BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY

BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY

Banaras Hindu University is an internationally reputed temple of learning, situated in the holy city of Varanasi. This creative and innovative university was founded by the great nationalist leader, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, in 1916 with cooperation of great personalities like Dr Annie Besant, who viewed it as the University of India. Banaras Hindu University was created under the Parliamentary legislation - B.H.U. Act 1915. The BHU emblem - Saraswati playing Veena on Hansa and Kamal, encircled in Omkara, confers Amritam- immortality through Vidya - Is a work of art be speaking in the eloquent language of Hindu symbolism the educational and cultural ideals of the university. Saraswati is the Goddess of learning, wisdom and knowledge. Her Vedic name was also Bharati. Form – White. She represents par excellence the ideals of Indian culture, all that is vest in her philosophy, religion, life and art. She is the Shakti, the propelling energy of Bramha, the creator and all that has been created. Kamal, Hansa and Water- Saraswati, literally 'Born on waters' has the deepest association with water. Goddess Saraswati is framed in 'ॐ', in the university emblem. Omkara is the quintessence of the Vedas, the summum bonum of all knowledge. OM - A U M is the symbol of Light (Sattva) Activity (Rajas) and Stupor (Thamas) (the three gunas). This OM is within this universe and also beyond it, because in its dual aspects OM of the BHU emblem encompasses the body of Saraswati and is also outside it, enveloping it from all sides, or keeping her in its womb. The Human voice is the divine Lute, Veena, Goddess Saraswati is playing that Lute in her hands in perfect harmony and rhythmic chanting. Its motto in Sanskrit is ‘विद्यया अमृतमश्नुथे’. 'The End of All Knowledge is the Attainment of All Immortality', i.e. the quest of death, victory over the fear of becoming helpless victims of cosmic process of disintegration, decay and disease and death.