Sunday, June 28, 2015
Ten hints to have command over Sanskrit
Ten hints to have command over Sanskrit.
1. Use only Sanskrit and nothing but Sanskrit at least while conversing with Sanskritists. Don't overuse the same few nouns and verbs. Try to add more verbs, more nouns on more subjects.
2. Write something in Sanskrit. While writing, as much as possible
try to use correct grammar. Always place Apte's dictionary in front of
you. Even though this dictionary does not give meanings in Sanskrit, it
is helpful in having clear picture in understanding the words of
Sanskrit. Amarakosha with any Sanskrit commentary you must have.
3. Make the habit or reading Ramayana everyday. It is different matter that Ramayana is in our blood and in our culture. The advantage you will have by reading Ramayana is, while reading it you will have the experience of talking with Sanskrit. Ramayana's language is very simple, at the same time very attractive. All the sentence patterns, idioms, important proverbs that are necessary for the practical transactions are interwoven in the diction of Ramayana. While reading it, you are swimming in the Sanskrit-ocean.
4. Read Sanskrit works extensively. In every subject and in every category, the important works you have to read. Don't confine your reading to narrowness by thinking ‘my subject is this, my subject is that'. This kind of thinking is nothing but stupidity. Only after reading any thing will be ‘your' subject and not before that. By reading widely, you will be able to understand how the Sanskrit is used differently by different authors. Don't restrict your reading to old writings. Read even modern works of fiction and nonfiction. You have to read even research works written in Sanskrit.
5. Don't neglect the introductions if they are written in Sanskrit. Read Sanskrit commentaries and notes. Don't forget to use indices for quick references.
6. Write in Sanskrit. Write any thing you want. Short stories, poems, articles, dramas and even novels.
7.If you are interested in writing classical style, try to imitate any well known poems by altering the words of synonyms. Be careful in metre. As much as possible memorize the definitions of important metres in Vrttaratnakara. Check your verses meticulously to know whether the definition is strictly applicable. Remember that this is for your practice. Don't publish your first effort.
8. Try to write commentary on Subhaashitas. Here, commentary means word to word meaning, that's all. Split the words of original according to the Sandhi rules. After it is done, add a dash or = mark to every word and write correct synonym . Take help of any classical dictionary like Amarakosha. Try to summarize the verses in simple prose.
9.Some poets with wonderful and strange enthusiasm do create verses rapidly in their mouth without help of paper and pen. This process is called ‘Aashu-kavitva'. Try it. In the initial stage, it seems difficult. But, be persistent and you will become successful !
10. And lastly, try to present your paper in Sanskrit in the seminars.
N.B.Don't start to quarrel with the guys who will tell you that Sanskrit is dead. You have to prove Sanskrit's lively status by showing them something written afresh in Sanskrit.
1. Use only Sanskrit and nothing but Sanskrit at least while conversing with Sanskritists. Don't overuse the same few nouns and verbs. Try to add more verbs, more nouns on more subjects.
3. Make the habit or reading Ramayana everyday. It is different matter that Ramayana is in our blood and in our culture. The advantage you will have by reading Ramayana is, while reading it you will have the experience of talking with Sanskrit. Ramayana's language is very simple, at the same time very attractive. All the sentence patterns, idioms, important proverbs that are necessary for the practical transactions are interwoven in the diction of Ramayana. While reading it, you are swimming in the Sanskrit-ocean.
4. Read Sanskrit works extensively. In every subject and in every category, the important works you have to read. Don't confine your reading to narrowness by thinking ‘my subject is this, my subject is that'. This kind of thinking is nothing but stupidity. Only after reading any thing will be ‘your' subject and not before that. By reading widely, you will be able to understand how the Sanskrit is used differently by different authors. Don't restrict your reading to old writings. Read even modern works of fiction and nonfiction. You have to read even research works written in Sanskrit.
5. Don't neglect the introductions if they are written in Sanskrit. Read Sanskrit commentaries and notes. Don't forget to use indices for quick references.
6. Write in Sanskrit. Write any thing you want. Short stories, poems, articles, dramas and even novels.
7.If you are interested in writing classical style, try to imitate any well known poems by altering the words of synonyms. Be careful in metre. As much as possible memorize the definitions of important metres in Vrttaratnakara. Check your verses meticulously to know whether the definition is strictly applicable. Remember that this is for your practice. Don't publish your first effort.
8. Try to write commentary on Subhaashitas. Here, commentary means word to word meaning, that's all. Split the words of original according to the Sandhi rules. After it is done, add a dash or = mark to every word and write correct synonym . Take help of any classical dictionary like Amarakosha. Try to summarize the verses in simple prose.
9.Some poets with wonderful and strange enthusiasm do create verses rapidly in their mouth without help of paper and pen. This process is called ‘Aashu-kavitva'. Try it. In the initial stage, it seems difficult. But, be persistent and you will become successful !
10. And lastly, try to present your paper in Sanskrit in the seminars.
N.B.Don't start to quarrel with the guys who will tell you that Sanskrit is dead. You have to prove Sanskrit's lively status by showing them something written afresh in Sanskrit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)