Vishwamurti Shastri

Vishwamurti Shastri
Born1946 (1946)
AwardsPadma Shri

Vishwamurti Shastri is a Sanskrit scholar with knowledge of Vedic literature and related subjects.[1] He served as a principal of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Jammu.[2] He was appointed to Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) in 2019.[3] He is director of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Katra.[4] He also serves as the chairman of J&K Dharmarth Trust Advisory Committee.[5]

Prof Shastri has written a number of books in Sanskrit. He has organized many non-formal Sanskrit teaching programs in J&K. He has delivered religious discourses from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan, which are telecast live on national TV channels during Navratras.[4]

The Government of India honored him in 2022, with the fourth-highest civilian award of Padma Shri.[6][7]

Early life and Education

Professor Vishwa Murti Shastri was born on October 10, 1946.[8] He was born in a small village in the Ramnagar tehsil of Udhampur District.[8] His parents were Pandit Anant Ram Jyotshi and Uma Devi.[8] He began his life in a small village in Ramban.[9] His life story is considered an inspiration, showing how a person from humble beginnings can achieve national recognition.[9]

Career and Contributions

Professor Shastri is a distinguished Sanskrit scholar.[9] He has served for over 50 years in teaching and administration.[10] He is an alumnus of the University of Jammu.[9] The Department of Sanskrit at the University of Jammu organized a felicitation program in his honour.[9] His work has been recognized for its distinguished contribution in the field of Sanskrit literature and education.[9]

Published Works

He has authored several books, some of which were released by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.[11] His books focus on authentic methods of performing pūjā and rituals based on Jyotiṣa Vijñāna (Vedic astrology) and traditional śāstric knowledge.[11]

A Festschrift in his honour, titled Viśvamūrtivaibhavam, was published in 2015.[12] The volume contains scholarly articles on his life, contributions, and research in Vedic studies and Sanskrit literature.[12]

Awards and honours

Vishwamurti Shastri was awarded the President's award for classical language scholars in 2009.[13] He was awarded the fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri by the Indian Government in 2022 [14]

References

  1. ^ Excelsior, Daily (May 9, 2020). "Moving towards spiritual enlightenment".
  2. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Amarnath board reconstituted". Tribuneindia News Service.
  3. ^ "J-K governor reconstitutes Amarnath Shrine Board | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b Excelsior, Daily (Jan 1, 2022). "Azad among 5 from J&K, Ladakh get Padma Awards".
  5. ^ Excelsior, Daily (March 6, 2021). "Dr Vishwa Murti elected Chairman Dharmarth Trust Advisory Committee".
  6. ^ "Padma Awards 2022: Complete list of recipients". mint. January 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (January 25, 2022). "Full list of Padma Awards 2022". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ a b c "Padmashri Dr. Vishwa Murti Shastri relentlessly pursuing the cause of Sanskrit!". The Northlines. 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "Professor Vishwa Murti Shastri". Jammu University. Retrieved 2025-11-27. Cite error: The named reference "JammuUni" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Moving towards spiritual enlightenment". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  11. ^ a b "LG releases books by Padma Shri Prof Vishwamurti Shastri". Rising Kashmir. 2024-02-14. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  12. ^ a b "Viśvamūrtivaibhavam: Prof. Vishwa Murti Shastri Felicitation Volume". PhilPapers. 2015. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  13. ^ "23 scholars named for President's Award". The Hindu. August 16, 2009 – via www.thehindu.com.
  14. ^ "MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS - PRESS NOTE" (PDF).