Bharatiya Gyan Parampara (Discourses and Traditions)

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Bharatiya Gyan Parampara comprises of the continuous and persisting intellectual and cultural traditions of Bharat in various fields and disciplines. The Bharatiya traditions of knowledge and intellectual inquiry have thrived both within the framework of oral culture and the simultaneously developed writing systems. This rich tradition of knowledge, philosophy, wisdom and practices have shaped the cultural and social identity of the country. There is a resurgence of academic interest in such central tenets of Bharatiya knowledge traditions with the implementation of NEP 2020. By focusing on the core areas of this vibrant tradition, NEP 2020 is driving the educational discourse and practices in the country. It is in this context, that this book serves as a conduit for research focused on Bharatiya gyan parampara across disciplines ranging from mathematics to literature and cultural studies. By facilitating such research endeavours, this book illuminates the depth and breadth of Bharat's cultural heritage to the academic world.

The Sarasvati IKS Centre focuses on IKS based approaches for enhancing Knowledge paradigms deeply rooted in Indian culture and heritage. IKS in the fields of spirituality, Ayurveda, philosophy, sciences, mathematics, polity, governance, ethics, economics and others offer very useful knowledge bases for contemporary branches of study for application of public benefits. SLC Sarasvati IKS Centre, by focusing on these core issues, aims to contribute original research in different domains so as to encourage young stakeholders to understand and conserve the rich historical, cultural and philosophical heritage of India and to propagate it for wider benefit. With this, the Centre works to fulfil the mandate of NEP 2020 and contributes towards the dissemination of IKS. Corresponding to this mission, the Centre organizes conferences, workshops and conducts research projects on IKS centred themes. The Sarasvati IKS Centre has many more academic and research initiatives in the pipeline which will be taken up and implemented in the coming academic sessions.

Kusha Tiwari is currently working as Professor, Department of English in Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. She has published research papers in journals and books including Taylor & Francis, SAGE, IUP, The Book Review and Pencraft International. She has also been the organizing Convenor of many International Conferences and National Conferences funded by ICSSR, UGC, NAAC and other agencies. She has been invited to lecture in South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, Finland, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland, Utkal University, Odisha, India and I.P University, Delhi and presented papers in many International and National Conferences in Delhi University, NEIPA, Jadavpur University, CWDS and University of Lisbon, Portugal. She has been the PI and Co-PI of major research projects funded by ICSSR, AICTE, MoE and CIMO. Her specialization is in the fields of Women's Studies and South African Literature. Her research interests are Women's Studies and Indian Knowledge System.

Bharatiya Gyan Parampara forms the bedrock of contemporary Bharat. In bygone eras, our traditions were steeped in such profound knowledge and cultural richness that moral, social, ethical and spiritual values effortlessly permeated society, a phenomenon often elusive in today's world. The Guru-Shishya Parampara, a sacred bond between teacher and disciple, served as a beacon, illuminating society with ideals and virtues. It bestowed upon us a treasury of righteousness, wherein every act was sanctified with virtue. However, the passage of time has seen a decline in these traditions, leaving Bharat grappling with multifaceted challenges cultural, geopolitical, ecological and social.

We extend our profound gratitude to the Indian Knowledge System Division, AICTE, Ministry of Education, Government of India, for granting us the esteemed opportunity to orchestrate the internship program 'Bhartiya Gyan Samvahan Karyakram-2022'. Sarasvati IKS Centre, SLC got the opportunity to become part of this initiative and work to mentor and groom young scholars in areas of Indian knowledge traditions. This internship programme has given us an opportunity to delve deeper into various subjects related to Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) while also bolstering the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The tangible outcome of this concerted effort is encapsulated within the pages of this book, a testament to the dedicated readings and research conducted by the interns under the diligent guidance of their mentors. Their unwavering dedication and scholarly pursuits have not only enriched the content but also advanced the mission of instilling a profound appreciation for IKS among the youth.

In the rich cultural landscape of Bharat, steeped in ancient history and vast geographical diversity, one can observe a celebration of a variety of cultures, narratives, and traditions stretching from east to west and north to south. The cultural unity of Bharat is reflected in the shared reverence for the values and traditions that bind our society together.

India has a rich tradition of ancient knowledge defined as "darsana, jnana and vidya" (Kapoor, 2005) that have shaped the cultural and social identity of the country. These knowledge traditions have longstanding impact on the thoughts of scholars not only in India but across the world particularly because of their innate quest for sustainability and seeking welfare of all. India's ancient scholars extolled the notion of 'वसुधैवकुटुम्बकम्' meaning the whole world is one family in Maha Upanishad. Further, the openness imbibed in the ideas like 'आ नो भद्राः क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वतः' envisioned in the Rig Veda Samhita invites and accepts the noble thoughts coming from across the globe. Therefore, the scholars who studied India's rich and vast knowledge traditions have observed that despite facing harshest of blows, Bharat survived as it possesses both geocentric and anthropocentric concerns at the core which have metaphysical underpinnings. Bharatiya knowledge tradition goes beyond conventional categories of thought, and probes metaphysical truths relating to musings over existence, and journey of the being culminating in attaining moksha. This knowledge tradition has various knowledge paradigms on prescribed notions of living in harmony with nature and connecting with the supreme energy force of the universe. As observed by Swami Vivekananda at World Religious Parliament in Chicago in 1893 that Indians, owing to their age-old value system, accept that all paths lead to the Supreme.