National Seminar on Ancient and Spiritual Sciences at DSVV — A Report

A National Seminar on Ancient and Spiritual Sciences was organized by the Center for Scientific Spirituality Studies, from 25th to 26th October, 2014 at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. More than hundred researchers from all over India presented papers in the seminar.

In the inaugural ceremony, Revered Dr. Pranav Pandya, Chancellor of DSVV, explained the concept of scientific spirituality and the significance of the seminar. The chief guest of the function — the architect of India's first supercomputer PARAM 8000, Padmasri Dr. Vijaya Pandurang Bhatkar — highlighted the need for synthesizing science and spirituality. He suggested that the subject 'Scientific Spirituality' should be taught in every school and college.

The participants of this seminar were benefitted by the talks of several eminent speakers:

Dr. Mahavir, Vice Chancellor of Sanskrit University, spoke on 'Science in ancient Sanskrit literature'.
Professor H.C. Verma of IIT, Kanpur, talked about 'Surgery in Ancient India'.
Dr. Rama Jayasundar of AIIMS, New Delhi, elaborated on 'Quantum Physics and Ayurveda'.
Dr. Ramkalapa Tiwari, Director of IUCCA, Pune, talked about 'Spiritual Psychology'.
Professor Dr. Subhash Chandra, Trustee of World Peace Organization, New Delhi, expressed his thoughts on the need for spirituality in 21st century and its importance in leadership.
Vice Chancellor of DSVV, Sri Sharad Pardhi, spoke about 'Holistic Approach for Development'.
Dr. Shambhavi Misra, HOD of Center for Scientific Spirituality Studies, presented a detailed report of the seminar and urged the participants to follow the precepts of scientific spirituality as propagated by Param Poojya Gurudev, Pandit Shriram Sharma Acharya.

Various aspects covered in the seminar were: Our universe and life on planets — Vedic and modern view; Spirituality in management; Spiritual psychology; Spiritual education to cultivate divine qualities in life; Scientific basis of rituals and festivals; Links between modern physics and ancient Indian philosophy; Ancient health sciences, spiritual therapies and healing techniques; Scientific basis of ancient linguistics; Scientific temper of ancient astronomy and astrology; Environmental pollution and the impact of yagya to control pollution; Role of vegetarianism in ecological balance and health conservation; Ancient history and development of basic and mathematical sciences; Information sciences in ancient India; Role of information technology in studying spiritual sciences; Spiritual tourism; Spiritual communication; Spiritual journalism, etc.

Full proceedings of the seminar may be read at www.dsvv.ac.in.

"There is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all. It seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature's numbers to make the Universe. The impression of design is overwhelming." — Physicist Paul Davies