The Saraswati Puraskar for the year 2024 has been conferred upon Mahamahopadhyay Swami Bhadreshdas for his unparalleled Sanskrit treatise, ‘Swaminarayan Siddhanta Sudha.’

The Saraswati Puraskar (Saraswati Award) is one of India’s most prestigious literary awards, established by the K.K. Birla Foundation in 1991. It is presented annually for an outstanding literary work published within the previous 10 years by an Indian citizen in one of the 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

This esteemed award has been given to a work in the Sanskrit language after a gap of 22 years. Published in 2022, the ‘Swaminarayan Siddhanta Sudha’ presents the Akshar-Purushottam Darshan, expounded by Parabrahma Bhagwan Swaminarayan, as a distinct philosophical tenet.

The Governor of Gujarat and Maharashtra Acharya Devvrat was garlanded by Swami Ishwarcharan, Director, BAPS International Services. Justice A.K. Sikri, former Supreme Court Judge and Chairman of the Saraswati Award Selection Committee and Dr. Suresh Rituparna, Trustee of the K.K. Birla Foundation was also present.Dr. Suresh Rituparna said that after careful deliberation by around 90 distinguished scholars, ‘Swaminarayan Siddhant Sudha’ was adjudged as the year’s foremost literary masterpiece.

Justice A.K. Sikri observed, “It is a matter of great pride that, for the first time in 34 years, a saint has been honored with this distinguished literary award. In bestowing this recognition upon Swamiji, the award itself has been ennobled.”

Following these remarks, the Governor of Gujarat presented the award to Swami Bhadresh.

Swami Bhadresh said, “This honor is the result of the love, tireless efforts, and selfless dedication of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj. For me, it is not merely an honor, but a profound responsibility.”

BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi incharge Brahmavihari Swami and Akshardham Gandhinagar incharge Anandswarup Swami also spoke.