Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami, a revered scholar of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, has been awarded the Saraswati Samman 2024 for his acclaimed Sanskrit work, Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha.

This prestigious literary honor marks a historic moment, as it recognizes a Sanskrit text after more than two decades. The award, instituted in 1991 by the K.K. Birla Foundation, is among India’s highest literary accolades, presented annually to an Indian author for an outstanding prose or poetry work published in the past ten years in any of the 22 languages recognized by the Indian Constitution. The honor includes a cash prize, a citation, and a plaque. Previous recipients include literary luminaries such as Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Mahasweta Devi, and S.L. Bhyrappa.

Published in 2022, Swaminarayana Siddhanta Sudha is a seminal Sanskrit treatise that systematically articulates the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, the philosophical doctrine revealed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.

“Written in the classical vadagrantha style, it serves as both an exposition and a defense of this unique Vedantic philosophy. The work has been lauded for its clarity, depth, and accessibility— bridging ancient philosophical traditions with contemporary relevance. It stands as a testament to the living nature of India’s philosophical heritage and the expressive power of the Sanskrit language,” said a statement from BAPS. 

The Saraswati Samman Chayan Parishad, chaired by Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Arjan Kumar Sikri, selected Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami for this year’s award. The distinguished jury included eminent scholars such as Prof. Ramdeo Shukla, Dr. Buddhi Nath Mishra, Dr. Kiran Budkuley, Prof. Kalidas Misra, and Dr. Suresh Rituparna, Director of the K.K. Birla Foundation.

Dr. Bhadreshdas Swami is an internationally recognized Sanskrit scholar and thought leader in Indian philosophy. Holding multiple academic distinctions—including an M.A., Ph.D., D.Litt., and an honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) from IIT Kharagpur—he currently serves as the Head of the BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute. His lifelong dedication to advancing Sanskrit scholarship and Vedic philosophy continues to inspire scholars worldwide.

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