Dr. Sanjukta Gupta is a distinguished Indologist, Sanskrit scholar, and expert in Hindu philosophy and theology, particularly in the fields of Kashmir Shaivism, Vedanta, and Bhakti traditions. Her scholarly work bridges traditional Sanskrit exegesis and modern academic interpretation, making her one of the foremost voices in comparative studies of Indian and Western philosophical thought.

Early Life and Education
Sanjukta Gupta was born in India and developed an early interest in Sanskrit literature, Indian philosophy, and theology. She pursued advanced studies in Sanskrit and Indology, eventually earning her Ph.D. from a reputed institution, where her research focused on Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions and their metaphysical foundations.

Academic Career
Dr. Gupta taught and conducted research in several prestigious universities, including:
University of Oxford (UK), where she served as a lecturer and researcher in Hindu Studies and Sanskrit.
She has also been affiliated with Leiden University (Netherlands) and has collaborated with international scholars on Hindu philosophy and ritual studies.
Her academic work is recognized for its deep philological rigor combined with philosophical insight, especially in interpreting Sanskrit scriptures through both traditional commentarial and modern hermeneutic lenses.

Areas of Expertise
Kashmir Shaivism (Shaiva Siddhanta and Trika schools)
Advaita Vedanta and Vishishtadvaita Vedanta
Bhakti traditions, especially Vaishnavism and Shaiva devotion
Comparative philosophy and religion
Tantric studies and Hindu theology

Major Works
Some of her notable publications include:
Advaita Vedanta and Vaisnavism: The Philosophy of Madhusudana Sarasvati – A seminal study exploring how Madhusudana Sarasvati reconciled nondual Vedanta with Bhakti.

Hinduism (co-authored with Axel Michaels and Helmuth von Glasenapp) – A comprehensive overview of Hindu thought, history, and ritual practice.

Hindu Gods and Goddesses – A study of the iconography and theological significance of major Hindu deities.
Numerous scholarly articles and essays on Shaiva and Vaishnava theology, ritual, and hermeneutics.
Scholarly Contribution
Dr. Gupta’s research is widely respected for offering nuanced understandings of the integration of devotion (bhakti) with nondual (advaita) metaphysics. Her work on Madhusudana Sarasvati, in particular, has been praised as a major contribution to Vedantic scholarship. She has also contributed to the global academic discourse on how Hindu theology interacts with modern religious philosophy.

Legacy
Through her rigorous scholarship and dedication to preserving and interpreting Sanskrit philosophical texts, Sanjukta Gupta has inspired generations of students and scholars in the study of Hindu philosophy and comparative religion. Her works continue to be used in university courses worldwide and serve as essential references for research in Indian philosophy.