sanskrit is the most interesting

7/29/2019 Sanskrit is the Most Interesting

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Relevance of Sanskrit in the Modern Age-

A Realistic Approach

Dr. Narasingha Ch. Panda

Associate Professor in Sanskrit

VVBIS & IS, Sadhu Ashram,

Panjab University, Hoshiarpur

Sanskrit is the most ancient and perfect among the great

languages of the world. Its storehouse of knowledge is an unsurpassed

and the most invaluable treasure of the world. This language is a true

symbol of the great Indian tradition and thought, which has exhibited

full freedom in the search of truth, has shown catholicity towards

universal truth. This unique language contains not only good account of

wisdom for the people of this country, but it is also an unparallel and right

way to acquire proper knowledge and is thus significant for the people of

entire world.

In India, Sanskrit is known as devabh, i.e. language of the gods.

Besides, it is also recognized as the mother of Indian languages. However,

it is not merely a classical language, but also a repository of a great part of

our old cultural heritage. It is obvious to say that Sanskrit literature contains

all shorts ofvidys, i.e. Sciences or knowledge.

The Vedas are the soul of Indian culture and tradition. It is the

storehouse of all type ofjnas i.e. wisdoms, which are very useful to

maintain a healthy and tension free life in the society. It is also widely


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known as the source or root of Sciences, including Physics, Chemistry,

Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Agriculture, Environmental Science,

Architectural Science (vstu-vidy), Geometry, Astrology, Metallurgy,

Medicine, Meteorology, etc. These subjects are also separately discussed in

various texts and commentaries of the vast literature of Sanskrit. The

mystery of traditional as well as modern vidys or Sciences was

exhaustively known to our ancient seers, poets, writers and commentators.

Hence, it is now almost essential for all, to read, understand and properly

analyze these interesting traditional and modern values of Indian culture for

the all-round development the whole main-kind.Sanskrit is the most interesting and scientific language of the world.

As a language Sanskrit is regarded by experts in linguistic and philology as a

perfect vehicle of communication. 1786, a period when the West was

gleefully acquiring treasures physical and intellectual from India, Sir

William Jones in his address to the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal has

said: The Sanskrit language, whether, be its antiquity, is of wonderful

structure, more perfect then Greek, more copious than the Latin and more

refined then either.

On the practical plane one must acknowledge that in terms of its

grammar, phonetics, vocabulary and the Devangar script, Sanskrit

becomes a wonderfully efficient vehicle of communication. It is not

surprising that recent empirical studies about the relative suitability of

different languages and scripts for use in computer programming and

operation indicated that Sanskrit in Devangar script was not only the

suitable but also that is perfectly satisfied every requirement as an optimal

medium for use.

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The culture of Sanskrit and Sanskrit literature is actually the culture of

synthesis and assimilation. The message of Sanskrit literature is one of

humanism, of unity of mankind, of values, of peace and mutual

understanding and of harmonious development of the individual and the

society. It would help reviving the ethos of India, because synthesis,

harmony and reconciliation comprise the essence of the culture of Sanskrit.

It would help us to unlock the treasure house of scientific insights

and research results concerning positive sciences in our ancient literature.

Besides, it would help us in using Sanskrit as a medium par excellence in

computer operations and as a language for the new technology.

In addition to these, it would help us to invigorate various languages

of India. As Mahatma Gandhiji rightly said : Sanskrit is like the river

Gag for our Languages. I always feel that if it were to dry up the regional

language also would lose their vitality and power. It seems to me that an

elementary knowledge of Sanskrit is essential. It is not sentiment on my part

that makes me say so, but practical consideration of the utility to our country

of this great language and the vast knowledge held by it.

On 8th April 1983, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, while addressing the scholars

of Sanskrit in the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya had said: If

Sanskrit was simplified, it could serve as a better link among the people in

different states and solve the language problem (The Hindu, dated 9.4. 83).

It is true that Sanskrit many solve our language problem, if it is

simplified. So it is the duty of Sanskrit scholars to simplify the grammatical

rules and other phonetically applications for the major utility of this

language.

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Here, a discussion will be made on Sanskrit language and its proper

application in the computer for the propagation of this language as well as

for the advantage of researchers and lovers of Sanskrit.

Sanskrit & Computer :

In this modern age Sanskrit is being treated as one of the scientific

languages of the world. Its script, i.e. Devangar is also easily accessible

by the computer in its various programmes.

However, it is known that computers are now emerging as powerful

instrument in ushering a new era of global revolution in the field of modern

education for all type of progress of the people in the society. The

advantages offered by these new tools of education combined with the

power of technology are being absorbed and adopted for the purpose of

Sanskrit studies in India and abroad too. Utilization of computer technology

for facilitating Sanskrit studies in general class-room environment,

individual and group learning of rudiments of Sanskrit in the form of

conversational sentences, teaching packages for astrology, architectural

science (vstu-vidy), Sanskrit grammar, astronomy, etc. based on the

subject of interest through the medium of English and other languages.

However, computer technology being utilized as right tool to

preserve, popularize and propagate the traditional Sanskrit studies. Presently,

a number of Sanskrit texts, viz. Vedic texts, Mahbhrata, Rmyaa,

Adhyy of Pini, Puras, Kvyas, Nakas, etc. are

available in the Internet. These texts are available in the Roman script with

diacritical marks, as a result of which the researchers as well as admires of

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Indian wisdom and culture are directly and indirectly benefited through

those texts available in the Internet. In addition to these some Tntrik texts

and some other rare texts are available in the Internet. The well known

Research Institutes of the world have their own web-sites, in which their

academic activities and Research Academy, Melkole ; Indira Gandhi

National Centre of Arts, New Delhi; Rashtriya Sanskrit Samsthana, New

Delhi; Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath; Vipasana

Research Centre, (Research Centre), Igatpuri, Maharashtra; Mugdhabodha

Society (Research Centre), Bombay; C-DAC, Bombay, and other leading

Institutions and Universities of India, have developed different software aswell as data packages. The major Tntrik texts are available in the Website

of Mugdhabodha Society, Bombay. Even some rare Tntrik texts are find

the place in the said website. The foreign scholars are directly benefited by

these texts which are available in the websites. Besides, 217 (Buddhist) Pli

texts are also available in the C.D. Rom in different International scripts,

like : Roman, Devangar, Thai, Muyamar, Sinhalese, Khmer and Mongol.

This tremendous work is accomplished by the Vipassana Research Institute,

Igatpuri. All the texts can be easily searched for particular words and phrases

with the help of powerful search engine provided in the software, making

CSCD a valuable companion to research scholars of Pli. They have also

their own website, in which these texts are available. However, Pli texts,

Tntrik texts and general Sanskrit texts are available in the Internet for the

proper use of general readers, Sanskrit scholars, researchers and true lovers

of Sanskrit and Indian culture.

It is interesting to note that even today Astrologers and Vstuvids are

using computers for predicting as well as calculating auspicious dates,

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periods and other important predictions through various softwares and

programmes.

The Indian heritage, i.e. Sanskrit Manuscripts in the form of Palm

leaves and Bhurja leaves are being well preserved through Microfilms and

digitization systems. These Manuscripts can also be read and seen in the

computer through CD and other related technology.

To sum up : Sanskrit is now closely related with computer, through

which researchers, readers, and students of Sanskrit are benefited. This is a

positive approach in the direction that Sanskrit learning which is now more

widened and easily obtainable through these modern devices. Hence, finally

it can be said that in the coming days Sanskrit would be a common language

of India through which our National heritage and old traditional values will

be sustained, as a result of which we will live in peace. This the chief goal of

our life, which is possible through the traditional Vidys, well preserved in

the vast Sanskrit texts, since time immoral. Before concluding, I would like

to quote our first Prime Minister Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had a positive

approach towards this (Sanskrit) language. So he has said: The past has

gone and the present is with us and we work for the future. But I have no

doubt that whatever shape that future may take one of the biggest, the

strongest and the most powerful and the most valued of our legacies will be

the Sanskrit language.

Jayatu Sanskritam

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sanskrit is the most interesting

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