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From the Bhakti List Archives

M.A.Laksmitatachar • January 18, 1996 


Pranams to everybody.
         
I am happy to associate myself with an electronic forum devoted 
to Visistadvaita.  Let me introduce myself.
         
Born in a family of svayam-acharya-purusas, I was encouraged 
to study Sanskrit and Vedanta.  Apart from my educational  quali
fications, I have done Sribhashyam kalaksepam under the lotus feet 
of  Vidvan  Karpangadu Venkatacharya for more  than  four  years.  
After  teaching  Sanskrit in Government  colleges  and  Bangalore 
University  for  14 years, I joined the Academy of  Sanskrit  Re
search,  an autonomous body engaged in research and study in  the 
field of Vedanta, with a primary focus on Visistadvaita.


         
The  head  quarters of the Academy is  located  in  Melkote, 
which is hallowed by the presence of Acharya Ramanuja.  The  main 
activities  of this organisation are research and publication  in 
the  field  of  Vedanta, Sanskrit &  allied  sciences,  organising 
seminars, conferences and short term courses, encouraging  inter
action between the Sanskritists and the sceintists, developing  a 
traditional Indian garden. A library of 20,000 titles on various
systems of Vedanta & Indology etc. and 10,050 palm-leaf and paper
manuscripts is already established.

My interests - Developing computer-aided teaching  softwares 
for  Sanskrit and sastras; producing audio-video cassettes on the
lives of Alwars, Acharyas and saints of India; singing Alwar
divyaprabandhams with music; ancient architecture and traditional
building techniques; publishing ancient texts; developing daivarama
(a garden meant for the deities) and a herbal garden.

I  have  been  receiving the postings of  the  prapatti  net 
users.   I am happy to note that our young generation  is 
evincing keen interest in the treasure house of knowledge 
contained in our  ancient texts.  


         
I  am happy to learn that the net has taken up a project  to 
store on CDROM the pictures of deities of 108 divyadesams.  It is 
a laudable work.  I would like to tell you that T.T. Devasthanams 
have published a book in English called 108 divyadesams by  Miss. 
Ramesh,  Madras.  And, Parthasarathy Cultural Academy  of  Madras 
has  published in four volumes a work titled `108  Sri  Vaishnava 
Divya  Desams - A devotional Pilgrimage of a Dasanudasa'  (avail
able at The South India Saiva Siddhanta Works Publishing Society, 
Tinnevelly Ltd., 154, TTK Salai, Madras 600 018).  If anybody  is 
willing  to  get these books, (to avoid delay) I will  order  and 
arrange  to send the books by post.  Do write to me  at     tata
char@asrm.ernet.in
         
We have many texts in Sanskrit/kannada on floppies.  Most of 
there  were  fed in Macintosh computers using PageMaker  3.0  and 
font  packages.  I  would be happy if someone  can  enlighten  me 
regarding providing these texts on internet.  Also, please suggest
whether a particular format/package (like windows/PageMaker) is
required for provide textual material on Internet.

PLEASE NOTE: THE FAMOUS VAIRAMUDI FESTIVAL IS ON 29TH MARCH '96. 
THE RAMANUJACHARYA TIRUNAKSHATRAM IS ON 23 APRIL 96.  INTERESTED
PERSONS MAY PLAN A VISIT TO MELKOTE TO ATTEND THESE UTSAVAMS.
Regards, MA LAKSHMITHATHACHAR.
Postal  address: Director, ACADEMY OF SANSKRIT RESEARCH,  
MELKOTE 571 431 KARNATAKA PH: 08232-38741