SAMSKRITAM
The term "Samskritam" is derived by joining ‘Sam’ meaning ‘samyak’ which
translates as "Properly or Perfectly", and ‘krit’ indicates ‘done’. Thus,
the name indicates perfectly or entirely done in terms of communication,
and the use of vocabulary to express an emotion. With an extraordinarily
complex language and a vast vocabulary, it is still widely used today in the
reading of sacred texts and hymns. Samskritam is one of the richest ancient
languages with a treasure of literature works, a living spoken tradition,
and deep connections with several other languages.
The teachings of Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Madhavacharya, Nimbark and
Vallabhacharya wouldn't have been included into the Indian culture, had it
not been for Samskritam as a medium of expressing their thoughts.
Samskritam was both a spoken and literary language of ancient India and
hence has a major impact on most Indian vernacular, such as Hindi, Kannada,
Telugu, Malayalam etc. With the spread of Buddism, Samskritam has travelled
well into the far eastern countries too, impacting the Sino-Tibetan
languages with the influence of Budhist texts in Samskritam and their
translations. In addition to China, Java, Indonesia, Malaysia - Thailand
and Sri Lanka have been enormously influenced by Samskritam and have many
similar sounding words. Above all, English, the current modern international
language has also been influenced by Samskritam and has picked up many
words from the ancient language (for example 'path' from 'patha' meaning
road or way, 'man' from 'manava' meaning a human, 'nirvana' from 'nirvan'
meaning divine liberation or transcendence, 'door' from 'dwar', ''serpent'
from 'sarpa' meaning snake, to name just a few.) Samskritam Grammar is
uniquely extensive and detailed, aimed at explaining every aspect of the
language, all contained in just a few thousands of sutras (aphorisms).
So scientifically-designed is this language - the vocabulary, phonology,
syntax and grammar all remains undiluted in its purity to this day,
maintaining its ability to accommodate itself into an ever changing society.
The possibility and versatility of coining an infinite number of words in
Samskritam, just by using about 2000 roots, 22 prefixes and about 200 suffixes
is unparalleled. Rigveda is known to be the earliest composition in
Samskritam, Even before it was scripted down Samskritam had a tradition of
being used consistently through oral communication. Memorization and
orally passing on of the vedas was the norm long before it was written
down. There are a huge number of literary works ranging from poetry, drama,
technical, philosophical and religious texts in Samskritam. Yoga, Ayurveda,
Tantra, etc. are all originally available in Samskritam. One of the best
philosophies, Advaita Vedanta, is based on vedas (Samskritam literature)
and it’s most subtle debates are available in the same language.
People are not satisfied by reading the translated version of these texts,
they want the original works and to understand it in the original language.
Samskritam is the gateway to the heritage of scientific knowledge in
ancient India. Knowledge of Samskritam ensures an independant and direct
access to the source of knowledge. An estimate of 5 million manuscripts,
most of them in Samskritam is known to be lying neglected all over India
and in several corners of the world, which makes it all the more important
to teach and learn Samskritam. In a bid to make the language available to
the mass, bring together the scattered manuscripts all over the world,
and preserve them well for the future generations, Samskrita Bharati was
founded.
The very sound of Sanskrit words gives prestige and a power and strength to the race.
-Swami Vivekananda
Sanskrit language, as has been universally recognized by those competent to form a judgement, is one of the most magnificent, the most perfect, the most prominent and wonderfully sufficient instruments developed by the human mind.
The great mass of Sanskrit literature is a literature of human life.
- Sri Aurobindo
Without the study of Sanskrit one cannot become a true Indian and a true learned man.
- Mahatma Gandhi