His name is synonymous with spiritual wisdom and Upanyasams, but there is much more to this enigmatic figure than meets the eye. Adorned with the sacred ‘thiruman’ and the traditional panchagajam, this upanyasaka possesses the rare ability to captivate audiences across age groups with his compelling narration style. No, he is not an elderly person, doesn’t come from a family that is involved in delivering spiritual discourses, but a youthful maestro who seamlessly weaves the contemporary references into the fabric of his spiritual discourses. He is none other than Dushyanth Sridhar. In this interview with The Commune, Dushyanth Sridhar gives an insight into his unique voyage and the evolving landscape of spirituality in our modern world.
The Commune: Your journey from BITS Pilani to a corporate career to becoming an Upanyasaka is quite unique. Could you tell us more about your personal journey and what sparked your interest in spirituality and Upanyasams?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Certainly. My journey began with my education, moving between Bangalore and Chennai during my school and higher secondary years. After completing my integrated courses in BE Honours Chemical and MSc Honours Chemistry at BITS Pilani, I ventured into the corporate world, initially with a pharmaceutical firm and then with Tata Sons. Alongside my corporate endeavours, From the age of approximately five years, I embarked on a journey of learning profound Vedic hymns under the guidance of Sambashiva Shastrigal. I delved into the recitation of slokas and Prabandham under the tutelage of Indira Rajagopalan.
My quest for knowledge led me to six esoteric works known as the Shastram, mastered under the mentorship of six distinguished Acharyas. First, I had the privilege of studying Shatadushani, including some of its aphorisms, under the guidance of Padma Bhushan awardee, Mahamahopadhyaya N S Ramanuja Thathacharyar.
I also delved into the rare Tamil work Thirunedunthandagam, receiving guidance from the 45th Pontiff Acharya of Shri Ahobila Math. Then I ventured into the profound world of Geetha Bashya, Bhagavad Gita’s commentary, under the mentorship of Mahamahopadhyaya Shrivatsankacharyar, a recipient of the prestigious President’s award.
Continuing my journey into the world of shastras, I embraced the teachings of Shri Bhashyam, mentored by President’s Award winner Karunakaracharyar and the Shrimad Rahasyatrayasaram and Bhagavad Vishayam, graciously imparted to me by Saranathacharyar and Souminarayanacharyar. I also dedicated approximately five years to learning classical music, further enhancing my spiritual and cultural journey.
My interest in spirituality was kindled by my maternal grandparents, who exposed me to lectures of revered stalwarts like Sengalipuram Anantharama Dikshitar, Balakrishna Shastrigal, Pulavar Keeran, Mukkur Lakshminarasimhacharya, and others. This passion for public speaking merged with my religious inclination, eventually leading me to pursue Upanyasam. In 2010, I began giving public lectures, and the positive response from the audience motivated me to take it up full-time in 2016.
The Commune: Your Upanyasams have been known to captivate a diverse audience. Can you shed light on the changing demographics of your audience? Do you see youngsters or only people with grey and white hair?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Certainly. I’ve been actively involved in giving discourses for over twelve years, starting around 2010-11. If I were to chart the demographics of my audience over this period, I notice a significant shift. Until around 2017-18, a substantial portion, approximately 60-70%, of my audience consisted of individuals aged 50 to 55 and above.
However, in the past four to five years, there has been a noticeable change in the composition of my listeners. I now observe that a majority of my audience falls within the age group of 20 to 50. This shift could be attributed to increased awareness through social media platforms, especially YouTube, and a renewed interest in Sanatana Dharma. The influence of older generations who have appreciated my discourses has also played a role in bringing younger listeners. I believe there is a positive renaissance in understanding Hindu scriptures among the youth, which is very encouraging.
On a lighter note, you asked whether my audience comprises of only people with gray and white hair. Many youngsters today get white hair at a very young age. So today maybe white hair may not be a criterion to judge the age of a person. The person could just be 35 filled with white hair, and a blatant example is me.
The Commune: There’s a perception that today’s youth lack spirituality and awareness about their cultural heritage. Do you think young people are genuinely showing interest in Hindu scriptures, and is there hope for a revival?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Hope is a cornerstone of life, and we should always remain optimistic. I don’t believe there’s a lack of spirituality and awareness among the youth. The advent of social media has led to renewed interest in Dharma, although misinformation is also prevalent. While there’s a growing interest in certain sections, misinformation poses a challenge. As an upanyasaka, we must work to increase awareness and dispel misconceptions. I’ve observed interest among youngsters to understand and explore Hindu scriptures, both in India and abroad. The thirst for genuine knowledge exists, and it’s up to us to facilitate its fulfillment.
The Commune: Making ancient wisdom relatable to younger generations can be a challenge. How do you approach this task, and do modern pop culture references, like your usage of Harry Potter, aid in this process?
Dushyanth Sridhar: The key lies in connecting the past with the present. I aim to demonstrate the relevance of ancient narratives to contemporary situations. While I do use references like Harry Potter, I don’t do so just for the sake of it. My personal affinity for Harry Potter, since I grew up reading it, makes it a natural reference point for me and the audience would also relate to it. However, my primary focus is on proving the relatability of our scriptures to current scenarios. If modern examples help convey this message effectively, then I believe they serve their purpose well.
The Commune: In the age of modern-day gurus, some have adopted a trendy approach to attract followers. Do you think spiritual discoursers need to follow suit to engage the younger generation effectively?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Modernising one’s approach can be beneficial, but it depends on the intent and nature of the discourses. Some gurus have successfully reached out by adapting to the changing times. I don’t consider myself a guru. I see myself as a speaker on religious topics, sharing insights from a scriptural perspective. My goal is to engage audiences through effective communication, leveraging my language skills in Tamil and English, and drawing from various languages like Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, Awadhi, and Sanskrit to retain existing followers and attract a younger audience. However, I don’t aspire to run organisations like many spiritual gurus, as that’s not the primary focus of my lectures. For me, my primary goal is to convey the essence of scriptures and make them accessible without compromising their authenticity.
The Commune: Every journey has its challenges. Could you share some challenges you’ve faced on your path, and how you’ve managed to overcome them?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Challenges are part of any journey, and while I don’t dwell on them, I can say that not having any family members in the field of discourses was a unique challenge. Unlike many who have familial support, I had to accumulate knowledge and resources on my own, and of course with the blessings of my Acharya. However, the generosity of my audience and their acceptance of my discourses have been my mainstay. Their encouragement has enabled me to surmount challenges and focus on my goal. Overcoming challenges requires an open-minded approach. I began this alongside a full-time management profession, gradually transitioning when I knew my family could support me. Eventually, I left my job to pursue this path.
The Commune: You’re involved in various creative pursuits apart from Upanyasams. Could you share some details about your other endeavours that might not be widely known?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Certainly. My primary work is delivering Upanyasams in Tamil (my mother tongue) and in English, totaling around 200 to 250 talks annually across various locations in India and abroad. My second area of work involves dance productions. These are meticulously researched and curated in collaboration with renowned Bharatanatyam choreographers. I release one production every two years, which involves numerous performances.
My third endeavour is conducting heritage tours to temples, both within India and internationally. I’ve led tours to over 200 temples across India, from Gujarat to Kerala, and even abroad, covering destinations like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Bali.
In addition to these, I occasionally delve into the world of acting and direction. I’ve directed and produced a Sanskrit movie called “Shakuntalam,” acted in a serial based on Mahaperiyava’s life, and appeared in a movie about Vedanta Desika.
I also run Abhinava E-paatashala, offering courses to learners (with no discrimination) worldwide. Through the Deshika daya trust, we support lesser-privileged temples and their priests, as well as maintain Veda Patashalas.
Recently, I’ve ventured into writing, having authored a coffee table book on Vedanta Deshika in 2018. Currently, I’m working on a book about the Ramayana for Harper Collins.
Despite this busy schedule, I make time for leisure activities like watching movies and series across various genres and languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Urdu, often via OTT platforms.
I’ve recently watched some interesting shows and movies. These include the second season of Made in Heaven, The Night Manager Part 2, the series Class and Half CA, and the Tamil film Por Thozhil.
The Commune: Your guided tours to spiritual and culturally significant places are intriguing. Could you tell us more about what inspired you to promote spiritual tourism?
Dushyanth Sridhar: Promoting domestic tourism, especially spiritual tourism, is a simple yet important concept. India boasts a wealth of temples, and even in remote areas of Tamil Nadu, you can easily find 20 to 30 large temples within a 6 to 7km radius. These temples are not just places of religious significance but are also architectural marvels, reflecting various styles like Chola, Pandya, and Pallava kings.
Given the abundance of such beautiful temples across our country, I firmly believe in promoting domestic and spiritual tourism. One way to achieve this is by offering guided tours of these temples. These tours provide devotees with a unique opportunity to spend quality time in these sacred places. It’s not just about visiting the temple; it’s about immersing oneself in the temple’s legend, understanding its sthalapurana (temple history), and appreciating its remarkable architecture.
During these tours, travelers have the chance to bond with like-minded individuals, sing Bhajans, and gain insights into architectural details and scriptural discourses directly from me. It becomes a transformative experience, and once people participate in one such Yatra, they often yearn to repeat the experience by joining more Yatras.
The Commune: Throughout your journey, there must have been a moment or experience that profoundly impacted your life and changed your perspective. Could you share one such experience with us?
Dushyanth Sridhar: While I can’t pinpoint a single experience, the encounters I have with people who share their life’s struggles and emotions with me have a lasting impact. Their trust in me to listen to their worries and provide solace has deepened my understanding of life and spirituality. These interactions reinforce my belief in karma and the importance of devotion in facing life’s challenges.
The Commune: You participate in political debates regularly and make subtle political commentaries in your discourses. Is there a politician inside Dushyanth Sridhar?
Dushyanth Sridhar: There’s no politician inside me. My engagement in political discussions stems from being a responsible citizen. I believe it’s vital for every citizen to be politically aware, understand their fundamental duties, and contribute positively to our democracy. Politics is integral to our nation’s progress, and I aim to remain sensitive to the issues that affect our society.
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