Rare Sanskrit manuscripts crying for attention

Mussoorie: At a time when the state is gearing up to host a global Sanskrit meet from September 26, two rare manuscripts in the same language — Panchang (the Hindu calendar) and BhagwatPuran (religious text), which date back to 1590 and 1806 respectively, are crying for attention.
On March 27, 2010, historian Gopal Bhardwaj, who possesses these valuable documents, took them to the Archeological Survey of India’s lab in the city for their scientific conservation.After examining the manuscripts, the ASI mentioned that the documents were in a “very bad shape” and required urgent conversation to prevent further deterioration.
The report also said it is “necessary to restore and preserve this national cultural heritage as early as possible” and that Bhardwaj needed to bear an expenditure of Rs 92,327 towards the costs of consolidation of ink, removal of old unscientific repairs, fumigation, chemical cleaning, deacidification, mending and reintegration, lining and preservation.
On getting the report, Bhardwaj, who claims he does not have enough money for preservation, approached the state culture and archive departments. However, his efforts to ensure preservation of these manuscripts by the state authorities have not yielded any results till date. Annoyed by the lackadaisical approach of the state authorities, the historian has threatened to tear the documents or donate them to another state which is willing to preserve them.
“I am stuck in a strange situation as nobody wants to preserve these documents,” Bhardwaj told TOI. While the Maharaja of Kashmir, Hari Singh gifted the 2,500-page Bhagwat Puran to his father RGR Bhardwaj, a famous astrologer, in 1940; his family has preserved the Panchang for generations.
“Since 2010, both manuscripts are kept at the ASI lab and there is no point in bringing them back as their condition will deteriorate because I do not have the money for scientific preservation,” Bhardwaj said, adding that he was planning to give the documents to another state.
When contacted, ASI director (Science) Kushal Singh Rana said a private possession is regarded as a “deposit work” and the owner has to pay for the preservation process. “The amount has to be deposited at our Delhi office and it is forwarded to us for the process,” he said.
After the response from the ASI in 2010, Bhardwaj wrote letters to officials of state culture department, Jot Singh Gunsola (the then Mussoorie MLA) and director of state archive department, Lalta Prasad. However, he is yet to receive a favourable response from state officials. “We can talk at length about history but no one is interested in saving our cultural heritage,” said Bhardwaj.
Meanwhile, Beena Bhatt, director, state culture department, said she will look into the matter. “I will have a word with the authorities at the state archive department and see what can be done to save the manuscripts,” she said.