Special Lecture delivered by Swami Haribrahmendrananda Tirtha on 07 November 2025

The Department of Sanskrit and Philosophy, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, organised a special lecture on 7 November 2025, Friday from 4 pm to 5 pm. The lecture was delivered by Pujya Sri Haribrahmendrananda Tirtha Swamiji.

Sri Haribrahmendrananda Tirtha was initiated into Sannyasa by Swami Brahmendrananda Tirtha Swamiji in 1994. He has studied Vedanta and other Shastras in the traditional way under eminent scholars. Swamiji currently serves as the Acharya of Adi Shankara Brahmavidya Peeth, Uttarkashi; Co-ordinator of Bhagavatpada Bhaktamandali, Uttarakhand; Vice-President of Shivananda Seva Samiti, Uttarkashi; Secretary of Chaitanya Tapovanam; Trustee of Sri Shankaracharya Vangmaya Seva Parishad, Ayodhya; and Acharya of Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas (a Government of Madhya Pradesh undertaking). He is also the Chief Editor of the Shri Shankara Sarasvata Sarvasvam project run by Arsha Vidya Pratishthanam, Thiruvananthapuram. Swamiji has translated the Yoga Sutras, Hathayogapradipika, and Sankhya Karika into Malayalam, and has authored a book titled Sannyasa: Principles and Practice.

Delivering his lecture on the topic “Dvividho hi vedokto dharmaḥ pravṛttilakṣaṇo nivṛttilakṣaṇaśca” (a well-known line from Sri Shankaracharya’s introduction to his Bhagavad Gita commentary), Swamiji discussed the concepts of Varṇa, Āśrama, and Puruṣārtha and their respective duties. He explained how these principles contribute to maintaining harmony in individual and social life. The lecture was marked by clarity, depth, and simplicity of expression, and was followed by a brief interactive session.

The programme began with Vedic chanting. Dr. Rakesh Das, Head of the Department of Sanskrit and Philosophy, welcomed the guests and introduced the speaker. Swami Japasiddhananda proposed the vote of thanks. The session concluded with the chanting of the Pūrṇatā Mantra. Revered Swami Atmapriyananda Ji, Pro-Chancellor, graced the occasion with his presence, along with Brahmacharis and faculty members of the Department.

Around 104 participants attended the session.