UTTANKITA VIDYA - ARANYA TRUST

For a nation’s sense of self identity a true and valid perception of the past is most important. A nation’s character is to a large extent shaped and determined by the past and is vital for determining the path for the future.

While other cultures and civilizations had a Thucydides, Herodotus and Tacitus who composed and left a comprehensive history of and upto their times India had none. But the most important source of Indian History is the epigraphic records on stone, copper plates, clay tablets, coins and such imperishable material.

There have been periodic writings of a religious nature and compositions of art but they have to be tested for accuracy and freedom from the composer’s subjectivity. Epigraphs Which are the original source of history serve as the touchstone for such pieces.

For recording India’s Ancient History and Culture His Holiness the late venerable Paramacharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha instructed that there be established “The Uttankita Vidya Aranya Trust” (Uttankita –chiseled or sculpted; Vidya Aranya =Forest of Knowledge) Three important aspects of His Holiness’s commission to the Trust deserve to be emphasized.

The Task of the Uttankita Vidya – Aranya

First: The Trust’s work should be collation, chronological serialization and presentation in Sanskrit with English translation and notes of important epigraphs relating to India.

Second: While epigraphs are in many Indian languages priority to be given to those in Sanskrit concerning the most important subjects namely History, Religion cum Philosophy, Literature, Grants and Proclamations.

Third: The work of the Trust should be done on a strictly non-sectarian basis, totally objective and free of subjective bias.

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