Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) in Maharashtra, in association with Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust and a private institute, has started a free course on ‘Ganesha Atharvashirsha’, though the move has been opposed by some sections due to its religious significance .
The SPPU, which released a notification about the syllabus on its website, however, claimed that it was based on the philosophy of ‘Ganpati Sampradaya’ and not on religion.
‘Ganapati Atharvashirsha’, a Sanskrit text, is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom, knowledge and good fortune.
The 21-day course has been started by the Sanskrit Department of SPPU in collaboration with the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust and the Sanskrit Department of Lokmanya Tilak College at Vani in Nashik district.
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Author and professor Dr Hari Narke termed as “unfair” the move by a “responsible university” like SPPU to start such a course.
“Pune has a great tradition of knowledge and scientific temper and the university is named after Savitribai Phule. While it is the duty of the institutions to spread the scientific temper, I think it is unfair for a responsible university like SPPU to start such a course in association with a private institution. Narke said that he did not oppose Ganesh Atharvashirsha, but was against the “wrong trend that will start” after SPPU conducts such courses and gives certificates.
However, it was defended by ‘Vidya Vachaspati’ Swanand Gajanan Pund, Sanskrit professor of Lokmanya Tilak College.
There are many sects in Indian philosophy and one such sect is the ‘Ganapatya sect’, which worships Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is one of the ways to gain knowledge about the Atharvashirsha philosophy. It is not linked to any recitation or chanting,” he said.
“Though this course, we try to impart the philosophy of Atharvashirsha. ‘Atharva’ means to be calm, happy and Atharvashirsha means a discourse on how to become calm, happy and satisfied. Its (course) Dharma Shastra There is nothing to do with worship.
He said the course came about after his team made a few videos explaining Atharvashirsha to the Dagdusheth Trust amid the COVID-19 lockdown.
Pand said the idea was taken forward and a choice based course was developed under the credit system which a student could opt for in addition to the regular course.
“There is no reason to oppose the syllabus. One should first watch the video and then form an opinion. Bhagavad Gita and Dnyaneshwari are philosophies. Is Dnyaneshwari not taught in universities? Just as Dnyaneshwari is the philosophy of Varkari Sampradaya Ganesha is the philosophy of the Atharvashirsha Ganapatya sect,” he explained.
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