Dear BhakthAs :
Raja College , ThiruvayyARu is a famous institution , where many of
our AchAryAs have studied or taught .
Today it is part of the 25 colleges attached to Bharathi Daasan UNiveristy
and supported by Srimath PeriyANDavan Aasramam .
A short paper was requested for the conference this Month at ThiruvayyARu
focusing on Sanskrit for Modern Times .
I forgot to add Bhagavath GitA and Management Sciences in the original
version , which has been added here .
Please give me your feedbacks .Thanks ,
V.Sadagopan
ETERNAL RELEVANCE OF SANSKRIT
***********************************************
BY
OPPILIAPPAN KOIL VARADACHARI SADAGOPAN
The relevance of Sanskrit for modern times is significant and multifaceted.
We will breifly explore here the eternal relevance of Sanskrit language and
literature for now and forever . A study of these treasures bequeathed to us
by Sages and scholars of ancient times are absolutely relevant to us ,
in all aspects of our lives .
All the modern languages of India are considered rightfully as the children of
Sanskrit , which has evolved in a seamless manner from the earlier Vedic
language .
At one end , Sanskrit is tied to the earliest literary and scintific record of
the human race
and at the other end is connected to the modern advances in esoteric ares
of inquirt such as theoretical Computer Science (TCS) .
Sanskrit and Computer Science
****************************************
The recent work in TCS has established that the concepts fundamental to TCS
have
their origin in the classical work of Sage PaaNini on Sanskrit gramar
(AshtAdhyAyi ) .
PaNini's comprehensive and soundly scientific theory of phonetics , phonology
and
morphology going back to 2500 years is opening many doors to the advances in
software development .The power of PaNini's grammar has been identified with
the power of the Turing Machine of modern times because of the sophistication
and
the farsightedness of PaNini's handling of metarules , transformations and
recursions.
The ongoing work of Dr.P. Ramanuja of CDAC , Dr. Laksmi TatachAr of Melkote
Sanskrit
Academy , Dr. John Backus of IBM and others on this topic point out the
extraordinary
relevance of Sanskrit , the language known for its Mathematical precision in
the context of
modern day software development.
Sanskrit and Mathematics
***********************************
In the field of Mathematical sciences deeply influenced by algebra , the
structure of Sanskrit language
with links to the algebraic nature of Indian Mathematics has the potential to
make additional
innovative contributions in astronomy and architecture and bridge the gap
between Sanskrit
and the modern world .
Sanskrit and Life Sciences
**********************************
In the field of Aayur Veda , the doors of the vast knowledge base relating to
Medical Sciences
( herbal/mineral based drug development/Pharmacology , study of Human anatomy
, perofrmance of
Surgical operations , treatment of infant diseases , management of Gerantology
and Veternary Sciences)
is just about being opened. The Science and Technology of Aayur Veda is deeply
embedded in Atharva Veda .
Many decades of work are needed to identify the herbs and flowers referred to
in the different
sections of Atharva Veda . Advances in the treatment of killer diseases like
Malaria , Tuberculosis
( Kashaya rhOgam) , Cholera , Diabetes and Small pox are very much possible
from research
on the relevant insights of Aayurvedic texts . Susruta's and Charaka's and
evolving work on Aayurvedic
Samhitas have enormous significance to modern times to treat the ills of the
body and mind in
a holistic manner .
Sanskrit and Astronomy
*******************************
Significant insights to advance modern day astronomy are waiting to be gained
from Sanskrit texts of
Aryabhatta , VarAhamihira , Brahmagupta and BhaskarachArya . The SiddhAntha
SiromaNi of
BhaskarAchArya has the following four sections :
(1) LilAvathi : a treatise on pure Arithmetics , Number theory from One to
trillions and positioning of digits .
(2) Bhija Ganitha ( Treatise on Algebra as an introduction to astronomy /Graha
Ganitha ). Simple,
Simultaneous , quadratic equations and those with a large number of unknowns (
vargaprakruti)
are covered here .
(3) & (4) Graha GaNita and GoLAdhyAya deal directly wih astronomy .
Astronomical instruments ,
geometry and geography are covered in these two chapters .
Humanities, Ethics and Philosohy :
********************************************
Although we have focused sofar on Science and Technology aspects and their
links to
Sanskrit in modern times , there is a whole realm of humanities like Dharma
Sastras /Neethi
Sastras ( Manu Smrithi , Bartruhari's Nithi Sataka) , Laws and Jurisprudence ,
Economical Sciences
(arTa Saastra) , the IthihAsAs and PurANAs , Historical tales and fables that
have relevance to develop
comity between the various communities of a nation and between the different
Nations .
Sanskrit and Management Sciences
**********************************************
The engine that propels modern business is based on the use of optimal
Mangement tools and
resources in a timely and efficent manner to get the tasks done . The Western
management style
puts key emphasis on the development of strategic thinking , motivation of
workers and display of
leaderhip for generating profit and not for the welfare of the human kind .
This management approach
and the fruits derived from there creates and sustains built-in tension between
the Manager and the worker .
This style of managerial approach has been described as " Aasuri Sampath " or
demonic approach
in Bhagavath Gita . The opposite approach in achieving managerial effectiveness
has been described
by GitAchAryan as " Dhaivee Sampath" or Divine approach .
GitAchAryan defines the characterstrics of the Manager with Dhaivee Sampath in
Gita XV1.2:
" causing Non-injury , dwelling on truth alone , displaying freedom from
anger ,renouncing fruits
of action ,demonstrating tranquility , avoiding fault-finding , displaying
compassion to human
beings , showing freedom from desire for sense objects , exercising gentleness
, modesty and
steadiness in dealing with others ".This type of Manager (adhikAri) has vigour
, forgivenss ,
fortitude , purity , freedom from malice and excessive pride (Gita XVI.3 ) .
The one with the Aasuri sampth demonstrates ostentation , arrogance ,
self-conceit , anger ,
rudenes and ignorance " ( Gita XVI.4). In summing up the qualities of one with
the demonic
disposition , GitAchAryan identifies a triad of guNAs ( Passion , anger and
greed) that lands him
into darkness , unfulfilment in managing given tasks and unhappiness . The
adhikAri , who is free
from these three gates to darkness strives for the good of the Self and attains
the highest goal.
GitAchAryan defines thus the most optimal approach to work and managing others
.This is
indeed a message for all times .
In the third chapter dealing with Karma yoga , GitAchAryan advocates the
performance of
one's duties without attachment to them in a spirit of advancing the welfare of
the world
(loka samgraham). GitAcharyan points out that all actions are done by the
influence of
guNas of Prakruthi and not by the individual self. Our AchAryan explains that
the performance of
one's duties with this understanding does not llead one to attachment to the
actions and
helps to overcome egoism . This message about the development of mental
attitude in
the performance of one's work is not a time bound message and is an eternal
message
for Management Sciences .
Using Sanskrit as His language of choice , GitAchAryan instructs us all with
His eternal (modern)
message of self-transcendence and approaching work with the renouncement of
one's ego
and avoid sole focus on the fruits thereof . It has been pointed out that
GitAchAryan's approach to
Management is at the grass roots level as opposed to the Western approach ,
which is at
a superficial level . That grass roots level approach is linked to the
development of
attitude (equanimity) with respect to the success or failure of the action
undertaken(Gita II.48).
By performing one's duties this way , one develops steadfast wisdom ( Sthita
praj~na )
and realizes "karamsu kousalam "(adroitness in the execution of one's duties in
this world) .
A Prayer
************
The many meanings given to the word "Sanskrit" are: " refined , sanctified
,complete ,
perfect , cultured and definitive" . It has been said that "Sanskrit language
is a marvel
of marvels , an epitome of a people's genius ". May the eternally fragrant
blossoms of
Sanskrit rooted in the genius of the people of BhAratha Varsham dealing with
every
aspect of human knowledge thrive and prosper to address the needs of the modern
world .
May the fruits of the strivings of Educational institutions like the Sanskrit
College at
ThiruvayyARu reach out to the entire world !
Subhamasthu !
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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