahabharata Tatparyanirnaya with English translation and notes (first three chapters). Demi octavo 210 pages, price Rs. 30/-

[A bit from the beginning was posted to the Dvaita list last year; see archive. -- SR]

27> Tatvamanjari of Sri Raghvendratirtha -- a commentary on the Brahmasutrabhasya with Kannada translation. Demi octavo 412 pages, price Rs. 40/-

[ITRANS/PostScript versions (un-proofread) are available from the DHP. The Kannada introduction to this volume by Sri Palimar Swamiji was posted to the Dvaita list earlier this year, and was subsequently translated into English by another member. -- SR]

28> Anuvidyadhisha Vijaya -- A Biographical poem in Sanskrit with Kannada translation. Crown octavo 210 pages, price Rs. 12/-

29> -- do -- with English introduction. Price Rs. 12/-

30> Upanisad-darsana Vols. I and II (no details given)

If ordering from the U.S., please note that the listed rupee prices mean little, if anything; the bulk of the cost is in postage. I would thus advise sending a cashier's cheque (or an international money order) in the amount of $25-30 per volume of any major work or part thereof, regardless of its listed price, with a request. I don't believe the DVSRF operates on a large budget, and prepayment is only prudent. A certified cheque ensures that the funds are available immediately and there is no delay in obtaining the books.

This page is by Shrisha Rao.

Created November 04, 2000; last updated March 26, 2023.