Forgotten and Less know facts about Sanskrit

The first ever three days International Conclave of Sanskrit scholars, a brain child of the Governor of Uttarakhand, Dr. Aziz Qureshi, organized by the Sanskrit University, Uttarakhand from September 26 to 28. The conclave saw emergence of around 200 scholars from eight countries including US, Germany, Japan, Belgium, China, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan besides from every corner of India where Sanskrit is either learned, taught or researched. The Conclave concluded on a high note with the Uttarakhand government committed to making this region an international seat for Sanskrit education and learning with setting up of an International standard Sanskrit University here. Needless to say, Sanskrit is the mother of all languages with its linguistic ancestry back to Proto-Indo-Iranian and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European. Even William Frederick Durand (1859 –1958) the famous US engineer and scientist had stated in 1931 that there is no European language which has not been influenced by Sanskrit or which has not taken some parts of its vocabulary from it.

In the paragraphs below I am also not going to discuss what the scholars at the conclave pondered on through their research papers as enough is already projected by the media. So what is it that the coming paragraphs having in store for the readers? Well a simple message elaborated with some good examples of non Hindus “Scholars and Karamyogis” who either dedicated their life to the cause of this great language or those who through their small and humble contributions looked upon with respect both during the yester years and even today.

Being audience at this Conclave on invitation of the organizers and because of my personal interest towards literature as also curiosity of attending the first ever international conclave on Sanskrit which was something new for me, turned into a learning experience.

Analyzing the context of the conference theme and trying to read between the lines on what message other than the traditional, any conference would throw on; I noticed a very peculiar aspect, a kind of forgotten or lesser known facts about Sanskrit brought to light by none other than the Governor of Uttarakhand Dr. Aziz Qureshi in his opening and valedictory sessions addresses. Sanskrit has not only been the strong point of the Hindu’s as projected, even Muslims have practiced and held the esteem of this great language for centuries.

Recounting many examples of his personal love and affiliation towards Sanskrit since his childhood as also contribution of great Muslim rulers and saints, Dr. Qureshi pointed out the great contribution towards Sanskrit by Khanzada Mirza Khan Abdul Rahim Khan-e-Khana (1556 – 1626) also known as Rahim a great poet who lived during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar. One of the nine important ministers in Emperor Akbar’s court known as the “Navaratnas” or nine jewels, his command and contribution to Sanskrit was un-matched. His “Shlokas” in Sanskrit read and researched by scholars even today hundreds of years after he is gone.

Dr. Qureshi went on to remind the audiences of Dara Shukoh son of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, born in 1615 A.D. whose great quest for understanding of the Hindu religious systems is an example. He spent many years studying Sanskrit and employed a large number of Pandits from Benaras to educate him of this great language the Governor added.

In his continuous search for the truth, Dara’s meeting with Baba Lal Das Bairagi proved quite enlightening. The dialogues with this Hindu mendicant tell his growing interest in comparative religion. Dara had compiled a summary of these teachings in Makalama Baba Lal Wa Dara Shukoh, which consists of seven long conversations between the Baba and the Prince held in 1653 A.D. This text focuses particularly on certain similarities in the teachings of Hindu and Muslim mystics. It was in Haridwar that Dara Shikoh later translated several Sanskrit texts into Persian, Dr. Qureshi stressed.

It is worth noting Dr.Qureshi pointed out the similarities between the 'Gayatri Mantra' in Sanskrit and the first Chapter (Surah Fatiha) of the Quran. Despite its allusion and common understanding of reference to the 'Sun God', the Gayatri Mantra is an ode to the 'divine light'. This is perhaps why allama Iqbal also translated it to Urdu by the name 'Aftaab'. This considered one of the best translations of the Sanskrit’s Gayatri Mantra in Urdu. Dr. Qureshi said for reciting or hearing the Gyatri Mantra one needs to take bath. Allama Iqbal out of great respect used to take bath even in the chill of winters early in the morning just to visit Hindu pundits in Lahore to learn the holy Gayatri Mantra which he later translated in Urdu that become a master-piece.

How true! Language knows no barriers and is not in command of humans who often err on many pretexts. Religion, be it any, always preaches unity, brotherhood and harmony. The conclave with Sanskrit scholars from around the world is an unmatched example of the love and respect showered towards Sanskrit by all, Dr.Qureshi added.

Reminding of how some section of the people critised his appointment as the Governor of “Dev Bhoomi” Uttarakhand over two years back Dr. Qureshi stated even being a Muslim his love for Sanskrit right from his childhood days to present day has proved many wrong. Holding a Sanskrit conclave and committed to make this State an internationally renowned seat for Sanskrit language is his long time desired which now seems to get fulfilled. Undoubtedly Dr. Qureshi is a patriot, great statesman, a man of principles with high values.

Apprising the audience at the conclave, Dr.Qureshi also narrated how when he took over as the Governor of Uttarakhand he wanted to take the oath in Sanskrit language, but due to unavailability of a Sanskrit language draft could not be fulfilled.

Dr. Qureshi’s involvement in this Sanskrit conclave acknowledged by the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Harish Rawat, Dr. Indira Hridesh, Minister for Finance, Parliamentary Affairs, Higher education and Employment and Mantri Prasad Naithani, Sanskrit Education Minister, Uttarakhand and many other intellectuals and scholars who were present at the conclave. They all endorsed the immense love of the Governor towards Sanskrit had made possible this international conclave with participation of eminent scholars from around the globe. What surprised many was Dr. Qureshi had the conclave in the Raj Bhawan right under his nose to personally oversee the conference proceedings.

One saw Dr. Qureshi highly charged up with the conclave proceedings. Sharing many anecdote of his attachment with Sanskrit even after being a Muslim, he said, hailing originally from Bhopal which was a Muslim State ruled by Muslim Nawabs from 1709 to 1949 he remembers in his primary school there was a Panditji, a Sanskrit teacher, specially deputed to teach Hindu children besides teachers for Arabic and Persian. This reflects the respect Sanskrit commanded even in Muslim dominated and ruled state in the earlier times.

Getting nostalgic of his childhood days he shared with the scholars of the conclave that while in school which was primarily a Muslim one, there were two water drinking rooms. One room for the Muslim students whiles the other for Hindu students. Dr. Qureshi said, in the entire school he was the only Muslim child who used to drink water from the Hindu water drinking room and not the Muslim one simply because this room was neat and clean and the Panditji there offered water to students in a sparkling brass tumbler. He said what he wants to correlate here is he although has come from a Muslim background but has never differentiated between religions. He stressed his love for Sanskrit is from his school days.

Dr. Qureshi also reminded the contributions of Allan Octavian Hume (1829 – 1912) one of the founders of the Indian National Congress towards Sanskrit.

I was also amazed and impressed to hear the in-depth discourse Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam, All India Imam Organisation a representative body of half a million Imams of India gave at the conclave. An invitee at the inaugural session, Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi shared his vision of universal brotherhood and harmony and Sanskrit with eminent Hindu scholars at the conclave. He surprised all when he stated his daughter, who is presently at Harvard, had topped Delhi in Sanskrit when she was in school. Such is the gravity of this language that it knows no bounds, he added.