#Thread: DR BNK Sharma Today, Ashadha Krishna Ekadashi, is the 17th Punyatithi of Mahamahopadhyaya, Madhvamunipriya, Dvaitavedanta Rasajna, Asthana Vidvan, Shastranidhi Dr. Bhavani Narayanarao Krishnamurti Sharma (Dr. B.N.K. Sharma)

Born: Salem (Tamilnadu) on 9th June, 1909 in the famed Haritasa Gotra ancestry of Singanallur (CBE) Dharmaraja Bhattaru a convert to Dvaita fold by Svarupoddharaka H.H.

Sri Kambaluru Ramachandra Tirtharu of Vyasaraja Mutt from the paternal side and in the equally renowned lineage of Kochi Rangappacharya & Kochi Madhvarayacharya the Asthana Vidväns of Kochi Durbar (Royal Court) from his maternal side.

Academic Career: Dr. Sharma was endowed and equipped with sharp intellectual acumen, analytical ability, research potential, good Sanskrit base, sound Shastric learning, highest university education (Ph.D. & D. Litt.) and lucid writing style in superb English.

The foundations of Dr. Sharma's traditional scholarship in Sanskrit Literature and Sastras were firmly laid by his maternal grandfather Kochi Madhvarayacarya and later by renowned Pandit of Kumbhakonam (Tamilnadu) Sri M. Rama Rao.

At Kumbakonam itself, he completed his High school and college studies up to the Intermediate Examination in Arts securing a I class.

Later he joined Presidency College, Madras (now Chennai) for his Honours course in Sanskrit (1928-31), which he passed in High II class with Nyaya-Vaisesika and Comparative Philology (Indo-European) as special subjects. Dr.

Sharma began his literary career at the early age of 22; he began to write research articles on topics related to Madhva's Dvaita Vedanta in 1931 itself.

“During the course of his studies, Dr. Sharma found that the ill-informed, prejudiced and self-styled researchers. at home and abroad had tried to misinterpret Madhva Siddhanta and belittle its contribution to Indian Philosophy as of little or no merit and insignificant.

To set things right, he took up cudgels against them to put the facts in their proper perspective and to give Madhva Siddhanta its due place in the realm of Indian Philosophy as a true votary of robust Theistic Realism.

He, therefore, decided to contribute singlehandedly his factual research findings in the form of standard works in lucid English. As a first step towards this end, he published his research papers-150 in number-in various journals of oriental studies.”

His first academic assignment was at the Annamalai University (Chidambaram) in 1931. Later he became the Principal of Govt. Sanskrit College, Tiruvaiyaru (Thanjavur Dist.) between 1942-48.

He had a stint at the Vishveshwaranand Vedic Research Institute, Hoshiarpur (Punjab) as a Research Scholar before moving to Udupi as the Principal of Purnaprajna Sanskrit College in 1950.

For two years, he was Principal of Kanara (now Baliga) College of Arts & Science, Kumta and then moved on to Dharwad as Hon. Professor of Sanskrit at K.E. Board's College. He finally migrated to Mumbai in 1953 as the HOD of Sanskrit at Ruparel College, Mahim.

It was Mumbai and the D.G. Ruparel College which introduced Dr. Sharma to the Philosophical world at home & abroad. It was given to Shri D.M. Tilak, his student of Inter Arts Class in the College (who was a publisher by profession) to bring out the first edition of Dr.

Sharma's magnum opus "A History of Dvaita School of Vedanta & Its Literature" in 2 Volumes which bagged the Central Sahitya Academy Award for Sanskrit Research in 1963. From here onwards there was no looking back for Dr. Sharma.

The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, invited him to author their Book University Series title "Madhva's Teachings in His Own Words" (now awaiting 5th reprint edition).

In further recognition of his scholarship and the worldwide acclaim he received for the above two works, the Bhavan entrusted to him the task of highlighting Madhva's dialectical skills in its major publication "Philosophy of Madhvacharya" in 1962.

Later, the Bhavan undertook the publication of Dr.Sharma's greatest contribution the 3-Volume "Brahmasutras and their principal Commentaries" a comparative exposition of the commentaries of Sankara, Ramanuja & Madhva

which was aided by a 5-year University Grants Commission Scholarship from 1969-74.

His magnum opus "History of Dvaita School of Vedanta & its Literature" and "Philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya" both republished by the renowned Oriental Publishers M/s Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi, have gone into 3 reprint editions, whereas the 3 Volume UGC Project

"Brahmasutras & their Principal Commentaries" has been reprinted by another reputed indological publisher M/S Munshiram Manoharlal, Delhi. After a fruitful service of 21 years as the HOD of Sanskrit, Dr. Sharma retired...

from the Ruparel College, Mumbai, in 1974 and engaged himself in bringing out critical expositions of Jayatirtha's Nyayasudha (in 3-vols.) and Vyasatirtha's Nyayamrita (in 2 vols.) in English and a series of 5 treatises (upto Dec. 2004) refuting, criticising.

repudiating and clearing any misconceptions, misinterpretations or deliberate suppression of factual evidence regarding Madhva Siddhanta by psuedo विमर्शक, संशोधकs eastern and western alike in his inimitable, outspoken, sarcastic and humorous style. His U. S.

visit in 1987 was a great event.

Dr Sharma’s 3 Volume Series- "Brahmasutras & their Principal Commentaries" reduces the time needed to study the critical points of differences among different schools of Vedanta and simplifies research for the next generation.

Dr Sharma fills the gap that SN Dasgupta left on Nyayamruta Vs Advaitasiddhi polemics, and defended various Maadhva tenets at home and abroad via his writings.

Despite some controversial works being penned by Dr Sharma, he received no solid response during his lifetime from dissenting parties and sects. “Dr. B.N.K.

Sharma who has brought about Dvaita Vedanta in expository style into English thus enabling anyone anywhere to respect the great Madhva.

The real gift to those who adhere to Dvaita school is Dasa-kuta without whom we would really not know at all who is who among Madhva saints, a point well recognised by Dr. Sharma”

Saints and Scholars on Dr BNK Sharma:

Sri Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Sri Pejawara Matha blessed Dr Sharma thus, "Till now no one has done so much service to Dvaita Vedanta through the English language, as you have done, during the last half a century. Your name will live for ever in the history of Dvaita Siddhanta.

May Sri Hari and Vayu enable you to render still greater service and work in the field.'

Dr. DN Shanbhag, his student states: “If a jury is asked to decide the Dvaita Scholars of 20th century, there will emerge the unanimous verdict that he is Dr. B.N.K. Sharma.

If a panel of experts is appointed to discover the Research Scholars who worked with a zeal of one life, one mission' to vindicate the great Madhvacharya and his doctrines, there will come out only one name and that is, Dr. B.N.K. Sharma.

If contemporary writers on Indian Philosophy were asked to highlight a writer of convincing, authentic, and well-documented works in English on Dvaita Vedanta, again the light will concentrate on only Dr. B.N.K. Sharma.

Whom should a truth-seeker in this world, approach to know lives.' even the subtlest details of Dvaita Vedanta? The reply will be Dr. B.N.K. Sharma. He embodies in himself the Encyclopaedia of Dvaita Vedanta.”

Sri Mahuli Gopalacharya states: “Dr. Sharma's energy is admittedly indefatigable. He must have indeed worked like a steam engine to bring out the voluminous works he has brought out.”

Sri R.R. Diwakar, former Governor of Bihar and Chairman, Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi congratulated Dr. Sharma "I congratulate you on the comparative and comprehensive study of the Dvaita Vedanta.

You have paid back, with compound interest, the debt you owed to the great Jagadguru Srimad Anandatirtha Bhagavatpadacharya and at the same time freed yourself from the debt of the Rishis by your monumental works. Very few have the good fortune to achieve so much in their lives.”

“Dr. Sharma, has couched his works in such language and thought as to reflect the very mind and soul of Madhva's thinking. I am deliberately writing this to underline how unerringly Dr.

Sharma has adhered to the correct, unprejudiced perspective of Madhva with genuine regard and sincerity, and proclaimed to the whole world the gigantic, practical, reasonable and scientific view of the Acharya.”- Dr. MG Diggavi.

Sri R Sridharan even calls Dr BNK Sharma the greatest philosopher the world has ever seen!

Foreign scholars Prof. Jose Pereira, Dept. of Philosophy, Fordham University, Bronx, NY (USA) and Prof. L.. Stafford Betty, Dept.

of Religion and Philosophy, California State College, Backersfield have admitted that they realised the truth of Madhva's thought and that they received encouragement from Dr. Sharma to propagate it.

Prof. Karl H. Potter, Chief Editor, Encyclopaedia of Indian Philosophies, Washington, is quite candid: "Dr. Sharma has provided what only a master teacher can provide. We philosophers are much in Dr.

Sharma's debt, for he has managed almost alone to explain the intricate analysis of Madhiva and his successors so that we can appreciate their profundity."

During the last seven decades. till his passing away on 2nd July, 2005 in Mumbai, his Karmabhumi, Dr.

Sharma was devotedly engaged in carrying out Acharya Madhva's command viz. "विष्णोः सर्वोत्तमत्वं तु सर्वदा प्रतिपादय" through his 25 epochmaking standard works, 150 research papers, lectures, speeches, debates and Scholastic Correspondence with Indian & foreign Professors and

Scholars A.B.Keith (U. K), Radhakrishnan, D.M. Datta, Gerhard Oberhammer (Vienna). Karl Potter (Washington), Edwin Gerow (Oregon), Roy Abraham Varghese (Texas), Stafford Betty (Backersfield). Jose Pereira (Bronx), Ninian Smart (Lancaster), Michael W. Myers (Pullman), & many more.

Academic Laurels & Noted Disciples:

Dr. Sharma has been honoured not only by the revered Heads of several Mathas, but also by the Central Sahitya Academy Award (1963), The award of the President of India for Eminent Sanskrit scholars in 1992, the Govt.

of Maharashtra Award in 1993, and the first Vidyamanya Prashasti of one Lakh rupees of the Purnaprajna Pratisthana byŚri Vishwesha tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math, Udupi, in 1996.

On 13.11.1999 he was honoured with the title of "Mahāmahopādhyāya" by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapitha, Tirupati.

Besides, Dr, Sharma was awarded the Vyasa Pitha Prasasti (Kurnool) in 2000, the Vyasa Madhva Seva Prasasti (Bangalore) on 16.06.2002, The Satyatma Convention Honour (Mumbai) in 2002, Paryāya Krsna Matha Asthāna Vidvan Prasasti (Udupi) on 14.09.2003, M/s.

Motilal Banarsidass Centenary Award (Chennai) on 16.09.2003, the Maharashtra State Kannadigas' Literary Conference Award (Mumbai) on 02.05.2004, and the latest the Śri Raghavendra Anugraha Prasasti of Rs. One Lakh at Mantralaya on 31.08.2004.

In the course of his long academic career, he encouraged a large number of students who later occupied distinguished academic positions and made distinct contribution to the advancement of knowledge. Among these, Prof. C.S.

Venkateswaran joined the Annamalai University as a lecturer and rose to the position of Prof. and Head of the Department. It was a time when the Sanskrit studies were put on the back seat in that university and did not receive any encouragement.

However, it was his patience and perseverence that sustained the Sanskrit Department. It was closed after his retirement. Prof. K.T. Pandurangi was his student at Annamalai University between 1940 & 1942. At that time he was studying Purva Mi mämsä. Dr.

Shrama inspired him to study and undertake research in Dvaita Vedanta. It is well known that Prof. Pandurangi devoted the whole life for Research and publication in Dvaita Vedanta and Purvamimamsa. He received encouragement and guidance from Dr.

Sharma all along his academic career with great humility.

Mädhvavedanta Bhushana Dr. D.N. Shanbhag who was a student of both Prof. K.T. Pandurangi and Dr. B.N.K. Sharma at M.A. and Ph.D. respectively was inspired by

Dr. Sharma to undertake research in Dvaita Vedanta. “The entire credit of research and publications made by him goes to Dr. Sharma only” (-Dr DN Shanbhag). Dr. Sharma's devoted son and student Dr. S. K.

Bhavani rose to become the HOD of Sanskrit & Principal in one of Mumbai's prestigious Colleges and taught P. G. Classes at Mumbai University apart from publishing a standard work on Bhagavadgita.

Dr. Sharma's devoted life partner Matusri Hemalatabai followed him to the heavenly abode in the same month i.e. 29th July, 2005 as a true Sahadharmacharini. He leaves behind him his daughter Sou. Vibha Srinivasan, son Dr. Sudhindra K.

Bhavani, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We are indeed fortunate, that a titan amongst men, Dr. BNK Sharma once lived amongst us. It would not be incorrect to say that he has been Sri Hari Vayu Gurugalu’s blessing to Academic circles as well as the English-reading layman.

I would like to close this thread with the Bhavanikrishnamurtisharmamahodayanam prashasti by Pandit Anandatirthacharya Sharma:

Extracted with Edits from: Dr. SK Bhavani, Dr DN Shanbhag, NS Chakrapani, R Sridharan, M Gopalacharya, Dr. MG Diggavi and Pt Anandatirthacharya Sharma’s articles in the Dr BNK Sharma Commemoration Volume.

Shri Vadiraja Tirtha Gurvantargata Shri Bharati Ramana Mukhyapranantargata Shri Krishnarpanamastu!