Gopinath Kaviraj facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gopinath Kaviraj
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Gopinath Kaviraj on a 1988 stamp of India
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| Born | 7 September 1887 Dhamrai, Bengal Presidency, British India
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| Died | 12 June 1976 (aged 88) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
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| Alma mater | University of Allahabad |
| Occupation | Principal of Government Sanskrit College, Varanasi (1923–1937) Sanskrit scholar, philosopher |
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Gopinath Kaviraj (born September 7, 1887 – died June 12, 1976) was a famous Indian scholar and thinker. He specialized in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. He was also an Indologist, meaning he studied the history, cultures, and languages of India.
Kaviraj started his career as a librarian in 1914. Later, he became the Principal of the Government Sanskrit College in Varanasi. He held this important position from 1923 to 1937. During this time, he also edited a series of books called Sarasvati Bhavana Granthamala.
He received many high honors for his work. In 1964, he won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his research on Tantra, a part of Indian philosophy. This award is given by India's National Academy of Letters. In the same year, he was given the Padma Vibhushan. This is the second highest award a civilian can receive from the Indian government. In 1971, he received the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, which is the highest literary honor from the Sahitya Akademi.
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Early Life and Schooling
Gopinath Kaviraj was born in the village of Dhamrai. This area is now part of Bangladesh. Sadly, his father, Vaikunthanath, a scholar of philosophy, passed away before Gopinath was born.
He went to school in Dhamrai and Kanthalia villages first. Then, he joined the K. L. Jubilee High School in Dhaka.
Higher Education Journey
In 1906, Kaviraj moved to Jaipur. After four years, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Maharaja College, Jaipur. He then went on to get his master's degree from the University of Allahabad. Here, he learned from well-known scholars like Madhusudan Ojha.
In 1910, he moved to Devnathpura, Varanasi. He continued his studies there. In 1914, he passed his M.A. exam from the University of Allahabad. He achieved the top position in his class.
Career and Contributions
Kaviraj's final stage of education began in Varanasi. He was guided by Arthur Venis, who hired him as a librarian. He worked at the Sarasvati Bhavan Library of the Government Sanskrit College from 1914 to 1920. This job allowed him to research Tantra, an ancient Indian tradition.
In Varanasi, Kaviraj learned a lot about old Tantric philosophy. In 1918, he met Vishuddhananda Paramahamsa. This person was a wise teacher who helped him understand Tantra, Yoga, and science.
Leading the Sanskrit College
In 1924, Gopinath Kaviraj became the principal of the Government Sanskrit College. This college later became Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi. He was also the main editor of the Sarasvati Bhavana Granthamala books.
However, Kaviraj was more interested in research and his own spiritual journey. So, he retired from his principal role in 1937. This was after his teacher, Vishuddhananda Paramhamsa, passed away. In the years that followed, he focused on his spiritual practices and scholarly research in Tantra. He also helped manage his teacher's ashram in Varanasi. He loved Varanasi and rarely left it.
Later Years and Studies
In 1934, he received the title of Mahamahopadhyaya. This honor recognized his great service to Sanskrit scholarship.
Later in his life, from 1964 to 1969, he led the new Yoga-Tantra Department. This department was at the Varanaseya Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya in Varanasi. But because his health was not good, he left this position. He then moved to the Ma Anandamayi Ashram. In his later years, he also studied Kashmir Shaivism with another scholar, Sri Anirvan. He became a devoted follower of the mystic Anandamayi Ma, whom he first met in 1928.
Family Life
Gopinath Kaviraj married Kusum Kumari in 1900. She came from a family of Sanskrit scholars in East Bengal. They had two children together. Their son was named Jitendranath, and their daughter was named Sudha.
He passed away on June 12, 1976, at his home in Sigra, Varanasi. His daughter and grandchildren survived him.
Books Written by Kaviraj
Gopinath Kaviraj wrote many important books. Here are some of them:
- Bhartiya Samskriti Aur Sadhana
- Tantric Vangmaya mein Saktadrsti
- Tantric Sadhana Aur Siddhant
- Sri Krisna Prasanga
- Kashi Ki Saraswat Sadhana
- Patravali
- Sva Samvedan
- Akhanda Mahayoger Pathe
- Visuddhananda Prasanga
- Tantrik Sahitya
- Sadhu Darshan Evam Sat Prasanga
Awards and Honors
Gopinath Kaviraj received many awards and honors throughout his life:
- Mahamahopadhyaya (1934)
- D.Litt. from Allahabad University (1947)
- D.Litt. from Banaras Hindu University (1956)
- D.Litt. from Calcutta University (1965)
- Padma Vibhushan (1964)
- Sahitya Vachaspati from the Uttar Pradesh Government (1965)
- Sahitya Akademi Award for Tantrik vangmay mein shakt drishti (1965)
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1971)
- Deshikottam from Visva-Bharati (1976)
- The Government of India also released a special stamp to honor him.
