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Sanskrit is the Language of India’s Progress and Identity: PM Narendra Modi 

8 months ago
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narendra modi sanskrit

During his visit to Chitrakoot, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of Sanskrit. During his speech at Tulsi Peeth, he asserted that Sanskrit serves as more than just a language of cultural customs; it also functions as a means of advancing our society and defining our progress of identity.

Richness of Sanskrit

What is the total number of languages that have emerged and disappeared throughout the course of human history spanning thousands of years? 

The emergence of new languages led to the displacement of older languages. However, our culture remains intact and unwavering. Modi said Sanskrit underwent a process of refinement over time without experiencing any form of degradation.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the Ashtadhyayi is a venerable linguistic literature with a rich history spanning several millennia, representing India’s intellectual prowess and our enduring research tradition.

Survival of Sanskrit

Talking about slavery, Modi said, “Several attempts were made to destroy India during the 1,000 years of slavery. Attempts were made to eradicate the Sanskrit language. We got Independence, but those with a mentality of slavery had a biased opinion about Sanskrit. If people know their mother tongue, other countries will appreciate it, but they consider knowing the Sanskrit language as a sign of backwardness”.

Modi asserted that those harbouring such a mindset have experienced a consistent pattern of failure throughout the past millennium and are unlikely to achieve success in subsequent periods.

The Language of Scholars

Sanskrit is widely regarded as the mother of numerous languages and is recognised as a language of erudition and scholarly discourse. Sanskrit is considered the progenitor of many languages, with an estimated total of 6,909 languages currently in use worldwide.

It is considered to be the most linguistically affluent among all languages and it boasts an extensive lexicon beyond that of any other linguistic system. Currently, the Sanskrit lexicon has a staggering 102.78 billion words. Sanskrit possesses a multitude of lexical variations for a single term.

Foreign Nations on Sanskrit

In the contemporary era, there has been a renewed recognition of the significance of Sanskrit among individuals. The language in question is subject to greater academic scrutiny in other nations as opposed to its country of origin. The realisation of the significance of our legacy often occurs when it is recognised and valued in foreign contexts, which can be disheartening.

Presently, there is a significant amount of scholarly investigation being conducted on the subject of Sanskrit among the academic community in Germany. Sanskrit is now being taught and researched in a total of 18 universities. In contemporary times, it is evident that various nations, including Ireland, exhibit a notable fascination with the Sanskrit language.

The subject is a mandatory curriculum component at St James’ School in London. The topic of research holds significant promise for the utilisation of Sanskrit. According to a statement by NASA, Sanskrit has been identified as a very advantageous language for computer systems. The forthcoming 6th and 7th generation supercomputers, projected to achieve full functionality by the year 2034, will exclusively rely on the Sanskrit language as its foundation.

Back to Vedas

The Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Arthashastra are among the Sanskrit texts. The Aryabhatiyam, authored by Aryabhata, is a Sanskrit text that is grounded in the field of mathematics. Sanskrit writings encompass a wide range of scientific disciplines, including but not limited to astronomy, aeronautics, dietetics, architecture, chemistry, and pharmacology.

According to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the inaugural President of India, the absence of knowledge in Sanskrit among our intellectuals, thinkers, and educators renders our culture, literature, and existence inadequate. A comprehensive grasp of Indian culture necessitates proficiency in Sanskrit. According to Mahatma Gandhi, a comprehensive understanding of Sanskrit is necessary for anybody aspiring to be both Indian and scholarly.

Westernisation of Language

The process of Westernisation has significantly impacted the cultural and linguistic heritage of India. In light of the profound influence of the English language, it is evident that we have inadvertently neglected to appreciate our ancestral language, which remains pertinent in contemporary society and can be effectively employed in technological contexts.

In addition to the English language, it is important to consider Sanskrit as a means of advancing technology, which can be utilised for our advancement rather than rendering it obsolete.

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  • PM Modi Invokes Ram Temple, Sparking Vote Bank Speculation - South One
    October 29, 2023 at 1:02 pm

    […] On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Ram temple in Ayodhya will be ready soon and hailed the contribution of Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in its making. While delivering a speech at a public function at the Tulsi Peeth of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya at Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, the PM also said that Sanskrit is not only the language of tradition but also our progress and identity. […]

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