Sharada Peeth of Kashmir - an ancient seat of learning in ruins - A Prompt for Action

Of the many names that our holy land possesses, none is more apt than the original one “BHARAT”:

• "Bha"  (भाः) means “Light and Knowledge”
• "rata" (रतः). means “Devoted”

 Simply stated, we are all fortunate to be born in a land where the inhabitants have been/are devoted to Divine Music, Dance, Learning & the pursuit of Supreme Knowledge 

The very embodiment of all of the above is Divine Mother Sharada (Goddess Saraswati), the very personification of Learning & Supreme Knowledge (Both materialistic and spiritual).

She has been worshipped for aeons in the foothills of the Himalayas in the revered Sharada-peeth and this seat of learning has been a repository of arts and culture for centuries. This is the same place where ADI SHANKARACHARYA ( who hailed from the southernmost state of India ) was given the title of JAGATH-GURU (Meaning Guru of the universe) after all the learned scholars accepted his mastery in this snow clad center of learning in the northernmost region of India showing to the world that knowledge is always supreme and erudition is always respected irrespective of the place of origin.

Furthermore, one of the most profound spiritual poetic works in Indian literature, " Soundarya Lahari " is said to have been written here as well.

Many great scholars and poets have described this magnificent place in great detail from Kalhana in his magnificent work and so on. The great emperor Lalitaditya did so much of service to this magnificent place.

Today, this magnificent place & seat of Knowledge is in ruins and waits silently for us, to atleast make an attempt to revive its former glory.

It pains me and many others to remember that this esteemed place of the Mother Sharada (Saraswati) is in ruins. There have been multiple requests to this effect - To allow people from all over India to have access to this place, but looks like efforts have gone in vain.

It's in this context that a request and plea is put forward to:

• Help obtain access to the portals of this hallowed institution as a first step. 

This monumental first step would go a long way in transforming the lives of many people and would sow the seeds for the cultural and spiritual integration of India which would ultimately accomplishing the goal of peace. This is the final goal of any pursuit of knowledge as embodied by the silvery white peaceful form of Mother Sharada.

We, the present generation have been the recipients of the fruits of our cultural heritage and its our earnest Duty & Responsibility to protect our heritage for Posterity.

Our Hope of the Future is the “Children of the World” and they should know how “Unity in Diversity” still pulsates silently in Bharat.