Renowned spiritual guru Morari Bapu released the revised edition of Aranyakanda from the Valmiki Ramayana, edited and translated by noted scholar and a recipient of the President of India Award, Dr. Vijay Pandya, at Chitrakutdham Talgajarda on Tuesday. Morari Bapu had earlier also released Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, and Sundarkanda published by Dr. Pandya.Dr. Pandya is dedicated to translating the revised edition of the Valmiki Ramayana into Gujarati.Remarkably, this initiative is being undertaken exclusively in Gujarati, the only language in India where such work is in progress. Apart from English and Gujarati, the revised edition of this Ramayana has not been translated into any other language.
Speaking on the occasion, Morari Bapu likened the publication of Aranyakanda to an ongoing Mahayagna (sacred ritual). Dr. Pandya also shared that Kishkindhakanda is currently in the printing stage. Recognising his commitment to the Ramayana, Dr. Pandya has been honoured with the Valmiki Award inspired by Morari Bapu. Morari Bapu extended his blessings to Dr. Rajvi Oza, a disciple of Dr. Pandya and a Sanskrit professor at St. Xavier’s College in Ahmedabad, for receiving an award in recognition of her outstanding research work. The book Bahushruta (Volumes 1 to 10), a collection of speeches from the Sanskrit session organised under the patronage of Morari Bapu, has been edited by Dr. Pandya and co-edited by Dr. Rajvi Oza.