Samskrit Learning Series...Consolidated.

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Samskrit Learning Series: Why Learning Samskrit Is Benefitial To You, Hurdles On The Way and How To Overcome Them...
Samskrit Benefit 1: Samskrit Is Brain Development Tonic ! : Cognitive Capacity, Creativity, Competitiveness
Samskrit Benefit 2: Most Scientific Language On Earth
Samskrit Benefit 3: Samskrit Works On You ! (Even if you may not understand Samskrit)
Samskrit Benefit 4: Your True Friend Through Your Journey
Samskrit Benefit 5: It Helps To Purify Mind
Samskrit Benefit 6: It's Heaven of Scientific Wealth
Samskrit Benefit 7: Samskrit is Timeless Source of Human Values
Samskrit Benefit 8: Foundation For India's Glorious Future
Samskrit Benefit 9: Samskrit Makes The World A Livable And Lovable Place
Samskrit Benefit 10: Samskrit Is Much Easier To Learn
Samskrit Learning Post 11: Reasons That Have Deprived You From Learning Samskrit
Samskrit Learning Post 12: Samskrit Resources - Friend called 'Samskrita Bharati'
Samskrit Learning Post 13: Samskrit Resources - Chimaya International Foundation
Samskrit Learning Post 14: Samskrit Resources (Online)- Dictionaries....
Samskrit Learning Post 15: Videos, Listings And More..
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Samskrit Learning Post 15: Videos, Listings And More..

Universities, organizations, inidividuals are propogating their love for Samskrit language devotedly through course materials, internet lists, videos and more.

Below is a glimpse of the notable examples of 'Samskrit knowledge centers'

http://sanskritdocuments.org/
with mission as "Learn Sanskrit! Love Sanskrit!! Live Sanskrit!!!"

http://sanskritlinks.blogspot.com
created with goal to consolidate various links related to Samskrit.

Video by an Enthusiast: How To Use Samskrit in Your Daily Life


Study Of Spoken Samskrit In Australia:



http://learnsanskrit.wordpress.com/
simple yet noteworthy and consistent diary writing, explainations and reporting in Samskrit.

http://samskrute.blogspot.com/
intention to bring out and spread Knowledge within Samskrit Language

Video Series : Learn To Read Samskrit

Samskrit Learning Post 14: Samskrit Resources (Online)- Dictionaries....

Powerful virtual world of internet is getting richer and richer in reality of having Samskrit resources available to Samskrit enthusiasts.

Individuals and groups have been contributing in their ways to make Samskrit more and more interesting to learn. They range from sages to students, trainers to youtubers, dedicated teams of volunteers to curious learners.

Following are few of the notable resources available for help.

14.1 Online Samskrit Dictionaries

14.1.1 Bidirectional Dictionary (Devanagari <--> English)



14.1.2 Dictionary in 'PDF, TXT' and More Formats



14.1.3 Apte's Dictionary

Samskrit Learning Post 13: Samskrit Resources - Chimaya International Foundation

13.1 About Chinmaya International Foundation
Chinmaya Mission is a non profit worldwide organization which was founded in 1953 with the aim to spread the wisdom of Vedanta to any seeker, of any nationality, or group, and to enrich and enable individuals to become positive contributors to society.
Chinmaya International Foundation is the academic front of Chinmaya Mission worldwide.

13.2 Samskrit Courses by Chinmaya Foundation
Some of the ways Chinmaya Foundation offers Samskrit learning are, as follows:

13.2.1 Direct Learning Courses:
Chinmaya Foundation offers various in person learning courses across various locations in the world.

13.2.2 Online Easy Samskrit Learning Course:
This is an easy Samskrit Online Course is for beginners who are interested to start their journey into Sanskrit language. As the organization indicates, it has been designed in a manner that any individual regardless of their mother tongue, location could master Samskrit basics. Course is good for anyone above age 10.

13.2.3 Postal Samskrit Course:
This Samskrit Home Study Course is designed to facilitate learning through correspondence with 40 lessons. This course aims to impart an elementary knowledge of Samskrit to students, using English as the medium of instruction.

12.2.4 Easy Samskrit Study Kit:
This is a convenient method that supports Samskrit self-study. The kit provide self-study tools, Study Book, work Book, Interactive CD.

Apart from above, foundation also offers options for deeper learning.
Chinmaya Foundation also works on various projects worldwide, for revival of Samskrit and of knowledge embedded within Samskrit language.

12.3 References
http://www.chinfo.org/
http://www.chinmayamission.org/

Samskrit Learning Post 12: Samskrit Resources - Friend called 'Samskrita Bharati'

12.1 What's Samskrita Bharati ?
Samskrita Bharati is a nonprofit, worldwide organization working for Samskrit revival.
Its mission is to bring Samskrit back to mainstream as a widely spoken language once again; and to bring about a social change through the medium of spoken Samskrit.
Samskrita Bharati functions as an umbrella organization for various global organizations working for promotion of Samskrit.

It has developed simple and practical methods to enable Samskrit speaking in daily life.

12.2 'Speak Samskrit' Offerings
Samskrita Bharati offerings include but are not limited to:
12.2.1 Concise Courses for Adults
12.2.2 Classes For Kids
12.2.3 Samskrit Camps
12.2.4 Samskrit Learning Via Phone Conference
12.2.5 Samskrit Correspondence Course/Distance Education
12.2.6 Samskrit Via Video/Audio Material
12.2.7 Various Projects Relating to Samskrit.

For Example:
Speak Samskrit in 10 Days (with 'L1')
Spoken Samskrit Class (L1) is conducted in an interactive and joyful way.
L1 is the fundamental level. It does not assume any prior Samskrit/script knowledge.
Typically 'L1' involves total about 16 hours in 10 days. This is followed by hourly study group meetings every week thereafter.
Usually timings and pace suitable for attendees.
At the end of day 10, you are out with ability of using Samskrit in daily conversations.

12.3 Learning Literature
Samskrita Bharati backs up 'Speak Samskrit' movement by simple and clear yet outstandingly powerful and diverse literature library.
12.3.1 Monthly Family Magazines
12.3.2 Books, Songs, Visual Audio Kits For Children
12.3.3 Books For Spoken Samskrit
12.3.4 Books On Samskrit Grammar
12.3.5 Samskrit Books On General Science
12.3.6 Various Samskrit Language Dictionaries
12.3.7 Samskrit Kits



12.4 For You To Know

12.4.1 Samskrita Bharati has taught Samskrit to over 2 million individuals worldwide, and has helped to transofrm 4 villages in India to completely Samskrit speaking communities.

12.4.2 You do not need to know Samskrit to be Samskrita Bharati's volunteer. Just email to samskritabharati@yahoo.com

12.5 Resouorce
http://www.samskritabharati.org/

Samskrit Learning Post 11: Reasons That Have Deprived You From Learning Samskrit

Most of us have been hearing about Samskrit language at various occassions. Some of us are genuinly interested in learninig it.
Following are some hurdles/reasons that keep depriving individuals of learning Samskrit during their lifetime.

11.1 Reasons Out of Ignorance
11.1.1 Samskrit learning is very difficult
11.1.2 Samskrit language is outdated
11.1.3 Learning Samskrit language is not necessary to me
11.1.4 Samskrit does not affect me being happy
11.1.5 Learning Samskrit has nothing to do with my understanding of Indian culture
11.1.6 Me learning Samskrit will not influence next generations in my home
11.1.7 (For person of Indian origin) Learning samskrit is nothing to do with my being an Indian
11.1.8 Learning Samskrit language is like accepting Hinduism; and I am not a Hindu
11.1.9 I already learnt Samskrit in school, and did not find much use outside academics.

11.2 Reasons Based Upon Laziness
11.2.1 I already have so many problems in life to tackle. Where is time for Samskrit ?
11.2.2 I wish to learn but I don't have time.....May be later.
11.2.3 I wish to learn but where are resources to learn Samskrit

11.3 Reasons Based Upon Lack of Awareness
11.3.1 There is no one to teach me Samskrit
11.3.2 I will not be able to learn Samskrit language
11.3.3 There are no Samskrit language resources around
11.3.4 I am not in position to go out of home to learn.
11.3.5 Samskrit learning is costly and I don't have funds
11.3.6 Samskrit learning is not going to change my life a bit
11.3.7 Learning Devanagari script is must for Samskrit learning

11.4 Reason Due To Extreme Passion For Specific Things
11.4.1 I have decicated myself for other things.

11.5 Reason Due To Constraints
11.5.1 I am physically constrained



We will try to address some of above hurdles in following few posts, in hope to help us on way to learn Samskrit language.

11.6 Thought of The Day For you
11.6.1 “First we make our habits, then our habits make us” ...Charles Noble.

Samskrit Benefit 10: Samskrit Is Much Easier To Learn

Samskrit language appears to be difficult to learn because of the innumerable rules and regulations.
But it is not so.


10.1 Much Easier To Master:
English is very difficult to master, but we do not realize it, as we spend years and years learning it. One can master Samskrit by putting 25 % of this effort.

10.2 Derivative Power Of Samskrit Words:
The derivative potential of Sanskrit words is rational and breath-taking. Every single Sanskrit word has a meaning built into itself;
The root hidden in a word contains the meaning of that word. Hence a Sanskrit scholar seldom runs for a dictionary to find out the meaning of any new or a strange word one may come across.

10.3 No Uncertainties with Samskrit:
There are no uncertainties and contradiction between the spoken and written word. For e.g.: in English a spoken `see' can be a written `see' or `sea' with totally different meanings. It is not so in Samskrit.

10.4 Samskrit Words are easy to remember:
Word 'Samskrit' is break down of 2 words 'samyak krutam'...i.e. well done.
As its name itself explains, it is systematized and perfected. Its alphabets are impeccably arranged.
They are easy to remember and help in memorizing textual stanzas. This helps explain why the oral tradition of Indian wisdom is so popular and long-standing in the entire world.

10.5 Learner has freedom to compose the sentences:
Sanskrit sentence structure is flexible. The declensions and the conjugations have a wide range.
Hence every student has more freedom in composing sentences in Sanskrit.


10.6 For you To Find Out:

10.6.1 Find out How many months you had English literature as a compulsory part of your education system.

10.6.2 Imagine the purpose of including English vocabulary in major way as a part of GRE (Graduate Record Examination )

10.6.3 Guess how much percentage of English which you learn, do you use in your personal & professional life combined together.


10.7 Some References
http://www.chitrapurmath.net/sanskrit/step-by-step.htm

Samskrit Benefit 9: Samskrit Makes The World A Livable And Lovable Place

9.1 Let Universe be A Happy Place

Tens of thousands of years before the concept of 'religion' was born....
Samskriti (Culture) was flourishing and shaping the humanity stressing that
‘we only have the right to pray for others and never for seeking favors for ourselves’.

Tens of thousands years before imperial theologies ran around and robbed Europe, Asia, Americas offering 'peace and life' on conditional basis (of accepting their faith) ....
sages and rishis were engaged in unconditionally praying for all universe via Samskrit language.
Their hearts were praying not only for humanity, but also for animals, plants and all creation....


9.2 Living Link Between Ancient Past And Presence

Samskrit is not just a language, it is living energy.
Many of world’s ancient cultures like Egyptian, Mayan or ancient African cultures have died or got destroyed; but Samskriti, marked by Samskrit language and embodied in way of Indian life (referred to as Hinduism) is the only solid link that connects the ancient times, and modern world. It has witnessed and survived through different streams of inhumanity; It has shaped key streams of humanity.


9.3 Samskrit is All Inclusive
Variety, quality and quantity of timeless literature in Samskrit language has been phenomenal and incomparable.
Buddhism, Jainism and many other faiths founds place in the motherly lap of Samskriti represented by Samskrit language.




9.4 Samskrit Represents Vishwa Dharma, Religion of Universe

The culture shaped by Samskrit language (Hinduism) never forced a single book, never made discrimination based upon a single ideology. All kinds of ideeologies and theologies were welcome and allowed to flourish within it.

Samskriti marked by Samskrit language truly represents Vishwa Dharama (religion of the universe) since time immemorial. No wonder Samskrit language is called Dev Vani (Divine Language)

9.5 Motherland
"India was the motherland of our race, and Sanskrit the mother of Europe's languages: she was the mother of our philosophy; mother, through the Arabs, of much of our mathematics; mother, through the Buddha, of the ideals embodied in Christianity; mother, through the village community, of self-government and democracy," - 'The Case for India' By Will Durant

9.6 For You...

9.6.1 Think About This"
Why do the words 'world peace', 'brotherhood' seem to have lost their meaning in the modern times ?

9.6.2 More importantly, Answer This..
What Would You like to pass to your kids as global citizen ?



9.7 Some References

http://www.hinduwisdom.info/Sanskrit.htm HinduWisdom
http://www.hinduism.co.za/shanti.htm
http://nvraghuram.blogspot.com/2009/04/sarve-bhavantu-sukhinah.html
http://sanskritdocuments.org/

Samskrit Benefit 8: Foundation For India's Glorious Future

8.1 Samskrit And India:

8.1.1 Dr. C. V. Raman (A Nobel Prize Winner Indian laureate)
"Sanskrit flows through our blood. It is only Sanskrit that can establish the unity of the country."

8.1.2 Saeed Naqvi (Journalist, Winner of Indian National Integration Award 2003)
"May be if Sanskrit had been designated the official language of the country, there would have been none of the rabid opposition to it as there is to Hindi, the country would have a unifying language and may be a national soul."

8.1.3 Jawaharlal Nehru (First prime minister of post British free India)
"If I was asked what is the greatest treasure which India possesses and what is her finest heritage, I would answer unhesitatingly - it is the Sanskrit language and literature and all that it contains"

8.1.4 Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam ( 11th President of India, served during 2002-2007)
"Sanskrit has enriched our society from time immemorial"


8.2 What's Root Behind India's Current Problems?

Symptoms of India's Problems:
Few symptoms of India's current problems are...
- uneven distribution of resources
- worldwide anti-Indian powers
- illiteracy
- inter state differences
- inter faith complexities


8.3 Deep Connection To Unity:

In one way or the other the symptoms are related to...
the lack of long sustainable common ground that individuals can agree upon, and be proud of, and be passionate about , as Indians.

In simple words, it is lack of unity as Indians.
Unity is a foundational principle on which the great nations are built.


8.4 What will Bring Unity ?
?
??


8.5 Self Esteem will Bring The Unity:

May it be an individual or a nation, self-esteem is crucial for survival, prosperity and happiness.
Further, for all great nations, 'self-esteem of individuals' is deeply interconnected with 'national pride'.

Factors which will strengthen
-'an individual self esteem' as well as
-'national pride' at the same time,
....will boost immensely to the unity of the nation.
This foundation of unity, will secure the bright future of a nation.


8.6 What Will Raise 'Indian Self Esteem' ?

India, Highly Privileged Nation:
India is a highly privileged nation, which has nectar ...it's cultural riches since time eternal. And Samskrit language embeds it securely.

"Sanskrit is the language of Indian inspiration. It is the language in which India's all past greatness, her rich thought, and her spiritual aspirations are enshrined. Samskrit has been the principal vehicle of our nation's aspirations and cultural traditions." - First President of post British free India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad


8.7 Foreign Invaders Broke The Link:

The foreign invaders continued to deprive Indian society from its rich source of self esteems for several centuries. However in recent century, the rejunuvating nation is starting to realize the this broken link.
Example, M.K. Gandhi
"I deeply regret that I was not able to acquire a thorough knowledge of the Sanskrit language. I have since realized that every Hindu boy and girl should possess sound Samskrit learning"



8.8 Samskrit And Glorious Future Of India

Samskrit is not just a language.
It is Samskriti.

'Samskrit is the soul of India, the symbol of its unity. Knowledge of Samskrit will bring Indians closer together as a nation. Learning Samskrit will help them gain immensely beneficial insights into their rich cultural, literary and scientific heritage. Samskrit will build the solid foundation which will guide India to a glorious future' as SamskritaBharati sees it.


8.9 Transformation

When modern Indian mind resumes the timeless Samskrit song, times will not be far when dreams of glorious India will start to transform into reality.

8.10 Some References:
http://www.samskritabharati.org/ Samskrita Bharati
http://voiceofdharma.org/books/hhrmi/ Voice of dharma
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/ Himalayan Academy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMWostFwwJc Village with Samskrit
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?239300 Sholkas after noon namaaz
http://www.scribd.com/doc/5347829/HISTORY-OF-INDIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU3eqP-nxu8 Indian History: part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoPHVRP00rk Unesco Indian Heritage
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/pinkal-bhatt/sanskrit-great-ancient-language-india-bharat-hindustan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arn9UV989jI&feature=related Timelss India
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/01kalam1.htm Kalam about Samskrit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6PR8lJZlSI&feature=related National Anthemn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK0--em-6b8&feature=related Land Everyone desires to see.

Samskrit Benefit 7: Samskrit is Timeless Source of Human Values

7.1 Traits of Indian Culture
Indian culture is marked with two outstanding traits
- Human values
- Continuity of Traditions

Samskrit literature of numerous kind has been home to human values in beautifully diverse forms

7.2 Samskrit Literature
May it be Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan, Mahabharata, Geeta or Brahma Sutras...Samskrit literature has been guiding the Indian way of life, since time eternal.

7.3 Human Values
Righteousness, bhakti, social interdependence, self-restraint, respect to elders, obedience, unselfish love, harmony, moral character, steadfastness, service, dutifulness, truthfulness, bravery, .........Samskrit has been the source of fragrance and experience of such human traits in Indian way of life.

India - Pride -III

Considerable amount of Samskrit literature has been in fact translated in many child languages of Samskrit. Commentaries have been written by seers and scholars.

7.4 Flow In Way Of Life
These values have been flowing like mountain-river in Indian life in form of stories, recitations, religious readings, day to day practices, traditions.


7.5 For You To Find Out

7.5.1 Zoroastrian community Finds Home In India
Upon escaping the persecutions by Muslim invaders, and after trying to find asylum in many surrounding countries, Zoroastrian community in Iran region (modern day Parsi) found the permanent home in Gujarat in late 9th century.
Know
- why they had to leave their country
- why they found home only in Bharat

7.5.2 Toughest Battle In Life Of Alexander:
Which was the toughest battle in Alexander the Great's life ?
What was it's impact on his Army and his own life ?
What virtues does it relates to ?

7.5.3 Some Origins of Shivaji's Virtues
Shivaji Maharaj has been inspiration of thousands of modern Indians.
Learn how his mother Jijabai helped to shape him into an ideal King.

7.5.4 Power of Gandhi
M.K. Gandhi's contribution to end the british rule in India is a known fact.
Identify what Gandhi had, that shook the British rule in India (if possible go beyond Satya and Ahimsa).

7.5.5 Invasions For Religious Reasons
Find a list of rulers who invaded other kingdoms/countires for religious reasons. See if any of them is a Hindu king.

7.6 Some References
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NzShMiqKgQ by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, UC San Diego Director, Center for Brain and Cognition, "40/40 Vision Lecture: Neurology and the Passion for Art"
http://www.scribd.com/doc/417755/Structure-of-Valmiki-Ramayan
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parsi