Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat has been engaged in teaching and research since 2011. He currently serves as Associate Professor at the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), Chanakya University, Bengaluru.

He earned his Ph.D. from Rashtriya Samskrit Sansthan (now Central Sanskrit University), Sringeri, and was trained in Indian Knowledge and Vyākaraṇa under eminent scholars like Late Prof. R. Devanathan, Prof. B. Mahadevan (IIM Bangalore), and Dr. Chandrashekhar Bhat (CSU).

His research focuses on the Bhāratīya Arthaśāstra Tradition, Indian Health Systems and Itihāsas. Dr. Bhat is Proficient in six languages and multiple scripts. Dr. Bhat has worked with Vyoma Linguistic Labs and serves as Visiting Professor at NIT Calicut. He has co-authored “Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems” (PHI Learning) and “Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra: Timeless Management for Modern Governance” (IKS Division, Ministry of Education), and translated Learn Sanskrit Through Your Favourite Prayers.

He served as Specialist Sanskrit Advisor for the Wellcome Collection (London) project Ayurvedic Man. Formerly at Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, he headed the School of Vedic Knowledge Systems for five years. He is a member of Boards of Studies at CSU and KSU, and serves on the National Curriculum Framework Committee for “Knowledge of India.”

• Ph.D. (Vidyavaridhi), Rashtriya Samskrit Sansthana, Sringeri, 2015 (Topic: Software development for Tadditantha words generation according to Panini’s Ashtadhyayi)
• Acharya (MA) in Vyakarana, Rashtriya Samskrit Sansthana, Sringeri, 2009
• Acharya (MA) in Phalita Jyotisha, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetham, Tirupati, 2010
• Shastri (BA) in Vyakarana, C. Science and Mathematics, Rashtriya Samskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati, 2006
• Prak Shastri (Intermediate), Rashtriya Samskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati, 2002
• SSC, Maharashtra Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Pune, 2000

Book Published

1. B. Mahadevan, Vinayak Rajat Bhat, Nagendra Pavana RN (2022), “Introduction to Indian Knowledge System: Concepts and Applications”, PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi. ISBN: 978-93-91818-20-3.
2. Vinayak Rajat Bhat, Tejusvi Shukla (2024), “Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Timeless Management for Modern Governance”, IKS Division, Ministry of Education. ISBN: 978-81-978115-7-9.

Book Published (As an editor)

1. New Frontiers in Sanskrit and Indic Knowledge (Proceedings of an International Conference 2017 & 2018), 978-81-8315-431-4, New Bharatiya Book Corporation, New Delhi, 2019
2. ‘Vedanta Muktavali’ for Chinmaya International Foundation Shodha Sansthan, Kerala, 2017
3. Editor of the book परिष्कृतिः ISBN- 978-81-932638-1-5 published by Sri Ranbir Campus, Jammu 2015-2016.
4. Was a member of editorial board of the Annual Bulletin श्रीवैष्णवी ISSN: 7552277-906X published by Sri Ranbir Campus, Jammu 2015-2016.
5. Translated the book named “Learn Sanskrit Through Your Favourite Prayers” in Hindi, Juggernaut publishers, 2016.

Chapters in Book

1. Chapters in the textbook for Mukta Swadhyaya Peetham, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi
2. व्याकरणशास्त्रस्योद्भवः विकासश्च
3. व्याकरणशास्त्रस्य आचार्यपरम्परा
4. पाणिनिस्मृता आचार्याः
5. यण्विधि-वर्णद्वित्वविधि-स्थानिवद्भावाः
6. यङन्तप्रकरणम्
7. यङ्लुगन्तप्रकरणम्
8. नामधातुप्रकरणम्

Article Published

1. Vinayak Rajat Bhat, Tejusvi Shukla (2024), “Kauṭilya Uvāca Seeking Interest in the Adversary’s Prosperity”, Journal for Defense Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, April–June 2024, pp. 157–165.
2. Bhat, Vinayak Rajat, Semwal, Swati (2024), “Exploring Indian Knowledge Systems: Debunking Myths and Revealing Facts”, Samvādasaṃgrahaḥ, IKS Division, MoE, New Delhi.
3. Agrawal, Harsh and Bhat, Vinayak Rajat (2023), “Daily Regimen for Contemporary Leaders: Insights from Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra and Rāmacarita Mānasa”, in Padmaja D. S., Vanishree M. R. and Pooja R. (eds.), Rebuilding Bharat Through Indigenous and Innovative Practices: A Way Forward Towards Vishwa Guru, New Delhi: Trans Stellar
4. Subbarao V Jayanti, Vinayak Rajat Bhat (2023). “Impact of COVID-19 on Environment and Lessons from Indian Culture” Dhimahi, Volume 11, ISSN: 0976-3066, Chinmaya International Foundation, Ernakulam, Kerala
5. Sathish M, Vinayak Rajat Bhat, Sateesh Varma and N.L. Balasudarsun (2020), ‘Leadership Lessons from Indian Knowledge System”, PURUSHARTHA-A journal of Management, Ethics and Spirituality 12 (2), 1-13
6. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (2019),‘Pre-natal Care: Diet and Mental health of a Mother’, Prachi Prajna, Issue 9, Volume V
7. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (2019), ‘Juvenile Crime Act and Mahabharata’, Dhimahi, Volume 10, ISSN: 0976-3066, Chinmaya International Foundation, Ernakulam, Kerala
8. Translated the book ‘Learn Sanskrit Through Your Favourite Prayers’ into Hindi, Juggernaut publishers, 2016

Popular Writings

SHORT ESSAYS/COLUMNS/BLOGS

1. Nithin Ramakrishnan & Vinayak Rajat Bhat, (2021), ‘Epidemics, Public Health and State Responsibility: What Sastras Say’
2. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (2016), “Nari – an exploration in ancient etymology”, http://indiafacts.org/nari-exploration-ancient-etymology/
3. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (2016), “Hygiene in ancient India as in Ganeśa purāṇa”, http://indiafacts.org/hygiene-ancient-india-ganesa-pura%E1%B9%87a/
4. Vinayak Bhat (2016), “Antenatal care: What Maneka Gandhi and her ministry can learn from ancient Hindu texts”, https://www.dailyo.in/lifestyle/antenatal-care-maneka-gandhi-women-child-ministry-hindu-sanskrit-texts-manusmriti-pregnancy/story/1/13631.html

Project 1

• Title: Political Concepts in Ramayana, Mahabharata and Arthashastra: An Analysis of Sovereignty, Kingship, Welfare, Market, Diplomacy and War
• Duration: 2 years
• Granting Agency: IKS Division, Ministry of Education, India
• PIs/Co PIs: Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (Principal Investigator), Dr. Saurav Sarmah, Dr. Charu Ratna Dubey (Co-investigators)
• Purpose: To analyze key political concepts across classical Indian texts and relate them to modern governance theories.
• Short Description: The project examined the political philosophies embedded in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra, focusing on themes such as sovereignty, kingship, state welfare, economic models, diplomacy, and war strategies.
• Status: Completed
• Grant Amount: 9,60,000.00

Project 2

• Title: MOOCs on Indian Knowledge Systems (Three Courses)
• Duration: 1 year
• Granting Agency: [Ministry of Education / SWAYAM platform]
• PIs/Co PIs: Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat (Coordinator)
• Purpose: To design and deliver accessible online courses on Indian Knowledge Systems for a wider audience.
• Short Description: Coordinated the development of three Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) that explore different dimensions of Indian Knowledge Systems. The courses were launched on July 31, 2023, via the SWAYAM platform.
• Status: Completed

Project 3

• Title: Indian Knowledge Systems Textbook Project
• Duration: 2 years
• Granting Agency: AICTE, New Delhi
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat
• Purpose: To develop a standard textbook on Indian Knowledge Systems for higher education curricula.
• Short Description: The project involved creating a comprehensive textbook introducing key concepts and frameworks of Indian Knowledge Systems.
• Status: Completed
• Grant Amount: 45,00,000.00

Project 4

• Title: संस्कृतरूपकेषु स्थितानां वाचोयुक्तीनां संकलनं साम्प्रतिकैरुदाहरणैः तासां प्रस्तुतिश्च
• Duration: 1.5 years
• Granting Agency: Samskrit Promotion Foundation, New Delhi
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat
• Purpose: To collect and present idiomatic expressions found in Sanskrit Rupakas using contemporary examples.
• Short Description: This project aimed to document various idiomatic expressions used in classical Sanskrit Rupakas and contextualize them through modern parallels.
• Status: Completed
• Grant Amount: 4,20,000

Administrative roles

• Member, Board of Studies, Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi
• Member, Syllabus Committee, Nominated by UGC for Economics
• Member, Syllabus committee, Nominated by CSU for Sanskrit and defense studies
• Headed the School of Vedic Knowledge Systems, February 2017 – March 2022 at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth

Important positions held

• Serving as an Expert Trainer for Master Training Programmes on Arthashastra and Neetishastra, organized by the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) Division, Ministry of Education, and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Appointed Member, Curriculum Development Committee for B.A. Sanskrit and Defence Studies, jointly nominated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Central Sanskrit University (CSU).
• Serving as a Member, Board of Studies, Central Sanskrit University.
• Appointed Member, Curriculum Development Committee for the Integration of Indian Knowledge Systems in Economics, nominated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Held the position of Head, School of Vedic Knowledge Systems at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth for a consecutive period of five years, overseeing academic and administrative responsibilities.
• Served as a Member, Syllabus Development Committee for the course titled Bharat Bodh, offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

• Blog- https://shurpakarna.wordpress.com/
• Youtube Lecture https://youtu.be/R50Ax8xPKWI?si=6T5oEwRtDL6vHfJF
• Sanskrit Month Lecture- https://youtu.be/eRy2rHlAQJE?si=ttc_-ZzNYy-48W-M
• Ayurveda & Epidemics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2p_qSUMF9g
• Ancient Indian Statecraft – An Introduction to Arthashastra – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q7GhUvOXiE
• Learn to Chant Shri Ganesha sahasranama – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1UD0icIRTI&t=58s
• Experience Sri Ganesha – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjoH_dd6r3c

Languages Known

• To Read: Devanagari, Roman, Kannada, Telugu.
• To Write: Devanagari, Roman, Kannada, Telugu.
• To Speak: Sanskrit, Hindi, English, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi.

Other academic activities

• Vinayak Rajat Bhat (as an instructor): A 7-day Online Certificate Course on “Kauṭilya’s Blueprint for Leadership: Lessons from Vinayādhikaraṇa”, organized by CIKS, Chanakya University.
• Vinayak Rajat Bhat (as a coordinator and instructor): Online Certificate Course on Arthaśāstra: Indic Civilizational Perspectives on Statecraft, organized by CIKS, Chanakya University, 2024.
• Vinayak Rajat Bhat (as a coordinator and instructor): A 7-day Intensive Workshop/Faculty Development Programme on Indian Perspective on Health, Time and Lifestyle Management organized by Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth.
• Developed and coordinated two 4-day Masters’ Training Program on “Arthashastra and Nitishastra”, at Indore and Varanasi Respectively in collaboration with IKS Division, Ministry of Education and Sri Sri University, Cuttuck.
• Interviewed Prof Gangadharan Nair and Dr. MS Valiathan at Atharva Forum a youtube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R50Ax8xPKWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRy2rHlAQJE

• Presented a lecture as a part of Sanskrit month celebrations at women’s college Chennai over zoom on the topic Dinacarya in Ayurveda.
• Attended a 3-day international conference on “Vintage Lifestyle” organized by United Nations University, 10th to 12th July 2020.
• Attend the workshop on Bharatiya darshana organized by Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth, 27th June to 27th July 2020.
• Was a part of panel discussion on the topic “Saptaanga in IKS” and presented on the topic “Etymological meanings of Saptanga” in NFSI 2020 organised by Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth.
• Subject expert – 7 Day workshop on creation of the stories based on the Upakhyanas available in Mahabharata and establishing their relevance in current context, Rajiv Gandhi Campus, 2019
• Subject expert – Jyotisha Vishwakosha Project, SMSP, Sanskrit Research Center, Udupi, 2019
• Resource Person for a National level workshop for Distance education teachers- सङ्गणकीयतन्त्रांशोपयोगेन संस्कृतशिक्षणम्, Rajiv Gandhi Campus, Sringeri.