Dr. A.S. Ramanathan, 1924-2011

Born in 1924 to a family of Sanskrit scholars, the author Dr. A.S. Ramanathan was very conversant with Vedic tradition and had built up the necessary background to study Vedic literature from an early age. After graduating from Annamalai University with a Doctorate in Physics, he joined the Astronomy Department of the Government of India and then transitioned to the Indian Meteorological where he retired as Deputy Director-General of the Department. His research career spanned Astronomy, Hydrology and Meteorology.

Dr. Ramanathan was greatly attracted to the works of Madhusudan Ojha which he came across accidentally while in service at New Delhi and went on to study Ojha’s writings in great depth. From Dr. Ramanathan's unique perspective as a scientist and Vedic scholar, he wrote several books about Ojha’s works, with special emphasis on their contributions to the scientific understanding of Vedic culture. According to Dr Ramanathan, Ojha was the first scholar to pave the way for organised research studies in our ancient Sanskrit literature. Dr. Ramanathan authored the following books that are based on Ojha's works:

1. What is Veda?

2. Vedic Concept of Soma

3. Weather Science in Ancient India

4. Vedic Concept of Ātman

5.  Ātmagati vidyā

6. Essence of Bhagavad Gitā (reviewed in The Hindu dated Dec 5, 2000)

7. Brahmavidyā Rahasyam (Two parts) (reviewed in The Hindu dated Feb 10, 2004)

8. New approach to the interpretation of Vedic culture

9. Madhusudana Vagamrtam (five volumes):

• • Vol 1: Veda Vijnanam

  • Vol 2: Yajna Vijnanam

  • Vol 3: Brahma Vijnanam

  • Vol 4: Ithihasapuran Avisayah

  • Vol 5: More Works of Ojha

With his books, Dr Ramanathan wished to draw the attention of Sanskrit scholars over the globe to Ojha’s outstanding contributions to the interpretation of Vedic literature covering in depth a very wide spectrum of ancient Sanskrit literature.

Sadly, Dr. Ramanthan passed away in July 2011.

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