Sanskrit is one of the world’s oldest languages and belongs to the Indo-European group of languages. Older than 5000 BC, Sanskrit is known to be god’s language!
Every year on Shraavana Poornima, the full moon day of Shraavana month (according to the Hindu calendar) is observed as World Sanskrit Day. This year, it is on 12th August.
Although the official language of ancient India was Sanskrit, only a few people practise this language nowadays. Thus, the Indian Government celebrated this day with vigour to revitalise this language.
You can also celebrate this day by reading these Sanskrit books about life!
1. Panchatantra by Pandit Vishnu Sharma
We have grown up reading the stories from Panchatantra. They were originally written in Sanskrit; perhaps we have read their translations! The stories of Panchatantra are essentially Indian, about its folklore and people.
King Amarashakti had three lazy and stupid sons. Therefore, the king summoned the sage Vishnusharma to teach the princes the correct behaviour. It took him 6 months to complete his lesson, and at the end of it, he composed 5 books containing the stories he told his students.
This collection of stories is interesting, and the children love reading them as they involve stories about animals and birds in an engaging way. These stories help us understand human actions and how they react to different situations.
2. The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
The Shrimad Bhagavat Gita is a famous and sacred Hindu scripture. However, besides being a religious text, it is also a great text written in Sanskrit and teaches us some great life values.
Composed by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Gita documents the philosophies of life and gives us spiritual wisdom. While it contains several parts with different teachings to lead a perfect and happy life, Gita has a profound message that enriches your life and helps you become a better version of yourself.
This holy book of Hinduism revolves around 5 main topics – Isvara (God), Kala (time), Karma(action), Prakriti (nature) and Jiva (living things)
It is considered one of the great Sanskrit books about life as it helps us escape the circle of life and death.
3. Hitopadesa by Narayana Pandit
This Indian text is written originally in Sanskrit and is immensely popular among children. ‘Hita’ means beneficial, and ‘Upadesh’ means advice. The stories in the book are mainly fables to teach children the right manners and discipline.
The interesting part of this book is that the characters are mainly animals and speak in human language. Children and adults alike love this book as they are written in a reader-friendly manner.
4. Upanishads
Like Vedas, this Sanskrit book about life teaches us the purpose of life and the kinds of knowledge we can perceive. It talks about the lower Apara Vidya and the higher Para Vidya.
The lower knowledge is limited to finite, while the higher knowledge is about Atma, the Brahman. The higher knowledge or Para Vidya is about one’s inner self and thus leads us to unite with God through the path of renunciation of earthly or material attachments.
Have you read any of these Sanskrit books about life and many more? Let us know in the comments below!
