In a major archaeological breakthrough in the Gurez Valley, a 5th-century birch-bark manuscript containing a commentary on the Brahma Sutras has been unearthed. Written in the ancient Sharda script, the scroll was found encased in a lead casket within a ruined stone shrine near the Kishanganga river. Initial analysis suggests the text focuses on the "Pratyaksha" (direct perception) of the Brahman, offering a unique perspective on pre-Shankara Vedantic thought.
The discovery is expected to provide new clues regarding the transmission of Vedic philosophy across the Himalayan ranges during the late Gupta period. Local authorities and heritage experts are now working to preserve the fragile birch-bark layers using advanced vacuum-sealing techniques to prevent further degradation from exposure to the air.