Sanskrit has a scientific coding system: Hidden in the Sanskrit language is a fully integrated system of 4,000 rules known as sutras, which has kept the form of the oral language intact throughout the millennia. These rules are organised in an extremely efficient manner by a meta-system (the Māheśvarāṇi sūtrāṇi) which generates very short codes, pratyāhāra, for use in the rules. Words are constructed according to these rules, therefore they can also be dissected scientifically to expose the root and affixes.
The Sanskrit alphabet is scientifically structured: Sounds can be arranged in vertical columns which show families of sounds having the same mouth position, e.g. क ख ग घ ङ. At the same time, the horizontal rows which are formed show the different methods of articulation, e.g. क च ट त प. A similar example in science is the Periodic Table of chemical elements, the building blocks of the universe, which are arranged in columns, or families, with the same number of valence electrons. We find that the resulting rows, or ‘periods’, which are formed, show an orderly filling of electron orbitals. Comparing the pattern of structured relationships shown by fundamental human sounds and chemical elements suggests that Sanskrit language may also be a scientific expression of key principles which underlie the natural world.
Sanskrit involves mental mathematics: Sanskrit interlinks number with meaning. For example:
- Nouns, which name the actors in a sentence, are declined according to 7 cases, vibhakti, each one expressing a specific role. And for each of these roles there are three groupings, because the Sanskrit language acknowledges the significance of a group containing two actors/objects as a relevant entity in its own right. So, nouns and verbs have a dual form as well as singular and plural.
- Verbs have 3 possible persons, (I, you, he/she/it), and have different conjugations in each of the 3 times/tenses: past, present, and future.
Thus, children become accustomed to referring to grids, or matrices, for precise sentence construction using the appropriate word endings. This allows meaning to be expressed precisely and allows the order of words in the sentence to be variable.
Scientific approach: A scientific approach is rational, based on evidence and reference to known laws. Scientists put forward, then seek to prove, reasonable hypotheses. Similarly, understanding basic Sanskrit sentences involves referring to rules and recognising evidence of word structure. Another layer of analysis is introduced when the laws of sandhi are applied, because texts using sandhi require identification of separate words first, before analysis of words and meaning begins!
Reasoned analysis: A significant part of translation is learning to analyse each word and to acknowledge the meaning that is revealed, no matter how unexpected that meaning may be. Erroneous assumptions and fanciful guesses must be discarded.
Importance in Education: The precision of mathematics and the logic of science, combined with fine reason invoked by deep meaning, makes Sanskrit an excellent educational tool. Young minds master the subtle processing of number and meaning, which naturally develops as the Sanskrit language is learnt. Problem-solving, and discerning the truth of statements, is conducive to well-being as well as a good preparation for any career, including the legal profession, medicine, and computing.
Practical teaching tips
· Chant noun and verb forms, and the Māheśvarāṇi sūtrāṇi, with understanding and gusto!
· Encourage a methodical approach to sentence translation, and discourage guessing.
· When appropriate, introduce the rules of sandhi as simply and systematically as possible.
· Use textbooks which include lots of exercises and well-constructed, meaningful stories.
Next time: What can Sanskrit teach us about the musical/artistic/creative aspects of life?
Helen Harper www.sanskritatstjames.org.uk
