National Integration Through Thirukkural And Sanskrit
Distorting Facts
Disinformation is intentionally false or misleading information that is spread in a calculated way to deceive target audiences. The facts are deliberately distorted and interpreted to manipulate public opinion. Distortion includes exaggerating the story for the sake of heightening interest in it, quoting statements out of context and wild extrapolations to create hypothesis which is sensational than objective. Such people continuously indulge in attempts at scrubbing from the public memory what is inconvenient to them and re-writing history.
Two major issues which have dominated the political discourse since India’s independence have been the Aryan – Dravidian theory and language of Sanskrit.
The opinions of the scholars who have done extensive research on the above subjects have been conveniently muted by vested interests and falsehood propagated, instead. Similarly opinions of leaders who have been objective in their views and whose commitment and contribution to growth of the Country, is unquestionable, have been either sidelined or blacked out.
Aryan – Dravidian theory
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar : “The Aryan theory of Westerners is based on nothing but pleasing assumptions and inferences based on such assumptions. The theory is a perversion of scientific investigation. It is not allowed to evolve out of facts. On the contrary the theory is preconceived and facts are selected to prove it.
Prof. Micheal Foster has said that ‘hypothesis is the salt of science.’ Without hypothesis there is no possibility of fruitful investigation. But it is equally true that where the desire to prove a particular hypothesis is dominant, hypothesis becomes the poison of science. The Aryan race theory of Western scholars is as good an illustration of how hypothesis can be the poison of science as one can think of. It can be concluded that:
(1) The Vedas do not know any such race as the Aryan race.
(2) There is no evidence in the Vedas of any invasion of India by the Aryan race and its having conquered the Dasas and Dasyus, supposed to be natives of India.
(3) There is no evidence to show that the distinction between Aryans, Dasas and Dasyus was a racial distinction.
(4) The Vedas do not support the contention that the Aryans were different in colour from the Dasas and Dasyus”.
Max Mueller who was involved in extensive research on Literate and Religion, said: “I have declared again and again that if I say Aryan, I mean neither blood nor bones, nor skull or hair. I mean simply those who speak the Aryan language”.
Usage of Sanskrit
Tholkappiyam, considered the Grammar of Tamil language, defines usage of Vada Chol (words borrowed from Sanskrit), in Tamil literature and prescribes rules to be adhered to, in borrowing words from Sanskrit.
Thiruvalluvar has used Sanskrit Words in about 30 Thirukkural Couplets.
Dr B. R. Ambedkar was among those who sponsored an amendment making Sanskrit as the official language of the Indian Union in place of Hindi.
Mahatma Gandhi : I see the necessity for every Indian to have knowledge of Sanskrit. We have lost so much in the past that it will take some time and also a good deal of effort to regain and consolidate it. It has to be done sooner or later.
Swami Vivekananda : Sanskrit and culture go together. It is necessary that the masses should get access to this great language, for being acquainted with spirituality and culture of their forefathers. Education should be imparted through mother-tongue but “at the same time Sanskrit education must go on along with it because the very sound of Sanskrit words gives a prestige and a power and a strength to the race”. This is possible only when the Sanskrit language is made the national language of India.
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam : “Sanskrit is a beautiful language. It has enriched our society from time immemorial. Today many nations are trying to research Sanskrit writings which are there in our ancient scriptures. I understand that there is a wealth of knowledge available in Sanskrit which scientists and technologists are finding today.There is a need to carry out research on our Vedas, for eliciting valuable information in science and technology relating to medicine, flight sciences, material sciences and many other related fields. Cryptology is another area where Sanskrit language is liberally used”.
Thiruvalluvar in his couplet 417 says that those who have acquired sound knowledge after thoroughly studying valuable works and further reinforcing their knowledge with careful listening to scholars, will not speak on matters, about which they are not clear and of which their knowledge of the subject matter is limited, using words that will expose their inadequate knowledge.
பிழைத்துஉணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லார் இழைத்துஉணர்ந்து ஈண்டிய கேள்வி யவர்.
Pizhaiththu Unarndhum Pedhaimai Sollaar izhaiththu-unarndhu
Eendiya Kelvi yavar
பரிமேலழகர் உரை:
பிழைத்து உணர்ந்தும் பேதைமை சொல்லார் – பிறழ உணர்ந்த வழியும், தமக்குப் பேதைமை பயக்குஞ் சொற்களைச் சொல்லார், இழைத்து உணர்ந்து ஈண்டிய கேள்வியவர்- பொருள்களைத் தாமும் நுண்ணியதாக ஆராய்ந்தறிந்து அதன்மேலும் ஈண்டிய கேள்வியினை உடையார். (‘பிழைப்ப’ என்பது திரிந்து நின்றது. பேதைமை : ஆகுபெயர். ஈண்டுதல் : பலவாற்றான் வந்து நிறைதல். பொருள்களின் மெய்ம்மையைத் தாமும் அறிந்து, அறிந்தாரோடு ஒப்பிப்பதும் செய்தார் தாமத குணத்தான் மயங்கினர் ஆயினும், அவ்வாறல்லது சொல்லார் என்பதாம்).
Sanskrit Translation by Shri S.N. Srirama Desikan
ப³ஹுஸ்²ருதா ப³ஹுஜ்ஞாஸ்²ச ஸந்தோ மோஹவஸா²த் க்வசித் |
அஜானந்தோ(அ)பி யாதா²ர்த்²யே ந ப்³ரூயுர் மோஹத³ம் வச:
sanskritroots.com 