M. Hiriyanna

His classroom dictations, published by Allen & Unwin in book form as "Outlines of Indian Philosophy[3]" brought Hiriyanna international recognition.

[7] He wrote extensively on the Vedic age, mainly on the Upanishads, followed by the evolution of Indian philosophical thought in the post-vedic era, deliberating mainly on Bhagavad Gita, the early years of Buddhism and Jainism.

Post retirement, he declined many an invitation from universities across India to chair their Departments of Philosophy and Sanskrit Studies.

His love of English literature was well known and he was an avid reader of " The Times Literary Supplement" and "Illustrated London News".

Hiriyanna had a close relationship with Palghat Narayan Sastry in Mysore and the two scholars deliberated deeply on the finer aspects on Indian philosophical Thought, Vedanta and The Upanishads.

Upon M. Hiriyanna's demise, his vast collection of books was donated to the “Kuppuswamy Sastri Research Institute” at Mylapore.

Hiriyanna wrote extensively across five decades on topics ranging from the 'Art of Teaching' [Bodhana Krama[14] - 1906] to his treatises on “Ishavasyopanishad” (1911), “Kenopanishad” (1912), “Katakopanishad” (1915) and “Brhadaranyakopansihad – Part 1” in 1919.

His years with Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Ardeshir Ruttonji Wadia at the University of Mysore saw him interpolate, compare and elucidate finer points of Western Philosophy in relation to accepted notions on Indian philosophical thought.

Hiriyanna's contributions to comparative philology, Sahitya (Literature), Alamkara (Figures of Speech) and Vyakarana (Grammar) and several Darshanas were credible.

His writings combined an authoritative command on the Sanskrit language with a philosopher's viewpoint on matters of ethereal and metaphysical importance.

His vast library of books collected and carefully curated find place in Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute at Chennai.

Both these volumes contain some scholarly articles on topics dear to Hiriyanna's forte, as written by luminaries like P. T. Narasimhachar and M. V. Seetharamiah among others.

A generation of writers, scholars, linguists and of course philosophers in India and abroad remember him for his erudition, dedication to teaching, nobility of spirit and simplicity.

He exhibited the quality of the well-bred gentlemen – an abhijatapurusa – one who gives his gifts in such a way that none except the donor knows it, who knows how to welcome whoever comes to his house and make him comfortable, who is silent about his own good deeds but proclaims unreservedly of favours he has received from others, in whom fortune does not breed arrogance – who is averse to listen to stories about others and who is intensely devoted to learning.

It is good to remember Prof. Hiriyanna, his life, his scholarship, his un-ostentatious benevolence, his dignified bearing and his keen sense of honour and independence.In 2018, Prekshaa Pratishtana in collaboration with W.I.S.E.

L-R: M. Hiriyanna's wife Lakshmidevamma and daughter Rukkamma
M. Hiriyanna with S. Radhakrishnan & A. R. Wadia at S. Radhakrishnan's Farewell from University of Mysore