He occupied no chair in the cloistered walls of the sky-kissing buildings in any university. He is no charlatan either. A superannuated top cop from his profession, Sanskrit study was his passion. The study of the quintessential aspects of Indian culture through Sanskrit became the systolic and diastolic movement of his heart and soul, his career in a seemingly diametrically opposite profession in police service notwithstanding. Born in a remote village in Bhojpur district of Bihar, Arun Kumar Upadhyay he had his education from the Patna Science College securing an enviable position among the list of successful candidates. Before completing his M. Sc in Physics, he was called to join the Indian Forest Service. After a brief stint in the IFS in the Punjab cadre, he was again selected for the IPS. He completed his career in the IPS by climbing the hierarchical ladder beginning from his postings as SP Madhepura, SP Katihar (both in Bihar), SP, Koraput, Kalahandi, SSO (Homeguards), AIG, SP, CID, (Crime Branch), Commandant of Orissa State Armed Police, Superintendant, Railway Police, Rourkela, Principal, Traffic Training School, Bhubaneswar, AIG & DIG in State Police Headquarter, IGP (Training), Director-State Crime Record Bureau, Director-State Police Academy and finally as Addl. DGP (State Police Headquarter) from which he retired. While in service, he completed his M. Sc in Mathematics from the Utkal University. His contributions in Sanskrit studies include translation of Siddhanta Darpan, Mathematical Commentary in two volumes, Vedic View of Sri Jagannatha, Sankhya Siddhanta, Panchanga Parichaya, Origin of Orissa names, Unity in Durga Saptasati, Nature of Numbers (translation of three Sanskrit books of Shankaracharya), Gayatri-Panchadashi, Purush Sukta and over 60 research papers published in various national and international journals. He is critical of our Indian sahibs who maintain that Sanskrit is a dead language. He believes that sincere efforts by governmental and nongovernmental wings can restore and rejuvenate this great language as a rare living and spoken language in the world. In an interview to The Pioneer, this scholar-extraordinary, Arun Kumar Upadhyay spoke to Sugyan Choudhury at his Palaspalli residence, Bhubaneswar.
How did you become interested in ancient Sanskrit literature with your science background and police serviceIJ
In the Indian society, people often refer to the family background. You will be glad to know that one person in each generation of my family has had been studying Sanskrit. Even my father was permitted to learn English on the condition that he would not quit Sanskrit. English medium education was a shock for him in the sense that it was opposed to all things that were Indian. He wanted to explain Vedic knowledge in modern terms. For that, he started studying mathematics and physics. On the advice of a Tamil saint, he started compiling a Vedic dictionary. I was surprised that even in my childhood he discussed any interesting Vedic topic with me only. He said college teachers or students were not interested in anything out of syllabus. I had original texts of Sanskrit at home which I read since childhood without a formal study of Sanskrit. That created contempt about university texts on Indian history and philosophy that its authors are either ignorant or writing deliberate falsehood. And again, proximity of Shree Jagannatha is main inspiration for me to continue my Sanskrit studies.
How do you find Sanskrit study as useful in modern scienceIJ
Since the time of sacred thread ceremony when Gayatri mantra is explained, I was curious as to how the concept of seven lokas came. This is possible only when measure structures of space are known. Otherwise, there will be only two lokas, earth and sky. I was always in search of measurement part of Vedic texts. Still, I thought that ancient knowledge was primitive especially for me who was studying M.Sc. (physics) before service and did M.Sc. (Math) after joining service. But while writing commentary on Siddhanta Darpana, I came across many topics which are beyond scope of anything in modern physics and other branches of science. There have been many modern commentaries on Indian astronomy since 1865. But they have assumed all mathematical methods as intelligent guesswork and measures of galaxy as Hindu penchant for large numbers. Study of technical texts is useful for guiding future development in modern sciences in many fields. (1) Exact measures of space which are still incomplete compared to ancient measures. (2) Hierarchy of space structures and micro words with a total of 13 levels which is not perceived in any modern theory. (3) Interlink between three major world systems, cosmic, earth and human body which is basis of Yoga, Ayurveda and complete theories of cosmology. (4) Parallel between world views (Darshan) and scripts (Darsha-Vak= visible sound). (5) Extension of word meanings in seven systems. (6) Simultaneous existence of two or three complementary theories of world. In modern physics, we are still perplexed by opposing theories of Quantum Mechanics and Relativity.
How does Sanskrit offer the mantra of national integrationIJ
All Indian languages including the so-called Dravidian language are based on Sanskrit only. Meaning and derivation of every word in Indian language (and most foreign words of Semitic origin also) is based on Sanskrit only. In Sanskrit, meaning and derivation of words is in two ways -Vyakarana (grammar) is derivation from root verbs by suffixes and prefixes. Nirukta is derivation as per methods of science or society. Difference of languages in India is due to differences in geography, set up, or context. In same region, words have different meanings in trade, branches of science, technical subjects, etc. Words relating to ocean can be in Odisha, not in Bihar or so-called Indus Valley civilisation. Words of minerals will be only in north Odisha or Jharkhand. It is stated before Bhagavata discourse that knowledge was born in Dravida, grew in Karnataka and spread till Maharashtra. Names of these States and structures of their languages are based on those stages of development only. Most basic is that only Sanskrit literature can tell about our own country without which modern descriptions are baseless guess-works written only to break the country.
Is Sanskrit a dead language irrelevant in modern eraIJ
Actually, Sanskrit is the only living language. Hindi or Odia of 500 years ago used by Tulasidas or Jagannath Das is vastly different from languages used today. If you listen to any interview in TV, Hindi or Odia talk will have more words of English than any Indian words. But meaning of Sanskrit words is same which was at least 20,000 years ago. Many topics of Vedic texts can be understood only as per current meanings of those words in modern languages. For example, Indra was lokapala (lord) of eastern part. So, the words used in this context are used only from Odisha to Vietnam and Indonesia and most of those meanings are not found in any dictionary.
How was it possible for you to combine Vedic studies in your police service careerIJ
In one way, it was helpful. As my father said, students and teachers in university don’t have any interest in any topic which is not in syllabus. More important comment was made by Pandit Somayajulu, President of World Vedic Conference at Sri-Sailam in 2001. He remarked after my lecture that I was fortunate that I didn’t have to study Sanskrit, history or philosophy in college. Firstly, this study is in English medium which keeps the student completely ignorant of actual Sanskrit texts. Secondly, it creates anti-Indian bias since childhood. My work being opposite to general trend created by British and continued till today was not possible in any university. It was accepted by default as nobody fully understands Sanskrit and methods of science both. But being against general trend created many criminal and civil cases against me continuing till today. People made hindrances on my way as pure knowledge stands opposed to moneymaking.
What are your future plansIJ
I started with mathematical commentary on Siddhanta Darpana in 1800 pages and wrote many more books about which I mentioned you. Now, I have started work on two lines. One is geography and history of Puranas and the other is commentary on Vedas starting with Taittiriya Samhita. When I think it is the work of lord Jagannatha, it proceeds irrespective of all obstacles and impediments.