Jignasa Journal Of History Of Ideas And Culture Part 01

Author(s): Vibha Upadhyaya and Others
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 42

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2001); Vidya Varidhi, equivalent to D. Litt. (Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, 1981); Sahitya Vachaspati (Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad): Vakpati (Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, 1998); Maha Mahopadhyaya (Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi, 1999); Sansthana Samman (Hindi Sansthan, Lucknow); Manisha Samman (Bharatiya Bhasa Parishad, Kolkata); Mangla Prasad Paritoshik (Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Allahabad); Government of India Award on his Mülyamīmāmsā as an original work in Hindi on Philosophy; Sankara Sammana (1992); Darshan Vijnana Award (2001); Naresh Mehta Award (2001) and Moortidevi Award (2003) in recognition of his highly acclaimed work on literature, aesthetics and culture titled 'Sahitya Saundarya Aur Sanskriti'. The Sahitya Akademi conferred 'Fellowship on him in 2002 for his contribution to the areas of ancient history, philosophy and creative work as a poet. He was honoured with the prestigious 'Saraswati Samman' on 6th September 2004 for his collection of 250 Sanskrit poems, entitled 'Bhagirathi'. That was for the first time that a Sanskrit literary work was given the honour of one of the highest literary awards of the country. Receiving the Samman Professor Pande had observed, 'People ask me, is Sanskrit dead ? Language is not human that can live or die. It is a form of expression that comes straight from the heart. The ancient Sanskrit grammar has never changed its form, and poetry in many other languages is indebted to this language. The last award with which he was honoured was Padma Shri (2010).
Now coming to his scholarly works they are as numerous and multifaceted as was his encyclopedic knowledge and versatility. He has written more than 60 books and 100 research articles in various languages - Hindi, Sanskrit and English (a select bibliography is appended herewith). His creative writings in Hindi and Sanskrit include seven collections of poems. In his Hindi poetry he has tried to approximate a classicist definition of form consonant with modern notions of rhythm. Philosophical questioning, appreciation of nature and wishful longing for the past characterise these poems of which Agnibeeja, Hansika and Jaya have been well received by discerning critics. In his Sanskrit poetry he sought to combine the classical form with modern context. Poetry, for him, was an exploration of the eternal mysteries of consciousness, time and death.
Professor Pande's earliest researches were based on the history and philosophy of Buddhism and his very first work Studies in the Origins of Buddhism emanated from his doctoral thesis. The work continues to stir the world of Buddhology as is evident not only from its several editions but also from the subsequent researches on the lines broached by him. The work is designed to consist of a group of organically connected issues relating to the origins of Buddhism. For the greater part, the subjectmatter is of a literary and religio-philosophic character, but the treatment is essentially historical Using primarily the Indian sources of Buddhism, he has also utilised Chinese and Tibetan works to a considerable extent. It is divided into three parts: (i) studies in early Buddhist sources, (ii) studies in the historical and cultural background of early Buddhism and (ii) studies in the early Buddhist doctrines. The work was acclaimed as a milestone in modern Buddhist studies, a veritable mine of information on the subject, and enduring treatise which put him virtually in the forefront of Buddhist scholarship. I.B. Horner, a leading Buddhologist and the then President of the Pali Text Society, Londou had observed that the author of this book is an independent thinker and has his own interpretations which are refreshing. She added that her late lamented teacher Dr. C.A.F. Rhys Davids would have been delighted to have inspired such a work. In another review of the book it was noted that the author carries his erudition easily with the result that he is both penetrating and lucid.... He has attempted to