Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Chant at IIT Delhi Convocation Was Shikshavalli, Not Gayatri Mantra
At a big graduation ceremony at IIT Delhi, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was present.
During the event, a very old chant in the Sanskrit language was played.
Some people thought it was the Gayatri Mantra, a well-known prayer.
A journalist named Abhijit Majumder said it was actually a part of the Taittiriya Upanishad called the Shikshavalli.
This old section gives advice to students, such as telling the truth, doing good things, and respecting teachers and parents.
Some people asked why religious words should be used at a school event.
The journalist explained that the chant is like an old educational tradition that prepares students for learning, not just a prayer.
At the same ceremony, PM Modi also opened a new powerful supercomputer called Param Pragya.
This supercomputer will help students and researchers work with artificial intelligence and science.
A Sanskrit chant played at IIT Delhi's 57th convocation during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit was Shikshavalli, not the Gayatri Mantra, according to journalist Abhijit Majumder.
Shikshavalli is the first chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad, associated with the Krishna Yajurveda.
The text contains traditional guidance for students on truth, righteousness, discipline, learning and respect for teachers and parents.
Majumder described the verses as 'our civilisational Vedic code which prepares students for learning', responding to questions about religious material in educational spaces.
Modi also inaugurated Param Pragya, an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility at IIT Delhi's Sonipat Campus.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, journalist Abhijit Majumder, and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi)
- What
- A Sanskrit chant at the 57th IIT Delhi convocation was clarified as the Shikshavalli of the Taittiriya Upanishad, not the Gayatri Mantra, and Modi inaugurated the Param Pragya supercomputing facility.
- When
- Saturday, during IIT Delhi's 57th convocation (exact date not given in the article)
- Where
- IIT Delhi; the Param Pragya facility is located at IIT Delhi's Sonipat Campus
- Why
- To clarify the chant's identity and significance as a traditional Vedic educational text amid debate over religious material in educational spaces.
Questioning religious content in educational institutions
Viewing the chant as a civilisational educational tradition
Whether the chant belongs in an IIT convocation
Questioning religious content in educational institutions
Some questioned why a chant like the Gayatri Mantra was played at an IIT convocation and asked whether religious material should feature in educational spaces.
Viewing the chant as a civilisational educational tradition
Abhijit Majumder argued the chant is not the Gayatri Mantra but the Shikshavalli, described as 'our civilisational Vedic code which prepares students for learning', and should not be viewed merely as a religious reference.
- Event
- 57th Convocation of IIT Delhi
- Chant identified as
- Shikshavalli, first chapter of the Taittiriya Upanishad
- Commonly mistaken for
- Gayatri Mantra
- Associated text
- Taittiriya Upanishad (Krishna Yajurveda)
- Key verse
- "Satyam vada, Dharmam chara" (Speak the truth, practise righteousness)
- Clarified by
- Journalist Abhijit Majumder
- Also inaugurated
- Param Pragya, an AI-powered high-performance supercomputing facility
- Facility location
- Sonipat Campus of IIT Delhi