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SANSKRIT THE LANGUAGE OF GODS
17

Rcsies Bulletin - Sanskrit

Sep 22, 2015

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  • SANSKRIT

    THE LANGUAGE OF

    GODS

  • 2

    EDITORS NOTE Dear Readers, 5th September is celebrated as Sanskrit Day but not all of us know too much about this sacred language. Since Sanskrit Day also appears in the Rotaract calendar, we decided to make a bulletin especially for you on this subject. While researching for it, we came across lots of interesting things but were unable to incorporate them all in this bulletin. (We are making a bulletin not a book you know!) But still there is a lot you might find of interest specially the origin of the Panchatantra stories (originally written in Sanskrit). Have a pleasant read and Happy Sanskrit Day!

    Your Editors,

    Rtr. Naushin & Rtr.

    Shraddha DID YOU KNOW? The meaning of Sanskrit is refined, decorated or produced in perfect form.

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    IMPORTANCE OF SANSKRIT Sanskrit has been the language of India's soul. A well-known western scholar has described it as the Mother of all languages. Our ancient Indian sages called it the Language of the gods, "Devabhasha". Nobody can truly understand and appreciate the spirit of Indian culture, if he does not know the Sanskrit language. Sri Aurobindo, while speaking of the importance of the Sanskrit language for India, said:

    "It is of the utmost value to a nation, a human group-soul to preserve its language and make it a strong and living cultural instrument. A nation, race or a person which loses its language cannot live its whole life or real life."

    And in the words of Jawaharlal Nehru:

    "The past has gone and the present is with us and we work for the future. But I have no doubt that whatever the shape the future may take, one of the biggest, the strongest, and the most powerful and the most valued of our legacies, will be the Sanskrit language."

    Sanskrit is the only language which was spoken all over India in the past and it is the only language which can still unify the country.

    The versatile literary creations in the Sanskrit language have evoked a deep sense of awe and wonder among scholars of the world. All the profound spiritual wisdom of India embodied in our ancient scriptures like Vedas, Upanishadas, the Gita. Puranas and Shastras are expressed in the Sanskrit language. No wonder great Indian sages like Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vivekananda viewed Sanskrit language as the most perfect medium for expressing spiritual and philosophical ideas. But interestingly, even some of the 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. But the people of India are turning away from this treasure house of our ancient Indian culture and do not realize its value.

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    HISTORY Sanskrit is a member of the Indo-Iranian sub-family of the Indo-European family of languages. Its closest ancient relatives are the Iranian languages Old Persian and Avestan. Within the wider Indo-European language family, Sanskrit shares characteristic sound changes with the Satem language and also with Greek.

    In order to explain the common features shared by Sanskrit and other Indo-European languages, many scholars have proposed migration hypotheses asserting that the original speakers of what became Sanskrit arrived in what is now India and Pakistan from the north-west some time during the early second millennium BCE. Evidence for such a theory includes the close relationship of the Indo-Iranian tongues with the Baltic and Slavic languages, vocabulary exchange with the non-Indo-European Finno-Ugric languages, and the nature of the attested Indo-European words for flora and fauna.

    The earliest attested Sanskrit texts are Hindu texts of the Rigveda, which may be located in the Greater Punjab region and adjacent Afghanistan, and dated to the mid-to-late second millennium BCE. No written records from such an early period survive. However, scholars are confident that the oral transmission of the texts is reliable: they were ceremonial literature whose correct pronunciation was considered crucial to its religious efficacy.13

    The oldest surviving Sanskrit grammar is Pini's Adhyy ("Eight-Chapter Grammar"). It is essentially a prescriptive grammar, i.e., an authority that defines (rather than describes) correct Sanskrit, although it contains descriptive parts, mostly to account for some Vedic forms the use of which had become rare in Pini's time.

    The term "Sanskrit" was not thought of as a specific language set apart from other languages, but rather as a particularly refined or perfected manner of speaking. Knowledge of Sanskrit was a marker of

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    social class and educational attainment in ancient India and the language was taught mainly to members of the higher castes, through close analysis of Sanskrit grammarians such as Pini. Sanskrit, as the learned language of Ancient India, thus existed alongside the Prakrits (vernaculars), which evolved into the Middle Indic dialects, and eventually into the contemporary modern Indo-Aryan languages.

    SOME SANSKRIT SHLOKAS Sanskrit mantras, when recited in combination with the sound vibration, have a specific effect on the mind and the psyche of the individual.

    Here are a few of them:

    THE GAYATRI MANTRA

    Om Bhur Bhuva Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhi Yo Yonah Prachodayat Om

  • po

    O Lordis

    Thou arossessing

    OM! May

    ord, Thou aspeller of re the creeternal q

    y that Brah

    May t

    sMay we w

    tMay our

    Ma

    TRANSLATIO

    are the prmiseries

    eator and qualities. M

    pa

    AUM sahahman pro

    saha nthat Brahm

    sahaviiryawork in ha

    tejasvi nar study be

    maa vidvay we not

    shaa.nPeac

    sh

    ON OF THE S

    rotector oand bestothe most

    May Thine qass to us.

    ha naavavotect us b

    naubhunakman nouri

    a.n karavaaarmony w

    aavadhiitame illuminati

    vishhaavat hate eac

    AUM Om..

    ntiH shaa.nace, Peace.

    haa.ntiH || Peace.

    SHLOKA:

    of life and ower of hat acceptabqualities a

    vatu | both (Teach

    ktu | rish us bot

    avahai | with great

    mastu | ing and fru

    ahai || ch other.

    ntiH ..

    d of breathhappiness. ble intelligeand Thy in

    cher & Disc

    th;

    vigor;

    ruitful;

    h,

    ence, nspiration

    ciple);

    6

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    All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

    NUMBERS IN SANSKRIT

    DID YOU KNOW?

    In the Republic of India, in Nepal and Indonesia, Sanskrit phrases are widely used as mottoes for various educational and social organizations (much as Latin is used by some institutions in the West). The motto of the Republic is also in Sanskrit.

    Republic of India Satyameva Jayate "Truth alone triumphs" Nepal

    Janani Janmabhmisca Svargdapi garyasi "Mother and motherland are greater than heaven"

    Goa

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    Sarve Bhadrni Payantu M Kacid Duhkhabhg bhavet "May all perceive good, may not anyone attain unhappiness"

    Life Insurance Corporation of India Yogakshemam Vahmyaham "I shall take care of welfare" (taken from the Bhagavad Gita)

    Indian Navy Shanno Varuna "May Varuna be peaceful to us"

    Indian Air Force

    Nbha Sparsham Dptam "Touch the Sky with Glory"

    Mumbai Police

    sadrakshanaaya cahlaaha nighranayah "For protection of the good and control of the wicked"

    Indian Coast Guard

    Vayam Rakshmaha "We protect"

    All India Radio

    Bahujana-hitya bahujana-sukhya "For the benefit of all, for the comfort of all"

    Indonesian Navy

    Jalesveva Jayamahe "On the Sea We Are Glorious"

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    NAMES OF FLOWERS Shtpatri - rose Suryavati sunflower Sudarshana- lily Kamalam -lotus Malikabela

    NAME OF FRUITS Aamram - mango Kadlifalm banana Narangm - orange Drakshfalm- guava

    NAME OF ANIMALS Ajaa goat Ashva- horse Gajh- elephant Makrh- crocodile

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    Vanarh- monkey Rasbh- donkey

    FIVE SENSES Chakshueyes Gihva tongue Strotrm ears Ghranam nose Tvak- skin

    NAME OF BIRDS Kak- crow Kukuth- hen Mayurh- peacock Kapoth- piegon

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    WORDS THAT HAVE ORIGINATED FROM

    SANSKRIT You might be surprised to know that all of us know a little bit of Sanskrit. There are many words that we use and come across in our day-to-day life that have actually originated from Sanskrit. Here is a list that you can look through: Agni

    from Sanskrit Agnih, which means "fire". Ahimsa

    from Sanskrit ahims, which means "not-harmful". Ashram

    ultimately from Sanskrit sramah, a religious hermitage. Avatar

    from Sanskrit avatarana, which means "descent". 15 Ayurveda

    from Sanskrit yurvedah, which means "knowledge of life". Banyan

    from Sanskrit vanija, which means "a merchant". 18 Basmati

    through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit vsah. Bhagavad-Gita

    from Sanskrit, which means "song of the sublime". Bhakti

    from Sanskrit bhakti, which means "loyalty". 24 Bhang

    from Hindi bhang, which is from Sanskrit bhangah "hemp". 25

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    Bharata from Sanskrit bhrata. 26

    Bidi through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit vtikam. 27

    Brahma from Sanskrit brahm, which means "a prayer". 28

    Brahmin from Sanskrit brahmana-s, from brahman. 30

    Brinjal from Persian badingn, probably from Sanskrit vtingana. 31

    Buddha from Sanskrit buddha, which means "awakened, enligtened", refers to Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism32 Also refers to one who is enlightened in accordance with the teachings of Buddha or a likeness of Buddha33

    Candy from Old French sucre candi, via Arabic and Persian probably ultimately from Sanskrit khanda "sugar", perhaps from Dravidian. 34

    Chakra from Sanskrit cakra, which means "a circle, a wheel".

    Cheetah from Hindi chita "a leopard", from Sanskrit chitraka, which means "speckled".

    Chit from Hindi chitthi "a letter, note", which is from Sanskrit chitra-s "uniquely marked".

    Cot from Hindi khat "a couch", which is from Sanskrit khatva. 48

    Dahl through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit dalah, meaning cotyledon of a pea pod, a type of Indian food, also refers to lentil in the US

    Devi from Sanskrit devi, which means "a goddess". 56

    Dharma from Sanskrit, which means "law, justice". 57

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    Dhoti through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit dhnoti, traditional garment of men's wear in India.

    Emerald from Latin smaragdus, via Greek ultimately from Semitic or from Sanskrit marakata, "emerald".

    Ghee through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit ghritam. 69

    Gurkha via Nepalese ultimately from Sanskrit goraksah, "a cowherd". 74

    Guru via Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit guru-s, which means "a teacher". 75

    Himalaya from Sanskrit himalayah, which means "place of snow". 78

    Hindi from Hindi Hind, via Persian Hindu "Sind" ultimately from Sanskrit sindhu, which means "a river". 79

    Jackal from Turkish akal, from Persian shaghal, from Middle Indic shagal, ultimately from Sanskrit srgalah "the howler

    Jain or Jaina through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit jaina, which means "concerning the saints". 84

    Jungle through Hindi jangal "a desert, forest" ultimately from Sanskrit jangala-s, which means "arid

    Lilac via Arabic lilak from Persian nilak meaning "bluish", ultimately from Sanskrit nila, which means "dark blue". 100

    Loot ultimately from Sanskrit lota-m through Hindi, which means "a booty, stolen thing

    Maharajah through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit maha-rjn, which means "a great king". 103

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    Maharani through Hindi finally from Sanskrit mahrjn, which means "consort of a maharajah".

    Mahatma from Sanskrit mahatman, which means "a great breath, soul".

    Mahout via Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit mahmtrah

    Mantra from Sanskrit mantra-s which means "a holy message or text". 111

    Maratha from Sanskrit Maharastra, which means "a great country". 112

    Namaste through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit namas-te, which means "bowing to you".

    Neem through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit nimbah, a kind of tree.

    Nirvana from Sanskrit nirvana-s which means "extinction, blowing out".

    Opal through Latin from Greek, probably ultimately from Sanskrit upalah.

    Rama from Sanskrit Ramah, which means "pretty". 136

    Ramayana from Sanskrit Rmyanam, which means "the gait of Rama".

    Rupee through Hindi rupiy ultimately from Sanskrit rpyakam, an Indian silver coin. 143

    Sambar through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit ambarah, a kind of Asian deer

    Sari through Hindi sari and Prakrit sadi, finally from Sanskrit sati "garment". 157

    Satyagraha from Sanskrit satyagraha, which means "insisting on truth". 158

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    Shampoo

    via Hindi champo probably from Sanskrit capayati, which means "kneads". 161

    Shawl from Persian shal, finally from Sanskrit satI, which means "a strip of cloth". 162

    Shiva or Siva through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit Sivah, which means "gracious".

    Sikh through Hindi sikh "a disciple", ultimately from Sanskrit siksati which means "studies". 165

    Singh via Hindi Singh finally from Sanskrit simhah which means "a lion". 166

    Singapore via Malay ultimately from Sanskrit Simhapuram, literally "the lion city".

    Swastika from Sanskrit svastika, which means "one associated with well-being, a lucky charm

    Yoga through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit yoga-s, which means "yoke, union".

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    SANSKRIT LITERATURE Sanskrit literature is very famous as a rich source of knowledge. A popular gem of Sanskrit literature is the Panchatantra.

    Panchatantra was written in Sanskrit in 200 BC by a great Sanskrit scholar named Vishnu Sharma. Panchatantra is a collection of animal stories (fables) each giving valuable insight into politics, moral code of conduct, and practical wisdom. It teaches the practical aspects of life like - understanding people; choosing reliable friends; coming out of difficult situations wisely; and living in peace while facing deceit, hypocrisy and many problems in life.

    Origin of Panchatantra is mentioned in the beginning of Panchatantra itself. It is said that in certain state in Southern India there was a city named Mahilaropya where a just King named Amarshakti used to rule. The king had three sons named Vahushakti, Ugrashakti, and Anantashakti. The three sons who were though intelligent were not interested in any kind of learning or education. King Amarshakti was worried about the future of the state and the princes.

    When consulted, his ministers told that, it takes a minimum of twelve years to learn Sanskrit grammar itself. Besides this the princes need to know other scriptures like Dharma Shashtra (by Manu), Artha Shashtra (by Chanakya) and Kama Shashtra (by Vatsyana), which will need many more years to learn. After such disappointments a minister named Sumati counseled that, for the princes it is necessary to know the essentials of few scriptures than the details of all the scriptures. He suggested a scholar named Vishnu Sharma who was famous for teaching Neeti Shashtra in a short time.

    On counsel of minister Sumati, the king invited the great scholar Vishnu Sharma and requested him to take charge of the princes and make them knowledgeable in political and practical wisdom. In return he offered a hundred villages. The scholar accepted to take the

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    princes to his ashrama (hermitage) and make them knowledgeable. But, he did not wish anything in return. For him his work was his reward. He said "O King, listen to my words carefully. I will not sale knowledge in return of hundred villages. Still, if I can not make your sons expert in Neeti Shashtra, in six months, I will change my name. This is my vow. I do not wish any wealth. I am eighty years old now and my senses have faded away. I do not need any wealth now. However to fulfill your wish I will entertain myself with teaching. Note down today's date. If I do not make your sons expert in Neeti Shashtra in six months, may I not see heaven."

    Vishnu Sharma compiled Panchatantra - the five books/principles which is a collection of animal stories. The princes listened these stories with interest and in six months were indeed knowledgeable in the necessary branches of political wisdom, moral code of conduct, and practical wisdom.

    TATTOOS IN SANSKRIT- THE LATEST FAD

    Lots of celebrities like David Beckham and Rihanna are getting tattoos done in Sanskrit thereby creating a new fad. In addition to Rihanna who also has a Sanskrit prayer tattoo from the Bhagavad- Gita, MTV winner actress Jessica Alba (Sin City), musician Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), dancer-singer Kimberly Wyatt (Pussycat Dolls), actress-singer Alyssa Milano (Whos the Boss), Golden Globe winner actress Gillian Anderson (The X Files), etc., have felt an attraction to the ancient sacred language of India and gotten Sanskrit tattoos on them.

    However this has also resulted in the latest controversy. LONDON - Americas leading Hindu scholars are urging top tattoo artists to read up on their Sanskrit after noticing inked text on singer Rihanna and soccer player David Beckhams skin is misspelled.

    According to some experts, Rihannas latest tattoo inspired by the holy text of Bhagavad- Gita is incorrectly written. Similarly, David Beckham has his wifes name Victoria on his forearm in the Devanagri script and it appears to read, if literally read, as Vihctoria.