Significance of Sanskrit today
Cultural
Sanskrit is the cradle of Indian culture. It embodies in its literature the Indian ethos and cultural traditions. One’s study of Indian culture can be enriched by learning Sanskrit. The day to day rituals, our festivals and customs mark use of Sanskrit. The ancient Sanskrit work glorifies ancient Indian culture and civilization. The relevance of Sanskrit can be understood by the fact that almost all the major organizations have kept inspiring statements from Sanskrit as their mottos. The motto of the Lok Sabha is Dharma chakra pravartanaya (“For the promulgation of the Wheel of Law”). The All India Radio has adopted as its guiding principle and motto the Sanskrit expression Bahujana-hitaya bahujana-sukhaya (“For the good of the many and for the happiness of the many”). The Life Insurance Corporation’s motto is Yogaksemam vahamy aham, which is a quotation from the Bhagavad Gita, meaning “I take responsibility for access and security”.
Vocational:
People are generally of the opinion that one cannot one’s livehood by learning Sanskrit. However that is not the case, if learnt properly even learning Sanskrit can be helpful earning well. There are many avenues open having learnt Sanskrit today. As for examples
One can become a news reader in Sanskrit.
One can become computer programmer as Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer use.
One can work in manuscript libraries across the world with degree or diploma level courses in library science.
There are lot of opportunities in the area of translation. Learning of Sanskrit will enrich linguistic background of Indian languages. If a person knows English, then he is likely to offer services in translation from English to vernacular Indian languages and vice versa.
Courses in Indian culture are now being demanded. Sanskrit graduates can find openings there as well.
Courses in Vastu, Yoga can also be of great assistance in creating employment opportunities.
Literal and aesthetic
Sanskrit is based on sound grammar. The words have etymological derivations. There is a scope for creation of new words as well based on the sciences of etymology such as Nirukta. The Indian constitution has mentioned that Sanskrit should be consulted as the source language whenever new vocabulary is to be created. Sanskrit is very rich in its literary treasure. We find literature pertaining to all four major purusharthas of life viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The literary forms in Sanskrit are varied and represent great store house of Indian wisdom. There are Vedas, Brahamangranthas, Arayankas and Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavadgeeta, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Profundity of thoughts expressed in theses works are of unparallel type. It is needless to say that such knowledge is relevant today. As for instance, management personnel use Geeta and stories of panchatranta for teaching principles of management. Chanakya’s discourses on politics and economy have solution of many present day problems of politics and economy. Sanskrit literature abounds in literary beauty –aesthetic. The works of Sanskrit particularly the classical Sanskrit attract the minds of lovers of literature. As for instance, Kalidasa’s lyrical poetry Meghdootam is still enjoyed by the people.
Spiritual value:
Since liberation is considered to be the ultimate goal of human life in Indian tradition, Lot of literature is available to guide a person to cultivate the path of spirituality. Today’s men have become victims of excessive materialism. There is prosperity but lack of peace and placidity of mind. Learning of Sanskrit can lead an aspirant to works of spiritual happiness. The works such as Upanishads, Brahmasootra, Srimad Bhagavad purana etc can be of great assistance. The practice of Yoga brings not only physical well being but it will prepare an aspirant to trade on the path of spiritual life as well. The Indian traditions perceive four fold paths to reach to the lord viz.
The path of action
The path of knowledge
The path of Devotion
The path of complete surrendering
In nutshell, Sanskrit language and literature have great role to play in enriching not only lives of Indians but also the people of world at large in its totality, what is required is to study and ponder over the wisdom embodied in the Sanskrit literature.
Cultural
Sanskrit is the cradle of Indian culture. It embodies in its literature the Indian ethos and cultural traditions. One’s study of Indian culture can be enriched by learning Sanskrit. The day to day rituals, our festivals and customs mark use of Sanskrit. The ancient Sanskrit work glorifies ancient Indian culture and civilization. The relevance of Sanskrit can be understood by the fact that almost all the major organizations have kept inspiring statements from Sanskrit as their mottos. The motto of the Lok Sabha is Dharma chakra pravartanaya (“For the promulgation of the Wheel of Law”). The All India Radio has adopted as its guiding principle and motto the Sanskrit expression Bahujana-hitaya bahujana-sukhaya (“For the good of the many and for the happiness of the many”). The Life Insurance Corporation’s motto is Yogaksemam vahamy aham, which is a quotation from the Bhagavad Gita, meaning “I take responsibility for access and security”.
Vocational:
People are generally of the opinion that one cannot one’s livehood by learning Sanskrit. However that is not the case, if learnt properly even learning Sanskrit can be helpful earning well. There are many avenues open having learnt Sanskrit today. As for examples
One can become a news reader in Sanskrit.
One can become computer programmer as Sanskrit is the most suitable language for computer use.
One can work in manuscript libraries across the world with degree or diploma level courses in library science.
There are lot of opportunities in the area of translation. Learning of Sanskrit will enrich linguistic background of Indian languages. If a person knows English, then he is likely to offer services in translation from English to vernacular Indian languages and vice versa.
Courses in Indian culture are now being demanded. Sanskrit graduates can find openings there as well.
Courses in Vastu, Yoga can also be of great assistance in creating employment opportunities.
Literal and aesthetic
Sanskrit is based on sound grammar. The words have etymological derivations. There is a scope for creation of new words as well based on the sciences of etymology such as Nirukta. The Indian constitution has mentioned that Sanskrit should be consulted as the source language whenever new vocabulary is to be created. Sanskrit is very rich in its literary treasure. We find literature pertaining to all four major purusharthas of life viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. The literary forms in Sanskrit are varied and represent great store house of Indian wisdom. There are Vedas, Brahamangranthas, Arayankas and Upanishads, the Srimad Bhagavadgeeta, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Profundity of thoughts expressed in theses works are of unparallel type. It is needless to say that such knowledge is relevant today. As for instance, management personnel use Geeta and stories of panchatranta for teaching principles of management. Chanakya’s discourses on politics and economy have solution of many present day problems of politics and economy. Sanskrit literature abounds in literary beauty –aesthetic. The works of Sanskrit particularly the classical Sanskrit attract the minds of lovers of literature. As for instance, Kalidasa’s lyrical poetry Meghdootam is still enjoyed by the people.
Spiritual value:
Since liberation is considered to be the ultimate goal of human life in Indian tradition, Lot of literature is available to guide a person to cultivate the path of spirituality. Today’s men have become victims of excessive materialism. There is prosperity but lack of peace and placidity of mind. Learning of Sanskrit can lead an aspirant to works of spiritual happiness. The works such as Upanishads, Brahmasootra, Srimad Bhagavad purana etc can be of great assistance. The practice of Yoga brings not only physical well being but it will prepare an aspirant to trade on the path of spiritual life as well. The Indian traditions perceive four fold paths to reach to the lord viz.
The path of action
The path of knowledge
The path of Devotion
The path of complete surrendering
In nutshell, Sanskrit language and literature have great role to play in enriching not only lives of Indians but also the people of world at large in its totality, what is required is to study and ponder over the wisdom embodied in the Sanskrit literature.
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