What’s New At Girvanapratishtha?
This fresh update from ARCHANA KUMTA and SANGEETA PAWAR tells us about two exciting initiatives of the Department of Sanskrit Studies, Shri Chitrapur Math - (June 2026)
VANDANA and GIRVANAPATRIKA
अज्ञानमूलहरणं जन्मकर्मनिवारणम् ।
ज्ञानवैराग्यसिद्ध्यर्थं गुरुपादोदकं पिबेत् ॥
Vandana - Over the last 22 years, Girvanapratishtha has made remarkable progress. Guided by Parama Pujya Swamiji’s sankalpa, vision, direction, and blessings, the Sanskrit Department of Shri Chitrapur Math has reached an entirely new level.
The journey began with weekly Sanskrit lessons being uploaded on the Internet. These lessons were warmly received, drawing enthusiastic appreciation from eager learners all around the world. Encouraged by the overwhelming response, a structured syllabus was soon developed, laying the foundation for systematic learning.
With the success of the earlier uploaded lessons, Aradhana, Sadhana and Dharana classes were launched. Excited students enrolled, batches commenced, new teachers were inducted, and exams followed, one after another. Yet, after some time, it was felt that something more was needed to enrich the learning journey further..
The core team of Girvanapratishtha came together to reflect and brainstorm. During the 2019 Chaturmasa, a proposal was humbly placed before Parama Pujya Swamiji: to introduce a new course after Dharana Varga, one that would give seekers a glimpse into the vast world of Sanskrit literature. Swamiji, with His infinite compassion, immediately blessed the idea as well as the teachers who would carry it forward. It was then decided that Sheela Kalawar Pachi would design this new course, aptly named Vandana.
Since Sanskrit literature is as expansive as an ocean, the course had to be thoughtfully structured. Each dip into this ocean reveals priceless pearls, yet a course spanning just one- and- a- half years could only cover select treasures. Thus, it was resolved that each kāvya काव्य would be studied over a month or two, with carefully chosen excerpts that were both engaging and representative of the work. The pilot batch was offered to Girvanapratishtha teachers themselves, giving them both deeper insight and strengthening their own Staravardhana स्तरवर्धन.
Sheela Pachi, holding an M.A. in Sanskrit, graciously embraced the responsibility. Over the next several months, she identified fifteen timeless compositions by renowned kavayah कवयः, selecting the most captivating adhyāyas from each. While she focused on teaching grammar, the team invited the accomplished and versatile teacher, Krishnanand Mankikar Maam, to guide students in the rasāsvāda रसास्वाद —the aesthetic appreciation—of these works. He readily agreed to contribute.
The unforeseen arrival of the Covid pandemic delayed the launch of Vandana. But finally, on the auspicious day of the Vardhanti of Devi Bhuvaneshwari Sannidhi and Parijnanashram Swamiji’s Paduka Sannidhi, on 30th January 2023, the course was inaugurated with Swamiji’s permission and blessings in the holy presence of Shri Bhavanishankar and Devi Bhuvaneshwari at the Dhyanamandir, Shirali. On that sacred occasion, both Sheela Pachi and Krishnanand Maam delivered their first lectures through a PowerPoint presentation. The teachers present experienced a truly divine day. Twenty-five teachers have enrolled for the course.
Girvanapatrika – As the readership of the online Sanskrit lessons steadily grew, the Girvanapratishtha team felt inspired to offer even more to its audience. It was decided that readers should have access not only to learning material, but also to enriching content about Shri Chitrapur Math, our revered Guruparampara, and the messages of our beloved Swamijis. Along with this, there would be articles of general interest, glimpses of Sanskrit literature, and even pieces of light-hearted entertainment. Out of this vision was born the Sanskrit e-magazine -Gīrvāṇapatrikā.
Gīrvāṇapatrikā is a quarterly Sanskrit e-publication, uploaded on the Math website every March, June, September, and December. Our Math is among the very few in the country to publish an entire magazine exclusively in Sanskrit. Its pages feature a delightful blend of stories, articles, subhāshitā-s, anecdotes, riddles, and more—contributed by the Girvanapratishtha fraternity of teachers, past and present students, and ardent lovers of this divine language संस्कृतानुरागिणः. The magazine plays a vital role in encouraging regular reading and writing in Sanskrit, an essential part of mastering the language. Varada Soukoor as Editor and a team of dedicated Sanskrit teachers and students comprise the Editorial team.
The inaugural issue was released on 15th June 2021 at Karla, on the auspicious occasion of Parama Pujya Parijnanashram Swamiji’s Janmotsava. Since then, the magazine has consistently catered to readers of all levels—sāmānya सामान्य, madhyama मध्यम and prauḍha प्रौढ. It also carries the precious Upadesha-s of our 10th and 11th Gurus, offering timeless guidance.
Among the special features of Gīrvāṇapatrikā are: Ruchira (tasty Konkani recipes presented in Sanskrit), articles on Yoga, essays on the Upanishads, explorations of Maharshi Pāṇini’s contributions, and even engaging write-ups on birds.
Through this unique initiative, Girvanapratishtha continues slowly, but steadily, the noble mission of prasāra प्रसार and prachāra प्रचार of Sanskrit—always under the guidance and with the blessings of Parama Pujya Swamiji.
जयति जयति गीर्वाणी सरस्वती सुरसवती ।
सारस्वतजनमोहिनी संस्कृतसुविलासिनी ।।
Spreading the sweetness of Devabhasha!
