सूक्ति (Beautiful Thought)

Sanskrit is world’s oldest language. They say “Old is Gold”. But the decline in Sanskrit suggests that we have not valued the Gold. There may be many reasons of its decline. One of the foremost reason was that we remained under the control of foreign rulers for way too long period (nearly 1000 years, isn’t it a very long period ?). Whenever any foreign power reins its subject, their first attack is on the cultural aspects of their occupation and to promote their own culture to the natives.

Anyway I am not going in to the details of the apathy of Sanskrit, because reflection in past never fetches any substantial gain but the present action can, however past can be a chaperone.

Today I am starting a new series in my blog, named “सूक्ति/ Beautiful Thought”

“सू+उक्ति; सू =अच्छा, सुन्दर ; उक्ति = विचार “.

It will consist texts, verses, thoughts, quotes, anecdotes etc. from Sanskrit language with its translation. I will try to write those episodes which will be relevant to our day to day life. The source of my quote will be multiple. Texts may be from Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwat Puran, Vedas, Upanishad, Quotes from various personalities such as Chanakya.

My purpose is that through this small initiative readers will feel proud about our great heritage and can develop some interest in knowing them. India was known as “Golden Bird” at the time, when Sanskrit was rife. I am not saying that there is some connection between it, but I also believe that it can not be a mere coincident.

Here is the first one ..

text1

संस्कृत दुनिया की सबसे पुरानी भाषा है. लोग कहते हैं “ओल्ड इस गोल्ड “. लेकिन संस्कृत में गिरावट से पता चलता है कि हमने “गोल्ड” को महत्व नहीं दिया है. इसकी गिरावट के कई कारण हो सकते हैं. सबसे महत्वपूर्ण कारण यह था कि हम विदेशी शासकों के नियंत्रण में बहुत लंबे समय तक रहे (लगभग 1000 साल, क्या यह बहुत लंबी अवधि नहीं है?)। जब भी किसी भी विदेशी शक्ति ने अपने अधीन पर शाशन करती है तो उनका पहला हमला अधीन के सांस्कृतिक पहलुओं को नाश्ता करना और अपने सांस्कृतिक पहलुओं को उनपर थोपना होता है.

फिर भी मैं संस्कृत की उदासीनता का ब्यौरा में नहीं देने जा रहा हूं, क्योंकि सिर्फ अतीत झाँकने से किसी भी महत्वपूर्ण लक्ष्य की पूर्ति नहीं करता है, लेकिन वर्तमान में काम करने से यह प्राप्त किया जा सकता है, हालांकि अतीत एक सीख का काम कर सकती है

आज मैं अपने ब्लॉग में एक नई श्रृंखला शुरू कर रहा हूं, जिसका नाम रखा है “सूक्ति ” . इसमें संस्कृत भाषा से पाठ, छंद, विचार, उद्धरण, उपाख्यानों आदि शामिल होंगे। मैं उन लेखों को लिखने का प्रयास करूंगा जो हमारे दिन-प्रतिदिन जीवन के लिए प्रासंगिक होंगे। मेरे उद्धरण का स्रोत एकाधिक होगा. ग्रंथों में श्रीमद् भगवद गीता, भागवत पुराण, वेद, उपनिषद, चाणक्य जैसे विभिन्न व्यक्तित्वों से उद्धरण भी हो सकते हैं।

मेरा उद्देश्य यह है कि इस छोटी सी पहल के माध्यम से पाठकों को हमारी महान विरासत के बारे में पढ़कर गर्व महसूस होगा और उन्हें जानने में कुछ रुचि पैदा हो होगी। भारत को “सोने की चिड़िया” कहा जाता था, जब संस्कृत व्यापक थी। मैं यह नहीं कह रहा हूं कि इसके बीच कुछ संबंध हैं, लेकिन मेरा यह भी मानना है कि यह एक संयोगमात्र नहीं हो सकता।

 

33 thoughts on “सूक्ति (Beautiful Thought)”

  1. Very nice post, It’s really unfortunate to see Sanskrit in the UNESCO’s Endangered Languages List . If we want to preserve our heritage, the indifference towards Sanskrit has to stop, Various commissions and committees have highlighted the importance of Sanskrit and the need to restore it to its old glory. All our texts, documents and scriptures are in Sanskrit; losing the language would be losing our roots. Besides, Sanskrit is the most structured and scientific language spoken anywhere in the world. In its syntax, grammar and structure, no other language can match it. It is absolutely essential that Sanskrit be taught as language in all schools and institutions of higher learning. State must ensure that institutions of higher learning produce good Sanskrit teachers and also ensure that all vacancies of Sanskrit teachers in schools are filled-up immediately. At individual level, all parents should also ensure that their children learn Sanskrit, so that they can taste and appreciate the genius and depth of India directly in their basic mother tongue, without relying on corrupted interpretation of their own texts by a third person.

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    1. Thank you Ritu for your response. I have seen some enthusiasm under the present government towards Sanskrit. On DD National and on DD news Sanskrit news is being broadcasted regularly. I have also seen some competition is also organised by Prasar Bhart such as to translate Hindi Songs in Sanskrit. Government has to be proactive in promotion of any language.
      Even though I don’t know much in Sanskrit, whatever little knowledge I have one thing is sure it is fascinating language. Parents can not do much because they themselves don’t know much in Sanskrit because this language was seen as a language which will not have economic output. So they have not learnt it during their schooling. Onus is on Youth like us.

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    2. Yes, Sanskrit is structured and scientific and that is the reason why strong computer programs try to emulate its structure.

      The rigid syntax and rules ensured that Sanskrit managed to maintain its purity. However, that rigidity backfired because the language could not or rather did not assimilate other languages/cultures, the way for example Hindi did. Even if the British domination had not affected the language use, it is doubtful whether Sanskrit would have survived to this day, anyway. At present, the time is of globalization, of communication flow. And in such scenario, any language with rigid walls would decay and die. Flexibility is always an asset for a language as it is for an individual.

      I do not know whether providing education in Sanskrit would have any benefit at all given that the present graduates themselves find it difficult to find jobs. Note that its case cannot be compared with Hindi/Marathi where a student can find a job as a interpreter/translator/typist. There is absolutely no scope of building a career in Sanskrit (except teaching), and that is the primary reason for general lack of interest. For that students or parents cannot be blamed. Their main aim is to progress in a highly competitive world and English/German/Japanese are more useful than a language which nobody speaks. Yes, once they have settled in their careers, they may study the language out of love, but that is another matter.

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      1. Umm, I will say one sentence, We can’t throw our grandparents out of our homes just because they’re now old, useless or unfit in current society or culture (In spite of knowing that they would die some day- Which everybody has to..)

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        1. I have only added to specific assertions in your comment. A detailed commentary would have made the comment section even longer than the post itself, and then Abhay would beat me!!

          The basic question here is whether it is love for language or love for heritage. Please see my other comment (perhaps at the bottom of the page).

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          1. Yes Amit Ji, I have seen both and will respond there accordingly. To tell you the truth, I am the happiest person when I get the detailed feedback, and your knowledge of the subject matter is vast and immaculate. It is privilege for me.

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        2. Well, emotionally ur explanation is correct and justified and I admire this approach, but since world is becoming way too rational, scientific and technical, I tried to give a response to Amit Bhai, about my understanding. He is master and a very good critique 🙂

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      2. Amit Ji, I got your point and I am giving response categorically.
        Your first point was that Sanskrit is rigid and complex and it did not assimilate other languages/ culture. I find it absolutely incoherent and inconsistent. Just too quote you an example, let’s discuss about Chinese Script, Literature and Language. Can you compare its complexity and rigidness with Sanskrit. The answer is absolute No. Chinese script is the representation of real objects, and hence it is the most difficult language to adopt where as Sanskrit, as you know, is very consistent and predictable. Yet, Chinese is not just surviving but thriving (just like their economic might) and Sanskrit is struggling for its existence. I am not going in detail about its reason. But point number one, in my view, is substantiated that rigidness and complexity is not the sole reason of its decline.
        Your second point is that since Sanskrit cannot be used to get economical benefit, hence it should be discarded and dumped. I agree with you on this front; however there is still some reservation. Just take an example, which I usually quote, of Yoga. Yoga is becoming way too popular, now a days and even accepted, approved and practiced all over the world. The Yoga is mentioned in the book of Patanajali Yoga Sutra, which was essentially in Sanskrit. Now imagine if nobody knows Sanskrit, then would you expect UN to celebrate 21st June as World Yoga Day? There may be many untapped treasure would have been in the ancient text of Sanskrit. If we would be able to decipher them, who known it would be a path breaking.

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        1. Perhaps the meaning in which I used the term ‘rigidity’ was not conveyed.

          To add to your assertion on Yoga, don’t you notice that the overall objective of the individuals is the health aspect of the exercise! One can easily practise it without the aid of Sanskrit.

          And did I anywhere say that Sanskrit ‘should be’ discarded because it doesn’t bring economic benefits? Really?

          I merely mentioned few reasons for the decline of the language. I would rather leave the subject here to avoid further misinterpretations.

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          1. Yes Amit Ji, you are correct, this platform is not good for discussion as, first it has a time lag and second it visually not appealing too. So if you can mail me, then we can discuss. By the way, I highly appreciate your response. As far as I felt that you are not particularly enthusiastic about Sanskrit, and since it is declining and going towards a slow death and if we will not do anything, it will surely vanish and hence I construed your view as discarding the Sanskrit.

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  2. A great initiative Abhay! Sanskrit is the mother of all languages. Unfortunately it is dying a gradual death. I am so glad that you are doing your bit in contributing to its revival.
    Btw, there is a village in Karnataka, where all the inhabitants speak only sanskrit.
    My aunt who is 75 years old, and stays in the US, recently gave her Sanskrit exams and passed with distinction. So with a few like minded people like you, there is hope for the revival of the language of gods!

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    1. Thanks Radhika Ji, Yes I know about that village. Its name is Mattur. I am listening this version that “Sanskrit is dying it’s slow death” since when I was in 5th or 6th standard. At that time I also felt that since it will not have any implication on my future career even if I don’t pay heed towards this subject, and read it only to secure good marks and to tell you the truth it never disappointed me too. Yet I now feel that many of the subjects which I read is also not utilized in my professional life, still we read it. Then why not Sanskrit?

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  3. संस्कृत से संस्कृति——संस्कृत नहीं तो संस्कृति कदापि नहीं।—–हम संस्कृत से जितना दूर जाते जाएंगे संस्कृति —–ऐसे ही भूलते जाएंगे। सुक्रिया—-अपने अतीत में झांकने केलिए।

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  4. I have doubts. As far as I understand, the oldest language was Vedic Sanskrit which anyhow hardly anyone speaks now. The present day Sanskrit, which you aim to address, is Classical Sanskrit and has contributions from Panini. (This itself could be a blog post). But please check.

    I do not know how this series would help in your stated objective. Anyone can easily find all these texts/verses along with their translations.

    First, the question is whether your focus is on the language or its literature or both. Some time back you quoted Nirala to assert that good poetry can be done only when there are no restrictions of syntax etc. And here Sanskrit poetry is all about meters and formulae! Would you be able to promote something which you yourself don’t support?

    Then, why do you admire Sanskrit? Is it just the culture/heritage/scriptures? For example, had the Ramayan been written in French and Mahabharat in Urdu, would you have promoted those languages? What makes Sanskrit special or different? Or interesting? Forget what Swami Vivekananda or Mahatma Gandhi might have said. What is your view?

    We the readers are more interested in your thoughts. I would rather suggest that you write essays to examine the language and criticize its literature. If your interest is in the language, you may point out interesting features in its phonetics/syntax/grammar. If it is literature, then assess Bhaas, Bhavbhuti, Bhaarvi. Even if it is trivial, something small, does not matter. But it would be new and immensely helpful. You may need to spend time, but I assure you that you would enjoy the work and would be very very happy 🙂

    These are just my genuine suggestions. In any case, all the best for all your adventures and explorations!

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    1. Since I am preoccupied with some other objective, I can not go in much detail of Sanskrit. But in future, will definitely learn, at least the basics. You can take my this initiative as just to bring quotes from sanskrit which can help in some way to the readers.
      By the way you never give your response to my original posts ☺️

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      1. I read all your posts. But I do not comment unless there is something constructive. Your growth is the most important thing.

        By the way, Sri Aurobindo, and also Rajendra Tandon, had translated Sanskrit scriptures. Please see if they are helpful to you.

        All the Best!

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  5. Dude that was very touching…
    I too studied sanskrit till 10th class
    I loved the way it feels whenever I tried to read a chapter…
    हाँ इसे एक कड़वा सच कहा जा सकता है कि हमारे ही देश के लोग इस महान भाषा का अस्तित्व नही समझ पा रहे हैं।
    वहीं दूसरी ओर, अन्य देशों के वैज्ञानिक अभी भी इस भाषा की सरलता को समझते हुए, इससे कंप्यूटर के जटिल प्रोग्राम्स को सहज बनाने की कोशिश में लगे हुए हैं।
    A सूक्ति from my side, I remembered that
    में मन: शिवसंकल्पनमस्तु।

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  6. Your second point is that since Sanskrit cannot be used to get economical benefit, hence it should be discarded and dumped. The answer is absolute No. Chinese script is the representation of real objects, and hence it is the most difficult language to adopt where as Sanskrit, as you know, is very consistent and predictable.

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