Rishiraj_Pathak (Photo Credit: social media)
New Delhi:
In the Sanskrit literature, Rishiraj Pathak has established himself as a reputed name and youth in India. His profound knowledge and dedication to preserve ancient texts in the Sanskrit language is remarkable. Trained in the Shruti Parampara, a tradition emphasizing oral transmission of knowledge from Guru to disciple, Dr Rishiraj Pathak has garnered global recognition for his extraordinary memorization prowess and scholarly achievements.
UNESCO's recent declaration of India as a World Heritage Site further highlights the significance of individuals like him, who relentlessly work to uphold the country's rich cultural heritage. Rishiraj Pathak's journey began in the spiritual ambience of his home, where he was immersed in Sanskrit and scriptures from an early age, guided by his parents Shri Narayan Pathak and Smt. Sunita Pathak.
Pathak's remarkable memory became evident when he memorized the Srimad Bhagavad Gita at the tender age of seven, followed by the Samaveda Samhita at nine. His formal education in Sanskrit commenced under Guru Gangeshwaranand Chaturveda Shodh Sansthan, Veda Mandir, Nashik, Maharashtra, after the Upanayana rites at Trimbakeshwar Temple.
Despite belonging to the Madhyandini school of the Suklayajurveda tradition, his reverence for Lord Krishna led him to initially study the Samaveda. His journey through various schools of Vedic literature included vocal training in the Gurjara style of the Kauthum Shakha of Samaveda and learning from eminent scholars like Acharya Lamboder Mishra, Shrinandan Mishra, Shri Rameshwar Dayal Sharma, R. Ramesh Bhatt and Acharya Atmaram Poundel.
Apart from this, Dr Rishiraj Pathak's academic pursuits culminated in earning Acharya degrees in both Shuklayajurveda and Samaveda, demonstrating his commitment to master these ancient texts. His expertise extends beyond Vedic literature to include Paninian grammar, evidenced by his memorization of 4000 sutras of Ashtadhyayi, more than 3000 shlokas and 2000 mantras and his doctoral research on the shruti tradition of samagana notes.
In addition, Acharya Ramakant Shukla, Acharya Ichchharam Dwivedi and Shri Divyanand Jha further enriched Pathak's skills with traditional Sanskrit verses and shlokas. At the same time, his father imparted knowledge of Braj folk music, as Dr Rishiraj Pathak mastered over 100 tunes of Rasiya Sangeet.
Breaking stereotypes and fostering inclusivity, Dr Pathak embarked on teaching Veda-patha to girls, a pioneering initiative at Shyama Prasad Mukherji College for Women, Delhi University. His dedication to preserve the Shruti tradition extends to his YouTube program 'Rishiraj Uvaca', where he shares traditional folk tunes and compositions, ensuring to uplift the Sanskrit language among the wider audience.
In essence, Dr Rishiraj Pathak's contributions have resonated across prestigious forums nationally and internationally, including the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Delhi University, India Discovery Center, Boston, America and Sangeet Natak Akademi. His tireless efforts inspire today's youth to choose the path towards preserving India's ancient heritage for future generations.
