Understanding the Vedas

After completion of primary studies of Sastras at Nrisimhawadi — his birthplace — Sri Dattamaharaja further proceeded to Sangli, Dharwad and Pune for further studies. He fully mastered Nyaya, Vyakarana, Mimamsa and Vedanta. His research study of "Nimbarka Bhasya Vedanta Parijata Saurabha" - a one thousand pages work — is published by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (in 1965). Sri Dattamaharaja Kavisvara, a blessed disciple of Sri Diksita Svami, contributed a lot in editing the works of Vasudevananda Sarasvati, the Guru of his Guru. (This work running in l2 volumes is published by Sri Gulavani Maharaja, one of the disciples of Sri Vasudevananda Sarasvati).

Sri Dattamaharaja was conferred several honors, to quote few out of them are — Suvarna Kataka by Kanchi Peeth. The title Vidyavacaspati by Babu Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, Rastriya Samskrta Pandita, by President of India etc. etc.

Sri Dattamaharaja, a living Vedanta and great spiritual authority, succeeded Sri Gulavani Maharaja and enriched his divine work With his spiritual Sadhana he proved to be the beacon light to thousands of people.

‘Understanding the Vedas' is the collection of 26 research articles by eminent scholars. We really feel great pleasure while releasing this book.

The articles of this volume deal with almost all the aspects of Vedic studies viz. language, ritual, philosophy, culture, branches, recitation etc. etc.

We take this opportunity to express our deep sense of gratitude towards the scholars who have contributed to this bunch of valuable articles. We could not but mention few names i.e. Dr. M. A. Mehendale, Dr. P. D. Nawathe, Dr. S. D. Joshi, Dr. T. N. Dharmadhikari, Dr. M. D. Pandit and Dr. Mrs. Shobhana Gokhale. These senior scholars, despite of their ill—health and busy schedule made the articles available to us within a few I days. Dr. Mrs. Sindhu Dange, Dr. H. C. Patyal, Dr. Mrs. Indu Deshpande and Dr. G. U. Thite also honored our request. This shows their sincerity towards the cause and love for the Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala.

We are quite sure that these articles throwing light on different dimensions of Vedic studies, will give an idea of expanding horizons of Vedic Studies.

With deep sense of gratitude we acknowledge the generous donation given by Late Commodore M. K. Lele and Mrs. Lele. With love for Vedas and with obeisance for their Guru Brahmasri Dattamaharaja Kavisvara, Mr. and Mrs. Lele gave this donation. We feel sorry to add this sad note here that commodore M. K. Lele breathed his last just two months ago. On behalf of Vaidika Samsodhana Mandala and on behalf of the contributors of this volume we pay homage to him.

We also acknowledge the financial assistance given by Dr. N. K. Bhide, Pune and The Rsi Trust, Pune. We are aware that without this financial support we could have hardly materialized our dream.

Ms. Ketaki Gokhale deserves our thanks for the speedily and carefully type-setting. We also thank Ms. Vaijanti Dhole-Patil and Ms. Surekha Wagle of Step in Services, Pune for perfectly and timely printing.