06 Chapter 6
06 Chapter 6
06 Chapter 6
established.
The privately owned print media of Sri Lanka should cover the
contemporary events, news reports, newspapers, journals, etc. in Sanskrit.
Presently, a few journals are issued annually by the Oriental Languages
Society44 and the Government Examination Department. These issues should
be further developed.
island-wide and thus an opportunity is offered to all those who are interested,
including those at the grassroot level of society.
Sanskrit literature is rich information as well as content which is not
found in any other literature of the world. Its numerous portions, tasteful
similes, proverbs, and one notes from epics could be presented to children
through cartoons, childrens stories, and tele serials. It would indeed be an
pirivenas too, like the texts of the primary sections of schools, a set of text
books are to be prepared. Such an endeavor would attract young students.
In respect to the schools as well as the pirivenas, text books begin with a
prayer or dedication to a god and proverbs extracted from Sanskrit literature
could be printed in Sanskrit script as well as the script of the mother tongue,
the student would be inspired at least and come to know of the name of the
language i.e. Sanskrit.
Presently, there are Days of Literature for the Sinhala, Tamil, and
English languages as well as for science and mathematics. There are no such
special days for Oriental languages. All the Oriental languages commenced in
this manner. It is because of this a language is deemed Gods Language.
Therefore, it is necessary that the government should declare a Sanskrit day,
occurred most frequently was this languages connection with other subjects.
They always make mention of subjects like Ayurveda and astrology. These
subjects are taught and studied at various levels in Sri Lanka. The two words
Ayurveda and astrology (Jotisaya) themselves are Sanskrit words.
These
situation.
conducted on the status of a university under the aegis of the government and
other educational institutes both of the government and of the private sector
that conducts Ayurveda and astrology, Sanskrit should be made a compulsory
study by the government. Thereby, those following these subjects will acquire
knowledge of Sanskrit enabling them to access the original texts on these
subjects. The services rendered to them will also be enhanced.
Presently, the name boards of most institutions are in Sanskrit, such as
Karyala, Mattru Sayanaya, and Adhikarana Vaidya Niladhari, but they are
written in Sinhala script. It is interesting to mention that all the names though
of Sanskrit origin were written in the native Simhala script. If the names of
these institutions are written in Sanskrit script in addition to Sinhala script, it
would allow the Sanskrit script will be known to the people and it will
gradually ecome progressively popular with the general public. In order to
gain a perfect knowledge of Sinhala language, a knowledge of Sanskrit will be
a prerequisite as Sanskrit is considered as the mother of all languages.
Considering this, acquaintance of Sanskrit is of great advantage to both Sinhala
language graduate and post-graduate students. Therefore, it is necessary to
provide a minimum knowledge of Sanskrit knowledge to all schoolchildren as
well as privately operated schools and institutions. This system was in place in
very early times, even when Sri Lanka was a British colony from 1796 to 1948
A.C. As such, all Sri Lankan scholars of those times had a certain standard of
knowledge in Sanskrit. This could be observed in the biographies of these
scholars. Even today, in society were honoured with great respect. Those
who use Sanskrit words or difficult Sinhala words. The difficult words in
Sinhala language are Sanskrit words.
this. Although it is not possible for other faculties, at least the Arts faculties
could make note of these needs by making either Sanskrit or any other Oriental
language either compulsory or a co-sub- subject to the undergraduates,
according to their choice. Further, these universities should revive courses for
the award of M.A., M Phil., and PhD degrees that existed in earlier times.
At the moment, for undergraduates reading for the university special
degrees the only avenue available for employment upon graduation is the
teaching profession. There are no facilities for them to pursue post graduate
studies. Although some universities have commenced post graduate studies,
these have to be paid for by the candidate which is very expensive. Even
though they meet financial input, the extensions of the period of studies and the
lack of lecturers tend to frustrate the students and they give up their studies. In
this context, it is necessary to start both term the long or the short term courses
at an affordable cost. Consequently, we might expect the this subject in Sri
Lanka will flourish.
In the light of the information stated earlier on Sinhala society, the
principal ethnic group of the Jaffna peninsula, the Tamils, should also be
enlightened of these values. Action should be taken to propagate these views
among them.
propagate these views among the community and the twilight of dawn to be
stabilized in joining the north and south and Sanskrit, being a harmonious
language, could be effectively serve this purpose. The principal religion of the
Tamil people is Hinduism, a religion based on the Sanskrit scriptures, i.e.
Vedas, epics and the Bhagavad-Gita. The birthplace of almost all of their gods
is India. Their medium for worship of these gods Sanskrit. Consequently,
Sanskrit language and its utilization and more than in Sinhala society, the
Sanskrit studies and its utilization would increase. They should be reminded
with great honor that their ancestors used Sanskrit and the manner in which
Sanskrit was used.
university and Sanskrit departments that existed in their schools with Tamil as
the medium of instruction need to be set up again. A search should be made
for competent teachers and they should be provided with all facilities, and they
must be appointed as teachers and lecturers, so that they are well paid for their
services.
The foregoing information reveals that in the north as well as the south,
indeed the entire country, there is a certain degree of enthusiasm with regard to
Sanskrit language. This is confirmed by the views expressed by teachers and
students. (Vide supra Ch. V) Sri Lanka faced the scourge of war for thirty
years. In countries that suffer such long durations of war naturally will be
there degradation in all sectors. Although such situation arose in Sri Lankas
economic, national, and societal sectors, there was no degradation in the sphere
of education. We can be emphatically say this fact.
Is Sanskrit a Dead Language? :
According to the views of the teachers and students enumerated above, a
development of this subject is perceived in modern as well as ancient times of
Sri Lanka. In the light of these circumstances, is Sanskrit a dead language, as
This
proves that the claim of some that Sanskrit is a dead language holds no ground.
This is evident to us by the facts enumerated in the foregoing four chapters of
the present thesis.
Therefore, action should be taken to build up Sanskrit language studies
in Sri Lanka. We shall set up more and more Oriental language institutions.
opportunities should be provided to all so that students of Sri Lanka and abroad
study Sanskrit. Shall provide teachers who teaching the living Sanskrit as
living scholars some suggestions for the required financial allocation to protect
them. Without allowing their exemplary knowledge to die, we shall direct
them to compose works of the government as well as the private sector must
come forward in this connection. Several programs should be organized to
inculcate the values of this subject in society. With this course of action, we
will have a kin like Kumaradasa and scholars like Kalidasa who authored the
Janakiharana epic of a foreign land. Scholars of Sanskrit will arrive in Sri
Lanka and such an era will dawn.
A humble attempt is made in the present thesis not only to explain the present
position of Sanskrit in Sri Lanka, but suggestions (through interviews / questionnaires)
were also proposed to revive Sanskrit in the Island of Sri Lanka.
in only a starting points for progress of Sanskrit and further in-depth research and
WORKS IN SANSKRIT
1. Anuruddhasataka, Published by Ratnakara book Depot,Colombo,1948.
2. Balavabodhana, ed. R.Pannasara, Colombo,1895.
3. Bhaktisataka, Printed at Ratnakara Press, Colombo, 1939.
4. Calamari, ed. Kasinath Pandurang Prab,Bombay,1921.
5. Janakiharana, ed. G.R.Nandargikar, Bombay, 1907.
6. Kavyadarsa, ed.Benarse,1912;trs.R.Schmidt,Berlin,1922.
7. Kumarasambhava, Printed at Nirnayasagara press,Bombay,1927.
8. Meghaduta, ed. M.R. Kale, Bombay, 1934.
9. Namstasataka, Published by Karunadhara, Colombo.
10. Samskrtapravesa, Printed at Vidyasagara Press, Colombo,1914.
11. Saundarananda, Published by Asiatic Society, Calcutta,1910.
12. Vaidyottamsa,Printed at annda press, Madras, 1920.
WORKS IN PALI
1. Dighanikaya, ed. Rhys David & Carpenter, London, P.T.S. 1890
2. Jatakas, ed. Fausboll,London,1877.
3. Mahavamsa, ed. Geiger, London, P.T.S. 1908
4. Samantakutavannana ed. Nanissara, Colombo.
5. Visuddhimagga, ed. C.A.F. Rhys David, London, P.T.S. 1924.
WORKS IN SINHALESE
1. Amarawansa Thero, Kotmale, Sri Lanka Epigraphy, published by M.D.
Gunasena and Company Colombo 11, (1969).
2. Ananda Mayitriya Thero, Balangoda, Simple Sanskrit teaching, I, ii, iii
publishers Modern Book Company, Nugegoda, Colombo.
3. Bash A.L., Sinhala Translation of Bashams The Wonder That Saw India,
under the title Asirimath Indiyawa, published Sri Lanka Education
Thero
Dawuldena,
Mahamahendrakarnashravahagamanam,