Sunday, March 6, 2016

Bombay, Calcutta, Madras Universities Centenary, 1957 - Stamps, First Day Cover




Indian Posts and Telegraphs issued 3 stamps on 31.12.1957 in the denomination of 10 naye paise each to celebrate the Centenary of founding these great institutions in the country. Each stamp conveys a message in Sanskrit. "तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय" (tamaso mā jyotir gamaya") as quoted in other blog articles is from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka-Upaniad. "विद्यैव धनमक्षयम्" (vidyaiva dhanam-akṣayam - Education is imperishable wealth)" is a common adage.

 


  

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Vishvakarma Convention, Lucknow - 1989



A special cover was released on the occasion of the Vishwakarma Convention held in Lucknow on 24.09.1989. The cover features the portrait of Viśvakarma, the architect of the universe with inscriptions in Sanskrit.

विश्वकर्मा सर्वस्य कर्ता
viśvakarmā sarvasya kartā
Viśvakarma is the architect of everything. 

In the insignia there is the AUM, the monosyllable representing the Supreme Reality. There is one more inscription in Sanskrit on the cover which is mis-spelt --

विश्वं सर्वं .... स विश्वकर्मा

 

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Ardh Kumbh Mela, Allahabad, 1995 Special Cover


20 million pilgrims took holy dip at Ganga on January 30 at the "Half-mela" (at six-year interval) at Allahabad. 




A special cover was brought out on 30.01.1995 by the India Post to commemorate the Ardha Kumbha Mela. The Cancellation carried a Sanskrit verse, but not visible.

 




Readers, please help get a cover for me.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Giuseppe Tucci, 1985 - Special Cover

Giuseppe Tucci (5 June 1894 – 5 April 1984) was an Italian scholar of oriental cultures, specialising in Tibet and history of Buddhism. During its zenith, Tucci was a supporter of Italian Fascism, and he used idealized portrayals of Asian traditions to support Italian ideological campaigns. Tucci was fluent in several European languages, Sanskrit, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, Chinese and Tibetan and he taught at the University of Rome La Sapienza until his death. (Courtesy: Wp)
Tucci died in San Polo dei Cavalieri, near Rome, in 1984.

His contributions to Sanskrit are mainly translations of Buddhist tantras.

In 1961 Viśva-Bhārati conferred on him the Deśikottama, its highest award.

India Post released a special cover with a postmark to commemorate Tucci on 05.04.1985 for his contributions to Indology and Sanskrit.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Motiram Bhatta, Stamp, First Day Cover

          


Motīram Bhaṭṭa was born in the year Vikrama Saṃvat 1923 (1866-96 AD) and died on the same day in the year Vikrama Saṃvat 1953 at a very young age of 30 years.
Sanskrit language had greatly influenced the poets of Nepal because most of them had their education and higher studies in Vārāṇasi.

Though remembered as a pioneer in Nepali literature, he has to his credit a couple of translated works; out of which one is the Śākuntala of Kāḷidāsa. This was done at the request of the then King of Nepal. The other one is the Priyadarśikā Nāṭikā of Ṣrīharṣa.



A stamp with an FDC and brochure was released by Nepal Post in the year 1962 to honour Motīram Bhaṭṭa.


 

Private Covers



Bhanubhakta Acharya, Nepal, 1962 - Stamp, First Day Cover


Bhānubhakta Ācārya (1814-1868) was a Nepalese poet who translated the great epic Śrīmad-Rāmāyaṇa from Sanskrit to Nepali language. Born in Tanahu, he was educated at home with a strong leaning towards Sanskrit language and religion. His version of the Ramayana is the best loved one even in modern Nepal.

 



This stamp along with the FDC was issued on 13.07.1962.
On 31.12.2013, a second stamp was issued. On this and the and the FDC his name is seen prefixed with the title "Ādikavi" which will not make any sense to Sanskritists. Ādikavi is Vālmīki and Vālmīki alone can hold the title. Ādikavi means the "first poet" and the first śloka was "mā niṣāda ..... ". Probably he was considered as the first poet of Nepal.


Though not relevant on this page, I add a piece of numismatic information -- A coin to commemorate the pioneer poiet Bhanubhakta Acharya was released on 14th July, 2015. The mintage was only 1000 pieces in fine silver, the size being 37 mm and the weight 25 gm, in the denomination of Nepal Rs.2000.


Private Cover



India - Love and Care for Elders, 1988 - First Day Cover



India Post issued a special stamp to highlight the necessity for taking care of elders with love, on 24.5.1988. The FDC issued on the occasion carried a Sanskrit verse from the Sāmānya-nīti which runs as under:

वचांसि कुलवृद्धानां गुरोः पित्रोश्च सर्वदा ।
वेदवत्परिपालयन्ते येन तेन विजीयते ॥
vacāṃsi kulavrddhānāṃ guroḥ pitrośca sarvadā
vedavat paripālayante yena tena vijīyate


He triumphs everywhere who honors as the words of the Vedas, the words of the aged members of the family, the counsel of the preceptor and of the parents always.

Science College, Patna, 1977 - Slogan Cancellation on Post Card


On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Science College, Patna, the Department of Posts, Government of India, issued a special slogan cancellation which has an inscription in Sanskrit --

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः
sarve bhavantu sukhinah 
Let everyone be happy. 





 



Monday, February 22, 2016

Special Cancellation, 1979 - Reply Post Card





In the City of Weimar, German Democratic Republic, an International Conference of Sanskrit was held, between 23–30 May 1979. A special cancellation was provided during the occasion.

The card exhibited here is a little hard to get item.



Monday, February 8, 2016

Mahapandita Dadhi Ram Marasini, Nepal, 1998 - Stamp



Mahāpaṇḍita Dadhi Rām Marāsinī is a well known poet in Nepali literature based on Sanskrit texts. (more information is to be collected)

Women in Sanskrit Literature, 2014 - Special Cover


India Post issued a special cover on 15.09.2014 commemorating the Karnataka Sanskrit University. The cover bears the theme "Women in Sanskrit Literature". It portrays the famous painting of Raja Ravi Varma. (Further information about this release is to be gathered)


Krishna Kanta Handique, 1973 - Stamp, First Day Cover, Brochure


On 07.10.1983 the India Post issued a stamp, an FDC and a brochure to commemorate Krishna Kanta Handique (1898-1982), the renowned Sanskrit scholar and Indologist from Assam.

His contribution to Sanskrit is a translation of Śrīharṣa's Naiṣadhacarita (1934) and Pravarasena's Setubandha (1976).


KK Handique was a recipient of the civilian honour of the Padma-sri and Padma-bhushan. The Government of Assam has instituted the prestigious Krishna Kanta Handique Memorial Award in his honour in the field of promotion of Sanskrit language and literature.

Handique Girls' College, Guwahati, 2014 - Special Cover


 श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानम्
śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ
"He who has faith attains knowledge."



The Platinum Jubilee year of the Handique Girls' College, Guwahati, Assam was celebrated on 01.11.2014. On the occasion a special cover was brought out by the India Post. The cover and the postmark carry the logo of the college which has the above Sanskrit phrase, quoted from the Bhagavad-gita 4.39, the full text being --

श्रद्धावाँल्लभते ज्ञानं तत्परः संयतेन्द्रियः ।
ज्ञानं लब्ध्वा परां शान्तिमचिरेणाधिगच्छति ॥

śraddhāvān labhate jñānaṁ tatparaḥ saṁyatēndriyaḥ
jñānān labdhvā parāṃ śāntimacirēṇādhigacchati

Śraddhāvān, the man who has faith; labhate, attains; jñānaṃ, Knowledge. Even when one has faith, he may be indolent. Therefore the Lord says, tatparaḥ, who is diligent, steadfast in the service of the teacher, etc., which are the means of attaining Knowledge. Even when one has faith and is diligent, one may not have control over the organs. Hence the Lord says, saṃyata-indriyaḥ, who has control over the organs - he whose organs (indriyāṇi) have been withdrawn (saṃyata) from objects. He who is such, who is full of faith, diligent, and has control over the organs, does surely attain Knowledge. However, prostrations etc., which are external, are not invariably fruitful, for there is scope for dissimulation of faith etc. But this is not so in the case of one possessing faith etc. Hence they are the unfailing means of acquiring Knowledge. What, again, will result from gaining Knowledge? This is being answered: Labdhvā, achieving; jñānaṃ, Knowledge; adhigacchati, one attains; acireṇa, soon indeed; paraṃ, supreme; śāntiṃ, Peace, supreme detachment called Liberation. That Liberation soon follows from full Knowledge is a fact well ascertained from all the scriptures and reasoning. One should not entertain any doubt in this matter. For doubt is the most vicious thing. Why? .....

-- Eng. Tr. of Śrī Śaṇkarācārya's Sanskrit Commentary by Svāmī Gambhīrānanda 



Panditaraj Somnath Sigdel, Nepal, 1973 - Stamp, Brochure


Panditaraj Somnath Sigdel (1884-1972) was the first Principal of the Valmiki Sanskrit College, Kathmandu. He was educated at Varanasi and he passed his Kavyatirtha from Calcutta. He was a Sanskrit Grammarian and also well-known for his Sanskrit works.*

The language of Sanskrit progressed in Nepal after his appointment as Head Pandit in 1915 at the Rajkiya Sanskrit Pradhan Pathasala  

His magnum opus is Adarsa Raghava (1948), in highly Sanskritized Nepali.





Nepal issued a stamp, an FDC and a brochure  honoring this Sanskrit scholar on 05.10.1973 in the denomination of R1.25.






*AN APPEAL

Readers are requested to provide a picture of the FDC and details about the titles of his Sanskrit works.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Osmania University, 1969 - First Day Cover





The 51st anniversary founding of the Osmania University was celebrated on 15.03.1969. Indian Posts & Telegraphs issued a commemorative stamp, an FDC and a brochure on the occasion. The cover shows the logo of the Osmania University and it bears the Sanskrit phrase --

तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय  
tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
Lead me from darkness to light

This is a mantra from the Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad (1.3.28) of the Śukḷa-yajurveda (Vājasaneya-śākhā).


Sunday, January 31, 2016

Dr Radhakrishnan, 1966 - Stamp, First Day Cover


Bharat Ratna, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) was the second President of India. A great philosopher of international repute, he has authored the following books which are translations of the Prasthānatraya, namely, the Bhagavadgīta, Upaniṣads and the Brahmasūtras. No Sanskrit work of his own is reported.

1. The Bhagavadgītā with an introductory essay, Sanskrit text, English tr. (1948)
2. The Principal Upanishads (1953), HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
3. The Brahmasūtra - The Philosophy of Spiritual Life (1960), English Tr., George Allen & Unwin Ltd


The Posts and Telegraphs issued a stamp in the denominational of 15P on 5.9.1967 along with a FDC and large sized brochure.




Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, 1978 - Stamp, First Day Cover


On the birth centenary of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari a stamp in the denomination of 25P was released for the second time. FDC and brochures were also issued.










Details given in another post in this Blog.



Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, 1973 - Stamp, First Day Cover


Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972), was the last Governor General of India. An accomplished writer in English and Tamil, Rajaji, as he was affectionately called, has written more than 30 books.

He would often say that -- "My books on the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata are my greatest service to my people."

"There is no exaggeration in it. Their simple style is very attractive. By translating the Rāmāyaṇa and the Mahābhārata into simple and beautiful English, Rajaji has made it possible for the people of the western countries to read and enjoy these great epics of India. The Mahābhārata written in English by Rajaji is a textbook for Oriental Studies in five American Universities and more than three hundred thousand copies of it have already been sold. Two hundred thousand copies of the Rāmāyaṇa have been sold." (Karnatik)

Though not a Sanskritist, His abridgement of he Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, the Bhgavadgītā and the Upaniṣads from Sanskrit still continue to be the best-sellers. 


                       

  
                                        A stamp in the denomi-nation of 20P and an FDC with brochure were released on his first death anniversary, on 5.12.1973.


Asian Productivity Year, 1970 - Stamp, First Day Cover


योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् 
yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam
"Excellence in action is yoga"



The stamp is shown here for the philatelic interest. The FDC alone carries the logo which has the above Sanskrit phrase. It forms part of the Bhagavad-gītā, 2.50. 

The full text --

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते 
तस्माद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम् 

buddhi-yukto jahātīha ubhe sukrta-duṣkṛte
tasmād yogāya yujyasva yogaḥ karmasu kauśalam

*One who is endowed with the samatva-buddhi, sameness of mind, gives up both puṇya and pāpa here, in this world. Therefore commit yourself to karma-yoga. Karma-yoga is discretion in action.
Saṅkara explains that samatva-buddhi that is talked about is with reference to karma-phala, fruits of action.



*Swami Dayananda's Bhagavad-gītā, Home-Study-Course (2001), p.316

Fourth International Policy Dialogue Forum, 2012 - Special Cover



During the Fourth International Policy Dialogue Forum held in Delhi, a special cover was brought out on 29.05.2012 which depicted Dr S. Radhakrishnan, the second President of India who was an outstanding Philosopher and author of books in the national and international level.

Details on his Sanskrit works are given elsewhere in this Blog.

Mahaprabhu Vallabhacharya, 1977 - Stamp, First Day Cover, Brochure



A stamp in the denomination of 100P, an FDC and brochure were released on 14.04.1977 to commemorate Mahaprabhu Sri Vallabhacarya. 
Śrī Vallabhācārya belonged to a Telugu Brāhmaṇa family of Andhra Pradesh. His ancestors, Yajñanārāyaṇa Bhaṭṭa and Gaṇapati Bhaṭṭa were Vedic scholars and Śrautins (performers of Somayāgas) of high repute. They had a prophetic vision that the Lord himself would take an avatāra (incarnation) in his family. Lakṣmaṇa Bhaṭṭa had completed performance of 100 Somayāgas and as a result, Vallabhācārya was born as the second son of Lakṣmaṇa Bhaṭṭa and Yallammagāru. He underwent Vedic and śāstraic studies according to the family traditions and became a full-fledged scholar and later founded the the Puṣtimārga (Bhāgavata Sampradāya) which is known as Śuddhādvaita-darśana.

Vallabhācārya composed a number of books in Sanskrit, some of which are listed below.

Anubhaṣya or Brahmasūtrānubhāṣya 
Tattvārthadīpa-nibandhaḥ 
Subodhinī-Commentary on Śrīmad-Bhāgavata-Mahāpurāṇam (Cantos 1, 2, 3 and 10 only are available)

Ṣodaśa-granthas:

Śrī-yamunāṣtakam
Bāla-bodhaḥ
Siddhānta-muktāvalī
Puṣti-pravāha-maryādā-bhedaḥ 
Siddhānta-rahasyaḥ
Navaratnaḥ
Antaḥ-karaṇaḥ-prabodhaḥ 
Viveka-dhairyāśrayaḥ
Śrīkṛṣṇāśrayaḥ
Catuḥślokī
Bhakti-vardhinī 
Jala-bhedaḥ
Pañca-padyāni
Sannyāsa-nirṇayaḥ
Nirodha-lakṣanam: 
Sevā-phalam

Pātrāvalambanam (?)
Madhurāṣtakam 
Gāyatrī-bhāṣyam, 
Puruṣottama-sahasranāma-stotram