SETUTILA

For centuries, Sanskrit texts have journeyed across palm leaves, handmade paper, printing presses, and now digital platforms. Each stage was simply a new vessel for timeless wisdom. Setutila continues this journey for the Tattvavāda tradition.

Our vision is to preserve and share the works of Śrī Madhvācārya and his lineage with the same rigor as a critical edition, but with the added power of digital tools: search, cross-linking, variant tracking, and open access.

Setutila is a village in coastal Karnāṭaka where Śrī Madhvācārya is believed to have preserved copies of his works underground, to be unearthed in the distant future by Śrī Vishnutirtha. The name itself conveys: “even a grain (tila) of Dharma (setu) must always be preserved.” This name, these people, and those acts are our guiding spirits.

We begin with the Sarvamūla, the complete works of Śrī Madhvācārya. Commentaries, sub-commentaries, and other works will follow.

Each text is treated with the rigor of a fresh critical edition:

• Authentic Texts: Proofread against multiple sources, with variant readings noted.
• Guided Readings: Informed by traditional commentaries that clarify which variants hold weight.
• Structured Access: Clear headings, layered navigation, and footnotes for easy study.
• Interconnected Sources: Quoted references identified and hyperlinked across the repository, weaving a living web of texts and traditions.

This is not merely digitization. It is a critical edition reimagined for the digital medium — scholarly in depth, accessible in form, open in spirit.

Preserving knowledge has always required both scholarship and community care. In the Mahābhārata Tatparya Nirṇaya, Śrī Madhvācārya records how Bhīmasena ensured that scholars in every village were provided for, so they could teach and guide society without concern for livelihood.

Inspired by this model, Setutila seeks to recreate that balance. Scholars who dedicate themselves here do so in the spirit of seva, with devotion and care. We honor that by ensuring they are sustained—not because their noble work can be equated with money, but because Dharma itself asks society to support those who preserve it.

For us, patronage is not payment; it is participation in Dharma. By supporting Setutila, you help keep alive the tradition of selfless scholarship, while ensuring that those who serve it can continue their work without worry.

Setutila is not just a repository; it is a living community of seekers, scholars, and supporters. There are many ways to be part of this journey:

• Contribute Scholarship: Join as a researcher, proofreader, or editor. Every detail—variant readings, footnotes, commentaries—strengthens the authenticity of the texts.
• Volunteer Skills: Whether in technology, design, or language work, your expertise can help us build better tools and reach more learners.
• Support as a Patron: Just as Bhīmasena upheld scholars in his time, today’s community must uphold those who dedicate their lives to Dharma. Your contribution sustains not only scholarship but a tradition of service.
• Spread the Word: Share Setutila with students, teachers, and seekers who can benefit from this open-access resource.

Together, we can preserve Dharma — one text, one reading, one act of service at a time.

Write to us: seva@setutila.in