Amit Shah Releases Gujarati Edition of Adi Shankaracharya’s Collected Works in Ahmedabad

Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah described the availability of Adi Shankaracharya’s works in Gujarati as a “moment of great joy” for readers in Gujarat, particularly the youth.

 

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today released the Gujarati edition of the collected works (Granthavali) of Adi Shankaracharya in Ahmedabad. The volumes have been published by the Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust, a pioneering institution known for making classical Indian texts accessible to wider audiences.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah described the availability of Adi Shankaracharya’s works in Gujarati as a “moment of great joy” for readers in Gujarat, particularly the youth. He said the translation of the Sanskrit Gyan Sagar into Gujarati would serve as a lasting intellectual and spiritual resource and would shape future discussions on quality literature in the state.

Making Classical Knowledge Accessible

The Home Minister highlighted the contribution of Swami Akhandanand Ji, founder of the Sastu Sahitya Mudranalaya Trust, who envisioned affordable access to high-quality literature for the youth of Gujarat. He noted that Swami Akhandanand dedicated his life to promoting Ayurveda, Sanatan Dharma and ethical thought, and published key texts such as the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Yoga Vasishtha, and works on moral philosophy at low cost.

Shri Shah said the Trust has played a crucial role in collective character-building in Gujarat by presenting the essence of Sanatan Dharma in simple Gujarati, including translations of texts such as Kautilya’s Arthashastra and collections of inspirational narratives.

Relevance in the Digital Age

Rejecting the notion that books have lost relevance in the digital era, Shri Shah said the publication of 24 volumes of Adi Shankaracharya’s works demonstrates that the younger generation continues to engage deeply with serious literature. He expressed confidence that these texts would have a lasting impact on the thinking and conduct of Gujarati youth.

Adi Shankaracharya’s Enduring Legacy

Shri Amit Shah underlined Adi Shankaracharya’s unique contribution in providing a clear, logical and profound interpretation of the Upanishads, describing “Shivoham” as the highest philosophical expression of human consciousness. He noted that Adi Shankaracharya systematically addressed doubts and challenges to Sanatan Dharma within his lifetime through reasoned debate and scholarship.

Encouraging young readers, the Home Minister urged them to read Vivekachudamani at least once, calling it a guiding text for both spiritual understanding and disciplined living.

Nation-Building Through Philosophy

Shri Shah described Adi Shankaracharya as a “walking university” who travelled extensively across India, contributing not only to spiritual thought but also to national integration. He recalled that Adi Shankaracharya established the four Mutts in the four directions of the country, revived traditions of Shastrarth (scriptural debate), institutionalised the preservation of the Vedas and Upanishads, and presented an integrated vision of Bhakti, Karma and Gyan as paths to liberation.

He said these efforts ensured the continuity and relevance of Sanatan Dharma across centuries, even in challenging times, and laid the foundations for dialogue-based intellectual traditions in India.