Sanskrit is an ancient Indo-Aryan language widely spoken in India from 1700-1200 BCE. The Sanskrit language is currently used in religious ceremonies by religious leaders and in sacred writings. Sanskrit is presently an official language in India that was anciently in the southern part of Asia the later became widespread in other parts of Asia. The language got its name Sanskrit from joining the prefix Sam derived from the word “samyak,” an Indian word that means entirely, and another Indian word, “krit,” which means done. This research paper discusses how the Sanskrit language existed until it was widespread and spoken all over Asia by different religious leaders.
The Sanskrit language was brought into existence by god Brahma and passed to a saint called Rishis in the heavens (Houben). Rishis communicated the language to living prophets and disciples on earth, which was later widespread on the planet since the living disciples could use the language while performing religious acts and writing holy books (“Sanskrit Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary”). The written form of the language existed after the verbal form of Sanskrit was widely spoken and was used in passing helpful information to different generations through word of mouth.
The written form of Sanskrit was first a collection of sacred hymns called the Rig Veda. The literary forms of Sanskrit have different periods, which are the Classical and Vedic periods. The Vedic Sanskrit form is compiled in sacred texts called Vedas from about 1000 to 500 BCE. The earliest form of Sanskrit consisted of 52 letters, and maintaining the vowels makes the language ideal when forming or pronouncing words. The language became widely spoken because of oral communication and traditional religious functions (Shekhar). Performing poems, songs, and drama during religious gatherings using the Sanskrit language made the language widespread all over Asia.
The language was passed through different generations and spoken by individuals from every culture since people from other communities and ages embraced the language. The urge to learn Sanskrit passes from one generation to the other. When the Vedic Sanskrit period came to a distinct state, the classical Sanskrit era took over, and since there was a need to record everything that happened, the rules and religious words had to be written (Cardona). The regulations are in the form of writings since the culture kept changing, and other restrictions were omitted. To ensure further omissions do not happen and the language taught to new generations. Panini, who had descended from pain and was a grammar and linguistics expert, invented the clarified version of the Sanskrit language.
Panini’s anticipation that the language would be instinctual since the tongue can change and other information omitted when the language is transferred orally to the generation that could have existed in the 4th century. The last religious written version of the Sanskrit language was the Upanishads. When the 4th century ended, the Ashtadhayayi, which had eight chapters, was brought into existence. The Ashtadhayayi is currently the only available text comprised of the Sanskrit language and vocabulary and the only article considered to be the source of the Sanskrit language currently. The analysis and explanation in Panini’s report describe Sanskrit and the translation of Sanskrit to current modern languages. In the article, Panini gives reasons why Sanskrit should remain sacred and the different forms and places where the language is applicable.
As discussed above, the Sanskrit language is sacred and preserved since it is historical and passes rules and previous traditional beliefs practiced anciently. A lot from the past is always around us, and historical researchers always ensure that ancient inventions and cultural practices are recognized. For example, the Sanskrit language is in the form of writings yet still passed through generations; thus, it is hard for the language to become extinct. Preserving ancient culture ensures ancient practices remain existing, and passing culture to the coming generation is easy. Documented history is always accurate; thus, Panini’s idea of storing Sanskrit in writing was a good idea. It is just to conclude that information passed to the next generation is accurate.
Work Cited
Houben, Jan E. M. “Ideology and Status of Sanskrit: Contributions to the History of the Sanskrit Language.” Google Books, BRILL, 1996, books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=_eqr833q9qYC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=scholarly+articles+on+the+origin+of+sanskrit&ots=T0FuBLYGuh&sig=uJjaWK0Q8PIIFFVFhFOBC18UUUc&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false. Accessed 12 Feb. 2023.
“Sanskrit Definition and Meaning | Collins English Dictionary.” Www.collinsdictionary.com, www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sanskrit.
Cardona, George. “Sanskrit Language | Origin, History, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Sanskrit-language.
Shekhar, Īndū. “Sanskrit Drama: Its Origin and Decline.” Google Books, Brill Archive, 1978, books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=68wUAAAAIAAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=scholarly+articles+on+the+origin+of+sanskrit&ots=YGS3VLVrFK&sig=ghbwLFqUuDAJUdd4YINPEAy1alA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=scholarly%20articles%20on%20the%20origin%20of%20sanskrit&f=false. Accessed 12 Feb. 2023.
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