Udupi: “Comprehensive study of Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit languages essential,” says scholar at AIOC

Udupi: A comprehensive study of Sanskrit, Pali, and Prakrit languages is crucial for understanding the spread of Indian traditions across countries like China, Nepal, Indonesia, and Cambodia, said Professor Vasant Kumar Bhatt, a retired professor from Ahmedabad Sanskrit University. He shared this view during the 51st All India Oriental Conference (AIOC), held at the Rajangana Hall of Sri Krishna Matha, in association with several institutions, including Paryaya Sri Puthige Matha and Delhi Central Sanskrit University.

Delivering insights on “Indian Languages: Relevance and Opportunities,” Prof. Bhatt emphasized the importance of Pali and Prakrit languages along with Sanskrit, pointing out that these languages have faced significant neglect. He noted that Pali is essential for understanding Buddha’s Jataka Tales, which can impart valuable moral lessons in education. Similarly, Jain stories, found in over five volumes in Gujarat alone, can be accessed through Prakrit studies, which is essential to grasp the Jain and Buddhist heritage spread across various countries.

Efforts to Distance Sanskrit from Regional Languages

Professor Sundereshwaran N.K., a retired professor from Kozhikode University, stated that efforts to separate Sanskrit from regional languages are underway nationwide, especially in Kerala, where attempts are being made to distance Sanskrit from Malayalam. He equated this trend to marginalizing a mother figure, urging for increased Sanskrit literature on modern subjects and emphasizing classical knowledge to the general public. He recommended government-level action to ensure regional literary works are translated into Sanskrit.

Potential Growth in Translation Sector

In his presidential remarks, C.M. Krishna Shastri, chairman of the Indian Language Committee, shared insights on the government’s plans to create new roles for language translation, indicating that growing preference for regional languages at the central level could result in a significant increase in translation-related employment.

Concerns Over AI Bias

Indica director Dr. Nagaraj Paturi raised concerns about potential ideological biases in artificial intelligence (AI), noting that AI systems often display trivialized views of Hinduism while refraining from similar depictions for other religions. Paturi claimed that these biases extend to AI-based language translations as well, suggesting an underlying political and ideological influence. Vijay Kumar from Madhya Pradesh also presented his views on the subject.

Poetry Session Captivates Audience

In a poetry session, 15 young poets from various parts of the country recited traditional Sanskrit verses centered on themes like devotion, folklore, history, and society. The session was attended by professors Ramakant Pandey, Parag Joshi, and Dr. Ramakrishna Pejattaya from prominent Sanskrit universities.

Youth Women Scholars’ Dialogue

A highlight of the AIOC event was the youth women’s scholars’ dialogue, where young female scholars engaged in animated discussions on topics like Vedanta, grammar, and philosophy. Led by Professor Nanda, senior scholars Vanita Ramaswamy, Kotemane Ramachandra Bhatt, and Korada Subrahmanyam observed the participants’ responses, commending them for their eloquent arguments. Scholars expressed optimism for the future of Sanskrit as these young women breathe new life into the field with their critical perspectives.