Sanskrit always brings back fond memories of Vijaya High School, where I completely fell in love with the language.
As the name implies, Samskrutham = Samyak (well) + Krutham (done) Iti. (A language that is) well done. Period. There is an inherent quality of appeal in Sanskrit that is difficult to explain. You got to experience it.
And hey - like all languages, Sanskrit expects certain rules to be followed. I don't understand why people make a big deal out of it.
That's what Bili and I were discussing. Why is Sanskrit so MYSTIFIED, especially by people who don't know the language ? (I don't mean to sound pompous, I am no expert honestly) Anyway, the talk of Sanskrit, almost always, seems to imply " something to do with religion" ?! I don't understand why people confuse "antiquity" with "divinity". Yes, it is an ancient language but that doesn't make it divine per se.
Back in Vijaya High School, we learnt Sanskrit just as we did any other language. We played around with words and grammar, discussed language intricacies during lunch breaks - I remember a particular incident when our headmaster EAVESDROPPED into our conversation and began sharing HIS opinions! A great scholar of the language, he soon had us hanging on every word of his. And not only that, unknown to us, there was a small crowd developing around the entire flight of stairs where WE were accosted by HIM!
So, that's how our sanskrit teachers at Vijaya High School were. They made the language exciting to learn, simple. No divinity, no mantras, no fear. For us 14 year olds, it was pure play ! I remember we were disappointed that the language didn't have many(any?) abuses and so we even tried inventing a few !!
After all, don't you know namma Sanskrit has its POLI (Kannada for naughty/saucy) aspects as well ? Haha.
I remember a Subhashita that goes : "Durjanam Prathamam Vande, Sajjanam Tadanantharam. Mukha Prakshaalanaath Poorvam ___ ____
[ Although a little vulgar, the metaphor is good, lets admit it !]
And can 17 year old males (who did PU-II Sanskirt) ever forget that racy dialogue on female underclothing from Kalidasa's Shakuntala ? LOL
OK, if you just felt that I am trying to "besmear" this ancient language, clearly you haven't understood my point at all. Sanskirt is one of our most treasured possessions and any semblance of "revival" can only be possible if we starting treating it like a "normal" language.
Remove the spiritual paraphernelia that is suffocating its existence.
We need Sanskrit, sans(without) spirit.
2 comments:
Well said! Esp. the part about not equating antiquity with divinity. And we were indeed lucky that we learnt this language just like we'd learn any other. It was actually a very enjoyable subject back in school :)
kanna,other day i was just listening to some speech of Dr Ashtavadhani Ganesh on youtube,where he says exactly the same that many donot learn sanskrit because it has religious fervor.Some sects say that since learning starts with the word RAMA, He is not their deity,they donot want to learn.
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