संस्कृत तथा संस्कृति – एक विनम्र निवेदन – UPDATED

UPDATE: Added Nepali and Telugu translations to Hindi, Marathi and English ones below.

UPDATE II: Added Gujarati.

Dear friends, kindly consider translating this short message in your own language and circulate it amongst your friends…It would help us to spread awareness on this important issue and do our bit to keep Sanskrit alive…I have already included the message in Hindi, Marathi and English below…please also have a look at Practical Sanskrit (also on facebook) and Samskrita Bharati

*** Request in Hindi ***

प्रिय मित्रों,
जैसे की आप ओ ज्ञात होगा, भारत की जन गणना अब अंतिम चरण में हैं | इस  इस माह जन गणना अधिकारी पुनः आपके पास आकर आपकी तथा आपके परिवार की जानकारी की पृष्ठी कर, आपका पंजीकरण करेंगे |
यह जानकारी देते समय आप अपनी मातृभाषा के साथ-साथ “ज्ञात भाषाओ” में संस्कृत भाषा का उल्लेख करना न भूलें
| विचार करें, तो हम अपनी दिनचर्या में संस्कृत भाषा का प्रयोग कई बार करतें हैं – प्रातः ईश्वर-स्मरण अथवा मंत्रोच्चार से ले कर सायं-कालीन आरती के समय तक |  इसके अतिरिक्त महाशिवरात्रि, कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी, नवरात्रि व गणेशोत्सव जैसे अनेक अवसरों पर मंगलमयी मंत्र तथा श्लोकोंका पठन-मनन करते हैं |
संस्कृत भाषा को जीवित रखना हमारे हाथों में हैं | पिछले जन गणना सर्वेक्षण में संस्कृत जाननेवालों की संख्या घाट कर केवल कुछ सहस्त्र ही थी | हमें आशंका है की इस कारण इसे “मृत भाषा” घोषित किया जा सकता हैं | भाषा मृत घोषित होने पर उसके संवर्धन तथा विकास हेतु किसीभी प्रकार की निधि नहीं दी जाती – न ही उसे प्रचार-प्रसार में सरकार कोई सहायता करती है | ऐसी स्थिति में यह प्राचीन, पवित्र व भारतीय संस्कृति की आधारशिला-रुपी दैव-भाषा सदैव के लिए इतिहास की पृष्ठभूमि में लुप्त हो जाएगी |
हमारा अनवरत प्रयास ही इस भाषा को जीवित रख सकता हैं | आज संस्कृत की इस अवस्था के लिए हम सब उत्तरदायी हैं | परन्तु अब भी समय है | जब भी संभव हो, इस भाषा का प्रयोग करें व अपने परिवार तथा मित्रगणों में उसे प्रोत्साहना दें और यह सन्देश अधिकाधिक भारतीयों तक पहुँचाने का प्रयास करें | धन्यवाद |

|| नमो भारतं, नमो संस्कृतं ||

*** Request in Marathi ***

मित्रांनो ,

भारताची जनगणना आता अंतिम टप्प्यात आली आहे आणि या महिन्यात स्वयंसेवक पुन्हा एकदा तुमच्या कडे येतील तुमची आणि तुमच्या कुटुंबियांची माहिती परत घेतली आणि नोंदवली जाईल.

माहिती भरतांना तुमची मातृभाषा जी काही असेल ती तुम्ही लिहाल पण “अवगत असलेल्या भाषा” मध्ये संस्कृत भाषा न विसरता लिहा. आणि खंर बघाल तर पूर्ण जरी नाही तरी आजही आपण ती भाषा वापरतो.संध्याकाळी दिवेलागणीला म्हंटली जाणारी स्त्रोत्रे किंवा गणपतीच्या दिवसातहोणारी सहस्त्र आवर्तने अगदी देवाच्या पूजेत किंवा लग्नात म्हंटले जाणारे मंगलमय श्लोक सगळे आपल्याला माहिती आहेत काही पाठ आहेत.

हि भाषा जिवंत ठेवणं आता आपल्या हातात आहे. कारण मागील सर्वेक्षणातसंस्कृत माहिती असलेल्या लोकांची संख्या केवळ काही हजारात आहे आणित्यामुळे तिला मृत भाषा घोषित केले जावू शकते. उलटपक्षी अरबी, फारसीमाहिती असलेले लोक बरेच जास्ती आहेत कारण काही राज्यात अगदी ठरवूरह्या भाषा पत्रकात भरल्या आहेत. मृत भाषा घोषित झाली की त्या भाषेच्याउत्कर्षासाठी कुठलाही निधी दिला जात नाही. आणि मग आपली ही पुरातन आणि पवित्र भाषा कायम स्वरूपी काळाच्या पडद्याआड जाईल.

तुमचा जाणीवपूर्वक केलेला प्रयत्न ह्या भाषेला जिवंत ठेवू शकतो. आजआपल्याच भाषेवर ही वेळ येण्यास आपण सगळेच जबाबदार आहोत पणअजून वेळ गेली नाही. जेवढी जमत असेल तेवढी गम्मत म्हणून का होईनावापरा जर तुम्हाला हा विचार पटत असेल तर जरूर आपल्या मित्रांना सुद्धा सांगा.

|| नमो भारतं, नमो संस्कृतं ||

*** Request in English ***

Dear friends,

As you know, the Indian census is in its final stages and census officials will visit you once again to verify your details and register your household.

When filling in the information related to languages, please do not forget to mention “Sanskrit” amongst the additional languages spoken/known. If you pause to think, you probably use “Sanskrit” several times during the day – from the time of your morning prayers to the lighting of lanp in the evening. And of course Sanskrit mantras and shlokas are an inseparable part of major sacred festivals including MahaShivRatri, ShriKrishna JanmAshtami and NavRatri.

It is in our hands to keep Sanskrit alive. The last census revealed the number of Sanskrit speakers to be fewer than thousand. There is a possibiliy that based on these dwindling numbers, Sanskrit might be declared a dead language. If this happens, it is likely to loose state support, grants and funds for further development. In such a situation, this ancient and sacred language might be lost forever.

We should strive to ensure this does not happen. We ourselves are responsible for the situation in which Sanskrit finds itself today. But we still have time. Please use this language whenever possible and please try and spread this message amongst your friends and family.

|| namo Bharatam, namo Sanskritam ||

UPDATE: Thanks to Ujjwol for the translation in Nepali and to Uma for Telugu.

UPDATE II: Thanks to AAryan for the translation into Gujarati.

*** Translated to Nepali ***

प्रिय मित्रहरु !
तपाँईहरुलाई थाहा नै छ होला की भारतको जन गणना अब अन्तिम चरणमा छ । यो महिनामा जन गणना अधिकारी पुनः तपाँईहरुको धरधरमा आएर जानकारी को पुष्टि गरेर पञ्जीकरण गर्नेछन् ।
यो जानकारी दिँदा समयमा आफ्नो मातृभाषाको साथसाथमा “ज्ञात भाषाहरु” मा संस्कृत भाषाको उल्लेख गर्न न भूलौं । विचार गर्नुहोस ! हामी आफ्नो दिनचर्यामा संस्कृत भाषाको प्रयोग धेरै पटक गर्छै – प्रातः ईश्वर-स्मरण अथवा मन्त्रोच्चारदेखि सायं-कालीन आरतीको समय सम्म । यस्को अतिरिक्त महाशिवरात्रि, कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी, नवरात्रि र गणेशोत्सव जस्ता अनेक अवसरमा पर मङ्गलमयी मन्त्र तथा श्लोकहरु पठनमनन गर्छैं ।
संस्कृत भाषालाई जीवित राख्ने काम हाम्रो हातमा छ । पहिलाको जन गणना सर्वेक्षणमा संस्कृत जानेहरुको की सङ्ख्या घटेर केवल केहि सहस्त्र मात्र भयो । हाम्रो आशङ्का के छ भने यो कारणले संस्कृतलाई “मृत भाषा” घोषित गर्न पनि सक्छन् । भाषा मृत घोषित भएपछि यस्को संवर्धन तथा विकास हेतु केहिपनि प्रकारको निधि दिईदैन – र सरकार पनि यस्को प्रचारप्रसारमा सहायता गर्दैन । यस्तो स्थितिमा यो प्राचीन, पवित्र र भारतीय संस्कृतिको आधारशिला रुपी दैव भाषा सधैकोलाई इतिहासको पृष्ठभूमिमा लुप्त हुनेछ ।
हाम्रो अनवरत प्रयत्नले यो भाषालाई जीवित रख्न सक्छैं ।आज संस्कृतको यो अवस्था हुनुमा हामि सबै उत्तरदायी छौं । परन्तु अहिले पनि समय छ । सम्भव भएसम्म यो भाषाको प्रयोग गरौं र आफ्नो परिवार तथा मित्रगणमा यस्लाई प्रोत्साहना दिउँ र यो सन्देश अधिकाधिक भारतीयहरुसम्म पुर्‍याउन प्रयत्न गरौं । धन्यवाद ।

Note: Please use Devanagari Danda Purna Virama (।) instead of pipe(|) for sentence ending in Hindi and Marathi as I have used in Nepali.

*** Translation into Telugu ***

ప్రియమైన మిత్రులారా,

భారతీయ జనగణన చిట్టచివరి దశలో ఉందని, గణనాంక అధికారులు మరొక్కసారి మిమ్ములను కలిసి మీ వివరాలను తెలుసుకొని నమోదు చేస్తారన్న విషయం మీకు తెలిసే ఉంటుంది.

భాషలకు సంబంధించిన సమాచారాన్ని నింపుతున్నప్పుడు, ‘ఇతర భాషల ‘ వివరాలలో ‘సంస్కృతాన్ని ‘ చేర్చడం మరచిపోకండి. మన దైనందిన జీవితంలో సంస్కృతానికి వాడుకలేదన్నది మనలో చాలామందికి ఉన్న అపోహ. కానీ, మనమొక్కసారి ఆలోచిస్తే, ప్రొద్దున్న చేసే ఈశ్వర ప్రార్ఢన నుంచీ సాయంత్రం సంధ్యా దీపాన్ని వెలిగించే వరకూ రోజులో మనం ఎన్నోసార్లు సంస్కృతాన్ని ఉపయోగిస్తున్నాము. సంస్కృత మంత్రాలు, శ్లోకాలు, మహాశివరాత్రి, జన్మాష్టమి, నవరాత్రి వంటి పండుగలన్నింటిలో స్మరించుకుంటూనే ఉంటాము.

మన సంస్కృత భాషని రక్షించుకోవడం మన చేతులలో ఉంది. క్రిందటి గణనాంక వివరాల ప్రకారం, ఈ దేవ భాషని మాట్లాడే వారి సంఖ్య వెయ్యి లోపే ఉంది. ఈ విధంగా సంఖ్య తగ్గడం ద్వారా, సంస్కృత భాషని మృత భాష గా ప్రకటించే పరిస్థితి కనబడుతోంది. ఇదే జరిగితే భాషాభివృధ్ధికై ప్రభుత్వం నుండి వచ్చే నిధులు, గ్రాంట్లు నిలిచిపోతాయి. ప్రాచీనమైన, పవిత్రమైన, మన భారతీయ సంస్కృతికి మూలాధారమైన మన దేవ భాషని శాశ్వతంగా కోల్పోతాము.

ఈ విధంగా జరగకుండా చూసుకోవలసిన బాధ్యత మనందరిపైనా ఉంది. సంస్కృత భాషకి ఈ గతి పట్టడానికి మనందరమే కారణము. కానీ ఇంకా సమయం మించిపోలేదు. అమృతతుల్యమైన మన భాషని వీలైనంతగా వినియోగిద్దాం, ఈ సందేశాన్ని మన స్నేహితులకూ, హితులకూ, కుటుంబ సభ్యులకూ అందిద్దాం.తద్వారా మన అత్యంత ప్రాచీనమైన భాషని కాపాడుకుందాం.

నమో భారతం, నమో సంస్కృతం.

*** Translated into Gujarati ***

સંસ્ક્રુત અને સંસ્ક્રુતિ – એક નમ્ર નિવેદન

પ્રિય મિત્રો,

આપણા બધાને જાણકારી છે, કે ભારત મા વસ્તી ગણત્રી આખરી તબ્બકામાં છે. આ મહિનામાં વસ્તી ગણત્રીના અઘિકારી ફરી પાછા તમારા નિવાસસ્થાને આવીને તમારા પરિવારના સદસ્યની નોંધણી કરશે.
ભાષા સંબંધિત જાણકારી આપતી વખતે “વસ્તી ગણત્રી પત્રકમાં” આપ આપણી માતૃભાષાની સાથે-સાથે “અન્યભાષાઓમાં” સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનુ ઉલ્લેખન કરવાનુ ન ભૂલશો. વિચાર કરિએ તો આપણે આપણી દિનચર્યામા સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનુ ઘણી વાર ઉપયોગ કરીએ છે. જેમકે સવારે અને સાંજ ભગવાન પાસે દીવો અને પ્રાર્થના કરતી વખતે, તેમજ શ્લોક અને મંત્રોના ઉચ્ચારણમાં પણ સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા જ બોલીયે છે. મોટા ભાગના મુખ્ય તહેવારો જેવાકે મહાશિવરાત્રી, જન્ષ્મટમી અને નવરાત્રી સાથે સંસ્ક્રુતભાષા તથા સંસ્ક્રુતી જોડાયેલ છે.

સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાને જીવંત રાખવી એ આપણા હાથમાં છે. પાછલી જનગણત્રીના પરિણામમાં સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા જાણનારની સંખયા હજાર થી પણ ઓછી જોવા મળી હતી. એના પરિણામ સ્વરુપે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા “મૃત ભાષા” ઘોષિત થવાની શક્યતા ધરાવે છે. તેથી સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાના વિકાસ અને પ્રચાર અર્થે મળતી તમામ સરકારી અને આર્થિક સુવિધાઓ મળતી બંધ થવાની સંભાવના રહે છે. અવિ સ્થિતિમાં આ પ્રાચીન, પવિત્ર અને ભારતીય સંસ્ક્રુતિની આધારશિલા-રૂપી દૈવી ભાષા સદેવ માટે ઇતિહાસની પ્રુષ્ટભૂમી પરથી લુપ્ત થઇ જશે.

આપણા અનાવરત પ્રયાસથીજ આ ભાષાને જીવંત રાખી શકાસે. આજે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાની આવી અવસ્થા માટે આપણેજ જવાબદાર છે. હજી પણ સમય છે. જ્યારે પણ સંભવ થાય ત્યારે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનો ઉપયોગ કરવો અને પરિવાર તથા મિત્રજનો ને સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનો ઉપયોગ કરવા માટે પ્રોત્સાહિત કરવુ. આ સંદેશ દરેક ભારતીય સુધી પહોંચાડવાની નમ્ર વિનંતિ.

ધન્યવાદ,

|| નમો ભારતમ્, નમો સંસ્ક્રુતમ્ ||

Related Posts: Is no one thinking about our classical languages?

The ridiculous extremes of pseudo-secularism and Simple Sanskrit and Great Ideas

Somewhat Related: “Our English schools are flourishing wonderfully…”  and Mathematics, History and worms eating manuscripts…

P.S. Thanks to Vijaya-ji for this thought and for sharing the Marathi version and to Sandeep for the version in Hindi. Image courtesy: Practical Sanskrit

B Shantanu

Political Activist, Blogger, Advisor to start-ups, Seed investor. One time VC and ex-Diplomat. Failed mushroom farmer; ex Radio Jockey. Currently involved in Reclaiming India - One Step at a Time.

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86 Responses

  1. Ujjwol Lamichhane says:

    Translated to Nepali:
    प्रिय मित्रहरु !
    तपाँईहरुलाई थाहा नै छ होला की भारतको जन गणना अब अन्तिम चरणमा छ । यो महिनामा जन गणना अधिकारी पुनः तपाँईहरुको धरधरमा आएर जानकारी को पुष्टि गरेर पञ्जीकरण गर्नेछन् ।
    यो जानकारी दिँदा समयमा आफ्नो मातृभाषाको साथसाथमा “ज्ञात भाषाहरु” मा संस्कृत भाषाको उल्लेख गर्न न भूलौं । विचार गर्नुहोस ! हामी आफ्नो दिनचर्यामा संस्कृत भाषाको प्रयोग धेरै पटक गर्छै – प्रातः ईश्वर-स्मरण अथवा मन्त्रोच्चारदेखि सायं-कालीन आरतीको समय सम्म । यस्को अतिरिक्त महाशिवरात्रि, कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी, नवरात्रि र गणेशोत्सव जस्ता अनेक अवसरमा पर मङ्गलमयी मन्त्र तथा श्लोकहरु पठनमनन गर्छैं ।
    संस्कृत भाषालाई जीवित राख्ने काम हाम्रो हातमा छ । पहिलाको जन गणना सर्वेक्षणमा संस्कृत जानेहरुको की सङ्ख्या घटेर केवल केहि सहस्त्र मात्र भयो । हाम्रो आशङ्का के छ भने यो कारणले संस्कृतलाई “मृत भाषा” घोषित गर्न पनि सक्छन् । भाषा मृत घोषित भएपछि यस्को संवर्धन तथा विकास हेतु केहिपनि प्रकारको निधि दिईदैन – र सरकार पनि यस्को प्रचारप्रसारमा सहायता गर्दैन । यस्तो स्थितिमा यो प्राचीन, पवित्र र भारतीय संस्कृतिको आधारशिला रुपी दैव भाषा सधैकोलाई इतिहासको पृष्ठभूमिमा लुप्त हुनेछ ।
    हाम्रो अनवरत प्रयत्नले यो भाषालाई जीवित रख्न सक्छैं ।आज संस्कृतको यो अवस्था हुनुमा हामि सबै उत्तरदायी छौं । परन्तु अहिले पनि समय छ । सम्भव भएसम्म यो भाषाको प्रयोग गरौं र आफ्नो परिवार तथा मित्रगणमा यस्लाई प्रोत्साहना दिउँ र यो सन्देश अधिकाधिक भारतीयहरुसम्म पुर्‍याउन प्रयत्न गरौं । धन्यवाद ।

    Note: Please use Devanagari Danda Purna Virama (।) instead of pipe(|) for sentence ending in Hindi and Marathi as I have used in Nepali.

  2. Why struggle to keep a dead language alive? If there are not enough native speakers, then let the academicians take care of it the way they do with Greek and Latin. Why this sentimental attachment to a language none of us speak?

  3. VoP says:

    *** COMMENT EDITED ***

    Shallow Joke park asks –

    > Why struggle to keep a dead language alive?

    “The world is a dangerous place not because of people who do evil, but because of good people who look on and do nothing about it” — Albert Einstein

    and I bet Shallow Joke Park is ignorant of these…

    “When I read the Upanishads, I found a profundity of world view that made my Christianity seem like third grade.” ~ Huston Smith

    “India was the Motherland of our race and Sanskrit the Mother of Europe’s languages.India was the Mother of our Philosophy, of much of our Mathematic’s, of the ideals emboded in Christianity …of Self-Government and Democracy, In many ways Mother India is the Mother of us all..” ~ Will Durant

    Click here for more words of wisdom
    http://www.hinduwisdom.info/quotes1_20.htm

    *** NOTE by MODERATOR ***

    Pl link directly to websites and pl keep your comments short. Thanks

  4. Ujjwol Lamichhane says:

    I request you to add Nepali version to the main post. People will find it easier. Nepali is among the 22 official languages of Bhārata.

  5. Uma says:

    Translation into Telugu!

    ప్రియమైన మిత్రులారా,

    భారతీయ జనగణన చిట్టచివరి దశలో ఉందని, గణనాంక అధికారులు మరొక్కసారి మిమ్ములను కలిసి మీ వివరాలను తెలుసుకొని నమోదు చేస్తారన్న విషయం మీకు తెలిసే ఉంటుంది.

    భాషలకు సంబంధించిన సమాచారాన్ని నింపుతున్నప్పుడు, ‘ఇతర భాషల ‘ వివరాలలో ‘సంస్కృతాన్ని ‘ చేర్చడం మరచిపోకండి. మన దైనందిన జీవితంలో సంస్కృతానికి వాడుకలేదన్నది మనలో చాలామందికి ఉన్న అపోహ. కానీ, మనమొక్కసారి ఆలోచిస్తే, ప్రొద్దున్న చేసే ఈశ్వర ప్రార్ఢన నుంచీ సాయంత్రం సంధ్యా దీపాన్ని వెలిగించే వరకూ రోజులో మనం ఎన్నోసార్లు సంస్కృతాన్ని ఉపయోగిస్తున్నాము. సంస్కృత మంత్రాలు, శ్లోకాలు, మహాశివరాత్రి, జన్మాష్టమి, నవరాత్రి వంటి పండుగలన్నింటిలో స్మరించుకుంటూనే ఉంటాము.

    మన సంస్కృత భాషని రక్షించుకోవడం మన చేతులలో ఉంది. క్రిందటి గణనాంక వివరాల ప్రకారం, ఈ దేవ భాషని మాట్లాడే వారి సంఖ్య వెయ్యి లోపే ఉంది. ఈ విధంగా సంఖ్య తగ్గడం ద్వారా, సంస్కృత భాషని మృత భాష గా ప్రకటించే పరిస్థితి కనబడుతోంది. ఇదే జరిగితే భాషాభివృధ్ధికై ప్రభుత్వం నుండి వచ్చే నిధులు, గ్రాంట్లు నిలిచిపోతాయి. ప్రాచీనమైన, పవిత్రమైన, మన భారతీయ సంస్కృతికి మూలాధారమైన మన దేవ భాషని శాశ్వతంగా కోల్పోతాము.

    ఈ విధంగా జరగకుండా చూసుకోవలసిన బాధ్యత మనందరిపైనా ఉంది. సంస్కృత భాషకి ఈ గతి పట్టడానికి మనందరమే కారణము. కానీ ఇంకా సమయం మించిపోలేదు. అమృతతుల్యమైన మన భాషని వీలైనంతగా వినియోగిద్దాం, ఈ సందేశాన్ని మన స్నేహితులకూ, హితులకూ, కుటుంబ సభ్యులకూ అందిద్దాం.తద్వారా మన అత్యంత ప్రాచీనమైన భాషని కాపాడుకుందాం.

    నమో భారతం, నమో సంస్కృతం.

  6. @VoP

    Ok I get it. India is the awesomest, brightest, most fantastic, magical, wisest country in the world. It’s full of smart and morally upright people who’ve done the world a favor by showering our wisdom like pearls on them.

    I hope you’re feeling good about yourself for being born.

    Now that we’ve gotten through that, can we finally get down to figuring out why we should try and keep a dead language alive?

  7. Indian says:

    BJP

    It might be for you a dead language not for many. Did not you read Hindus still recites Sanskrit every day in their prayers and many local languages contains Sanskrit words.

    I understand from your past comments and writings, you have so much sentiments attached for terrorist and terrorism and busy to keep them alive in your writings. Is it fine?

  8. B Shantanu says:

    Ujjwol and Uma: I shall do so…Thanks a lot for the effort.

    @Indian and @VoP: Thanks for the comments..VoP: Might be better and easier to post long-ish comments on your blog and provide a link here.

    @Bhagwad: Watch out for a blog post on this topic sometime in mid-March, once I am back from my travels…By the way, your verdict on “Sanskrit” is premature. It is not dead – yet.

  9. @Shantanu

    Looking forward to it 🙂

    @Indian

    Reciting slogas doesn’t mean we can speak the language. I myself can recite dozens of slogas in Sanskrit since I was taught it in school. It doesn’t mean I understand anything. It’s meaningless sounds to me.

    We use Latin and Greek in most English words. Does that mean those languages are still alive?

  10. Indian says:

    @BJP

    You cannot speak and understand so other too cannot.. right? Many students does very well in Sanskrit in schools, and many were awarded in board exams for securing highest marks. Because they enjoy and understands it.

  11. Kaffir says:

    “It doesn’t mean I understand anything. It’s meaningless sounds to me.”

    And it follows that since I (BJP) didn’t spend any time or effort in actually learning a language and understanding the words in school, others, too, did the same and it should be meaningless to them too. If I don’t find the language beautiful, then others, too, shouldn’t find any beauty in it and stop having sentimental feelings towards it. Instead of either supporting such an endeavor, or at a minimum, following a “live and let live” policy – since non-academics learning and popularizing Samskritam does me no harm – I have to be inimical towards such efforts.

    All the people who organized and participated in this are, according to BJP, idiots who should spend their time in other worthwhile pursuits instead of popularizing a “dead” language.

  12. Neil says:

    @BJP: Cool down dude, Don’t get so angry or blind in your hatred for our ancient heritage and our languages. Do you find anything objectionable in attempts to support more and more use of Snskrit, the medium in which thousands of years of knowledge achieved by our countrymen is stored? Why do you want to stop people from using Sanskrit?

    Sanskit is not a dead language. If you have no clue as to why we should learn and promote Sanskrit, it really amazes me.
    u can check this page out:
    http://acharya.iitm.ac.in/sanskrit/why_sans.php

    Anyway, if you don’t want to understand the meaning of the shlokas u memorised, or dislike this language so much, it’s your problem. Please keep the hatred for languages and cultures to yourself.

  13. AAryan says:

    Here are the facts for using Sanskrit as a Computer language for next gen computers.
    http://vedicsciences.net/articles/sanskrit-nasa.html
    http://www.libervis.com/topic/sanskrit_as_an_object_oriented_language

    It seems we all need to learn Sanskrit soon. It is going to be a main stream language of India.

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  14. @Neil

    I don’t “hate” Sanskrit. At the same time I don’t see why anyone should love it. In any case, a language’s success is automatically determined. If there’s any value in learning Sanskrit, people will automatically do so. If a person chooses not to learn Sanskrit it means they have no use for it – simple.

  15. Sid says:

    @Shantanu,
    Great effort.

    About the comments: classic liberal arrogance at display. We can not learn a language because he thinks that it is dead. Lovely!!! Muscular liberalism just arrived, ladies and gentlemen.

  16. Neil says:

    @BJP:
    1. “At the same time I don’t see why anyone should love it.”
    -Are you kidding? Assuming you are not, how does your inability to love Sanskrit translate into forbidding attempts to popularise and promote it? How does your inability to find anything useful or lovable in Sanskrit literature translate into a similar inability in the rest of humanity? Care to explain?

    2. “If a person chooses not to learn Sanskrit it means they have no use for it – simple.”
    -Not really. It may be because of several reasons e.g _non-availibility of a good teacher;
    _non-availibility of the language in the curriculum(I myself had to stop learning Sanskrit in +2 as it was not offered in my school). _Brainwashing by people like you.
    And anyway, here nobody is forcing anybody to learn anything. Hope you understand that. Some people don’t want a language to get obliterated from the face of the earth. Simple.

    Since you probably still haven’t got the point, let me try again:
    There are numerous languages around the world, I guess many of which YOU do not love, but NUMEROUS OTHERS certainly do love and use the language at different skill levels. Do you think they should stop the study of their language because YOU don’t like it or YOU don’t find it useful?

  17. rv_nath says:

    Yeah, false language like its false despicable idols!!

  18. AAryan says:

    I found very interesting info about the “Amazing Facts about India and Indians!”. You all might be aware of it, but pasting here again to remind myself.
    http://www.nriol.com/info/amazingindia.asp
    This is not what I learned in General Knowledge in Schhol!!

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  19. AAryan says:

    સંસ્ક્રુત અને સંસ્ક્રુતિ – એક નમ્ર નિવેદન

    પ્રિય મિત્રો,

    આપણા બધાને જાણકારી છે, કે ભારત મા વસ્તી ગણત્રી આખરી તબ્બકામાં છે. આ મહિનામાં વસ્તી ગણત્રીના અઘિકારી ફરી પાછા તમારા નિવાસસ્થાને આવીને તમારા પરિવારના સદસ્યની નોંધણી કરશે.
    ભાષા સંબંધિત જાણકારી આપતી વખતે “વસ્તી ગણત્રી પત્રકમાં” આપ આપણી માતૃભાષાની સાથે-સાથે “અન્યભાષાઓમાં” સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનુ ઉલ્લેખન કરવાનુ ન ભૂલશો. વિચાર કરિએ તો આપણે આપણી દિનચર્યામા સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનુ ઘણી વાર ઉપયોગ કરીએ છે. જેમકે સવારે અને સાંજ ભગવાન પાસે દીવો અને પ્રાર્થના કરતી વખતે, તેમજ શ્લોક અને મંત્રોના ઉચ્ચારણમાં પણ સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા જ બોલીયે છે. મોટા ભાગના મુખ્ય તહેવારો જેવાકે મહાશિવરાત્રી, જન્ષ્મટમી અને નવરાત્રી સાથે સંસ્ક્રુતભાષા તથા સંસ્ક્રુતી જોડાયેલ છે.

    સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાને જીવંત રાખવી એ આપણા હાથમાં છે. પાછલી જનગણત્રીના પરિણામમાં સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા જાણનારની સંખયા હજાર થી પણ ઓછી જોવા મળી હતી. એના પરિણામ સ્વરુપે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષા “મૃત ભાષા” ઘોષિત થવાની શક્યતા ધરાવે છે. તેથી સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાના વિકાસ અને પ્રચાર અર્થે મળતી તમામ સરકારી અને આર્થિક સુવિધાઓ મળતી બંધ થવાની સંભાવના રહે છે. અવિ સ્થિતિમાં આ પ્રાચીન, પવિત્ર અને ભારતીય સંસ્ક્રુતિની આધારશિલા-રૂપી દૈવી ભાષા સદેવ માટે ઇતિહાસની પ્રુષ્ટભૂમી પરથી લુપ્ત થઇ જશે.

    આપણા અનાવરત પ્રયાસથીજ આ ભાષાને જીવંત રાખી શકાસે. આજે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાની આવી અવસ્થા માટે આપણેજ જવાબદાર છે. હજી પણ સમય છે. જ્યારે પણ સંભવ થાય ત્યારે સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનો ઉપયોગ કરવો અને પરિવાર તથા મિત્રજનો ને સંસ્ક્રુત ભાષાનો ઉપયોગ કરવા માટે પ્રોત્સાહિત કરવુ. આ સંદેશ દરેક ભારતીય સુધી પહોંચાડવાની નમ્ર વિનંતિ.

    ધન્યવાદ,

    || નમો ભારતમ્, નમો સંસ્ક્રુતમ્ ||

  20. Kaffir says:

    “I don’t “hate” Sanskrit. At the same time I don’t see why anyone should love it. In any case, a language’s success is automatically determined. If there’s any value in learning Sanskrit, people will automatically do so. If a person chooses not to learn Sanskrit it means they have no use for it – simple.”

    _

    A rare insight into how the mind of a liberal/intellectual works, and what kind of twisted world-view resides and strange logic percolates in there. It pretends to be liberal, tolerant, freedom-loving and all those fancy words, but in fact, it’s intolerant and narrow-minded “my way or the highway” – I don’t want to learn Samskritam, and neither should others. What’s ironic is that these same idiots never fail to call others “fascist” at the drop of a hat.

  21. @Neil @Kaffir

    I’m hardly “forbidding” anyone to learn Sanskrit. That would be impossible. This is a blog and I’m giving my opinion about the lack of value in learning Sanskrit. That’s the purpose of the comments section. Nowhere have I said that others shouldn’t learn it so there’s no need to get defensive!

  22. Kaffir says:

    BJP, I highly doubt that the questions you asked in your comment #2 (and subsequent ones) were out of some healthy curiosity. Please don’t try to backtrack and hide your clearly inimical views. It’s likely that in your view, all those who are trying to learn Samskrit or support its growth are rabid right-wingers.

  23. @BJP

    Why do you keep reiterating about the lack of value in learning Sanskrit ? If a few years from now, Computer Scientists develop a compiler based on Sanskrit , will you suddenly discover its importance ? If the Western Nations decide it introduce in their schools , will you then acknowledge its importance ? And how do you suppose one should the read great texts like Vedas,Puranas, Mahabharata or the Ramayana, only in their translated forms ? Oh , but wait, I guessing, reading those texts would also be a waste of time, in any language, right ?

    If I, as an Indian, do not take pride in my heritage, do not try to preserve it, and do not learn anything from the wealth of knowledge my ancestors left behind, then living , has no “value” for me.

  24. @BJP
    Agree that you may not like or love or want to learn Sanskrit. But we, the Sanskrit Lovers, who find it valuable and worth a try to keep it alive. So going by the principles of liberty and freedom, isn’t it our right to preach and promote it?
    You are absolutely free, by law/birth, to share your restrain about it but please dont ask us to follow or stop spreading Sanskrit. At the most you can give logical reason for not promoting or preaching Sanskrit. And then leave it upto us whether to accept or not. But please no force.

    Also please explain “how learning Sanskrit is lack of value” for everyone? It maybe true for you, but please do not generalize.

    Jai Bharat!

  25. Jayant says:

    “We use Latin and Greek in most English words. Does that mean those languages are still alive?”

    @Bhagwad : Are you implying that Greek is a dead language? What is the language spoken in Greece and Cyprus?

  26. May I request the readers, bloggers and commentators to please help me find the language policy details in simple terms.
    Like
    What is the minimum count that language should have to get funds?
    How much fund has been allocated between 1981-1991 and 2001-2011?

    In census 2001 Sanskrit knower count was 10K only. What was the count in 1981 and 1991 or before that?

    Jai Bharat!

  27. Neil says:

    @Jayant: Good point! A few years back, even I had the notion that Greek is not in use or spoken, until I happened to know some Greek colleagues! Their language still thrives…it gives me hope.

    @BJP: Look at your own replies and decide for yourself!
    Anyway, do you agree that others can have a different view about the usefulness or lovability of Sanskrit, and that factor itself is reason enough for them to promote the language?

  28. Ram says:

    KC
    ‘If I, as an Indian, do not take pride in my heritage, do not try to preserve it, and do not learn anything from the wealth of knowledge my ancestors left behind, then living , has no “value” for me.’

    Simply superb,touched the heart.

  29. Some here seem to have gotten the idea that I’m trying to tell others not to learn Sanskrit. If I was, then you should just laugh at me instead of getting so defensive. No one can tell you what to learn!

    Anyone can learn Sanskrit as a hobby. I myself have bought a book on learning it though I never really got down to it. But when you want to make it public policy, then it’s not me who’s telling people to use Sanskrit, but the other way around.

    When you seek public funds and try and institute a national policy for Sanskrit, it’s you who are forcing others to learn a language which they would not normally learn since they can’t find enough people to communicate with!

  30. bhuvan says:

    Sanskrit, Vedas and similar sorts of words does not relate to any bashing business.

    If you are patient enough and genuinely looking to add some concrete knowledge to your arsenal then one may visit http://www.vedicvision.org/, otherwise just chill out.

  31. Sid says:

    @ संदीप नारायण शेळके (#26)
    In census 2001 Sanskrit knower count was 10K only. What was the count in 1981 and 1991 or before that?
    Look at here, page 6. It gives you 1991 census data.

    @Park (#29),
    When you seek public funds and try and institute a national policy for Sanskrit, it’s you who are forcing others to learn a language which they would not normally learn since they can’t find enough people to communicate with!
    Pretty libertarian, huh!!! Nobody had to seek funds, the language has been recognized as part of our heritage and it’s part of our education according to multiple laws including the ones that recommend “three language” formula in education ( such as National Policy of Education, 1968).Since there exists Indians who can speak, read and write such a language, for their sake it makes sense for the government to allocate funds to teach it. Otherwise a department like DOL would not exist.
    I know that liberals have “progressive” (which I have come to understand as anti-native, anti-nationalist and pro-western) opinions about anything under the sun, but when you put such opinion in a public forum and expect public to appreciate it, do ensure that it is not a half-baked bread that can easily be burned by news such as this, this, this, this, this, this and arguments such as this and this.
    I could have given more but in the interest of space, that is all I can offer. But do not let these stop you, since when liberals let a fact stand in the way of their opinion?
    Heck, we are missing another liberal “kula-tilaka” who would come and advise us about how to shove our linguistic heritage. Oopsss, was that a “cheap and disgusting” comment?

  32. AAryan says:

    English was introduced as mandatory second language (by Brits) in our curriculum, the same way we are trying to introduce Sanskrit as a mandatory language in our curriculum.
    Why? We know for sure that Sanskrit will bring India the fame and name which it used to carry. As Germans or Japs didn’t needed English language to flourish the same principle applies to India.
    Sanskrit language was the main philosophical language of India, but it got eroded due to the invasions by Kushans , Mughals and then Brits. We know that a lot of research has been done and written in Sanskrit. The only hiccup is getting it back as Mughals burned down the libraries at Nalanda and Takshashila.
    This is the effort to open the eyes of the “trapped under western charm” to revive the Indian ancient more than 5000 years of research which is way ahead of current scientific research. If we uncover that research then the position of India will be unimaginable. Teleporting is one of it.

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  33. Kaffir says:

    “When you seek public funds and try and institute a national policy for Sanskrit, it’s you who are forcing others to learn a language which they would not normally learn since they can’t find enough people to communicate with!”

    LOL. Only in your twisted logic will “promoting a language connected with one’s heritage” be equated with “forcing others to learn a language.”

    Carry on with your laughable aseertions and keep making a fool of yourself.

  34. Neil says:

    Dear All,
    Beyond a point, it’s simply a wastage of our energy to reply to illogical, laughable comments from people like Park, makes then blind that they cannot see what they don’t WANT to see. They don’t deserve an iota of attention after they have made it clear that they are not going to listen to you-come what may! Let’s get back to the topic and think of ways by which we can personally help Sanskrit become more mainstream.

  35. Neil says:

    ::sorry for typos in the last comment…was in a great hurry..Plz read it as follows::

    Dear All,
    Beyond a point, it’s simply a wastage of our energy to reply to the illogical, laughable comments from people like Park, their hatred makes them so blind that they cannot see what they don’t WANT to see. They don’t deserve an iota of attention after they have made it clear that they are not going to listen to you-come what may! Let’s get back to the topic and think of ways by which we can personally help Sanskrit become more mainstream.

  36. Manish says:

    Writing from personal experience.

    I had received this email earlier and was determined to include Sanskrit in the languages known. Had even informed by wife about this. However today the census enumerator visited my place he asked for mother tounge which was listed correctly as Marathi and for languages known he wrote Hindi and English. When my wife insisted on putting down Sanskrit also his response was only two languages can be written down. My wife mentioned asked him to remove English or Hindi and put Sanskrit but he refused to oblige.

    Unfortunately I was not at home at that time. Is there a way this can be corrected. One of the options coming to my mind is on the weekend if I see the enumerator I will insist on getting it added or if anyone can suggest any other option

  37. An article in the New York Times today about the benefits of English becoming the de facto language in India.

    We must look at things from a practical point of view. If your child is given a choice between being fluent in English or Sanskrit, which would you choose for them?

    Of course, one can always learn both…but an English medium school will obviously lay greater emphasis on English and a Sanskrit school (if one exists) will clearly lay more emphasis on Sanskrit.

    So which medium school will you guys send your children to?

  38. Jayant says:

    From Manu Joseph’s article(link shared by Bhagwad) –
    ” In Mumbai, for instance, every shop is required to announce its name in Marathi even though most of the people in the city can read English but not Marathi.”

    Hilarious indeed!!

  39. Sid says:

    @Park,
    So which medium school will you guys send your children to?
    Please allow me to indicate that if you think language proficiency depends on which medium you studied in then you indeed are deluded enough to be called a liberal. I am proficient in my native Bengali, Hindi, English. I also know some Sanskrit and had a certified proficiency in Japanese. I studied in Bengali medium till my higher secondary stage. Apparently, my language proficiencies have nothing to do with my educational medium. It is your delusion which forces you to think that learning a language depends on education medium.

    I saw the article in NYT by that pompous editor of Open magazine. Apparently, English is the only language he is comfortable in so he would find his solace in Hindi songs being written in English. It is also the true that opening English line would not be understood by 85% of the mass of this great country but Katrina Kaif in a thin bed sheet would be appreciated by them.

    English is a language that needs to be understood by those who hope to talk to the outside world so that they can succeed in their profession. It is the delusion of urban over-anglicized liberals who think that English is a solution to every problem in India. Eighty percent of the country does not care. Some among them are only interested to pick up Sanskrit because their native language has a good percent matching with Sanskrit (and none with English). Bottom line? No one should be forced to learn any language other than their native language. Anyone should be able to learn English or Sanskrit if that is their desire to do so.

  40. AAryan says:

    Definitely to Sanskrit medium school, once it becomes the main stream language.
    @BJP: I agree that today English has an upper hand than any other language in India. But the problem is how far you want to go to and live with dignity.
    By becoming a Christian you will not talk or walk like a Christian. In the same context by speaking English you will never be an English man. This to occur has to erase your three generations. The fourth generation will imbibe what you want.
    We lost Sanskrit only for two generations. We still have time to regain it. Why you want to regain it? This question has been answered in the above post.
    Now my question to you?
    If you are given a choice to live an ambiguous v/s unambiguous life, which one will you choose?

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  41. @Aaryan

    Where does dignity come in? A language is just a language – no need to attach any other meaning to it. If Sanskrit helps people communicate better with each other than in English, people will speak it. Otherwise not.

    In my view the problem is that people get emotional about things which have no meaning attached to them. English vs Sanskrit…who cares? Just speak that which is more useful.

  42. Indian says:

    @BJP

    Where is the question of Sanskrit medium school?

    Did not you tried to attach a meaning to it by complaining unnecessary sentimental attachment in keeping alive this language. Language is Language!Right!

    — If Sanskrit helps people communicate better with each other than in English, people will speak it. Otherwise not—

    If British kids learns Sanskrit in school. Why? What kind of sentiments they have attached with it? Its not a question of comfortability or sentiments.

    http://socyberty.com/languages/the-relevance-of-sanskrit-language-in-the-modern-world/

    —Interestingly, many modern scientists in the high-tech field of computers have discovered that Sanskrit is the best language for the latest generation of Artificial Intelligence machine-systems.

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has acknowledged the scientific importance of Sanskrit and is looking at it as a possible computer language, since the syntax is scientifically codified, with little room for error.—

    It is helping so lets revive the language, Sanskrit. For you it may be dead not for many.

  43. Kaffir says:

    “In my view the problem is that people get emotional about things which have no meaning attached to them. English vs Sanskrit…who cares? Just speak that which is more useful.”

    Translation:
    Other people shouldn’t get emotional. Only I (BJP) am allowed to get emotional over other people “attaching a meaning to a language.”

    Only my meaning and whatever I apply it to, has relevance. If others attach a meaning which disagrees from my meaning (“usefulness”), I feel threatened. As a liberal, not only do I lack the capacity to take joy in the efforts of others to popularize a language (which does not threaten anyone as it is not a zero-sum game), I get downright inimical.

  44. Indian says:

    Did and tried-typing mistake..not so good comment.

  45. @Kaffir

    You seem to know my mind better than I do – and after just reading my comments on websites! Normally this would be called ESP, but perhaps power mental capabilities might also cause this phenomena 😀

    If you have neither, it would be more appropriate to talk about what I’ve actually said instead of trying to address what you think I’m thinking. It’s easier that way don’t you think?

    Incidentally, while you’ve been labeling me all this while as a liberal, I’ve been writing on my blog about how I’m not a liberal! This is what happens when you assume things about people that have not actually been said.

    Based on our interactions before, I know you’re now going to accuse me of doing the same, so I’ll just as you beforehand to point out some actual things I’ve said that make assumptions about people etc before you do so. Good luck 🙂

  46. Sid says:

    @kaffir, Indian,
    You folks do not get it. What is useful can only be decided by Mr. Park or those who thinks like him. Or at least that is how it happens in their world view. It does not matter how many counter-points and counter-examples you may have against the opinion of these people, they would not change it. They think something is not right, therefore it is not right. These are the neo-brahmins of this age.

  47. AAryan says:

    @BJPark: You didn’t answered my question –
    If you are given a choice to live an ambiguous v/s unambiguous life, which one will you choose?

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  48. @AAryan

    Ambiguous/Unambiguous with regard to what? As an Indian? As a human?

  49. Kaffir says:

    @BJP, you’re correct. You’re not a ‘liberal’ as the term is generally understood, though you exhibit all the characteristics of an ‘Indian liberal.’

    A liberal, when faced with numerous facts that show his assertions to be wrong, would be open to a different viewpoint, instead of stubbornly clinging to his stupid assertions which were formed based on half-baked ideas while in school.
    ___

    @Morris, you’re correct. I had echoed the same views as you did in an earlier post wrt people like BJP who are simply looking for attention, and I should have listened to my own advice.

  50. Kaffir says:

    Sorry, Neil not Morris. That should’ve been:

    @Neil, you’re correct. I had echoed the same views as you did in an earlier post wrt people like BJP who entertain illogical views and are simply looking for attention, and I should have listened to my own advice.

  51. Kaffir says:

    @BJP, I don’t visit your blog, and I don’t care if you write a book denying your liberalism. As far as I’m concerned, you exhibit all the characteristics of an Indian liberal with your hatred of anything to do with Hinduism and Indian heritage. Funny when the shoe is on the other foot w.r.t. labeling people, eh? 🙂

  52. @Kaffir

    I label people? Where?

  53. Kaffir says:

    @BJP, I don’t have the time to spoon-feed you any answers. You’re ostensibly a smart dude – figure it out.

  54. @Kaffir

    I’ve asked you several times to show me where I’ve labeled people or been unfair, and you have nothing to show for it but your assertions. Get back to me when you have even one piece of evidence.

    But forget all this. Why does everything have to be about me? I’m not that important. I came here to discuss an issue with ideas and opinions, and I assume you’re here for the same reason.

    So let’s stick to just ideas without you bringing my personality into this discussion. I assume that’s what the purpose of this blog is – to discuss ideas.

    Please don’t give me so much importance by talking about my character. Forget about me and only focus on what I’m saying. Can you do that, or do you insist on getting personal each time?

  55. Kaffir says:

    @BJP, my last comment to you.

    Discussion implies an openness of the minds and a willingness to look at facts in a fair manner. So far, on this post (let’s leave aside other posts), you have failed to demonstrate either quality even when numerous facts have been very patiently presented to you and the faulty logic of your assertions has been clearly shown to you. If you scroll up and actually read what people have written, you will find your answers as to why learning Sanskrit is important and why it is not a dead language.

    Then you try and paint yourself as a victim. Try your friend Shri Deodhar instead to listen to your sob story of how some Hindutva dude called you names instead of discussing your ideas.

    And you don’t come here to discuss – you come here to bait, and to impose your half-baked ideas (an excellent example is your opening comment on this post) instead of listening to other people’s views and why those views are important – this has been demonstrated numerous times. I haven’t seen you show – as yet – a willingness to listen or acknowledge a view different than yours. All you do is blow your own bugle of “humanity”, “rationalism” and “universal citizenship” – as if Hinduism is incompatible with, or lacking in those values, and you try to downplay any positives in Indian heritage or Indian history. Anyway, I wish you all the best and no ill-will, but you’re simply wasting your time and the time of others with your “questions/comments” which could very well be answered if you chose to read with an open mind, or asked your questions with a healthy curiosity. First empty that overflowing cup.

  56. Indian says:

    Guys

    I think, feel and believe BJP already knows the importance of learning Sanskrit language. He is ignoring it to disturb us. He doesn’t consider it dead, and is just passing his time to annoy us. Otherwise person who is very serious about his opinion & thoughts will never ignore the facts and the points forwarded to him. He will look into it and would have debated why NASA and other scientists should not consider it. Serious person thinks twice before he speaks,.. Right!

    And also he hasn’t watched any of the links we have provided, that shows he accepts the truth that Sanskrit is live and lovable language.(He himself bought Sanskrit book).

    Thanks BJP. We got your point and support.

  57. @Kaffir

    I’ve certainly replied to any statement about Sanskrit that I feel is relevant. Others I don’t because I think they’re not important.

    For example, it’s true that Sanskrit is a highly structured language which makes it easier than say English for a computer to process. But this post is about humans and it’s entirely irrelevant whether or not researchers use Sanskrit for computing.

    I thought that was obvious. There are so many people replying to me that I hardly have the strength to address every single one. I just address the important ones. Wouldn’t you do the same?

    So stop demonizing me and approach the discussion in good faith. Unfortunately you obviously have a personal agenda here. You don’t read what I write (you openly say you refuse to read relevant links on my blog – as if that somehow harms me!) and shows you’re not really interested in a discussion, but just personal vilification.

    I don’t know why I keep hoping that you’ll come around and have a reasonable polite conversation. Still I guess one must always give others the chance to change.

  58. Sid says:

    @Kaffir,
    This guy is a classical case of shifting goal-post. He kept labeling people in various discussions and then when caught in it, promptly denied it (when he called us far-right and I asked him, he told me that he did not mean it “that” way, I gave up on him that moment). This is one dude who kept screaming about being “open-minded” (and thus liberal) and then comes back to demand that he is not a liberal at all. Stop wasting time on him. This is one of Shantanu’s posts where least amount of controversy can be expected, but BJP cooked up an imaginary controversy (Sanskrit Vs. English), presumably so that he can tell the world that he is not liberal. Please stop responding to liberal polemics, you can only win debate not polemics

  59. Bhagwad Park says:

    @Kaffir

    Far from labeling people right wing, I actively sought out alternatives which people are comfortable with.

    That’s quite the opposite of labeling. Instead of being happy that I’m not making assumptions, you don’t even understand that I’m trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.

    I’ve even told commenters on my blog not to use “right wing” as an insult. I hope one day Shantanu will warn you about using personal attacks on his blog. You richly deserve it.

    But of course, you won’t read anything I’ve written (your own words) so it’s convenient to make assumptions about me with absolutely zero data – and you’re proud of it! I don’t think you realize how incredibly churlish you sound. I hope one day you meet someone like yourself to argue with.

    But I don’t like to give up on people. Feel free at any time to engage in a meaningful debate based on ideas and opinions without getting personal. I’m sure you can do it one day if you’re really interested.

    It’s easy to hate. It takes maturity to separate the person from the debate. So far, you haven’t shown that quality. I hope to be proved wrong one of these days.

  60. Bhagwad Park says:

    @Kaffir

    Incidentally, you’re hijacking this thread which is supposed to be about reviving Sanskrit by focusing on my personality.

    Show some respect for the author of the blog and the people who take the trouble to comment instead of pursuing a personal vendetta. It’s rude.

    You can start by ending this here. Let’s discuss the topic instead ok?

  61. AAryan says:

    @BJP: I should appreciate your tenacity.
    I asked the Q in regard to both as an Indian (if you do) and as a Humane (not human – if you do).
    We know that Sanskrit language is one of the root and by understanding it we can better understand India and decipher it to restore back to its glory. The same way where archaeologists learn the ancient scripts to decipher the holy grail.
    Why? This is the same question as why the Bhishma, Drona and Karna (the great warriors) sided with Kauravas (adharma) and only Krishna with Pandavas (dharma).

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  62. Bhagwad Park says:

    @Aaryan

    I very much consider myself an Indian. I’m proud of our democracy, prefer Indian cities to American ones, and have intentions to settle anywhere else. Like any Indian, I would like to see us get better at what we do and promote values which make India unique.

    But for me, being Indian is only about the present and the future. I have no connection to the past since I don’t know the people who lived hundreds of years ago and what they did isn’t really any of my business. I’m interested of course, but not more than I’m interested in the history of any country.

    Which is why I find nothing sacred about Sanskrit as an Indian. I’ve yet to meet anyone who speaks nothing but Sanskrit and if there are a few people like that, it’s easier for them to learn Hindi or English rather than the whole country learning Sanskrit to speak to them.

    As a human, I share a connection with every human on the planet, no matter what the country. Because of this, though I love India, I can’t say that it’s better than any other country in the world. Every country has its unique characteristics.

  63. Neil says:

    Just wanted to share a few links for downloading Sanskrit books/manuscripts:

    http://sanskritdocuments.org/ : contains links to a large number of documents including scanned copies of Sanskrit Vyakaran etc.

    NCERT Sanskrit Textbooks: From Class VI Onwards (thinking of spending a few weekends to brush up the basics 🙂 )
    http://ncert.nic.in/NCERTS/textbook/textbook.htm
    Can anybody tell us in which class is Sanskrit introduced in CBSE schools? Seems they begin from VI, whereas when I was in school, it used to be introduced from class III/IV onwards, if my memory is not failing me!

    One direct advantage that studying Sanskrit in school provided me was a decent grasp on Hindi and Bangla both (even though I couldn’t study Bangla after Class IV). I remember when I was in high school, while reading the short-biographies, that most of the celebrated poets of Hindi had at least MA degrees in Sanskrit as well. And today, when sometimes I write Hindi poetry, I feel my expressiveness wouldn’t have been the same if I didn’t have the chance to study and appreciate Sanskrit and really “see” the relation between Sanskrit and the derived languages!

  64. AAryan says:

    @Neil: In mid 70’s Sanskrit was introduced in CBSE from Gr-6.
    It is true that Sanskrit improves your proficiency and photo-memory skills. It had been also researched in “Madurai” that reciting certain Shlokas aloud helps in improving the immunity. (It was unbelievable – was aired on BBC or NG). I use to fail in Hindi class till Gr-5. But after learning Sanskrit I started winning Hindi Essay competitions. Now I knew how my Hindi got better. Thanks Neil helping me to connect my dots. Also thanks for the links. I was searching them since last year.

    ||namO Bhaartam, namO Sanskritam||

  65. Indian says:

    @Neil and AAryan

    Thanks for links and sharing your experiences. Lets start with using Sanskrit proverbs in daily life with friends and families.

    Also few decades back for many English was not a comfortable language and people disliked it. But today many are learning(forced to learn) by taking classes and enrolling in English Schools.

    The same way Sanskrit too can be learned at least here there is no force.

  66. GyanP says:

    French and German have made advances in all fields – Science, Philosophy, Psychology, etc. – without any dependence on English. Surprise, we are so much dependent on English, despite have a rich intellectual heritage of Sanskrit, as advanced as any could be!
    It is only our myopic vision, and lack of self esteem.
    Not surprising, with thousand years of slavery behind us.. it will take some time.. and a leader or two – who are inspiring. Example is a great motivator.

  67. twistleton says:

    Incidentally how old is this Sanskrit movement?

    Why only Sanskrit? What about other classical languages? Or is it only Sanskrit that is threatened by extinction? (It would not be a bad idea to ask why) What about the languages whose scripts have been replaced by Devanagari? What about the original local scripts of Sanskrit? No point bothering about them I suppose.

    What is this bond (real or imagined) that the masses have with the Sanskrit language? Has it always been there? Were all and sundry familiar with it and used it outside of scholarly and aristrocratic circles?

    It would be better for the author to go beyond a superficial study of the language’s historical significance before espousing its cause.

  68. CC says:

    Mr. Park,

    Of all the people here who have left comments here you are perhaps the only one who cannot see the importance or relevance of Sanskrit. That alone should tell you that Sanskrit cannot be written off just yet and that learning English and Sanskrit are not mutually exclusive. Common sense should make it obvious to you that the people who comment on this blog are well versed in English. Yet, most of them also express a desire to increase their knowledge of Sanskrit.

    Another common sense point you seem to be consciously avoiding is the fact that almost every Indian child learns a minimum of three languages while growing up. The state language, Hindi, and English. And in case the mother tongue is none of these, then it’s four languages. I am here to refute your belief that Sanskrit shlokas are meaningless words even if you did learn Sanskrit in school. I know the meanings of almost every shloka I recite.

    So why do you insist on disparaging the usefulness of this language?

    -CC

  69. Sid says:

    @CC,

    So why do you insist on disparaging the usefulness of this language?

    Because he needs to create controversy to show that he blogs too.

  70. @CC
    @Sid

    Depends on what is meant by usefulness no? If the use of language is to communicate, then by definition Sanskrit is less useful than either Hindi or English 🙂

    Also, a lot of people who agree with me won’t comment on this thread. Just read the entire section and you’ll see that those who express a different opinion are personally attacked, treated with suspicion and abused. Why would anyone else comment?

    If you really desire to have a discussion beyond your own group (who will agree with you anyway), one must learn to be polite, not get personal, not get angry and stick to the topic instead of commenting on other people’s character. Only then will someone feel comfortable expressing an opinion that goes against what the regular blog readers feel.

    Otherwise it’s just an echo chamber populated only with those who agree with the author’s post. It’s a self selecting mechanism. You shouldn’t feel thrilled that everyone is in agreement!

  71. CC says:

    Mr. Park,

    Sanskrit is useful to me in my daily life. I read and recite shlokas whenever I find time and I also recite mantras with friends and family members when conducting festivals. I also read the Bhagawad Gita in Sanskrit. As you can see, this ability has not diminished my capacity to type out this blog post or to converse in English with whoever speaks it.

    Therefore I do not wish to see the language die out. It is not because I’m sentimental, but because I don’t want to see a part of my heritage relegated to museums and dictionaries.

    Also, I was never forced by anyone to learn Sanskrit. I have acquired my education from a State Board of education and Sanskrit was one of the optional languages during middle and high school. I chose it on my own regard.

    Sanskrit has obviously influenced most Indian languages and it is because I know Sanskrit that I easily picked up fluent Hindi and to an extent Marathi and Telugu too. And it is because I’m fluent in so many Indian languages that whenever I travel to different cities, I relish speaking to the locals and getting a taste of the culture. I can get by with English of course, but that would indeed be dull.

    Just as there are people like you who don’t see the need for Sanskrit, there are just as many if not more that have a sincere love and respect for the language.

    So exactly what is your objection to future generations learning Sanskrit if they want to?

    -CC

  72. Kaffir says:

    For those who are interested, here’s a video of Raman Puri (Retd. Vice Admiral, Indian Navy) explaining the significance of Sanskrit, based on his experiences:

  73. Sid says:

    @Park (#70),
    Nice to see you keeping your delusions going on.

    Depends on what is meant by usefulness no? If the use of language is to communicate, then by definition Sanskrit is less useful than either Hindi or English

    1) It depends on who you want to communicate with. There are other commenters who repeatedly wrote in plain English that they are not against English, they are just in favor of allowing others who want to learn Sanskrit. Clearly, you have not understood them; does that mean English is not useful for you?
    2) Since when something needs to be eliminated because it is less useful? Many people thinks that a degree in History/Literature is less useful when searching for a job, does that mean that those degrees need to be eliminated? Would parents in their old age need to be eliminated because they are less useful? The biggest problem with the world-view of liberals like you is your perceived self-importance that convinces you that you are right and everybody else is wrong.
    3) Contrary to what you have been told, adding a smiley to a comment does not make it light, it only shows your lack of confidence about your own standing.

    Also, a lot of people who agree with me won’t comment on this thread. Just read the entire section and you’ll see that those who express a different opinion are personally attacked, treated with suspicion and abused. Why would anyone else comment?

    1) Ahhh, the sweet joy of claiming victim-hood….the last refuge of a cornered side. Know what? Some of us learned that from another liberal who usually appears here to donate pearls of “personal abuse”. Next thing we want to pick up from liberals? The technique of claiming victim-hood.
    2) So, let us say that there are others who wanted to comment but elected you to elaborate their stance on this blog. Is that true? Is “personal abuse” even viable weapon to stop liberals from supplying half-baked opinions on virtually anything under the sun? Since when? It sure did not stop you. Also before you claim martyrdom would you mind showing us the certificate of being elected please? Ooopsss, that was probably a personal abuse!!!

    If you really desire to have a discussion beyond your own group (who will agree with you anyway), one must learn to be polite, not get personal, not get angry and stick to the topic instead of commenting on other people’s character. Only then will someone feel comfortable expressing an opinion that goes against what the regular blog readers feel.

    Character assassination? Now, help me understand something here: would an unsubstantiated comment like ‘vigorously pro-Hindu and anti-Muslim’ qualify for “polite, non-personal and relevant” comment about someone you do not know directly? Or certain blog-post of a certain “polite non-personal” blogger attaching “far right wing” tag to a group of people who happen to disagree with the blogger qualify for “polite” disagreement? Would the “not being angry” behavior call for labeling a senior well-respected blogger as “intolerant” on twitter?
    You would do well to remember that your online profile is not defined by the claims you make but what you write. You will get what you give …. in equal quantity. I am a person who is well known to have made very sarcastic comments about liberals in liberal sites and what I got back is heap of abuse (not even sarcasm, such a pity). I have a very clear idea about the very low standard against which liberals measure their own tolerance while preaching tolerance to others and labeling others as intolerant. Climb down from the throne of high sanctimony and talk with clearly articulated points and people will listen to you.

    Otherwise it’s just an echo chamber populated only with those who agree with the author’s post. It’s a self selecting mechanism. You shouldn’t feel thrilled that everyone is in agreement!

    Believe me, I can estimate the necessity of “thrill” of generating a use-less controversy in someone else’s blog specially when your own is visited by only a few. Every year, we have few such examples here and there. Your desperate attempt at generating “thrill” would yield the same consequence.
    Finally, look at the heading of this blog post. Do you know the meaning of the words “एक विनम्र निवेदन”? If you really understand what he is trying to say here, you would not come here to feel the thrill of generating a use-less controversy.

  74. Kaffir says:

    Sid, it took only 68 comments for BJP to change his view of Sanskrit from “dead language” (comment #2) to “less useful” (comment #70). He’s definitely making some progress, though it is more difficult than pulling teeth out with a plier. 🙂

  75. Kaffir says:

    twistleton wrote:

    “Why only Sanskrit? What about other classical languages? Or is it only Sanskrit that is threatened by extinction?”

    __

    Has anyone stopped you from promoting other classical languages of India? Make your case and if there’s merit, people will support it.

  76. twistleton says:

    OBVIOUSLY

    Sanskrit is not going to be written off just yet from what i get from this blog. So then what IS all the fuss about?? Talk about self-defeating debate… 😀

  77. Kaffir says:

    twistleton, it’s “obvious” only because enough people care and take action.

    Your illogical argument seems similar to what I hear from many others regarding Sanatan Dharm – “Don’t do anything/don’t be concerned about Sanatan Dharm because it has survived for 5000 years and will continue to do so.”

    As if it survived because of some divine intervention and not because people acted and took steps that ensured its survival, and resisted those who were inimical towards it.

    धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः

  78. Neil says:

    @Sandeep: Isn’t it strange that people like Park get holed up into pits of darkness when Arabic- a language totally irrelevant and useless for India gets promoted by vote-bank worshipping UPA!!!

  79. Sid says:

    Neil (#79),
    And to top it all, no liberal or libertarian would protest it. After all, Arabic is secular and thus it is useful.

  80. Reema Patel Sriganesh says:

    This is a topic that touches me very deeply. As a fairly religious person, I can tell you that not being able to understand Samskrita is one of the biggest limitations I see in truly benefiting from the chanting and singing of the beautiful Vedic hymns such as Sri Rudram Chamakam and numerous others. Vedic hymns are one of the best gifts of God to creation. Notice that I am not just inferring mankind by “creation”, for I feel no creature, including humans, can stay unaffected by listening to or chanting a hymn such as Naaraayana Sukta or Sri Rudram Chamakam in the right manner with correct intonations, and of course, with a soul full of Bhakti and the spirit of a seeker of true knowledge.

    As for Bhagwad’s assertion of Samskrita being a dead language, and not of particularly any use, I must say – to each their own. I consider myself unfortunate that I do not understand Samskrita because when I sing something like Naaraayana Sukta that describes Naaraayana beyond all quantifiable physicality, I have to rely on a foreign source for its interpretation to be able to further contemplate its embodied deep meaning. That acts as a barrier. It is hard to explain, but my advise to Bhagwad is – please don’t preach when you have no faith.

    Samskrita is the only way to directly interpret the knowledge that God has so mercifully revealed to us in the Shrutis, and Smritis. Contemplation succeeds this interpretation. There. You have one of the best reasons why Samskrita should be taught in schools, and taught properly (not the half-baked way I was taught for 3 years in my school). It enables direct access to and interpretation of a vast body of knowledge.

  81. Kaffir says:

    निज भाषा उन्नति अहै, सब उन्नति को मूल ।
    बिन निज भाषा-ज्ञान के, मिटत न हिय को सूल ।।
    विविध कला शिक्षा अमित, ज्ञान अनेक प्रकार।
    सब देसन से लै करहू, भाषा माहि प्रचार ।।
    -भारतेंदु

  82. Ananthan says:

    Kudos for this great initiative! Herewith a Malayalam translation of the appeal (if it is not too late!).
    ——————–
    സംസ്കൃതം അധവാ ഭാരതീയ സംസ്കാരം! ഒരു വിനീതമായ അഭ്യര്ഥന! (Heading)

    Text:

    പ്രിയ സുഹൃത്തുക്കളേ,

    നിങ്ങള്‍ക്കറിയാവുന്നതുപോലെ, ഭാരതത്തിലെ 2011-ലെ ജനസംഖ്യ കണക്കെടുപ്പ് (സെന്‍സസ്) അതിന്റെ അവസാന ഘട്ടം പൂര്‍ത്തീകരിക്കുകയാനല്ലോ. സെന്‍സസ് ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ നിങ്ങളുടെ വിവരങ്ങള്‍ പുനപരിശോധിക്കാനും രേഖപ്പെടുത്താനുമായി നിങ്ങളെ വീണ്ടും സന്ദര്‍ശിക്കും.

    വീട്‌ വിവര പട്ടികയില്‍ അറിയാവുന്ന ഭാഷകളെപറ്റി എഴുതുമ്പോള്‍ മാതൃഭാഷയൊഴികെ അന്യഭാഷകളുടെ കോളത്തില്‍ “സംസ്കൃതം” ചേര്‍ക്കാന്‍ ദയവായി മറന്നുപോകരുത്‌. ഒരു നിമിഷം ചിന്തിച്ചുനോക്കിയാല്‍ മനസ്സിലാകും ദിവസവും നമ്മളെല്ലാം പല പ്രാവശ്യം സംസ്കൃത ഭാഷ ഉപയോഗിക്കാറുണ്ട്‌ എന്ന് – രാവിലെ എണീറ്റ്‌ ഉടന്‍ ദൈവത്തോടു പ്രാര്‍ഥിക്കുന്നത്‌ തൊട്ട്‌ വൈകീട്ട്‌ വിളക്ക് കത്തിച്ചു തൊഴുന്നത്‌ വരെ. പോരെങ്കില്‍ സംസ്കൃത മന്ത്രങ്ങളും സ്തോത്രങ്ങളും തീര്‍ച്ചയായും നമ്മുടെ ദൈനംദിന ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ ഒരു ഒഴിച്ച്‌ കൂടാനാകാത്ത ഭാഗമാനല്ലോ, പ്രത്യേകിച്ചും നമ്മുടെ പവിത്രകര്‍മ്മങ്ങളിലും നവരാത്രി, അഷ്ടമിരോഹീണി, മഹശിവാരാത്രി തുടങ്ങിയ വിഷിഷ്ട ദിവസങ്ങളിലും.

    സംസ്കൃത ഭാഷയുടെ നീലനില്‍പ് തന്നെ നമ്മുടെ എല്ലാരുടെയും കൈകളിലാണ്‌. കഴിഞ്ഞ ജനസംഖ്യ കണക്കെടുപ്പ് പ്രകാരം ഭാരതത്തില്‍ സംസ്കൃത ഭാഷ അറിയാവുന്നവര്‍ തുലോം വരളം ആയിരുന്നു – ഏതാണ്ടു 1000-ല്‍ താഴേമാത്രം! അതാവര്‍ത്തിച്ചാല്‍ ഒരുപക്ഷേ സംസ്കൃതത്തെ ഒരു നിര്‍ജീവമായ ഭാഷയായി ഘോഷിച്ചേക്കാം. അങ്ങനെ സംഭവിച്ചാല്‍ സംസ്കൃതത്തിനു ഗവര്‍ന്മെന്റ് അംഗീകാരവും മറ്റുഭാഷകാളെപ്പോലെ à´ˆ ഭാഷയുടെ പ്രചാരണത്തിനും ഉന്നമനത്തിനും ആയി നല്‍കുന്ന സാമ്പത്തിക പിന്തുണയും നഷ്ടപ്പെടും. അതോടെ പുരാതനവും വിഷിഷ്ടവും ആയ à´ˆ ഭാഷ എന്നെന്നേക്കുമായി നമുക്ക് നഷ്ടപ്പെട്റുപോകും.

    അങ്ങനെ ആകാതിരിക്കുവാന്‍ നമ്മള്‍ ശ്രമിക്കണം. സംസ്കൃതത്തിന്റെ ഇന്നത്തെ സ്ഥിതിക്ക്‌ നമ്മള്ലെല്ലാം തന്നെ കാരണക്കാരാണ്‌. വിദ്യഭ്യാസസമ്പന്നരുമ് പുരോഗമനചിന്തക്കാരും ആയ നമ്മള്‍ ഇംഗ്ലീഷിനേയും ഹിന്തിയേയും പിന്തുണക്കുമ്പോഴും സംസ്കൃതത്തെ മറന്നുപോകുന്നു, ഒപ്പം സെന്‍സസ് പോലുള്ള കണക്ക്കളില്‍ എണ്നങ്കങള്‍ക്കുള്ള മഹത്വം നമ്മള്‍ മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നില്ല.

    ഇപ്പോഴും ഒന്നും നഷ്ടപെട്ടിട്ടില്ല; ഇനിയും സമയമുണ്ട്. അറിയാവുന്ന അന്യഭാഷകളുടെ കോളത്തില്‍ “സംസ്കൃതം” ചേര്‍ത്ത്‌ ഭാരതീയ സംസ്കാരത്തിന്റെ തന്നെ പ്രതീകം ആയ à´ˆ ഭാഷ സംരക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ സഹായിക്കൂ.

    ജയ്‌ ഭാരതം! ജയ്‌ സംസ്കൃതം!!

  83. Manoj says:

    @Bhagwad Jal Park

    This is for you my dear friend as you clearly mentioned that you do not care for the past. Please do read it.

    http://dailypioneer.com/323016/The-wheel-of-time-goes-around-eternally.html

    Also as the writer rightly said:- “You can’t go where you want to go if you don’t remember where you came from.”.

  84. Ananta says:

    we, thousands of bangladeshis, want to learn sanskrit in Bengali/bangla medium. Please, let us learn sanskrit in bangla medium.

  85. Nanu Asari says:

    The argument to include Sanskrit as one of the other languages spoken by the common hindu, is spurious. Such a claim may benefit the language to get state support, but it doesn’t tell the truth. Just because the common hindu uses a lot of sanskrit words in his day to day life, does not make it another language used by them. To draw a parallel, indian muslims use a lot of arabic phrases, perhaps more than any hindu using sanskrit phrases, but that doesn’t make the indian muslim as someone who knows arabic. They are religious vocabulary like arabic used by muslims, latin by catholics, sanskrit by hindus, especially the vedic hindus. The ends could be laudable, but the means is questionable. Advocates of sanskrit should think of more acceptable reasons to champion their cause.