World Sanskrit Day
New Delhi: Sanskrit is an ancient language, also known as the language of the gods. The importance of this language in India is very high because whatever great compositions were done in the Vedic period, it was done in this language. Knowledge has been given in this language in the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. The same language has also been used in Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is believed that the language of Aryans was also Sanskrit.
Why is World Sanskrit Day celebrated, what is importance?
Today i.e. August 9, World Sanskrit Day is being celebrated. It is celebrated every year on Shravan Purnima, which according to the Hindu calendar is the full moon day in the month of Shravan. The first World Sanskrit Day was celebrated in the year 1969. This day is celebrated to express respect for Sanskrit language and to make people aware of this language, so that the world should remember how much the importance of this language is.
The importance of Sanskrit language can also be understood from the fact that it is one of the 22 official languages in the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution. It is considered one of the 6 classical languages of India with Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Odia.
How to reach Sanskrit language abroad?
- Since ancient times, Sanskrit language has been spread abroad. Due to various cultural, religious, business and intellectual exchange, this language also reached abroad. When Buddhist and Jainism spread in ancient India, Sanskrit texts also reached Central Asia, China, Tibet, Japan, Korea and South-East Asia (such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam).
- Buddhist monks translated the sources and scriptures written in Sanskrit and took it abroad. Chinese travelers Hiuen Tsang and Fahian are believed to have promoted Sanskrit texts in China.
- Apart from this, traders and sailors of ancient India went to Southeast Asia (such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Bali), due to which they broadcast Hinduism and Sanskrit literature in these countries.
- Texts like Ramayana and Mahabharata affect the whole world. These were originally in Sanskrit, which were recognized worldwide. For example, Sanskrit inscriptions are found in temples like Angkor Wat in Kakavin Ramayana and Khmer Empire (Cambodia) in Indonesia.
- In Tibet, Sanskrit texts were translated into Tibetan language with Buddhism. Apart from this, Sanskrit was spread through religious and literary exchange in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet.
- In ancient times, foreign students came to study in ancient Indian universities like Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramashila. Through these students, Sanskrit language also reached abroad. For example, Chinese traveler Yi-jing learned Sanskrit in Nalanda.
Sanskrit language being taught abroad
Sanskrit language has been so much publicized since ancient times that it has reached all the countries of the world. It is taught in many countries of the world and the interest of the readers remains in it. It is particularly taught in countries where there are educational programs related to South Asian studies, indology, linguistics, or Hindu and Buddhism.
Sanskrit language is specially taught in Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Nepal, South-East Asia, Japan, China, Bhutan, Israel, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
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