CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Awards PhD to Silchar’s Buddhadeb Purkayastha, First Sanskrit PhD Scholar at KBVSASU, Nalbari

Buddhadeb Purkayastha from Dudhpatil, Silchar, has become the first scholar to receive a PhD in Sanskrit from Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University (KBVSASU), Nalbari. He received his doctoral degree from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during the university’s third convocation ceremony on November 15, 2026, bringing recognition to Barak Valley.

Purkayastha was among 16 research scholars awarded PhD degrees at the ceremony and was the only recipient from Barak Valley. His research focused on Acintya Bhedabheda Vada, the philosophical tradition associated with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, through a critical study of the works of Baladeva Vidyabhushan.

Titled Acintya Bhedabheda Vade Baladeva Vidyabhushanasya Samikshatmakam Adhyayanam, his thesis examined the philosophical writings and scriptural commentaries of Baladeva Vidyabhushan, a prominent scholar of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. His works sought to establish and explain the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu through commentaries on Hindu scriptures and philosophical texts.

Acintya Bhedabheda, meaning inconceivable simultaneous difference and non-difference, explains the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme. The philosophy is central to the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, which developed around Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s teachings and his contribution to the Bhakti movement.

Purkayastha’s research also explored the relevance of these philosophical teachings to contemporary society, particularly their potential contribution to strengthening moral and ethical values. The study examined whether the principles of the Bhakti tradition could offer insights into present-day social challenges and help safeguard society’s ethical foundations.

Purkayastha joined the university as a research scholar in 2021 under the Department of Sarvadarshana, which studies the different schools of Indian philosophy, including both orthodox and unorthodox traditions. He said his research journey allowed him to explore India’s philosophical heritage and understand the relevance of traditional knowledge through academic study.

His research guide, Professor Ranjit Kumar Tiwary, said Purkayastha was already known to him as a knowledgeable Sanskrit scholar. Tiwary, who previously taught Sanskrit at Women’s College in Silchar, joined the university in 2021. Describing the research topic as unique, he said locating the texts needed for his work was particularly challenging as several of the texts were difficult to find. Despite these difficulties, Purkayastha had done commendable work, he added.

Purkayastha also urged students from Barak Valley to explore higher education opportunities at KBVSASU. He pointed out that Sanskrit is taught through nine specialised departments covering subjects such as Vedic Studies, Literature, Nyaya, Jyotisha, Mimamsa, Dharmashastra and Sarvadarshana. The university also offers programmes in Political Science, Philosophy, Education and Assamese. He highlighted the academic facilities and developing hostel infrastructure as reasons for students to consider the institution.

Established in 2011 by the Government of Assam, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University is a state university dedicated to Sanskrit, ancient Indian knowledge systems and allied humanities. Named after the 7th-century Kamarupa monarch Bhaskar Varman, the university focuses on the study and preservation of India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

The third convocation ceremony saw 1,874 students receive degrees and certificates across various academic programmes. Forty meritorious students were also awarded gold medals for securing first positions in their respective departments. Assam Finance Minister and Nalbari MLA Jayanta Malla Baruah attended the ceremony as the distinguished guest.