“…..Veda to be the foundation of the Sanatan Dharma; I believe it to be the concealed divinity within Hinduism,—but a veil has to be drawn aside, a curtain has to be lifted. I believe it to be knowable and discoverable. I believe the future of India and the world to depend on its discovery and on its application, not to the renunciation of life, but to life in the world and among men.” — Sri Aurobindo
Marking a significant milestone in the spiritual legacy of Sri Aurobindo and the Divine Mother, the international conference Living Veda 2026 | Puducherry Edition was organized in Puducherry on October 24 2026. Themed “Shruti to Shakti: Modern Interpretation of the Veda(s) in the Light of Sri Aurobindo,” the conference sought to explore the enduring relevance of Vedic knowledge through the transformative philosophy and spiritual vision of Sri Aurobindo.
The event was held in the context of the centenary celebrations associated with the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the approaching observance of Siddhi Day on November 24. Siddhi Day commemorates the spiritual attainment of November 24, 1926, regarded by devotees as a landmark event in the spiritual history of the Ashram and associated with the descent of Krishna Consciousness, or Overmental Consciousness.
The inaugural session of the conference commenced with Dīpa Prajvālanam (traditional lamp-lighting), followed by the chanting of sacred Vedic mantras by the Acharya and students of Vedashrama Gurukula, Puducherry, invoking divine blessings and creating an auspicious spiritual ambience for the proceedings.
Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary of AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry, and a convenor of the conference, highlighted the importance of revisiting Vedic teachings in the context of present-day challenges and aspirations. He noted that the conference seeks to connect the timeless insights of the Vedas with contemporary thought, while encouraging deeper engagement with their spiritual, philosophical, and practical dimensions.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Thiru N. Rangasamy in his message conveyed that “the tradition of ancient Puducherry as Vedapuri, and its association with Maharshi Agastya and Vedapurisvara, forms an important part of the cultural heritage that deserves continued study and documentation. Hon’ble Chief Minister also mentioned that ‘the contribution of Sri Aurobindo assumes profound significance. Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of the Veda revealed it as a record of spiritual experience and an evolutionary vision of consciousness rather than merely a collection of ancient ritual hymns.’
At the Living Veda 2026 international conference in Puducherry, Dr. Ajit Sabnis, Chairman of the Sri Aurobindo Society State Committee, Karnataka, and a patron of the event, underscored the importance of interpreting ancient wisdom as a living source of knowledge that fosters individual transformation and collective progress, beyond its historical and textual significance.
Shri Matri Prasad of Sri Aurobindo Ashram highlighted the Ashram’s role as a centre for the evolution of consciousness and the practice of Integral Yoga. Prof. Virupaksha Jaddipal, Secretary of Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan (MSRVVP), Ujjain, emphasised the significance of the Vedas and the need to preserve and transmit this ancient knowledge to future generations.
Prof. Raghunath V. Jahagirdar, Managing Trustee of the Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture, Bengaluru, highlighted the conference’s role in connecting India’s spiritual heritage with contemporary intellectual inquiry. He stressed the relevance of Vedic wisdom to exploring human consciousness, realising human potential and understanding societal evolution.
Shri Pradeep Narang, Chairman of the Sri Aurobindo Society, spoke on Sri Aurobindo’s teachings on the four powers of the Divine Mother—Maheshwari, Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. He highlighted their significance in spiritual transformation, divine manifestation and the evolution of human consciousness towards a higher state of being.
A major focus of the conference was the Divine Feminine and Śakti in the Vedas, including the spiritual significance of Sarasvatī, Aditi, Vāk and Uṣas. Drawing on Sri Aurobindo’s The Secret of the Veda and Integral Yoga, discussions explored the Divine Mother, Vedic symbolism, mantra, cosmic order, gender and leadership. The deliberations also examined the relevance of Vedic wisdom to education, culture, social development and conscious evolution.
Puducherry’s distinctive spiritual heritage, shaped by Vedic, Tamil and Siddha traditions and its historical associations with Vedapuri and Maharshi Agastya, provided a meaningful context for these exchanges. The conference envisioned strengthening the city’s position as a centre for Vedic studies and dialogue between traditional knowledge and contemporary perspectives.
The book Yoga Mimamsa, authored by Yogesh Waikar, and the Puducherry edition of the Living Veda conference proceedings were formally released. The publications aim to advance engagement with Vedic knowledge, yogic philosophy and Sri Aurobindo’s spiritual vision.
An exhibition of paintings by Shri Prabhat Rautray, themed “Divine Feminine,” complemented the conference. Inspired by Vedic goddesses and Indian spiritual traditions, the exhibition celebrated the symbolic richness and transformative dimensions of the Divine Feminine.
Living Veda Conference 2026: Report on Academic Sessions
Session 1: Vāk, Vedic Powers and Inner Practice
The session explored Vedic speech, sacred sound, spiritual practice and human potential. Dr. Alka Thanvi examined the contemporary relevance of Vedic Vāk, highlighting its significance in communication and spiritual practice. Dr. Raghunath V. Jahagirdar discussed human potential through Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation of the Vedas. Vid. Sri Adithya Rangan C. K. presented Dīkṣā, Śraddhā, Medhā and Dakṣiṇā as four concepts associated with spiritual development and higher consciousness. Sri M. A. Prakash Kumar explored Aditi as a symbol of indivisible consciousness and Ṛta as cosmic order. Sri Ganesh Sharma and Vid. Sri Adithya Rangan C. K. demonstrated mantra chanting, emphasising sacred sound and oral tradition. Students of Arundhati Gurukulam, Bengaluru, presented an Indian Knowledge Systems contribution, highlighting the transmission of traditional knowledge to younger generations.
Session 2: Vedic Goddesses, the Divine Mother and Women’s Agency
This session examined feminine divinity and women’s intellectual and social roles. Acharya Dr. Arun Prabhakaran explored the significance of goddesses in Vedic literature. Ms. Vishalakshi Satyan discussed the Divine Mother in Vedic thought and Integral Yoga, highlighting the relationship between divine feminine power and spiritual transformation. Dr. Gyanaranjan Panda critically examined women’s intellectual participation and social autonomy through Vedic literature.
Day 2 — Session 3: Puducherry, Vedic Revelation and Conscious Evolution
The session explored Vedic interpretation, spiritual awakening and Puducherry’s significance in contemporary Vedic studies. Prof. Renuka Rathore examined the symbolism of the Īśāvāsyopaniṣad through Sri Aurobindo’s interpretation and modern healing perspectives. Sri Sushrut A. Badhe, with co-author Ms. Chitra S., explored Usha as a symbol of awakening and emerging consciousness. Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy and Ms. Charu Tripathy presented Puducherry as a modern Naimiṣāraṇya, emphasising its potential as a centre for Vedic learning and spiritual inquiry.
Session 4: Mantra and Vedic Practice
Sri Sujith V presented a Śākta analysis of the Ganapati Atharvaśīrṣa, exploring its spiritual and theological significance. Sri Rounak Maheshwari examined Sandhyopāsanā and Pañca Mahāyajña as traditional practices that may support personal development, disciplined living and collective well-being.
Session 5: Vedic Knowledge, Society and Human Potential
Sri Anil Kumar Arya and Dr. Harish Chandra discussed integral transformation and conscious evolution, focusing on inner development. Dr. Subash Chandra Sharma examined the epistemological and ontological foundations of Indian Knowledge Systems through Shruti and Smriti. Prof. G. Padmanabham highlighted women’s intellectual and cultural contributions during the Vedic period, emphasising the importance of historical inquiry into their role in knowledge traditions.
Session 6: Integral Transformation, Education and Contemporary Life
Dr. Shrikant A. Jamadagni’s paper explored the application of Integral Yoga and Vedānta to human transformation and the aspiration for supramental consciousness. Ms. Savi Sarin examined the relevance of Vedic wisdom to education, cultural preservation and social development. Dr. Rohini Srivathsa and Dr. Harish Chandra discussed Upāsanā in the age of artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of reflection, inner discipline and ethical awareness in transforming information into wisdom. Dr. Umapathy’s Acharya delivered an insightful lecture on the Vedic tradition, highlighting its significance and underlying principles with particular reference to temple architecture and its spiritual, cultural, and philosophical dimensions.
Valedictory session:
The valedictory session commenced with Collective Meditation accompanied by the Mother’s Music, creating an atmosphere of inner reflection and spiritual aspiration. This was followed by the chanting of Vedic Mantras, the singing of the National Song Vande Mataram.
The welcome address was delivered by Shri Bindu Madhava Jahagirdar, Secretary, SAKSHI Trust, Bengaluru. The keynote address and conspectus were presented by Dr. Ajit Sabnis, Member-Executive and Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society State Committee, Karnataka.
An overview of the conference proceedings was presented by Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, and Convenor, Living Veda – Puducherry.
The Guests of Honour addressed the gathering: Professor Virupaksha Jaddipal, Secretary, Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh; Professor Chakradhar Behera, Head, Department of Sanskrit, Pondicherry University; and Professor Umapathy Acharya, Director, Institute of Sacred Architecture and Sthapati, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
A speech of gratitude was delivered by Dr. Raghunath V. Jahagirdar, Managing Trustee and Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture, Bengaluru. Shri Kunjavihari Pandeya, representing Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ujjain, proposed the vote of thanks.
Recommendations of the Conference
1. A formal representation will be submitted to the Government of Puducherry, proposing the renaming of Puducherry as “Vedapuri.” This initiative seeks to revive the region’s ancient cultural and spiritual heritage while harmoniously integrating its historical traditions with contemporary values, aspirations, and modern ethos.
2. Institutional networks will be established among universities, research centres, educational institutions, cultural organisations, and other relevant bodies. These collaborations will facilitate knowledge sharing, academic exchanges, joint initiatives, and interdisciplinary research, to preserve, promote, and advance the cultural and intellectual heritage of Vedapuri.
3. Research projects will be formulated to explore the historical, cultural, literary, philosophical, and spiritual significance of the Vedas. These projects will encourage scholarly investigations, documentation of traditional knowledge, interdisciplinary studies, and the generation of evidence-based insights connecting the rich heritage with contemporary academic discourse.
4. People-to-people networks will be developed to foster meaningful interactions among scholars, educators, students, cultural practitioners, community leaders, and the general public. Such networks will encourage mutual understanding, cultural exchange, public participation, and collective responsibility in preserving the region’s historical identity and promoting its enduring cultural values.
5. Various dissemination activities will be organised to communicate the outcomes of the conference and its subsequent initiatives to wider audiences. These activities may include seminars, conferences, public lectures, publications, exhibitions, workshops, and digital outreach programmes to enhance public awareness and encourage informed engagement with the historical and cultural significance of the Vedic tradition.
Concluding Remarks
The academic programme of the Living Veda Conference 2026 brought together a broad range of perspectives on Vedic literature, spiritual practice, philosophical inquiry and contemporary social concerns.
The international conference was jointly organised by the Sri Aurobindo Society, the Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture, Central Sanskrit University, and Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
Through scholarly dialogue, publications and artistic expression, Living Veda 2026 reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Vedic wisdom and Sri Aurobindo’s integral philosophy in fostering spiritual growth, cultural continuity and a deeper understanding of human consciousness.
The presentations explored Vāk and mantra as dimensions of Vedic practice; the significance of goddesses and the Divine Mother; women's intellectual and social contributions; the foundations of Indian Knowledge Systems; and the relevance of Vedic and Vedantic traditions to education, human potential and conscious evolution.
A recurring theme was the possibility of engaging with the Vedas as a living tradition rather than solely as a historical body of knowledge. In the light of Sri Aurobindo's vision, the sessions invited reflection on the relationship between spiritual knowledge, inner development and the transformation of human consciousness.
The conference also encouraged dialogue between traditional scholarship and contemporary concerns, including healing, social development and artificial intelligence. The participation of scholars, practitioners and students underscored the importance of sustaining and transmitting India's intellectual and spiritual heritage.
The Living Veda Conference 2026 thus provided a forum for continued reflection on the relevance of Shruti and Shakti to the human quest for knowledge, spiritual growth and conscious evolution.
The session concluded with the chanting of the Shanti Mantra by Vidvan Shri Ganesh Sharma, invoking peace, harmony and universal well-being.
Patrons:
Dr. Ajit Sabnis, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society State Committee, Karnataka.
Prof. Raghunath V Jahagirdar, Managing Trustee, Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry
Institute of Vedic Culture, Bengaluru.
Convenors:
Dr. Kishor Kumar Tripathy, Member Secretary, AuroBharati,
Sri Aurobindo Society, Puducherry.
Sri Bindumadhava V Jahagirdar, Secretary, Sri Aurobindo Kapāli Sāstry Institute of Vedic
Culture, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
