The Life and Works of Prof. R.L. Kashyap

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The Life and Works of Prof. R.L. Kashyap

Author :

Prakasha Shanbog

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Table of Contents

Foreword

An Experiment in Conscious Living

Acknowledgements

Part – 1

1. I Met the Rishi

2. Early Life and School

2.1: When and where the story begins?

2.2: Patronage of Hebbar Iyyangars

2.3: School days and the word Veda

2.4: No support to learn Samskrit

2.5: Middle School (1945-49): Curriculam and Teachers

2.6: Initiation to Veda Mantras

2.7: Bangalore High School (BHS) (1949-1952)

3. Higher Education

3.1: National College: Intermediate or PU (1952-54)

3.2: Central College: B.Sc Honours (1954-57)

3.3: Plans after Completing B.Sc Honours

3.4: I.I.Sc.: D.I.I.Sc (1957-1960); M.E. (1960-1962)

3.5: Getting Fellowship and Travel to USA

3.6: Harvard University (USA)

4. Professional Career

4.1: Beginnings

4.2: Activities at Purdue

4.3: Prof. King Sun Fu, RLK's Mentor

4.4: Purdue University

4.5 Stay in Lafayette

5. Interesting Classmates and Other Helping Hands

5.1: Middle School Classmates (1945-1949)

5.2: High School, (BHS) (1949-1952)

5.3: National College (1952-54)

5.4: Central College (1954-57)

5.5: I.I.Sc (1957-1962)

5.6: Harvard (1962-66)

5.7: Other Prominent Helping hands

5.8: Former Doctoral Students

6. Steps in Getting the Ph.D and the Thesis

6.1: The First 2 Years and the Ph.D. Preliminary Exam

6.2: Passing Ph.D. Final Exam and Becoming a Research Fellow

6.3: The Foreign Languages Requirements

6.4: Essence of Ph.D Thesis - Pattern Classification

6.5: Pattern Recognition and Machine learning

6.6: The Thesis

7. Some Personal Experiences

7.1: Guidance from a Divine Person

7.2: Parental Relations

7.3: Aunts and Siblings

7.4: Srinivasa Kashyap, (RSK) (1926-2013)

7.5: Journeys in Karnataka

7.6: Participation in Important Celebrations

7.7: Happiest Times of His Life

7.8: Other Incidents

8. The Faith in the Divine

9. Community Service

9.1: Teaching on Culture to Indian Students

9.2: Help to Hindu Families During Deaths

9.3: Helping Families with Sudden Deaths

9.4: The Poor in the US

9.5: Widening the Cultural View at Purdue

10. The Beginning of Spiritual Studies

10.1: Gita and Upanishads

10.2: Help of Swami Nisreyasananda (SN)

11. Vedic Studies and the Veda Translations

11.1: Beginnings

11.2: Exposure to the thoughts of Sri Aurobindo & Kapali Sastry

11.3: The Plan for a Translation of All 4 Vedas

11.4: Yajur Veda Translation

11.5: The completion of Rig Veda Translation

11.6: The Secrets in Rig Veda

11.7: Sama Veda

11.8: Atharva Veda

12. SAKSHI and Veda Translation to Indian Languages

12.1: Birth of SAKSHI (Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture)

12.2: Activities of SAKSHI

12.3: Divine Plan was Awaiting

12.4: Milestones of SAKSHI

12.5: Small Compact books

12.6: Audio Recording and SAKSHI - Online facility

12.7: Workshops on Vedic Knowledge

12.8: Chanting Course for Students

12.9: Recognition for SAKSHI

12.10: Books Published (language wise)

13. Walk-the-Talk: Auroveda

13.1: Beginnings

13.2: New Practices of Farming

13.3: Impact of Vedic Cultivation Approach

14. Correspondence on Spirituality

14.1: From Hari Ayyar

14.2: From Made Tommy Brahmaputra

14.3: From Shilpa P.G., 10/03/2018

14.4: From: Sitaram Iyengar, 10/12/2010

15. RLK's Admirers

15.5: R.L.K. - A Guide, Philosopher and Friend: Prof. Rama Chellappa

15.1: RLK as I Know: Dr. R. Narayanaswami

15.2: RLK as I Know: Dr. Prashant Banerjee

15.3: RLK as I Know: Dr. Umesh Bhargava

15.4: RLK as I Know: Prof. Soundar Kumara

15.5: R.L.K. - A Guide, Philosopher and Friend: Prof. Rama Chellappa

16. Indians Admired by RLK

16.1: Sir C.V. Raman (1888-1971) (CVR)

16.2: Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920) (SR)

16.3: Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1861-1962) (MV)

16.4: Shivakumara Swamy (1908-2019), Siddhaganga Matha and Gurukula

16.5: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: A great Nationalist with Many Innovative Ideas

16.6: Dr. Verghese Kurien and Amul Milk Cooperative

16.7: Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy (GV), the eye-surgeon and Hightech Developer (Manufacture of hightech ocular lenses in India)

16.8: Dr. Virendra Heggade (b, 1948)

16.9: Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971)

16.10: Why NaMo is in the Lime light

16.11: Adamya Chetana: Food, Education and Health (anna, akshara and arogya) and (Zero Garbage Scheme)

Part - 2

17. Who Are We: A Conception of Our Being

Manas (Mind) and Prana Bodies

18. Recent History and Current Events

18.1: The Political Unification of India: Sardar Patel and V.P. Menon

18.2: Indian Independence : It was Obtained in 1947 via the V.P. Menon Plan

18.3: The Muslim Terrorist Attempts to Conquer India Even in 1947

18.4: Was the Division of the Subcontinent into India and Pakistan the Best Solution?

18.5: The Myth of Aryan Invasion and the Date of Vedas

18.6: Basic contributions of Veda Mantras

18.7: The Hard Days of 1950s and 1960s

18.8: The American Way

18.9: Some Gross Misconceptions Regarding Nehru

18.10: Ayodhya Temple

18.11: The Nature of Tata Charity Trusts and Industries

18.12: Tradition

18.13: Comrade V.I. Lenin's Poetic Biography in Sanskrit and Vedic Research Institute (V.V.R.I.)

18.14 China and India

19. Some Positive Social Trends

19.1: Increasing Awareness

19.2: Education Among Tribals and Rurals

19.3: Apna Ghar

19.4: Self-employment for Women in Slum Areas

19.5: Support for Basic Hindu Habits

19.6: Relatively Inexpensive Farming Methods for Producing High Income Even in One-acre Farms

20. Books Authored by Dr. R.L.K.

21. RLK is recipient of Padma Shri award

22. Dr. R.L. Kashyap: A Profile / Chronology

Foreword

An adage from the ageless store of Indian wisdom tells us that in life we finish our apprenticeship at 50 years and then become adults. We only take up our life's work and real mission when we attain 80. And we leave the earth finally with the rounded and satisfied fullness of 100 years, "revelling in the rapture,' as Sri Aurobindo would translate a Vedic phrase. Always early, adept, and never unpunctual, our dear RLK took up the real charge of his life's work decades before reaching his eightieth birthday. Thriving treasures now invite us to celebrate the rare richness he manifests upon earth.

He is a leader in thought. His many accolades and advancements through the best universities in the world are well-known. Now well beyond retirement from the academic and research worlds, RLK remains one of the brightest intellects on the planet. Adept, capacious, and organized, he remains self-effacing and cordial, welcoming to all. These traits reveal the great spirit inside him. His intellectual prowess, evidenced constantly throughout his distinguished scientific career, has now reached with incisive vision into the core of India's greatest heritage, its spiritual traditions, and most esoteric texts. It is worth spending a moment on this.

He is a leader in culture. We have drawn attention before to the recent history of Vedic wisdom in India, how in the last centuries there has been a resurgence of interest in the roots of Indian spirituality. Foremost among its interpreters in the 20th century, Sri Aurobindo and Sri Kapali Sastry opened new windows with rare insight into the substance of this millenniums-old experience. They began an exploration of Vedic lore with a psychological interpretation, but constraints of time left their work incomplete. RLK assumes responsibility to further the work.

He is a leader in scholarship. Dr. Kashyap, working through the aptly titled Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture in Bangalore, has carried the work and insight of these visionaries farther and to a far larger audience. His translations display a solid understanding of the technicalities and sophistication of the Vedic text, grammar, and metrical structure. What was opaque or just lost in earlier English translations is transparent in his work.

SAKSHI's work makes the earliest and profoundest body of the world's spiritual wisdom available across the world, and in India this treasure trove is available in several languages. Dozens of volumes have been published, and all have had a shaping influence upon Indian culture. It is self-defeating to declare how many books Dr. Kashyap has authored or edited or translated: almost monthly a "new to me' or two appears, to satisfy one set of readers and whet the appetite of another.

His large vision furrows deeply into contemporary India. Even his first efforts in Vedic fields were immense. Dr. Kashyap offered then a fresh and clear English treatment of the Rig Veda Samhita. With the capable staff of SAKSHI behind him, he simplified the reader's task with a straightforward and organized approach. Adding to the translation of each constituent mantra in a hymn, Dr. Kashyap often folded in invaluable commentary with useful appendices to render the Vedic language clear. In the years since, he has opened other branches of the Vedic tradition to us through translations that awakened the public imagination. And this is simply the publishing side of his vision. One must recognize that Dr. Kashyap has experienced what he describes. And what we recognize in deep experience, we may conceive in vision, cast into form, and still better, make vibrantly concrete.

He leads by example. He is making his vision of the living Veda concrete. His recitation of the Vedic mantra, his method of yogic practice, are central to his life, and his life is the centre of a widening circle of aspirants. Forging into social form the ideals of the Vedic institute, he leads a community grounded in matter and the life that stems from it, that dwells more and more in the spirit, that feels itself in common with the world within and the divinity around, that strives to express materially the ultimate unified truth of things - that oneness is key to existence. He inspires a spirituality that affirms life. From the ground up, he and his luminous collaborators are building an intentional and conscious community, pointing to a new period in India that fulfils the promise of the Vedic: one vivid branch of humanity offering a future for a life divine. More and more, Dr. Kashyap is himself an awakened soul: at one with the universe, ensconced in the transcendent, living radiantly, beneficently - attracting and leading kindred souls who aspire for the harmonic perfection which our earth deserves.

- Rand Hicks

Director, Integral Study Center

Pensicola, USA

An Experiment in Conscious Living

1

Starting from 2002, Dr. Kashyap had engaged himself continuously with the translation of Vedic canons in a tapas-like manner until 2013. During that period, he received immense encouragement for his work from multi-faceted scholar and great author, Prof. Saligram Krishna Ramchandra Rao.

Ramchandra Rao would arrive at Dr. Kashyap's house to share the joy of reading his commentary. The discussions between these two on the Vedas would light up the listeners' minds. Prof. (Dr) Rao has stated: The Bharatiya thoughts expressed in the works of Sri Madhwacharya and Sri Raghavendra Swami had been continued in Sri T.V. Kapali Shastri's works. And apparently, Dr. Kashyap is taking forward Sri TVK's work.' Besides, he has also written a long and insightful preface to Dr. Kashyap commentary, Taittiriya Samhita' in which he said: "Dr. Kashyap should be applauded and congratulated for his pioneering effort, like a brave warrior to unravel the mysteries of Taittiriya Samhita.'

Pujya Sri Sri Rangapriya Swamiji's statement on Dr. Kashyapa's commentary is noteworthy: Dr. Kashyapa has politely shown how his interpretations are better than conventional interpretations of religious rituals without disrespecting anything. Such discretion can be found in his interpretation of the process of creation, yajnas, especially Ashwamedha Yajna. In view of Vedas, Ashwa' is not an animal with four legs, sacrificed in yajnas; that is a puja offered to the principles of universal lordship with reverence. Here no one is injured; only internal maladies are healed. While analyzing the words, such as yajna, Adhwara, and other words related to yajna, he does not flaunt dry mastery or become bookish. But like a language expert and litterateur with a healthy outlook, he expresses himself sincerely.'

Pujya Sri Siddheshwar Swamiji, great saint of Vijayapur, concludes his statement on Dr. Kashyap's work Taittiriya Samhita' of Krishna Yajurveda like this: Being a scientist and teacher, he knows how to present a subject beautifully and persuasively. Hence, his works are loved by modern people.'

Prof. Doddarangegowda, well-known Kannada poet, has appreciated the literature of Dr. Kashyap thus: "The churning (contemplation) of mantras in Taittiriya Samhita of Krishna Yajurveda will lead to the beginning of self-evolution if the word meanings are correctly grasped. Dr. R.L. Kashyap has created this in the English language. He is an ideal professor, experienced scholar and a scientist. Hence, this work comes across as purposeful and multi-dimensional. With defining qualities such as unique presentation of subject matter, rare comments, incomparable portrayal, and so on, this translation has become pure gold.'

Prof. Mallepura G. Venkatesh, author, scholar and critic of Kannada and Sanskrit literature, as well as Indian culture, has spoken these beautiful words: "Dr. Kashyap has based his life in the research of Vedas for the past half century. He has grown up imbibing the philosophical ideas of Sri Aurobindo. He has understood the true spiritual ground of Indian philosophy through Sri Aurobindo's works. Sri T.V. Kapalishastri, follower of Sri Aurobindo, has unveiled the inner meaning of the Vedas, which is now a history. I believe it is the spiritual benefaction to Karnataka that Dr R.L. Kashyap has proceeded in the same path, with an expansive and more comprehensive view and a research orientation.'

Sri Rand Hicks of America has spoken these words about Dr. Kashyap's contribution to preservation, propagation and research of the Vedas: Dr. Kashyap has presented through the organization (SAKSHI) built by himself, along with able associates, the first scripture known to the human kind and the teachings preserved by the collective spirit of ancient India in English. His works include several elements to help spread them. His direct and systematic approach has made the effort of the reader easy. Dr. Kashyap has succeeded in explaining patiently the essence of these scriptures.

It is amazing task to present Rigveda in simple English, commenting on mantras with expanded meaning, and rejuvenating our lives through those suktas. Adopting the mission and commitment of Sri Aurobindo and Sri Kapalishastri in upholding the Vedas, Dr. Kashyap has continued with the family tradition. By the grace of God, Veda' has opened another window to the world."

Let us view this timeless knowledge, cast in clear language with the joy of studying his work. Rigveda will not remain unknown mysteriously in the treasury of scholars any longer. It will now bless every home with its stream of knowledge. After speaking like this, Rand Hicks has described DrKashyap's works as Achievement of stellar heights".

Lively Personality

Dr. Kashyap is a lively person with commendable sense of humour. He has immense interest in both inner and outer worlds, and spiritual and practical life. One should understand the meaning of enthusiasm by looking at him. His studies, writing, and contemplation are multi-dimensional. For him, meditation, tapas, and puja are as important as environment, social development, organization, and administration. He has always actively nurtured the desire for systemic transformation, wellbeing of all in the society, and end of poverty. He has a personality that exudes interest in everything.

He is eager to help others. Whether it is friends, family members or associates, he helps them voluntarily, understanding their needs on his own. He used to visit the temple fair (Kalale) in his mother's parents' village. He realized that the village had no convention hall. He then donated a big amount and became responsible for the construction of a convention hall. The village Edamadu of KanakapurTaluk, had a government school only for up to IV Standard. When Dr. Kashyap visited the school as a guest, he found that it had just one room. He swung into action immediately and got another room built. Recently, he had visited the place of an Avdhoot. He saw that the place had no proper lavatory facility. He then donated a handsome amount and requested for creating proper public lavatories. And the Veda aficionados can never forget the fact that he has donated crores of rupees to SAKSHI to propagate the Vedas.

Dr. Kashyap has an immense interest in rain water harvest, solar power and environmentcleaning. He has put efforts on experiments and creating prototypes with regard to these subjects. He had had regrets that being a writer and publisher his works would consume a lot of paper, which would require felling of trees for raw material. In order to pay back to environment, he got plants and trees grown in a 10-acre plot, some 30 kilometers away from Bengaluru. He also facilitated building of low-cost house on this plot, and became an inspiration to others.

Dr. Kashyap is a friendly person. He mingles with anyone who comes to visit him and converse with them as though they have been associated with each other for many years. He loves and jeers but never ignores. People have had a sense of attaining something, expanding their knowledge and thoughts after spending some time with him. His love for life, humorous nature, interest in studies, and teaching ability even in his 80s makes one forget his age. Candid love, non-hoarding attitude, truth-probing mind, and devotional qualities have enhanced the luster of his dazzling personality. The greeting card from the staff of SAKSHI on his 75th birthday is quotable: Dr. Kashyap is living a fruitful life. Those who want to know what grace of God is have to just understand such people.

2

In 2019, Prof. Kashyap wrote a book with the title "Dharma & Development: Prosperity for All'.

Prof. Kashyap, in this book, has explained the concept of Dharma through certain examples. He has chosen institutions which offer service on a large scale. The individuals who are responsible for making these institutions for carrying out the exemplary work are complemented. Religious heads to politicians, religious institutions to non-governmental organisations are illustrated here to explain how Dharma is making them do good work or karma.

The Professor rightly points out that no profession can become emulative without following Dharma and no individual can become an example for others unless that person adheres to Dharma. He identifies Dharma or harmony in real life as well as in nature. He compliments those who are silently bringing positive changes in society through their actions in the right way. He has given simple illustrations to explain hard facts and truths of life. Hence, it becomes easy to understand and appreciate the spirit behind what he says. His principle in life is simple – live with nature and humans as friends doing little harm to one another and sharing in the prosperity. This is Dharma. This leads to the overall growth, happiness, and peace of society, he emphasise.

Indeed this book is a valuable contribution to the present and future generations to come.

The book is an invaluable work which emerged out of the vast study of Dr. R.L. Kashyap. Prof. Kashyap inspired by the vision of Rishis, reveals to the readers the core of Dharma and its application. The variety of examples on all aspects of life, narrated in this book are eye-openers. He has succeeded in convincing us that Dharma is the foundation for all development and prosperity. His background in mathematics and engineering has worked so well in conveying the subject matter in such a way that he finally proves what he wanted to establish.

This book is the outcome of Prof. Kashyap's concern towards the comprehensive development of Indians. His commitment to Dharma and vast experience as a professor have made the book indispensable for all those who are serious about prosperity and development.

Prof. Kashyap's varied interests have created a symphony of knowledge in this book which has the capability of elevating a reader to a higher level.

Conscious living is the only way to all-round progress. Prof. Kashyap is ever watchful of his physical, vital and mental movements from the point of view of conscious living. Since my association with him (2000) I have seen him performing Jnana Yajna incessantly. His profession and pass-time both are reading and writing. He don't have any preferences over reading books. He reads and inspire others to read the books. And I am personally benefitted by his inspiration.

Prof. Kashyap's greatest contribution is that he has inspired the present generation towards Veda Knowledge, true history of India and greatest culture of India. No doubt his contribution is ever remembered by all those who wish to live a conscious life.

Salutations from the bottom of my heart to Prof. Kashyap. His contribution to the field of Veda is ever remembered. The Veda lovers will be grateful to him for making their studies straight and simple. The country has anyhow recognised his services by conferring on him the fourth highest civilian award Padma Shri.

I pray to my favorite God Ganesh to shower his choicest blessings on Professor Kashyap for the healthy longevity. Let's get more opportunity to publish his writings.

Makara Sankranti

15-01-2022

Dr. R. V. Jahagirdar

Managing Trustee

SAKSHI Trust

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Sri Prakasha Shanbog for writing this book.

We extend our gratitude to Smt. Susheela Hegade, Dr. Asha Krishnaswamy for involving in the editorial work.

We are grateful to Sri Prasanna