Dr Satyan Sharma has a deep passion for Sanskrit which has led him to research into Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), where he sees a vast opportunity for research due to the wealth of unpublished texts. He’s particularly focused on Sanskrit but is open to exploring other Indian language contributions over time. Studying the varṇa system piqued his interest as it challenged modern views on caste, especially when he noticed misinterpretations in academic discourse. Rather than accepting surface-level ideas, he prefers in-depth study and discussion, feeling that careful understanding of varṇa and puruṣārthas is essential for appreciating Sanātana Dharma in the modern age.
You mention Chandigarh as the place named after Devi Chandi. Does this have a special significance for you?
I was born and brought up in Chandigarh. This city is named after the renowned Chandi Mandir, a temple of Devi Chandi. I belong to a family where Devi is highly revered. So it does have some significance for me. Since some time, I started noticing that a lot of people mispronounce the name 'चण्डीगढ़' as 'चन्दीगढ़'. Even some locals do the same, and I have to interrupt to correct them and tell that there is 'चण्डी' in the name 'Chandigarh', and that the complete name means 'the fort or stronghold of Goddess Chandi'. In this way also I get reminded of the significance while communicating it to others.
What inspires you to work in the domain of IKS?
While choosing Sanskrit for academics and even career, I did not think in terms of IKS, mainly because it is a relatively new field. I am only aware of one reason, that is, I am fond of Sanskrit. This language has given me access to a whole gamut of ideas, which have been expressed, discussed, debated and revised since ancient times. A lot of Sanskrit literature is still unpublished and unread, which implies that there are ample opportunities for research.
Recently I came across similar literature composed in non-Sanskrit Indian languages and have been interested about how such works contributed to the dissemination of traditional Indian knowledge. IKS covers not just Sanskrit texts, but also those composed in other Indian languages. For now I only wish to contribute to the Sanskrit section, while taking some time to acquaint myself with the other sections also. I am glad to be connected with many scholars working in this domain. Some traditionally trained young scholars are also contributing by disseminating the authentic Śāstraic knowledge. Other contributors are those who belong professionally to other fields, but have begun working passionately in this domain. This variety of contributors makes me glad and it assures that the traditional Indic systems of knowledge will be protected and developed in ways that I may not be able to think of. It seems that a lot of filtration will happen in the coming decade as the field matures gradually.
What created an interest in studying the Varna system in particular?
Being a part of the modern education system with modern ideas regarding our collective past, my identity as someone belonging to a Brahmin family did face some challenges. I do not know how, but I had somehow become a part of the Brahmin-bashing brigade for some time as a teenager. It was only when I began studying the 'infamous' texts in the Sanskrit language that I started to doubt those 'unquestionable' ideas. As I gained access to the more technical literature on varṇa, such as Dharmaśāstras, I realised that it is not as easy a topic as it may seem. It requires careful study and a lot of discussion with learned peers. I am still studying both the scripture and its application to understand the various dimensions of varṇa.
How does studying this help us understand the modern age?
In most Hindu families, the idea of and identification with varṇa or 'caste' is not going to vanish away, no matter what. If the scriptural idea of varṇa, with all its nuances, is the truth, it would be applicable in today's time also. One of the key features of Sanātana Dharma is the varṇāśrama system, and to practise the former in the modern age, it is necessary to carefully understand the latter. Intertwined with the idea of the four puruṣārthas is the idea of varṇāśrama. This duo forms an important part of the scriptural understanding of our reality. To successfully achieve the puruṣārthas in today's time, we would need to study and understand the varṇāśrama system.
Some people feel tht the academic discourse on caste is misinformed and deeply prejudiced. What are your thoughts?
I have not engaged enough with the academic discourse on caste to give any verdict. Still I do suspect a lack of intellectual honesty on the part of many so-called intellectuals engaging in caste-studies. As I am more concerned with the scriptures, I have spotted many cases of misrepresentation of them. One simple and a very popular misconception helps me judge the level of research and discourse in the so-called intellectual circles. You may have heard and read that as per the Brahmanical scriptures, only certain castes were allowed to receive education. The very fact that this easily refutable idea has been given a firm place in the discourse, tells us a lot about the intentions as well as intellectual abilities of those engaging in it. I have honestly got bored of such people, and am at peace studying scriptures and having discussions with the learned.
What is your latest research?
I let research topics reach me, while I casually search for more and more Sanskrit literature and ideas. I am not sure if I have a definite answer for this question, yet I can say this much that I am on a very long and interesting journey, and once in a while I reach very interesting sites. One of those interesting sites is the Dharmaśāstra, and it has been some time that I have been staying there.
