19th World Sanskrit Conference, एकोनविंशंविश्वसंस्कृतसम्मेलनम्, was organised by the International Association for Sanskrit Studies (IASS), Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu in collaboration with the Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi from June 26 to 30, 2025 at Kathmandu Nepal.
It was with profound joy and scholarly enthusiasm that I participated in the 19th World Sanskrit Conference, a truly global platform where the timeless wisdom of Sanskrit and the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) resonated vibrantly across nations, generations, and academic disciplines.
As a member of the International Association for Sanskrit Studies (IASS), it was both an honour and a rare privilege to be part of this historic intellectual gathering. Held in the culturally rich and spiritually inspiring land of Nepal, this five-day conference brought together renowned Sanskrit scholars, educators, researchers, and cultural ambassadors from more than 35 countries, reaffirming the universal relevance and unifying power of Sanskrit.
I had the opportunity to present two research papers that reflect my deep engagement with both traditional wisdom and contemporary educational discourse:
Paper 1. भारतस्य नवीनराष्ट्रियशिक्षानीतौ भारतीयज्ञानपरम्पराया: समुत्थाने विधीयमानसंस्कृतप्रयासानां समीक्षात्मिकी विवेचना
– A critical study of the emerging Sanskrit initiatives in the context of India’s New Education Policy 2020 and their role in reviving the Indian Knowledge Traditions.
Paper 2. The Contribution of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati to Promote Sanskrit through Vedic Study: A Historical and Critical Analysis
– A reflective exploration of Maharshi Dayanand’s revolutionary role in re-establishing Sanskrit through the Vedic lens.
The inaugural session was a magnificent blend of Nepalese tradition, spiritual symbolism, and scholarly inspiration. It set the tone for the days ahead—filled with more than 100 technical sessions for paper presentations, panel discussions, Sanskrit dramatic performances, Vedic recitations, and interactive Shastric dialogues on a wide range of topics such as grammar, poetics, philosophy, science।and more
A particularly enriching experience was the interaction with faculty and students from the Hindu University of America, where meaningful exchanges took place on how the Indian Knowledge System can be adapted and promoted globally in both academic and cultural contexts.
What made this conference even more impactful was the collective energy and shared devotion of participants towards preserving, propagating, and reimagining Sanskrit as a living, dynamic tradition—deeply rooted in ārṣa jñāna, yet relevant to contemporary challenges and aspirations.
Every corner of the venue echoed with the spirit of Bhāratīya paramparā. From the presentations to the casual conversations, the atmosphere was saturated with reverence for sanskṛti, sāhitya, śāstra, and śikṣā.
This conference wasn’t just an academic event; It was a pilgrimage of intellect and spirit, where every scholar was a seeker and every moment was a mantra echoing the ageless wisdom of our ancestors.
I return from this extraordinary gathering with renewed inspiration, a deeper commitment to the cause of Sanskrit and heartfelt gratitude for being part of this global renaissance of Indian Knowledge.
Dr. Ashutosh Pareek is a visiting faculty at HUA and teaches Sanskrit at the Community Education (CE) level. In his day job, he works as a Professor in the Department of Sanskrit at SPC Government College, Ajmer, Rajasthan, Bharat.
