Invited Paper for ThiruvayyARu Conference on Sanskrit during the occasion of the 125th Anniversary of its Founding

[Guest guest]

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 :

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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

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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

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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 !