The Union Home Minister’s assertion that Sanskrit is the “mother of nearly all Indian languages” and the most “scientific language in the world” reflects a broader cultural and political push towards reviving India’s ancient heritage. This emphasis raises important questions about the role of classical languages in modern India and how such revivalist initiatives should be approached. Sanskrit undeniably holds a foundational place in India’s linguistic and cultural history. As the liturgical language of Hinduism and a vehicle for vast bodies of philosophical, literary, and scientific texts, it has deeply influenced numerous Indian languages – especially those in the Indo-Aryan family, such as Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Gujarati. It also contributed significantly to Dravidian languages like Kannada and Telugu, primarily through vocabulary. Generally, Sanskrit is viewed as the “mother” of all Indian languages, considering the distinct historical evolution of different languages.
HM’s remarks should not be interpreted as a symbolic positioning of Sanskrit at the heart of a civilisational renaissance. Beyond symbolism, promoting Sanskrit along with other languages must be rooted in a nuanced, inclusive, and pragmatic approach. Language revival efforts that attempt to unify the country’s diverse linguistic heritage. The rich pluralism of Indian languages-22 scheduled languages and hundreds of dialects-must be celebrated, not subordinated.
The Government’s steps under the National Education Policy to mainstream Sanskrit through curriculum development, scholarships, and institutional support mark a significant policy shift. These initiatives are commendable in their intent to preserve and promote linguistic heritage. The ‘Ashtadashi’ scheme and financial support for the publication of rare texts signal a practical approach to reviving scholarly interest. Yet, it remains essential that these efforts do not come at the expense of other classical languages such as Pali and Prakrit, which are equally significant to India’s intellectual and literary history.
Shah’s emphasis on Sanskrit’s “scientific” nature and grammatical precision aligns with long-standing global scholarly admiration, dating back to European linguists like William Jones and Ferdinand de Saussure. Panini’s Ashtadhyayi, for instance, is a masterclass in linguistic analysis and systematisation. However, the promotion of Sanskrit should not be conflated with a dismissal of modern science and contemporary global languages. Sanskrit can be a valuable asset in areas like computational linguistics, AI, and philosophy, but it should complement, not replace, modern education imperatives. Sanskrit holds the potential to be utilised in strategically significant domains linked to national security. Much like how China has prioritised Mandarin-leading to the development of indigenous web browsers, data centres, and AI platforms such as DeepSeek-Sanskrit, too, could become a transformative force for India. The language’s depth and structure offer unique advantages, and its rich tradition of shlokas is believed to possess profound mystical and psychological effects, many of which have been the subject of scientific exploration. These aspects highlight Sanskrit’s untapped potential as more than just a cultural relic-it could be a key driver in shaping India’s technological and strategic future.
Another point of consideration is accessibility. For Sanskrit to become a living language again-as implied by the promotion of conversational Sanskrit through Sambhashan Shivirs-it must break free from elitism and the confines of ritual use. Sanskrit Bharati’s grassroots approach is commendable in this regard, training ordinary people to speak and understand the language. Efforts should be put in to create digital tools, mass media content, and technological applications in Sanskrit to modernise its appeal. The revival of Sanskrit, if pursued with cultural sensitivity, academic rigour, and technological innovation, can serve as a bridge to India’s vast intellectual traditions.
No doubt India has a classical past. Sanskrit can indeed play a constructive role in this vision, not as a relic of the past but as a dynamic resource for the future. Reviving Sanskrit should not be about linguistic hegemony; it should be about cultural enrichment and intellectual empowerment for all Indians. The challenge lies not in promoting Sanskrit but in doing so inclusively, respectfully, and intelligently. The lost ancient glory of Sanskrit has to be attained.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
