Dairatul Maarif in Hyderabad preserves the Bhagavad Gita in Arabic
At a time of rising religious polarisation, Hyderabad's Dairatul Maarifil Osmania is setting a remarkable example of interfaith harmony by preserving sacred Hindu texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana in Arabic and Persian.
Located within the Osmania University campus, this 136-year-old Oriental Research Institute was founded in 1888 by the 6th Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha. Traditionally known for editing and publishing rare Arabic manuscripts, Dairatul Maarif has published over 240 scholarly titles across 800 volumes.
Among its most notable contributions is the Arabic edition of the Bhagavad Gita, titled 'Al Kita', translated from Sanskrit by Dr Makhan Lal Roy Choudhury of Calcutta University. First published in 1951 and reprinted in 2016 under the Government of India's Hamari Dharohar Scheme, this edition includes extensive introductions and scholarly annotations, making it a vital resource in comparative religious studies.
Prof SA Shukoor, Director of Dairatul Maarif, said the institute's mission is to foster cultural and religious understanding. Their library also houses a Persian translation of the Ramayana, further reflecting their inclusive academic vision. Both texts are meticulously preserved using modern archival techniques.
Dr Choudhury translated the Gita during his tenure at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, under the mentorship of Prof Muhammad Habib Ahmad. The effort was supported by Dairatul Maarif, which provided financial and publishing assistance.
Today, the Arabic Gita has found readers worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, and is being used by scholars for research in interfaith and comparative religion.
Former Law Minister Asif Pasha, after visiting the institute, praised its role in nurturing harmony through knowledge. 'Dairatul Maarif is a beacon of intellectual and cultural unity in an increasingly divided world,' he said.
The institute's commitment to preserving the spiritual heritage of all faiths stands as a powerful reminder of the unifying strength of scholarship.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Ayodhya's Ramayan and Vedic Shodh Sansthan to turn into degree college
Jun 29, 2025 08:06 AM IST The International Ramayan and Vedic Shodh Sansthan in Ayodhya will be developed into a degree college, Sansthan officials said, adding certificate, graduate and post-graduate courses would be offered by the institute, which would continue to support research work on the Ramayana and the Vedas. Ayodhya's Ramayan and Vedic Shodh Sansthan to turn into degree college At present, the state government is running the institute from a building in Ayodhya. The government renamed Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan as International Ramayan and Vedic Shodh Sansthan in December 2023. The cultural department of the state government has been the Sansthan since August 18, 1986. The government has asked the Ayodhya administration to look for a land where the college could be set up. According to the Ayodhya administration, a six-acre plot near the Ayodhya Dham bus stand has been suggested for the project. According to Ashutosh Dwivedi, the in-charge of the Sansthan, it will take another two to three years for the college to start functioning from its own building. However, from next year, the institute will try to start some courses. The International Ramayan and Vedic Sodh Sansthan has been tasked with the responsibility of making available research work on Lord Ram to the public at a reasonable price. 'The basic principle of the Ramayana is Sanatan culture, which has its roots in the Vedic period. Keeping this in view, there is a need for research into Vedic science and literature in detail,' said Girishpathi Tripathi, the mayor of Ayodhya. At present, the institute will compile lectures and sermons by scholars and experts associated with the Ramkatha and Ramayana traditions.
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Hans India
Dairatul Maarif in Hyderabad preserves the Bhagavad Gita in Arabic
At a time of rising religious polarisation, Hyderabad's Dairatul Maarifil Osmania is setting a remarkable example of interfaith harmony by preserving sacred Hindu texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana in Arabic and Persian. Located within the Osmania University campus, this 136-year-old Oriental Research Institute was founded in 1888 by the 6th Nizam, Mahboob Ali Pasha. Traditionally known for editing and publishing rare Arabic manuscripts, Dairatul Maarif has published over 240 scholarly titles across 800 volumes. Among its most notable contributions is the Arabic edition of the Bhagavad Gita, titled 'Al Kita', translated from Sanskrit by Dr Makhan Lal Roy Choudhury of Calcutta University. First published in 1951 and reprinted in 2016 under the Government of India's Hamari Dharohar Scheme, this edition includes extensive introductions and scholarly annotations, making it a vital resource in comparative religious studies. Prof SA Shukoor, Director of Dairatul Maarif, said the institute's mission is to foster cultural and religious understanding. Their library also houses a Persian translation of the Ramayana, further reflecting their inclusive academic vision. Both texts are meticulously preserved using modern archival techniques. Dr Choudhury translated the Gita during his tenure at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, under the mentorship of Prof Muhammad Habib Ahmad. The effort was supported by Dairatul Maarif, which provided financial and publishing assistance. Today, the Arabic Gita has found readers worldwide, particularly in the Middle East, and is being used by scholars for research in interfaith and comparative religion. Former Law Minister Asif Pasha, after visiting the institute, praised its role in nurturing harmony through knowledge. 'Dairatul Maarif is a beacon of intellectual and cultural unity in an increasingly divided world,' he said. The institute's commitment to preserving the spiritual heritage of all faiths stands as a powerful reminder of the unifying strength of scholarship.
India Gazette
16 hours ago
- India Gazette
RSS to organise Hindu Conferences nationwide to mark centenary year
By Aashique Hussain New Delhi [India], June 28 (ANI): The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has announced plans to organise Hindu conferences and public outreach programs across the country as part of its centenary year celebrations. The RSS will complete 100 years of its establishment on Vijayadashami this year. To mark this milestone, celebrations will begin on August 26 with a lecture series by RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, which will take place in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. For its centenary year, the RSS has set a goal to reach every block in every state across the country. The organisation considers its local branches (shakhas) its greatest strength and aims to increase the number of shakhas to over one lakh this year. This information was shared by Anil Gupta, Delhi Prant Karyavah, Delhi RSS, during the Dev Rishi Narad Journalism Awards ceremony. He stated that the centenary year celebrations would be inaugurated on August 26 with a three-day lecture series by Mohan Bhagwat in the four major metros. Alongside this, nationwide outreach campaigns will also be conducted. Towards the end of the year, the RSS plans to organise 1,500 to 1,600 Hindu conferences across India. The organisation was founded on Vijayadashami, which falls on October 2 this year, marking its 100th anniversary. Meanwhile, on Thursday, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at the launch of the biography of late Ayurveda Practitioner and RSS leader Dada Khadiwale in Pune, emphasised that the core principle of RSS is 'belongingness.' 'If the RSS were to be described in one word, it would be 'belongingness',' Bhagwat said, adding that this feeling must grow stronger in society. 'If the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were to be described in just one word, that word would be 'belongingness'. What does the Sangh do? It organises Hindus. And this growing sense of belongingness should be further strengthened because the entire world is sustained by it,' he added. Bhagwat said that real unity comes from recognising the common thread that connects everyone. Humans, unlike animals, have the ability to rise above selfishness, he explained. 'The one who understands this belongingness is truly human,' he said. (ANI)
