Sanskrit, famously known as the mother of several Indian languages, is not only an ancient language but is a storehouse of India's cultural, philosophical, and intellectual traditions. It's branches run deep, with its origins occurring thousands of years ago, and it was the vehicle for some of the greatest literature, and science, as well as some of the most profound spirituality and art. But in the present moment, Sanskrit is on track to become little more than a ceremonial language - only used in rituals but not as a common spoken form of communication - we need to wake up to the reality that the call to revive Sanskrit in India is not a blind nostalgia but a rediscovery of a living tradition that can enliven life now in countless ways. For centuries our great scholars, poets, scientists, and most importantly philosophers did not enter into Sanskrit discussions as a ritualistic or esoteric practice, but as a vibrant human means of communication. Through our ordinary grasp of Sanskrit we have made significant contributions to mathematics, astronomy, medicine, linguistics and, ethics and these profound contributions are enshrined in the deep-seated linguistic relation between prose and poetry in what is universally appreciated. In addition our ancient texts from the Vedas to the Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata; and innumerable works of philosophy, as well as, science are written in Sanskrit, When we lose the capacity to understand Sanskrit, we risk losing direct access to all of these original treasures.
Sadly, the legacy of colonialism, shifts in socio-economic priorities and the eventual predominance of other languages have all meant that sanskrit has fallen out of education and everyday use. Its complexity, or impracticality have also contributed to this decline. Yet, that is a misconception that can be overturned. Learning sanskrit is no more difficult than any other language, and its organisation and systematic grammatical structure is so rational that it can sharpen intellectual understanding and develop one's grasp of another language. Importantly, also, sanskrit is mostly equally comparable to Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and many other languages from India, so for many Indians, it is easier to learn than a totally foreign language. As mentioned, the difficulty is persuading today's generations of its attraction, and worthiness in a modern context. Multimedia use of sanskrit exists; and sanskrit can also feature in exciting, creative endeavours that might appeal to all people of all ages, if used in the context of social media, contemporary literature, films, indeed, even as an approach to science communication. Try imagining news broadcasts and/or podcasts, and/or YouTube channels which present sanskrit discussion and explanation, covering issues in various fields from historical to technological, etc. Such developments can dissolve the view of sanskrit being something for temples and puranas, and show it as a way to reason in reducing time and mental space, trying to be creative in one's thoughts and actions.
Another important step is to change the way that Sanskrit is taught in schools and universities. Many schools still teach Sanskrit heavily disconnected from its actual use, often relying on a style of presentation that is dry. This leads most students to forget Sanskrit as soon as it is no longer immediately relevant such as after an exam. However, with a new approach, Sanskrit can become a living medium of learning, utilizing speaking, storytelling, singing, and performative roles as practical means of engaging with the language. Schools can create clubs where students are asked to speak strictly in Sanskrit for a time, hold games, or perform mini-plays. Digital possibilities will be powerful allies in this effort. There are relatively inexpensive apps either to learn Sanskrit, artificial intelligence-based translations, and digital communities where enthusiasts can practice speaking and writing, making use of Sanskrit is more accessible than it has ever been. With the digital infrastructure in India developing, there is no reason why Sanskrit cannot find a strong digital presence.
A state that forgets its linguistic heritage loses an important part of its soul. Sanskrit does not belong to any particular religion or sect, it belongs to all Indians in as a common cultural root. It has the potential to make people feel united and come together through common linguistic habits and heritage of memory and thought. It will also improve India's image globally, similar to how Israel affected the revival of Hebrew as a modern language for communication, even being dormant for thousands of years. If scientific study by academics and the intellectual consistency and belief by speakers of Hindi and Sanskrit are together given high priority, then Sanskrit could reach similar possibilities.
The advantages of resurrecting Sanskrit are not merely about culture and identity; the benefits extend to intellectual development and academic achievement. Studies have indicated that learning Sanskrit improves memory, sharpens focus, and develops pronunciation skills. The merits include opportunity for graduate level research in Indology, comparative linguistics, and philosophy with meaningfully contribute to scholarship worldwide. Grassroots action and institutional volition will be necessary for the revival effort to succeed. Local communities will host workshops, cultural festivals, and language immersion camps. Universities will grow Sanskrit departments and identify collaboration opportunities with scholars who are based in other countries. Media companies may try out Sanskrit programming. Simply providing Sanskrit subtitles on movies or television shows would be an effective yet minor modification for familiarity and comfort to increase with Sanskrit.
Yet, revival does not equate to supplant modern Indian languages or English. The aim of a revival is to develop a multilingual community that helps restore Sanskrit to its rightful place among other languages. Just as many people across a variety of European countries feel utterly comfortable using different languages, Indians too can and should aspire to achieve a similar level of linguistic plurality as a pillar of our complex culture. Sanskrit can flourish alongside English and Indian languages, all contributing to our lives collectively instead of competing with one another. Reviving Sanskrit would gradually bring understanding of India's ancient knowledge in wellness, medicine, environmental science, ethics, and governance closer to the forefront. It would also help explain sustainable agriculture, and the connection of land, yoga, fitness, and wellness, and social justice and human rights - as many fundamental ideas come from ancient Sanskrit texts. We can establish new meanings based on what we understand of these ideas today. We can then utilize new meanings and provide reconsideration to communication and commonsense of today, with respect to ancient cultures of performance, philosophy, and applied activity.
Ultimately, the revival of Sanskrit is not just about language, but about restoring connections to our history and heritage, while providing our future a place to stand with prescience. It is about bringing back to life, a source of knowledge and beauty that is timeless and therefore can claim a justifiable place in the lives of the generations that will come after us, as they speak of when their ancestors fought, sometimes in tragedy, turmoil, and success, to speak, write, and think in the language of a civilization. The time is now, as each passing generation is one more step away from the communal spirit of our linguistic identity. However, with the collective will, we can realize, and not simply wish for, a revitalization of Sanskrit - a hopeful image for many of us, it could also be a vibrant image to nourish and support India's intellectual and cultural future.
(Writer: Vivek Koul)
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