9-day Dialogue Retreat 
at Kudremukh mountain range, Karnatka

03 to 11 February, 2024

One of our partner organisation Purnapramati orgnised a self-reflection retreat titled Sanatan and Modernity at picturesque village of Mala, near Karkala in Udupi district, Karnatka. This village Mala is nestled at the foothills of the Kudremukh mountain range in the Western Ghats,with rich in dense rainforests, waterfalls, old dilapidated houses, and betel nut plantations, untouched by modern tourism.

The retreat took place in an old building of the Adimaru Math of the Madhva tradition, where participants themselves managed all arrangements for food, accommodation, and other necessities. Three different groups attended the retreat, with a total of 81 participants. Each group reisde in retreat place for three days i.e. total 9 days of retreat. Participant were mainly from Purnapramati Vidyapeeth, Bengaluru, several prominent Sanskrit scholars, founding members of Purnapramati, teachers from Udbhavaha, and others.

The central focus of the retreat was a comparative study of Sanatan philosophy and modernity, particularly the externally imposed notions of modern thought. While Shri Pawan ji shared insights from his own experiences and understanding, learned scholars engaged in scriptural dialogues, making the discussions both stimulating and authentic. The key text for these discussions was Illuminations by Professor A. K. Saran. Shri Pawan ji skilfully simplified the complex language and ideas of Professor Saran, using relatable examples for the participants.

The retreat explored several key themes, including the dual nature of word-meaning comprehension, the distinctions between reading, teaching, and living in contemporary times, clarity in experience-based methods, liberation from illusions embedded in one’s understanding, Indian social thought, values and worth, and the essence of Indian education. Given the large presence of teachers and students, Shri Pawan ji also shared various insights from his 30 years in education, addressing their questions and offering valuable perspective. 

  • Participants: A curated group of 81 Acharayas and Sanskrit Scholars from Purnapramati and some teachers from Udbhavaha.
  • Location: Village of "Mala," near Karkala in the Udupi district situated at the foothills of the Kudremukh mountain range in the Western Ghats.
  • Dates: 03 to 11 February, 2024
  • Format: The retreat was facilitated by Shri Pawan Kumar Gupta. 

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