• Know about the benefits of learning Sanskrit and how it has changed author’s life.

Growing up in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, I heard Sanskrit only while reciting the morning shloka (Karagre Vasate Lakshmi). For many years, this shloka was the only Sanskrit knowledge I had.

After completing my masters in United States, I got married and United States became my home.  When I became a father, I heard few celestial Sanskrit shlokas, when my young son started Bal Vihar in Chinmaya Mission, Atlanta. I was captivated listening to Shloka chanting in Chinmaya Mission assembly, and I thought it would be more interesting if I understood the meaning of these shlokas and stotras.  During this time, I was reading the English translation of Bhagavad Gita, and this had a profound effect on me.  These experiences were pivotal in increasing my interest in Sanskrit thousand fold. By divine grace, my young son enrolled in Samskrita Bharati . So I also enrolled to learn Sanskrit. 

I'm learning Sanskrit for the past four years, and I feel it is one of the best decisions in my life. Every Wednesday, I feel excited to enter my virtual Sanskrit class at 8 p.m.  I'm relaxed and rejuvenated as Sanskrit stories, shubhashitas (aphorisims), and the meanings of a few stotras are read and discussed.

The word Sanskrit, is an anglicized word for Samskritam. The word Samskritam is a combination of words, Samyak (perfect) and Kritam (done). So, Sanskrit means perfectly formed language! 14 verses consisting of 47 letters were revealed to meditative Sage Panini as Lord Shiva was performing his cosmic dance, while playing the Damaru. These sounds, known as Maheshwara Sutra, form the basis of Sanskrit alphabets and grammar.

Hearing unique, harmonious, intriguing, and hard sounds in Maheshwara Sutras makes me wonder if all world languages originated from these 47 distinct sounds. Uday Shreyas of the popular Sanskrit channel says, “The basic sounds of Sanskrit are natural outcome of the human physiology. The arrangements of these sounds are not arbitrary, they are a natural consequence of the origin of sound itself.” He adds, “Sanskrit is a language where the right utterance of the sound is of utmost importance.” 

Sanskrit letters and words generate powerful positive vibrations, and this is the reason why millions of Hindus hear Sanskrit chants every morning, even though the meaning is not understood by all.  

Another outstanding virtue of Sanskrit is that it has infinite words and is context-specific.

It is a Dynamic language and has the capacity to produce thousands and thousands of new words by adding prefixes and suffixes to Dhatu (root word), and this is the reason for the vast sanskrit vocabulary! There are around 2000 Dhatus!  Water, itself has around 60 Sanskrit words. In Jalam (water), "Jal" is the dhatu, which means to harden. In Neeram (water), dhatu "Nee" means to move ahead. Exploring origin of Sanskrit words is a fascinating experience as I try to find the dhatu. 

I have always loved words, and now exploring Sanskrit words, my passion and respect for Sanskrit has increased exponentially. The profound word Guru, is made up of Gu (darkness or ignorance) and ru (removes darkness), so Guru means remover of darkness!

Sanskrit poems are splendid, my son recently read a poem - Raghava Yadaviyam (about Rama and Krishna). This poem describes Lord Rama when read in normal order, and it describes Lord Krishna when read in reverse! I was spellbound on hearing this magical and divine poem.

Sanskrit grammar is most logical and precise, and this is the reason Sanskrit is loved by Mathematicians and Scientists.

Today, many scientists agree Sanskrit is the most scientific language for computer programing, as Sanskrit grammar is logical, like a set of Mathematical rules.  Sir William Jones (British Philologist) words, “The Sanskrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin, and more exquisitely refined either.” resonates with me when I'm chanting, learning or listening Sanskrit. 

Sanskrit does not have a script of its own, as Vedas were revealed to sages years and years ago.

From few centuries, Devanagari script is commonly used as the Sanskrit script. My son or wife help me by reading Devanagari script, and I then work on my assignment. Before joining Samskrita Bharati, my aspiration to learn Sanskrit was stifled as I did not know Devanagari script. One teacher mentioned that he did not know the script when he started learning Sanskrit but learnt in due course. This convinced me that I could pursue the study of Sanskrit, and now I am learning Devnagari script.

It really helps to know Devanagari as it opens up unlimited access to learning materials and advanced texts. 

Learning Sanskrit has helped me to know the profound meanings of daily shlokas, which I chant, and it helps me to easily connect with the Divine. Earlier, when the priest chanted in Sanskrit, it was Greek and Latin to me. Now, understanding pooja rituals is easier with my Sanskrit knowledge!

Now, when I chant ashtotrams (108 names), I can understand the divine descriptions, and feel truly blessed.  It is not an exaggeration to state that there is an unparalleled level of content in Sanskrit in extoling the divine. Listening to Kalidasa's enthralling poem Kumarasambhavam (birth of Lord Muruga) fills my heart with divine love, and I'm in a state of trance.

Sights of Lord Shiva, Parvati, and beautiful Muruga surrounded by breath-taking Himalayas, lush forests and river Ganga transports me to a peaceful realm.

Every morning, while driving to office I listen to Stuthis and Stotrams.  These enchanting divine words relaxes me, and I am engulfed in bliss. My mental attitude becomes clear and positive to face everyday challenges. Dr. David Frawley, a renowned Vedic scholar says, “Sanskrit is a human emulation of cosmic sound that links the human mind to the Cosmic Mind.” 

Today, Sanskrit-a phonetic language is used in speech therapy and many neuroscientists agree that reciting Sanskrit shlokas helps in cognitive skills.  

The number of Sanskrit words I encounter while speaking in, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi, with my family and friends is mind boggling! In conversations with my colleague, who is fluent in German and Latin, I find it fascinating to see the similarities between Sanskrit, Latin and German. Today, even linguists are intrigued by the similarities between Sanskrit and Lithuanian!

I wholeheartedly agree that Sanskrit speakers will be able to learn all Indian languages and world languages easily, as Sanskrit speakers can pronounce all words with ease! 

For decades, I had a misconception that Sanskrit is only for religious people to recite Sanskrit mantras and shlokas. Now, I 'm amazed to know about Sanskrit literature that covers all walks of life. 

Learning Sanskrit has enabled me to understand Indian philosophy, Indian classical music, Ayurveda and Yoga better, as Sanskrit is the cornerstone of everything from Indian culture to philosophy.  More than anything, I feel so energetic and rejuvenated after listening to Sanskrit chants.

Sanskrit Shubhasitas - are full of wisdom and helps to lead a good and righteous living in all situations. Sanskrit scholars proclaim, “By learning Sanskrit, you can read Bhagavad Gita and all Puranas in their original form, rather than the translations. There are lakhs of Sanskrit manuscripts on Astronomy, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics, Music, Dance, Health and other subjects.”  

Every year, I look forward for our Samskrita Bharati Varshikotsava, (Annual function). Here everyone from kids to adults showcase their Sanskrit knowledge.  Witnessing Sanskrit songs, poems, plays, description of legends, cities and natural wonders in Sanskrit is an amazing experience for me and my family! Sanskrit camps, online competitions are regularly conducted by Samskrita Bharati across the world to entice folks to learn and speak Sanskrit. 

Seeing the amazing benefits of Sanskrit, many Indian American students enroll Sanskrit as foreign language in high school. My wife casually learning Sanskrit finds vlogs such as Learn Sanskrit and Sanskrit TV very interesting. 

Today, I'm thrilled learning eternal Sanskrit, and, I know, it is a lifelong commitment, as Sanskrit is an ocean. Learning Sanskrit every day for 20 minutes gives me so much knowledge and joy. 

Sanskrit has helped me become more organized, think logically, and immensely helped in my spiritual journey. I personally feel that folks inclined towards humanity, languages and spirituality will find it beneficial to learn Sanskrit.

I'm happy that many kids, adults and seniors in Indian subcontinent, North America, Europe, Australia and Africa are passionately learning, reciting and conversing in Sanskrit every day! 

I'm eternally grateful to God, Samskrita Bharati, Youtube and all dedicated teachers - volunteers teaching me sacred Sanskrit. I'm sure our world will embrace Sanskrit, just like Yoga has been lovingly embraced across the world. 

Jayatu Samskritam (Victory to Samskritam) Jayatu Manukulam (Victory to Mankind).

The author is based in Atlanta, USA.

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