Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

THE WAY OF POPULARISING SANSKRIT INTO MASSES

By Dr. Chilakamarthi DurgaprasadaRao 

Sanskrit which is considered to be a treasure house of Indian knowledge, wisdom and culture was once brushed aside due to many socio-political reasons. And it is our bounden duty to revive the language to regain its past glory. There are many evidences to prove that Sanskrit was once the lingua franca of our motherland and the reasons for its disappearance from the common man are also obvious.

In this modern and scientific age the majority of people think that the study of Sanskrit is of no use as it does not yield any monitory benefits. Even the scholars of Sanskrit are not providing Sanskrit education to their children. So the future of Sanskrit has become a big question.

In olden days people used to study the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and some other books of holy literature for acquiring Dharma and, being influenced by them common people also used to follow in their foot-steps either by listening to them and by studying them themselves. so a majority of people in the society whether educated or uneducated kept themselves in touch with the language and literature.

But now Sanskrit is only in the Schools, Colleges and some Universities. The number of students is decreasing year by year. A majority of students who are studying Sanskrit do not pay adequate interest and enthusiasm. The interest they evince towards learning Sanskrit in comparison with the other languages and subjects is insignificant.

The courses offered very recent by University Grants commission and other private institutions in the form of VADAT SAMSKRITAM, DASADINESHU SAMSKRITAM for taking Sanskrit to the common man leave much to be desired. In respect of Sanskrit magazines also much progress is no witnessed yet. Similar is the case with the radio and T.V. programmes.

The awards announced by the Government, autonomous institutions and private organisations are confined to scholars and the common man is not benefited by them. In this context here are some tips to improve the position of Sanskrit.

• At the very outset the wrong notion that Sanskrit is a language for a particular sect should be discarded.
• Those who claim themselves to be scholars of Sanskrit should encourage their children also for Sanskrit learning though not for livelihood at least for the sake of knowledge to keep the rich language and tradition alive.
• Every Sanskrit scholar is expected to contribute at least Rs. 100/- per month from his earnings for other readers also.
• The price of Sanskrit books should be kept within the reach of the common reader.
• The vedic scholars should continue their branch of learning uninterruptedly as otherwise the tradition will not be handed over to future generations.
• Professionals who study the Vedas, Astrology and Ayurveda for their livelihood should continue to read their books to keep themselves in touch with the literature of that particular branch.
• If two or more persons who know Sanskrit happen to meet together their conversation should be in Sanskrit only.
• The interaction between Sanskrit and science is quite essential in the present day circumstances. So every student should try to interact with the students of science to unearth the scientific knowledge of our ancestors. Then only the necessity of Sanskrit learning is felt by others.
• Steps should be taken to teach Sanskrit through the medium of Sanskrit and they should be implemented scrupulously.
• Sanskrit magazines should publish scientific articles also to enable the student of Sanskrit to be equipped with scientific knowledge.
• Articles in Sanskrit magazines should be written in such a manner as to be intelligible even to the common man.
• More magazines for children should be designed.
• In our society there are a number of philanthropists, priests, religious organizations who wish to contribute their mite for the benefit of mankind. We should bring them under one roof and plead with them to be of use for the propagation of Sanskrit.
• Scholars instead of concentrating upon one sastra should concentrate on the preservation of language.
• Sanskrit should be given place in the three language formula. One’s own mother tongue, Sanskrit and English for local, national and international purposes.
• Mottos which can be understood easily even by the common man should be kept everywhere to inspire the common man.
• Celebrities like film stars, sportspersons and other such men who matter should be requested to popularize Sanskrit Slogans.
• In religious places every mantra should be kept translated in their respective regional languages for the proper understanding of that particular mantra. Then only the common man will relish the beauty of Sanskrit language.
• More incentives are to be given for those who study Sanskrit as the main subject.
• Talks should be arranged in every possible forum on our epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata to inculcate interest in the people.
• In this age of Kali strength lies in unity and scholars and lovers of Sanskrit should try to influence the masses to fight in favour of Sanskrit.

The four steps of education Adhiti, Bodha, Acharana and Prachara, i.e., learning, teaching, practising and propagation should simultaneously be taken up. Then only we can achieve our goal.

LET SANSKRIT BE VICTORIOUS
LET INDIA BE VICTORIOUS

Posted by Durga Prasada Rao Chilakamarthi at 11:38 PM

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