“Sanskrit”- the word evokes a classical essence of traditional India. The world took a new dimension when India introduced Sanskrit to global literature. The language is said to belong to the Indic group of language families of Indo-European and its descendants, primarily Indo-Iranian and Indo-Aryan.
Sanskrit is all about being refined, decorated or produced at its best version. The clarity and beauty of the language are worth the applause. Many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism use Sanskrit for their religious scripture. Sanskrit is used in various religious ceremonies and functions. Hence it is regarded as the sacred language of the religion. It is said that chanting Sanskrit mantras with a combination of sound and vibration, has many implications on the mind and psyche of the individuals.
There is a lot of conjecture about the creator of Sanskrit. Mythological rumour has it that Brahma was the introducer of Sanskrit language to the sages of the celestial bodies. Hence, Dev Vani is the other name of Sanskrit, meaning the language of the Gods. The Western world got exposed to this universal language in the 18th century when similarity was discovered among Greek, Latin and Sanskrit. This was the primary driving force to identify the relation between all Indo- European languages. The forms of Sanskrit have evolved over time. The initial version of Sanskrit was Vedic Sanskrit, which came approximately around 1500-1200 BC. It was essentially an oral system of imparting knowledge from one generation to another. Sanskrit is known as the oldest Indo-Aryan language. It has taken a prominent position in the Indo-European family of languages.
Sanskrit has evolved over time, but the gist remains the same. The gamut of the language encompasses a rich tradition of philosophical and religious texts, in addition to poetry, music drama, science and other texts. The earliest known scriptures of Sanskrit traces to the 1st century BCE, such as the few discovered in Ayodhya and Chittorgarh. Amidst various speculations of its origin.
Being the mother of all Languages
Sanskrit is known to be a heritage of the Indian cultural legacy. It instilled a sense of pride and glory in the Indian cultural life. The characteristics of Sanskrit are quite unique and undeniable. The eloquence, sway and prestige accorded to the language are beyond magnificent. Sanskrit is undoubtedly the mother of all Indian languages. Although it is hard to say that there is a direct relevance or the languages emulated from Sanskrit, it will be a wrong conclusion. But the uncanny influence of Sanskrit on other Indian languages is profound and undeniable.Many ancient scholars and writers have precisely concluded that the gamut of Sanskrit is pervasive throughout the Indian subcontinent and not restricted to one particular region. The scholars testify that the glory of Sanskrit language remains unmatched and the way it has permeated the national life down centuries. From the Vedas to the Upanishads to the Puranas, ranging from works on medicine, astronomy, astrology and mathematics are all written in Sanskrit. Most Indian languages trace its roots to Sanskrit, and if any Indian wants to know his/her mother tongue in the best possible manner, the need to study Sanskrit is undeniable.
In a ten well-documented chapter on Sanskrit, scholars have opined that Sanskrit is a panoramic language. Many of the Indian regional languages are heavily influenced by Sanskrit in their scriptures. It is so profound that Sanskrit plays a pivotal role in the grammar and phonetics of these languages. Sanskrit can be regarded as the core of all Indian languages, and thus it is necessary to have an account of this ancient heritage every time we learn any regional language. The literary history of Sanskrit remains unbroken for 4000 years. Many Indians still understand Sanskrit and are even spoken by scholars worldwide. Knowledge alone does not serve in uplifting a community or a country; culture is also equally important. Sanskrit brings culture. The sublime nuances of the language advocate a futuristic vision veiled in a traditional account of beliefs and thoughts, which is very profound and intriguing. Hence, it is imperative that Sanskrit is the most effective means of preserving the cultural ethnicity and heritage of the Indian sub-continent and also aids in consolidating and strengthening the cultural views of the country. Frankly, it is the mother of all Indian languages.
