Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, released the Gujarati edition of the collected works (Granthavali) of Adi Shankaracharya, published by the 'Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust' in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today. Many dignitaries were present on this occasion.

Addressing the program, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that the availability of Adi Shankaracharya's Gyan Sagar in the Gujarati language is a matter of great joy for the readers of Gujarat. He said that the collected works of Adi Shankaracharya published in Gujarati language are a great treasure for the youth of Gujarat. Shri Shah said that Gyan Sagar composed by Adi Shankaracharya in Sanskrit has today been made available to Gujarati youth, and in the coming years, when discussions about good literature take place, the effort of 'Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust' will definitely be counted among them.

Shri Amit Shah said that the life of Swami Akhandanand Ji was such that people themselves added the word 'Bhikshu' to the name of that great person. Bhikshu Akhandanand dedicated his life to the literature of Ayurveda, Sanatan Dharma, and that presents noble thoughts to society. Swami Akhandanand Ji had conceived during his lifetime that the youth of Gujarat should have access to excellent literary works at very affordable prices. He established a large institution and, during his lifetime, published numerous texts, including Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Yoga Vasishtha, the teachings of Swami Ramtirtha, Ramkathamrit, and books on ethics and moral principles.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the 'Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust' has made available in the Gujarati language many important texts, including Kautilya's Arthashastra. Swami Akhandanand Ji played a very significant role in the collective character-building of Gujarat. He collected various literary materials and made them accessible to the youth in a very simple manner. Swami Akhandanand Ji presented the essence of Sanatan Dharma in Gujarati through the statements of numerous sages and seers. Further, to awaken the inner being of individuals, Swami Akhandanand Ji also made available many inspirational stories (Bodhkathayein) to the Gujarati youth.

Shri Amit Shah said that after the advent of the internet, people thought that perhaps no one would read books anymore, but the publication of these 24 books has strengthened this belief that the new generation also reads. He said that Adi Shankaracharya Ji's this Gyan Sagar is available today for our Gujarati youth, and it will certainly have a profound impact on their lives and actions. He said that Adi Shankaracharya Ji established such a tradition through which the service of Sanatan will continue for ages to come. Shri Shah said that knowledge never ends; knowledge always continues to progress. He said that in all the knowledge available in this creation so far, there is nothing greater than “Shivoham”. No one else can provide such a simple, precise, and truth-proximate interpretation of the Upanishads; this task could only be accomplished by Adi Shankaracharya Ji.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that due to the emergence of numerous evil practices, many doubts and apprehensions had arisen regarding Sanatan Dharma. He said that when the texts of Adi Shankaracharya are studied in a systematic and sequential manner, it becomes evident that he himself, within his own lifetime, dispelled all the doubts and apprehensions and provided logical, reasoned answers to every objection and counter-argument.

The Home Minister urged the youth that, with the availability of Gujarati translation and interpretive translation, they must now read the text ‘Vivekachudamani’ composed by Adi Shankaracharya Ji at least once. He said that Adi Shankaracharya Ji did not merely provide ideas; along with ideas, he also gave India integration and synthesis. He did not just impart knowledge, but also gave it a definite form and structure. Adi Shankaracharya Ji did not merely present the concept of Moksha, but also paved and explained the path to attain Moksha. Shri Shah said that in such a short lifespan, Adi Shankaracharya Ji undertook foot journeys across the country several times. Adi Shankaracharya Ji essentially played the role of a walking university of that era. He did not merely undertake foot journeys, but also presented and established the identity of India.

Shri Amit Shah said that Adi Shankaracharya Ji established four Mutts in the four directions, founded the Gyan Dweep, and hoisted the flag of Sanatan in all four directions. He established a permanent arrangement for the preservation and promotion of all the Vedas and Upanishads by dividing them under the auspices of these four Mutts. To ensure that Sanatan Dharma does not become irrelevant even in the most difficult circumstances, Adi Shankaracharya ji established the akharas and created an organization for the protection of Sanatan culture. Shri Shah said that the possibility of attaining Moksha through the three paths—Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action), and Gyan (knowledge)—is a great contribution of Adi Shankaracharya ji, who presented this integrated vision. Adi Shankaracharya ji revived the tradition of Shastrarth (scriptural debate), established the foundation of dialogue-based resolution, and laid the groundwork for a culture of debating. He also stated that Adi Shankaracharya ji paved the way for common people to recognize the core principles of Sanatan Dharma, starting from the worship of nature.

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