Project B: Vande Mataram Library to compete with Murty Library

Project B: Vande Mataram Library to compete with the Murty Library

From Rajiv Malhotra

Dr. Sampadananda Mishra, a Sanskrit scholar in Pondy and a solid researcher of Sri Aurobindo, has written to me that we must

“form a collaborative publishing platform with a home team of genuine scholars and commence the work of publishing that is deeply perceptive of our Vedic tradition. We could perhaps call it the "Vande Mataram Library". We could expand the scope to not only translate "500 volumes of traditional Indian literature into English" but publishing original works that would enhance the appreciation and cultivation of the Vedic flame.”

I am supporting this idea. Let Sampad ji initiate a team of scholars to develop the draft of such a new project. I can help them raise funds.

I have given my input to them as follows:

• Have multiple financial sponsors, not just one. This way it is not vulnerable to personal whims, political leanings, etc. The HRD can be one such sponsor along with private industry and other individuals.
• Have a solid editorial board controlled by swadeshis..
• Divide the 500 volumes into thematic categories (e.g. mathematics, chemistry, medicine, itihas, purana, darshana, dharmashastra, kavya, etc...} Set up a sub-editorial board in each such thematic specialty. This job is too massive for one single editor.
• Develop overall standards and assumption. Also each thematic group should develop its particular standards/assumptions.
• Keep the politics out. No underlying divisive political agendas such as creating caste bheda or empowering dalits, women, etc. That is what plagues current Indology far too much. It has become the playing field of breaking India forces. This means we must not blindly apply Pollock's "political philology".
• Keep it swadeshi controlled. Videshis welcome to join but must play by the rules set by the swadeshis.
• Invite Murthys to join this as one of the sponsors if they wish to – thereby removing unnecessary competition. Pollock should be invited (though not as the big boss) - perhaps an editor in one of the themes such as kavya. His talent and energy can be put to good use but under the overall standards by swadeshis.

This is still on the drawing board. We must have total transparency. It should NOT get hijacked as yet another project controlled by some ‘money bags’ wanting to exert intellectual or political influence linked to personal vested interests.

We will need help of all sorts. Please stay tuned and let us wait for Sampad ji to give us the first draft.