Voyage of student life with Sanskrit literature

It is well said that the first school is one’s home and first teacher is one’s mother. The home school where we learnt speech, action, and behavior was all imbibed by one’s heritage. We Indians are proud to have Vedic culture and Rishi culture. The Vedas, the upanishads are seeds of great culture which later flowered in the form of epics, tales and poetry.

Every Indian mother ever tells the stories of Rama, Krishna, Dhruva, Abhimanyu, etc. which the child remembers n grow up with some traits of them to be role model in future.

I am into same mould which influenced me so far to be a better student just because of those tales which I heard from my father without knowing they form the unique literature in Valmiki’s Ramayana and Vyasa’s Mahabaratha. Further the Panchathanthra tales, Bruhathkatha tales, vetalapanchavimshika, dwathrimshika puttalika, dashakumaracharitha etc are all developed qualities courage, intellect, imagination etc in me.

As I grew up I was fed with Neethishathakam, Subhashithas and wonderful grammar, Laghu sidhantha kowmudhi. The grammar the basis of any language, especially the Sanskrit grammar is so scientific with prabedas like dhathu, kriyapada, avyaya etc is now acclaimed as the best computer language.

When I was in teens Kalidasa’s shakunthalam, Bhasa’s Swapnavasavadatta, Bana’s Kadambari, etc visualized into romantic representations as if we were there in a time machine and when we came back to see the present time feeling why those time did not come to us.

Im am fascinated by natures beauty and its relationship with man described in Ruthusamhara, Meghadootha, the start in Kadambari, Rishyaashrama of Shakuntala which were even today if I close my eyes I can visualize as if it is painted and enlivened.

The Dramas of Greek were essentially tragic and the stage explained did not have the mystic atmosphere where as our Sanskrit Dramas authored by Bhasa, Kalidasa, Vishakadatta, Shudraka etc gave glimpses of culture, mystery, happiness, and entertainment with values in spectators. Though our dramatists borrowed heavily from Mahabaratha and Ramayana they modified the epic characters which were larger than life were brought to earthy men of equality with human flesh and blood characters. Bhasa redefined Kaileyi in Prathimanataka, and the climax of Aancharathra where in Kouravas shared the state with Pandavas. The invent of Abhignana in Shakunthala by Kalidasa Mruchakathika of Shudraka is a first of its kind, a social drama of a courtesan’s love life in the background of upraising political scene is really influenced me to the reliance of then Indian society. Mudrarakshasa of Vishakadatta influenced as Panchatantra itself in studying the politics and reinstatement of the state head by people, teachers and officials of state to rise to the occasion and suitable action. These are the best examples of improvement over the originals that have taken place. The Natyashasthra of Bharatha is a treatise in drama which astonishes me today.

I have noticed, though the Sanskrit classics are unique and definitely explore human endeavor to realize the best in life. The poets, writers always live in beautiful past, today’s youth live in dreams of the future. The poets of Sanskrit lore often exaggerate in beautifying the realms, the agony and impoverishes of common man is never depicted and the students of Sanskrit literature find it hard to believe those tales comparing them with European, American literatures. The writers since 16^th century did not impress as Bhasas and Kalidasas and I wish we have to take up to cultivate Sanskrit literature to bring the rishi samskruthi back.

The essence of once life will always be known by ones attitude and outlook by theosophy this will give the necessary turns in spiritual journey. The Upanishads which gives the insight into us the Bhagavathgita supposed to be the nectar form of Upanishads Which defines Dharma in different ages to be relevant so that I always look into when I am in doubts and dilemma and the great teacher in Gita never fails.

The Vyasas and Kalidasas will always walk with me in my voyage to enhance the life value. I see my teachers, parents, elders are no less than Bhavaboothi and bhana and I cherish memories of my childhood when I grow up into old-age these people will be still young and treat my works encouragingly and bless me to be a part great Indian literature and culture.