Lecture Notes on Sanskrit

Introduction to Sanskrit

• Question to the Audience: How many have heard of Sanskrit?
• Personal Anecdote: Attempted to interview a friend about Sanskrit, who mistakenly thought it was a language written on sand.

The Silk Road and Sanskrit

• Visualize the Scene: Imagine the Silk Road as a hub for trade, especially near modern India.
• Goods Traded: Includes gold, spices (cinnamon, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, cloves).
• Cultural Exchange: Merchants and travelers learn Sanskrit, noticing similarities to Latin and Ancient Greek.
• Impact of Travel: Travelers learn and later spread Sanskrit knowledge back home, leading to its popularity in the West.

Sanskrit vs. Latin and Greek

• The "Big Three" Languages: Sanskrit, Latin, and Greek share deep historical and linguistic connections.
• Similar Roots and Pronunciations:
  • Father:
    • Sanskrit: "p"
    • Latin: "pater"
    • Greek: "pater"
  • Mother:
    • Sanskrit: "mā"
    • Latin: "mater"
    • Greek: "mēter"
  • Three:
    • Sanskrit: "trī"
    • Latin: "tres"
    • Greek: "tria"

Importance of Sanskrit

• Areas of Influence: Psychology, linguistics, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, history, music, and dance.
• Cultural Backbone: Instrumental in shaping Indian languages and cultures in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia.

Benefits of Learning Sanskrit

1. Pronunciation:
   • Sanskrit trains the mouth for diverse sounds, aiding in pronunciation of other languages.
   • Example: Learning Sanskrit allows easier pronunciation of complex words.
2. Language Learning and Comprehension:
   • Scientific and precise nature aids in learning new languages.
   • Personal anecdote: Noticed parallels between Sanskrit and Japanese during a visit to Japan.
3. Expansive View of Human Nature:
   • Provides insights into consciousness and mental states.
   • Offers tools to better understand society and human experiences.

Perspectives on Sanskrit Study

• Traditional vs. Innovative Views:
  • Some believe Sanskrit should be restricted to ancient scriptures.
  • Innovation arises from breaking boundaries.
• Global Sanskrit Revival Movement:
  • Aim to make Sanskrit accessible through conversational learning initiatives.
  • Example: "Spoken Sanskrit" YouTube channel created to teach conversational Sanskrit.

Educational Initiatives

• Universities: Columbia, Brown, University of Texas, UPenn offering research and courses in Sanskrit.
• International Interest:
  • Schools in Britain include Sanskrit in language curriculum.
  • Germany has seen a surge in Sanskrit courses due to high demand.

Promoting Sanskrit in the U.S.

• Goal: Increase interest in Sanskrit in NYC and the broader U.S.
• Diversity and Collaboration: Emphasize learning and cooperating through language.

Conclusion

• Interactive Learning:
  • Introduced basic Sanskrit phrases:
    • Hello
    • How are you?
    • I am doing well
• Final Message: Spread the beauty of Sanskrit through innovation and collaboration.