Acharya Narendra Bhooshan

Acharya Narendra Bhooshan (Acharyaji) is an Indian linguist, orator, writer, translator, journalist and a publisher with a deep commitment to society at large.

The most remarkable aspect of his personality is the reformist zeal and vision with regard to the learning and practice of Vedic scholarship among all Hindus irrespective of their caste marks.

Early life

Born at Chengannur, in central Travancore area, a hundred kilometers west of the famous Sabarimala temple, young Narendra was brought up in very pious and austere surroundings. He completed his school education in Kallissery High School, Chengannur in the year 1952 and joined NSS Hindu College, Changanasserry for higher studies.

Education

Later, he accepted various jobs before reaching the famous temple of learning, Dayananda Brahma Mahavidyalaya Hissar, Haryana. At Hissar, he was very quick in learning Sanskrit and the different branches of Vedic literature. His education at Hissar kindled in him a sense of purpose a precise direction and a line of action in the true sense of the term, The prefix and suffix to his name - Acharya and Bhooshan- the academic titles received from Dayananda Mahavidyalaya, Hissar. This inquisitive master learned a lot in the Gurukulam style from Pr. Gayanchand (Lahore), Sri Brahma Muniji (Punjab), and Pt. Jagdish Chandra Shastri (U.P.) and in the matter of Vedic relevance.

Returning from Hissar to his home state, he bestowed his whole life for the cause of Vedic literature in India. He showed a total dedication and diligent in spreading the light of the Vedas. He took it as a mission to spread Vedic knowledge in the state. Acharya Narendra Bhooshan, before dedicating his life to the Vedas, had began working at the tender age of 20. He started as an office assistant in an Export Company in Thiruvananthapuram in 1957. He also worked as a teacher and a journalist for brief periods. At present he is the "Kulapathi" of Saraswathi Vaidika Gurukulam- Chenganoor.

The Acharya is also the founder editor of "ARSHA NADAM" Magazine, which is exclusively devoted to the studies related to the Vedas and Upanishads. The steady publication of the magazine for the last thirty-year is ample evidence to prove his mettle as a publisher and also his profound scholarship. Even while trying to propagate the Vedic wisdom, the Acharya also tried to do his bit in brining out social reforms in the Hindu society marred by divisions and caste hatred. This is one aspect that has not been well understood by even those close to him. He has contributed a lot for the rehabilitation of the marginalized section of Hindus in the state. He revolted against the practice of untouchability and admitted all Hindus irrespective of their caste, in his "Gurukulam". Moreover he initiated them to the world of Vedic knowledge by presenting them with the sacred thread (janayu) and the scared Mantra, hitherto viewed as exclusive birthrights of Brahmins. Noted for his oratory skills, the Acharya has so far delivered about 4,500 discourses on various topics mainly on Vedas and Vedic practices. He is still continuing his life's mission ignoring health problems. It was Acharya Narendra Bhushan who for first time in Kerala introduced postal tuition classes for Sanskrit. He established the 'Veda Press' (Akshara Bodhini) in Chengannur in 1978 mainly for publishing materials and books related to Vedic studies in Malayalam.

Published works

He has to his credit a large number of books - translations, commentary and his original works. There are forty books by Acharya Bhushan on Hindu philosophy and ancient wisdom. He also contributed to the welfare of the society by conducting two brihat (large) 'Yajnas' Atharvaveda Yajna and Chathurveda Yajna at the Mahadeva temple Chengannur in Kerala during 1995. Perhaps his magnum opus is the "Chathurveda Samhitha", transcriptions of the entire chants and mantras of the four Vedas in the Malayalam alphabet along with a profound commentary. Acharya Narendra Bhooshan's commentaries on all major Upanishads are proof of his profound knowledge in that sphere. These commentaries in Malayalam are perhaps the most authentic illustration of the meaning of the Upanishads published in the language. He has also done Lokamanya Tilak's "Geetha Rahasyam", Justice Ganga prasad's Orgin of Religion , Swamy Sathyapathi Parivrajaka's "Yogameemamsa" in to Malayalam. "Yogameemamsa" explain the true meaning of Yoga dispelling all superstitions of about the practice of Yaga. The contribution of Swamy Dayananda Sarswathy and Aryasamaj were made familiar to the people of Kerala mainly through Acharya's work of "Sathyartha Prakasham" which was originally written in Hindi. Other work in Sanskrit by Maharshi Dayananda Saraswathy like, "Veda Paryatanam", "Vedageethamrutham" "Achara Bhanu" "Aryabhivinayam" Aryodhesha Ratnamala" were brought into Malayalam by Acharya Narendra Bhushan. Another very important- work is a commentary on "Harinama Keerthanam" explaining the Upanishad and Vedic dimensions of this simple yet very popular Keerthanam. "Mahamrithumjayam" is another significant work by the author which is a commentary on the inequitable problem of conform by death and the method of talking it by detachment. "Upasana" is another Malayalam work by Acharya Narendra Bhooshan giving in details the Pancha Mahayajna's to be practical in daily life.

This book serves as a practical guide for the layman in conducting his life. He has also contributed to the field of literature by translating BHASA's famous Sanskrit dramas "Abhisheka" and "Ooru Bhanga" to Malayalam. Acharya's all works intensively and consistently reveal an ardent desire to visualise the meaning of the Vedas and Upanishads in a new light without compromising on the fundamentals of Vedic Wisdom. Intense the Malayalam work "Yogesweranaya Sree Krishna' gives a convincing picture of the life Sreekrishna as a Yogi. "Ayodhyayile Sree Raman" is yet another work that render proof for the author's mind "Yaga Parichayam" is the only authoritative work in Malayalam that gives all the details regarding the "Yaga". Another book 'Paralokavum Punarjanmavum' serves as an important social book on Acharya Narendra Bhooshan's thoughts on puranic tradition, religion and spirituality. This book emphasizes the link between spirituality and scientific thought and dismissed some religious practices when they act as obstacles to the development of the self. It is a lucid experience of the conventional ideas about the body and the mind in the light of born faith in life in this world. This book also attempts to unveil the mysteries concerning life after death.

Awards and Honours

Acharya Narendra Bhooshan is also the recipient of many awards and recognitions. The Arya Sama Centenary puraskar 1983, Maharshi Dayanand Puraskar both from Ajmeer, the Vedopadesha Puraskar Bombay in 1992 presented by the then President of India,Dr Gyani Zail Singh, are a few to name. Another prestigious award, the first Amrita Keerthi Puraskaram (award) was also bestowed to Acharya Narendra Bhooshan. He was among the panel of scholars to prepare the History of Vedic literature in 1988 for the Kerala Sahitya Academy. The work was published by the Academy in 1991. He also served as a member in the selection committee for Academy Award of Kerala Sahitya Academy. He was entrusted by the Kerala state language institute to prepare the history of the three reformation movements of 19th Century, the Arya Samaj, the Brahma Samaj and Prarthana Samaj and the work has been completed in stipulated time. Another work by Pt. Veda Bandhu Sharma is under the process of publication under his editorship entitled the Nirukta Pravesika of Yaskka Muni. Genial and having gentle manners, he does not subscribe to the stance of those who make a mess of the secular fabric of the country. Rooted in righteousness and truth and reinforced by the wisdom of ages and sages, the Hindu vision is much wider, broader and loftier " Distorting it to suit selfish ends is nothing but an act of desecration," he avers, As a doyen of Vedic literature, Acharya Narendra Bhooshan creates a niche for himself. His contribution to Vedic scholarship through commentaries translations articles and speeches spread, over the last four decades help the common man to gain a new faith in India's ancient wisdom.