{"id":36965,"date":"2017-02-14T15:57:10","date_gmt":"2017-02-14T10:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/globalpress.hinduismnow.org\/?p=36965"},"modified":"2017-02-14T15:57:10","modified_gmt":"2017-02-14T10:27:10","slug":"sanskrit-sanskruti-part-ii-needed-taught-not","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/?p=36965","title":{"rendered":"Sanskrit & Sanskruti Part II \u2013 Is it needed to be taught or not?"},"content":{"rendered":"

To continue my series on Sanskrit, is the second installment. It will start on the misinformation campaign on it.
\nThe Misinformation Campaign on Sanskrit<\/strong>
\nThe very basis of arguments of the opponents of teaching Sanskrit from primary level of education either in India or in any other sovereign nation interested in teaching it to their posterity, is based on a wrong premise. The main argument centers around the wrong notion that all the scriptures or other literature written in Sanskrit were intended only for one \/Varna\/, the Brahmin and others were prevented from learning It. But the scriptures and Itihasas tell a different story.
\nIn fact, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas also learned. Rama and Krishna both studied in traditional gurukulas. The great Dharma raja of the Mahabharata who was learned in sanskrit and righteousness was the Kshatriya Pandava Yudhisthira. King Bhartruhari and even the Saka
\nRudradaman wrote poetry in chaste Sanskrit.
\nHow do then do opponents of Sanskrit oppose teaching Sanskrit, dubbing it as \u201cBrahminical\u201d? The main scripture they quote is from Rigveda. This portion is called the Purusha Suktam. Purusha sukta (puru\u1e63as\u016bkta, \u092a\u0941\u0930\u0941\u0937 \u0938\u0942\u0915\u094d\u0924) is hymn 10.90 of the Rigveda, dedicated to the Purusha, the \u201cCosmic Being\u201d. [1]
\nThe first controversy surrounding the hymn was that it was interpolated at a latter period to perpetuate the caste division in Hindu society, amongst other arguments in this direction. But this argument was debunked by many Hindu scholars, the main being Tiru B.V.Kameswar Aiyar, who stated thus:
\n\u201cThe language of this hymn is particularly sweet, rhythmical and polished and this has led to its being regarded as the product of a later age when the capabilities of the language had been developed. But the polish may be due to the artistic skill of the particular author, to
\nthe nature of the subject and to several other causes than mere posteriority in time. We might as well say that Chaucer must have lived centuries after Gower, because the language of the former is so refined and that of the latter, so rugged. We must at the same time confess that we are unable to discover any distinct linguistic peculiarity in the hymn which will stamp it as of a later origin.\u201d
\nThe Purusha Sukta, in the seventh verse, hints at the organic connectedness of the various classes of society. What does the hymn state that is so controversial? It is this part:
\n\u092f\u0924\u094d\u092a\u0941\u0930\u0941\u0937\u0902 \u0935\u094d\u092f\u0926\u0927\u0941\u0903 \u0915\u0924\u093f\u0927\u093e \u0935\u094d\u092f\u0915\u0932\u094d\u092a\u092f\u0928\u094d \u0964
\n\u092e\u0941\u0916\u0902 \u0915\u093f\u092e\u0938\u094d\u092f \u0915\u094c \u092c\u093e\u0939\u0942 \u0915\u093e \u090a\u0930\u0942 \u092a\u093e\u0926\u093e \u0909\u091a\u094d\u092f\u0947\u0924\u0947 \u0965\u0967\u0967\u0965
\nYat-Purussam Vya[i-A]dadhuh Katidhaa Vya[i-A]kalpayan |
\nMukham Kimasya Kau Baahuu Kaa Uuruu Paadaa Ucyete ||11||
\nMeaning:
\n11.1: What did the Purusha (i.e. Virat) hold within Him? How many parts
\nwere assigned in His Huge Form?
\n11.2: What was His Mouth? What was His Arms? What was His Thighs? And
\nwhat was His Feet?
\n\u092c\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0939\u094d\u092e\u0923\u094b\u093d\u0938\u094d\u092f \u092e\u0941\u0916\u092e\u093e\u0938\u0940\u0926\u094d \u092c\u093e\u0939\u0942 \u0930\u093e\u091c\u0928\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u0915\u0943\u0924\u0903 \u0964
\n\u090a\u0930\u0942 \u0924\u0926\u0938\u094d\u092f \u092f\u0926\u094d\u0935\u0948\u0936\u094d\u092f\u0903 \u092a\u0926\u094d\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902 \u0936\u0942\u0926\u094d\u0930\u094b \u0905\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0924 \u0965\u0967\u0968\u0965
\nBraahmanno-Asya Mukham-Aasiid Baahuu Raajanyah Krtah |
\nUuruu Tad-Asya Yad-Vaishyah Padbhyaam Shuudro Ajaayata ||12||
\nMeaning:
\n12.1: The Brahmanas were His Mouth, the Kshatriyas became His Arms,
\n12.2: The Vaishyas were His Thighs, and from His pair of Feet were born
\nthe Shudras.
\n*Now, what else it states in later verses?*
\n\u091a\u0928\u094d\u0926\u094d\u0930\u092e\u093e \u092e\u0928\u0938\u094b \u091c\u093e\u0924\u0936\u094d\u091a\u0915\u094d\u0937\u094b\u0903 \u0938\u0942\u0930\u094d\u092f\u094b \u0905\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0924 \u0964
\n\u092e\u0941\u0916\u093e\u0926\u093f\u0928\u094d\u0926\u094d\u0930\u0936\u094d\u091a\u093e\u0917\u094d\u0928\u093f\u0936\u094d\u091a \u092a\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0923\u093e\u0926\u094d\u0935\u093e\u092f\u0941\u0930\u091c\u093e\u092f\u0924 \u0965\u0967\u0969\u0965
\nCandramaa Manaso Jaatash-Cakssoh Suuryo Ajaayata |
\nMukhaad-Indrash-Ca-Agnish-Ca Praannaad-Vaayur-Ajaayata ||13||
\nMeaning:
\n13.1: The Moon was born from His Mind and the Sun was born from His Eyes,
\n13.2: Indra and Agni (Fire) were born from His Mouth, and Vayu (Wind)
\nwas born from His Breath.
\n\u0928\u093e\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e \u0906\u0938\u0940\u0926\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0930\u093f\u0915\u094d\u0937\u0902 \u0936\u0940\u0930\u094d\u0937\u094d\u0923\u094b \u0926\u094d\u092f\u094c\u0903 \u0938\u092e\u0935\u0930\u094d\u0924\u0924 \u0964
\n\u092a\u0926\u094d\u092d\u094d\u092f\u093e\u0902 \u092d\u0942\u092e\u093f\u0930\u094d\u0926\u093f\u0936\u0903 \u0936\u094d\u0930\u094b\u0924\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0925\u093e \u0932\u094b\u0915\u093e\u0901 \u0905\u0915\u0932\u094d\u092a\u092f\u0928\u094d \u0965\u0967\u096a\u0965
\nNaabhyaa Aasiid-Antarikssam Shiirssnno Dyauh Samavartata |
\nPadbhyaam Bhuumir-Dishah Shrotraat-Tathaa Lokaa Akalpayan ||14||
\nMeaning:
\n14.1: His Navel became the Antariksha (the intermediate Space between Heaven and Earth), His Head sustained the Heaven,
\n14.2: From His Feet the Earth (was sustained), and from His Ears the Directions (were sustained); in this manner all the Worlds were regulated by Him. [1]
\nThe main objection and the argument that this Suktam was interpolated by the upper caste Brahmins was this. From my face Brahmin was born, from shoulders the Kshatriya, from thighs the Vysya and from feet the Sudra.
\nIf you go further, the Lord states:<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe moon takes birth from the Purusha\u2019s mind and the sun from his eyes. Indra and Agni descend from his mouth and from his vital breath, air is born. The firmament comes from his navel, the heavens from his head, the earth from his feet and quarters of space from his ears. Through this creation, underlying unity of human, cosmic and divine realities is
\nespoused, for all are seen arising out of same original reality, the Purusha.\u201d [1]
\nShudras are born from the feet of The Lord andso too the Earth.What sustains us with all the requirements for a happy living? Is it the unknown Heaven or the known Earth that bears the burden of humanity? That said, the other elements like Agni, Vayu etc., too are needed but
\nwithout Earth, why do we need all these?
\nRight interpretation of the text of the hymn clearly enunciates one undeniable fact: That like the Earth, the Lord intended the Shudras as the main sustaining force of humanity.
\nLet us explain it in the mundane language. A Brahmin attains jnana and teaches, Kshatriya fights, Vaishya sells the needed goods. But what is the use of jnana, if you are not secure? What is the use of security if you can not buy the needed essentials? What is the ultimate use of all the three if someone who works hard to produce the needed goods is not there?
\nIf a man is without feet, what can he do by having all the three other qualities? So, who occupies the prime place in the God\u2019s creation, the Shudra or the sustainer of all the other three. But, again the Shudra (and other varnas) requires guidance from the jnana of Brahmin, security through bravery of the Kshatriya and someone to market his products in the form of a Vaishya. But he forms the crux of sustenance like the Earth that sustains us with the help of other elements.
\nThis argument may look mundane from a philosophical point of view, but I feel no God who is the Parent of humanity would like to see one section of his own creation as inferior to\u00a0 other section and the other section, a higher section and so on. In the Higher Order of the Universe a moth living for 30 minutes, post seeing the light of the day to the longest living animal have the same value in God\u2019s view. Or else he would not have created a moth without a purpose to serve the Earth.
\nThe barriers are created by us and were used by so called upper caste zealots (i.e. casteists) then and the so called Human Rights activist zealots now, who make a living by keeping the society ignorant of our rich cultural heritage and our richest language.
\nThe Ignorant Law Makers<\/strong>
\nEven as I was closing the first part and going into the origin, importance and value of Sanskrit in present day life, a funny anecdote took place in the House of \u201cElders\u201d in India. A self-professed Gandhivadi, who was ignorant that Gandhi relied only on Alternate Medicine, brought one bottle of an Ayurvedic formulation named \u201cPUTRA JEEVAK\u201d and started a commotion in the house that Yoga Guru Ramdev was a male chauvinist, who produced medicine for birth of male child. Ramdev Ashram never propagated it, nor was it mentioned on the bottle anywhere, that it was so. Member after member, from pseudo secular parties
\nexpressed surprise, shock, anguish and what not that Ramdev was discouraging female birth.
\nLater, Ramdev clarified it was the original botanical name of the medicinal plant from which it was prepared and that in Sanskrit \u201cPutra Jeevan\u201d represents birth of child, both male and female. This strengthens the argument that Sanskrit must be taught from primary stage, as it crops up daily in our life and not knowing meaning of simple words will be fodder to the Media and NGOs funded by Missionaries. At least 20-25 years from now, this kind of Gandhi vadis will not have ability to make mountains out of mole hills.
\n********************
\nI had to dwell upon a subject deviating from the main topic only to show that Sanskrit was never a purely \u201cBrahminical\u201d language as is being wrongfully projected by vested interests. Nor is it now, all the more so with the whole concept of*Varnashrama Dharma* changing with 99% of us being Shudras or workers and it is essential to teach Sanskrit from early ages so that our culture is known to the world. It is a rich culture, not less to any other.
\nOrigin & Aspects of Sanskrit<\/strong>
\nThe Sanskrit verbal adjective s\u00e1\u1e43sk\u1e5bta- may be translated as \u201chighly
\nelaborated\u201d, \u201ccultured\u201d, or literally, \u201crefined\u201d. [2] It is not just a
\nlanguage of rituals and \/agraharas\/, but a language of poetry, romance,
\nand royalty. Though western scholars posit it as evolving from a
\nProto-Indo-European, no doubt to link the language to them, our
\ntraditional scholars hold it as the \/Devabhasha\/, language of the Gods.
\nIndeed, it is one of the 22 official languages of India and is
\nthe\/*second official language of the state of Uttarakhand
\n<http:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/sanskrit-is-second-official-language-in-uttarakhand\/article1-499467.aspx>*\/.
\n\/*Sanskrit literature maintains an outstanding tradition in fields
\nrunning from poety and drama to dharma and politics.*\/ The sciences were
\ntaught in Sanskrit, and numerous texts such as the \/bija ganita\/ of
\n\/Bhaskara\/ herald a storied tradition in mathematics. While Sanskrit is
\nthe ceremonial language in Hindu rituals and Buddhist practice [3], it
\nis also a spoken one in a number of villages to this day. [4]
\nPrior to Panini, we had Vedic Sanskrit. Western scholars date\u00a0 the
\nlanguage of the Rigveda dating back to as early as the early second
\nmillennium BCE, but our Traditional scholars hold it to be far more
\nancient. Sanskrit, the classical form was used from the Ashtadhyayi
\nonward, and the elaborated language was used in religious practices by
\n\/Brahma Jnanis\/. The natural, ordinary language \u2018Prakryta\u2019 was used by
\ncommon folk.
\nClassical Sanskrit versus the Common Language
\n\/*It is known across globe that languages undergo imminent change as the
\nsociety evolves into modern ages, each as per the changes brought
\nabout*\/. Thus, English too underwent change with advent of internet with
\nwords \u201cgoogle\u201d finding their way into lexicons and short messaging
\nchanging the very format of language. So too, Sanskrit and many Indian
\nlanguages changed in form and format.
\nVedic Sanskrit is distinct from Classical Sanskrit. Indeed, we see a
\nmarked change between the language of the Chatur Veda and the great
\nEpics of the *Ramayana *and *Mahabharata*. This transformation is
\nattributed to the influence of the Prakrits (or common speech). Pandits
\nrefer to such developments as \u201crsis\u201d. Incidentally, this is the
\ntraditional title of our ancient authorities and great scholars. [4]
\nAccording to the\u00a0 2001 census of India, 14,135 people reported Sanskrit
\nas their native language.\u00a0 In fact, there are several villages, where
\nSanskrit is the spoken language. We can see the all\u00a0 India nature of
\nthis as well, whether North, South, East, or West [5]:
\n\/*Mattur
\n<http:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/This-village-speaks-gods-language\/articleshow\/1199965.cms>*\/,
\nShimoga district, \/*Karnataka*\/| \/*Jhiri
\n<http:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/news-feed\/madhyapradesh\/sanskrit-boulevard\/article1-339234.aspx>*\/,
\nRajgarh district, \/*Madhya Pradesh*\/| \/*Ganoda
\n<http:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/todays-paper\/tp-features\/tp-fridayreview\/article659329.ece>*\/,
\nBanswara district, \/*Rajasthan*\/| \/*Shyamsundarpur
\n<http:\/\/www.theindiapost.com\/features\/featured\/orissa%E2%80%99s-sasana-village-%E2%80%93home-to-sanskrit-pundits\/>*\/,
\nKendujhar district, \/*Odisha* \/
\nPlease note these are all backward areas as per Indian standards. As I
\nsaid earlier, if there is flair and we feel it fair, nothing comes in
\nthe way of learning a language and communicating in it, Indian or alien.
\nMore than 3000 Sanskrit works were published since independence, the
\nlanguage being no less authoritative than the Vedic Language but with
\nneeded changes as per changing ages.
\nWhat\u2019s more, it is highly relevant in the world of music as well.
\nSanskrit, as the language of the *Natya Sastra*, is the origin and
\ntreasury of words in the *Carnatic *and Hindustani branches of classical
\nmusic.\u00a0 More interestingly, China has recorded the first musician to
\nrecord a pop song in Sanskrit (Sa Ding Ding). While our misguided
\nmediawallahs call Sanskrit \u201cboring\u201d, the modern obsessed Chinese have
\ngiven a pop song in the language. [6]
\nOver 90 news publications are published in Sanskrit. Sudharma, a daily
\nnewspaper in Sanskrit, has been published out of Mysore, India, since
\nthe year 1970. [7] *\/Doordarshan <http:\/\/webcast.gov.in\/live\/>\/*has
\nrevamped its\/*Sanskrit News programming
\n<http:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/politics-and-nation\/sanskrit-set-to-make-a-comeback-on-doordarshan-this-july-focussing-on-events-from-around-the-world\/articleshow\/47195734.cms>*\/.
\n[8]
\nWhen the very national mottos of India and Nepal are in this most
\nperfect of langauges\u2026
\nRepublic of India: Satyameva Jayate meaning: Truth alone triumphs.
\nNepal: Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargadapi Gariyasi meaning: Mother and
\nmotherland are superior to heaven.
\n\u2026how then is this matter even up for debate? But leave aside the Indian
\nSubcontinent, what of the \/*legions of yoga practitioners in the west
\n<http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/12\/06\/american-yoga_n_2251360.html>
\n*\/who study it to learn the asanas and mantras?
\n*Foreigners want what our Foreign Obsessed Fools Reject*
\nsanskritstjames
\n<http:\/\/www.andhraportal.org\/sanskrit-sanskruti-part-ii-is-it-needed-to-be-taught-or-not\/sanskritatstjames.org.uk.>
\nMany of you may have heard about how Sanskrit was taught in Europe in
\nmany Universities. In fact, Sanskrit is being taught today not just in
\nthe UK, but in Germany as well (\/*ironic given the recent controversy
\n<http:\/\/www.dnaindia.com\/analysis\/standpoint-sanskrit-vs-german-no-moksha-for-max-mueller-2041315>*\/).
\nWhile our silly people rant about how German and other European
\nlanguages might get them jobs so they can migrate (how does this benefit
\nthe country?), Europeans are teaching their students our Devabhasha.
\nSanskrit fever grips Germany: 14 universities teaching India\u2019s
\nancient language struggle to meet demand as students clamour for
\ncourses.
\nAccording to a Daily Mail article, German students are clamoring for
\nstudying Sanskrit. \/*Inter alia the report states
\n<http:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/indiahome\/indianews\/article-3038926\/Sanskrit-fever-grips-Germany-14-universities-teaching-India-s-ancient-language-struggle-meet-demand-students-clamour-courses.html>*\/:
\nWill Germans be the eventual custodians of Sanskrit, its rich
\nheritage and culture? If the demand for Sanskrit and Indology
\ncourses in Germany is any indication, that\u2019s what the future looks like.
\nUnable to cope with the flood of applications from around the world,
\nthe South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, had to start a
\nsummer school in spoken Sanskrit in Switzerland, Italy and \u2013 believe
\nit or not \u2013 India too.
\n\/*Do we as Indians not have*\/\/*any shame?*\/ Are we so lost and adrift
\nand culture-less as a people that we need, indeed, look to others to
\nlearn, preserve, and even teach us our own heritage? The fools among us
\nwill say \u201c\/yessir, this is great, we will be progressive, not
\nregressive\/\u201c. Rather than encouraged, they should be laughed at. \/*Such
\nshameless fellows would happily sell their mothers as well, so what then
\nis Mother Sanskrit to them?*\/
\n<https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.sparshapps.sanskrit>Sanskrit
\nPrimer
\n<https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.sparshapps.sanskrit>
\n**********************************************
\nTo Be Continued
\nNext Part: I will discuss the importance of sanskrit not only to our
\nancient culture, but how it influenced and helps preserve our regional
\nlanguages also, like Andhra bhasha: Telugu
\n*References:*
\n1. http:\/\/www.greenmesg.org\/mantras_slokas\/vedas-purusha_suktam.php
\n2. Williams, Monier (2004). \/A Sanskrit-English dictionary :
\netymologically and philologically arranged with special reference to
\ncognate Indo-European languages\/. New Delhi: Bharatiya Granth
\nNiketan. p. 1120.
\n3. Oberlies, Thomas (2003). A grammar of epic Sanskrit. Berlin New York:
\nEdgerton, Franklin (2004). Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit grammar and
\ndictionary. Delhi: Motilal
\nBanarsidass.http:\/\/www.theindiapost.com\/features\/featured\/orissa%E2%80%99s-sasana-village-%E2%80%93home-to-sanskrit-pundits\/
\n4. http:\/\/journals.cambridge.org\/action\/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=80241&fileId=S001041750100353X
\n5. http:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/india\/This-village-speaks-gods-language\/articleshow\/1199965.cms
\n6. BBC. \u201cBBC \u2013 Awards for World Music 2
\n7. https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sanskrit#cite_note-Mint2012-33
\n8. \u201cNews on Air\u201d. News On Air. 15 August 2012. etc.
\nAbout Chandra Mohanrao
\nAn ex-banker, saw highs and lows in life, Presently spending time with
\nchildren and grandchildren extensively traveling across India and Globe.
\nWriting is a passion. Never did it for money, nor do I wish to do it.
\nOne critique and one word of appreciation is all what I want.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To continue my series on Sanskrit, is the second installment. It will start on the misinformation campaign on it. The Misinformation Campaign on Sanskrit The very basis of arguments of the opponents of teaching Sanskrit from primary level of education either in India or in any other sovereign nation interested in teaching it to their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":""},"categories":[1977],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36965"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36965\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/globalpress-new.hinduismnow.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}