by Nikul Joshi

published on 22 August 2016

Sanskrit is regarded as the ancient language in Hinduism, where it was used as a

means of communication and dialogue by the HinduCelestial Gods, and then by the
Indo-Aryans. Sanskrit is also widely used in Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. The
term ‘Sanskrit’ is derived from the conjoining of the prefix ‘Sam’ meaning ‘samyak’
which indicates ‘entirely’, and ‘krit’ that indicates ‘done’. Thus, the name indicates
perfectly or entirely done in terms of communication, reading, hearing, and the use of
vocabulary to transcend and express an emotion. An extraordinarily complex language
with a vast vocabulary, it is still widely used today in the reading of sacred texts and
hymns.

ORIGIN & PURITY OF SANSKRIT

The Sanskrit language was termed as Deva-Vani (‘Deva’ Gods - ‘Vani' language) as it
was believed to have been generated by the god Brahma who passed it to the Rishis
(sages) living in celestial abodes, who then communicated the same to their earthly
disciples from where it spread on earth. The origin of the language in written form is
traced back to the 2nd millennium BCE when the Rig Veda, a collection of sacred
hymns, is assumed to have been written after being continued for centuries through
oral tradition and preservation of verbal knowledge in the Guru-Disciple relationship.
The purity of this version (Vedic period, 1500 – 500 BCE) of Sanskrit is doubtlessly
reflected in the flamboyance of the perfect description of the forces of nature in the Rig
Veda.

VEDIC SANSKRIT
Sanskrit in terms of its literary association is classified into two different periods, the
Vedic and Classical. Vedic Sanskrit is found in the Vedas sacred texts, especially the Rig
Veda, the Puranas, and the Upanishads, where the most original form of the language
was used. The composition of the Vedas is traced to the period of 1000 to 500 BCE, until
when Sanskrit had a vigorous tradition of being used consistently through oral
communication. This early Sanskrit is rich in vocabulary, phonology, grammar, and
syntax, which remains undiluted in its purity to this day. It consists of 52 letters in total,
16 vowels and 36 consonants. These 52 letters have never been tweaked or altered and
are believed to have been constant since the beginning, thus making it the most perfect
language for word formation and pronunciation.

'TO ACQUIRE THE MASTERY OF THIS

LANGUAGE IS ALMOST A LABOUR OF A LIFE;
ITS LITERATURE SEEMS EXHAUSTLESS'
W.C.TAYLOR
The Sanskrit language has been the traditional means of communication in Hinduism,
Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Sanskrit literature holds the privilege of being used in
ancient poetry, drama, and sciences, as well as religious and philosophical texts. The
language is believed to have been generated by observing the natural progression of
sounds created in the human mouth, thus considering sound as an important element
of language formation. This is one of the prime reasons why Sanskrit has been rich in
poetry and its expressive quality of bringing out the best meaning through perfect
sounds that are soothing to the human ear. Vedic Sanskrit also contains abstract nouns
and philosophical terms which are not to be found in any other language. The
consonants and vowels are flexible enough to be grouped together to express nuanced
ideas. In all, the language is like an endless ocean without a base due to its
reach, complexity, and hundreds of words to express a single meaning or object.