S. L. P. Anjaneya Sarma

S. L. P. Anjaneya Sarma joined the EFEO Center in Pondicherry in 1987 as a specialist in Sanskrit grammar (vyākaraṇaśāstra). He initially collaborated closely with François Grimal on several projects involving the critical edition of Sanskrit texts, notably Bhavabhūti’s Mahāvīracarita and Mālatīmādhava, accompanied by their commentaries. This work helped establish a significant research program at the Pondicherry Center dedicated to Sanskrit philology and the study of exegetical traditions.

His research focuses primarily on Sanskrit grammar and the tradition associated with Pāṇini’s system. He is particularly interested in the textual history and editing of commentaries on Aṣṭādhyāyī sūtra A 1.3.67, a subject to which he has devoted several studies and editions of previously unpublished texts.

In addition to this work, he continues to conduct research on Sanskrit literature and literary theory (alaṃkāraśāstra), as well as on various Indian philosophical traditions, notably Advaita Vedānta and Mīmāṃsā. His research combines the methods of modern philology with a deep grounding in Sanskrit scholarly traditions.

Renowned for his scholarship and teaching skills, he is highly sought after by students and researchers from India and Europe, who come to work with him at the Pondicherry Center or as part of research stays. He also regularly participates in workshops and training programs dedicated to the study and editing of Sanskrit manuscripts.

In recent years, as a member of the ERC DHARMA project, he has devoted countless hours to studying Sanskrit inscriptions from the Khmer region alongside Dominic Goodall.

• 1970, Sāhitya-Vidyā-Pravīṇa (equivalent to an M.A. in Sanskrit Literature), Sanskrit College, Guntur
• Vyākaraṇa-Vidyā-Pravīṇa (equivalent to an M.A. in Sanskrit Grammar), Andhra University
• Bhāṣā-Pravīṇa (equivalent to an M.A. in Telugu), Andhra University
• 1982, title of Vyākaraṇavidvān, Śrī Veṅkateśvara Veda Śāstra Āgama Vidvat Sadas, Tirupati
• 1987, Ph.D. in Sanskrit Grammar, Andhra University
• 2001, title of Vedāntaśāstraviśārada, Śṛṅgeri Śārada Pīṭha

• Research Fellow, École française d’Extrême-Orient, Pondicherry Center, from 1987 to 2002
• Research Director, École française d’Extrême-Orient, Pondicherry Center, from 2002 to 2018
• Senior Researcher (post-retirement contract), École française d’Extrême-Orient, Pondicherry Center, since 2019

• Lecturer in Sanskrit, Matrusri Oriental College, Andhra Pradesh, from 1971 to 1987

• 1982, Traditional title of Vyākaraṇavidvān, conferred by the Śrī Veṅkateśvara Veda Śāstra Āgama Vidvat Sadas, Tirupati, in recognition of his expertise in Sanskrit grammar.
• 2001, Traditional title of Vedāntaśāstraviśārada, conferred by the Śṛṅgeri Śārada Pīṭha (Dakṣiṇāmnāya Śrī Śāradā Pīṭham), following an advanced examination in Advaita Vedānta.
• 2016, Certificate of Honor awarded by the President of India for his contribution to Sanskrit studies and research in India’s scholarly traditions.
• 2024, Knight of the Order of Academic Palms, a distinction awarded by the French government in recognition of his exceptional contribution to research and teaching in the field of Indological studies.
• Since 2010, Examiner in vyākaraṇa for the traditional examinations organized by the Śrī Kāñcī Veda Vedānta Śāstra Sabhā (Tenali, Andhra Pradesh), as part of an advanced traditional curriculum dedicated to the various disciplines of Sanskrit scholarship.

Translated with DeepL.com