The sacred literature of India, inferior to none in variety or extent, is superior to many in nobility of thought, in sancitity of spirit, and is generality of comprehension. In beauty or prolixity, it can vie with any other literature ancient and modern. Despite the various impediments to the steady development of the language, despite the successive disturbances, internal and external, which India had to encounter ever since the dawn of history, she has successfully held up to the world her archaic literary map, which meager outline itself favourably compares with the literature of any other nation of the globe. The beginnings of her civilization are yet in obscurity relatively to any other language of the ancient world, the antiquity of Sanskrit has an unquestioned priority. “Yet such is the marvelous continuity” says Max Muller “between the past and the present of India, that in spite of repeated social convulsions, religious reforms and foreign invasion, Sanskrit may be said to be repeated social convulsions, religious reforms and foreign invasion, Sanskrit may be said to be still the only language that is spoken over the whole extent of the vast country. So says M. Winternitz: “Sanskrit periodicals in India and topics of the day are discussed in Sanskrit pamphlets. Also, the Mahabharata is still today read aloudpublicaly. To this very day poetry is still composed and words written in Sanskrit and it is the language in which Indian scholar’s converse upon scientific questions. Sanskrit at the least plays the same part in India still, as Latin in the middle ages in Europe, or as Hebrew with he News.”
“No county except India and no language except the Sanskrit can boast of a possession so ancient or venerable. No nation except the Hindus can stand before the world with such a sacred heirloom in its possession, unapproachable in grandeur and infinitely above all in glory.”
In the back drop of the above statements it is very encouraging to note that M/s Neeta Prakashan one of the pioneer in the field of Sanskrit education and its propagation, has come out with a very useful book on “Spoken Sanskrit” authored by Shri Veda Prakash Shastri and Dr. Shashi Kant Pandey. The avowed aim of the publisher is to present a referential book on Spoken Sanskrit written in easy style. The authors have made a good attempt to focus on the use of Sanskrit in day to day life. The melody embedded in this language has been projected in a logistic way. I am happy to observe that veritable information available in this language will reach to persons through a will modulated foundation course.
I have reasons to believe that this book will serve a good back ground for conversational Sanskrit as it will pave the way for understanding the rudiments of Sanskrit language. An admirer of this language will feel prompted to learn it through the method suggested in this book for understanding Sanskrit. The authors have very succinctly put the methodology they have followed in the preface of the book. I have no iota of doubt in my mind in observing hat this book will be well received by the public.
Last but not least I once again take the opportunity of tanking the publisher specially Shri Radhyshyam Gupta Ji and Smt. Shanti Gupta Ji for serving the cause of Sanskrit in a number of ways.
People think that learning Sanskrit language is difficult due to its vast grammar and vocabulary, but this misconception is getting dispelled. This sweet and soft language is the most scientific one. The treasure of human knowledge has been stored in its literature. So, for getting an opening into this store – house of knowledge, it becomes necessary for mankind to have some knowledge of Sanskrit.
All those who value this heritage, should have knowledge of this language. To become acquainted with a language, one should perforce open his mouth and speak it out. The general teaching of Sanskrit only gives the working knowledge but does not inculcate the fluent methods of speaking: connected to day – to – day living. Use of small simple sentences of conversational Sanskrit may create enthusiasm to learn it and the common fear of Sanskrit in the minds of the people will be removed.
As it is evident from the title of this book, the sentences of daily use are collected here. This has been written for those who have knowledge of either Hindi or English language. It has following features:
1) Rather than grammatical aspect, practical aspects have been given more emphasis. 2) Conversational method has been used to explain the subjects in Sanskrit. 3) Examples from day – to – day life have been selected o illustrate the subject. 4) Question and answer method, practical method and translation method has been adopted in the exercises, so that learners, in addition to learning Sanskrit, may also use it in their conversation. 5) Important grammatical aspect have been explained in each appendix. 6) To maintain the simplicity of the book, Passive voice has been used at the minimum. 7) Appendix 6 contains important sentences used daily: so that learners may get enough practise in using them.
We hope that readers of this book, who are interested in Sanskrit, in addition to learning its practical aspect, would also be motivated to acquire the indepth knowledge of its literature, the min medium of our cultural lore. We hope that this book will be like a tender – boat for them who desire to enter into the ocean of knowledge.
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