World Sanskrit Day 2023- Must Read Books
There exist numerous tomes elucidating the paramountcy and import of the Sanskrit tongue, yet I shall enumerate a handful of preeminent volumes for an initiatory exploration into the realm of Sanskrit literature and the exigencies it confronts in the contemporary epoch.
The first in the list is:
1. संस्कृत वाङ्ग्मय का बृहत् इतिहास – श्री बलदेव उपाध्याय (A Comprehensive History of Sanskrit Literature)
“Sanskrit Vangmay Ka Vrihat Itihas,” penned by the erudite Shri Baladev Upadhyaya and released in 1986, stands as a substantial opus. This tome undertakes the formidable task of presenting an all-encompassing chronicle of Sanskrit literature. It meticulously probes the metamorphosis, proliferation, and myriad epochs that have characterized Sanskrit literary heritage, spanning from antiquity to more contemporary epochs.
Shri Baladev Upadhyaya’s magnum opus confers invaluable discernments into the multifaceted domains of Sanskrit literary composition, spanning genres, luminary authors, and the ebbs and flows of literary movements. It bestows upon its readers, whether they be scholarly inquirers, eager students, or impassioned devotees of Sanskrit’s cultural bequest, a priceless reservoir of understanding concerning the opulent and intricate literary tradition embodied by the Sanskrit language.
It’s worth noting that this 18 volumes are composed in Hindi, acting as an instrumental instrument in the conservation and dissemination of Sanskrit literature’s wisdom and legacy, both within the borders of India and beyond.
Second book in the list is:
2. Sanskrit Non Translatable by Shri Rajiv Malhotra
“Sanskrit Non-Translatable,” crafted by the prolific Shri Rajiv Malhotra and unveiled to the world in 2020, embarks on an intricate exploration of the distinctive idiosyncrasies inherent in the Sanskrit language. It dauntlessly confronts the pervasive notion that Sanskrit lexicons and abstractions can be facilely transmuted into foreign languages devoid of forfeiting their intrinsic quintessence.
Shri Rajiv Malhotra cogently posits that Sanskrit houses a treasury of ineffable terms and notions deeply entrenched in the bedrock of Indian culture and philosophy. He steadfastly maintains that the endeavor to transpose these intricate concepts risks a profound dilution of their primordial denotation and weightiness. The book advocates for a more profound veneration of the opulent linguistic and philosophical legacy bestowed by Sanskrit, and underscores its pivotal role in the preservation of the knowledge systems that have underscored Indian thought.
Third in the list is:
3. Battle for Sanskrit by Shri Rajiv Malhotra
“Battle for Sanskrit,” a literary opus crafted by the erudite Shri Rajiv Malhotra and released unto the intellectual arena in 2016, undertakes a profound examination of the tumultuous confluence of opinions engulfing the explication and presentation of Sanskrit and its cultural heritage within the contemporary realms of academia.
Within its pages, Shri Rajiv Malhotra meticulously dissects the fierce “battle” being waged over the depiction and contextualization of Sanskrit and Indian culture. This skirmish pits orthodox scholars against certain Western academics, each harboring disparate perspectives and convictions. Malhotra’s discourse is a discerning critique, shedding light upon what he perceives as biases and perversions that have crept into the academic dialogue concerning Sanskrit.
The book ardently champions the cause for a more authentic and reverential apprehension of this time-honored language, along with its profound contributions to the mosaic of Indian civilization. Its presence in the literary domain has acted as a catalyst for substantial deliberation and disputation within the spheres of academia and cultural discourse.
