Why the Choice of Sanskrit Language? Answering this requires a nuanced elucidation. My choice of language has roots in my fascination for linguistics in general as a fascinating component of human evolution. I cannot stop marveling at how much languages and their comparison reveal about humans and humanity. While I watched with fascination many languages and explored many, one had to choose one for deep-diving given the limitations of human intellect and lifespan.
I chose Sanskrit not for practical purposes, as it is no longer a language of everyday communication. Although I was exposed to it as a young boy, I had nearly lost touch with Sanskrit for a long time. However, I found myself repeatedly drawn back by the faint yet persistent call of Sanskrit, like that of an enchanting muse who refused to be forgotten, teasing me with glimpses of her timeless beauty. A perfect confluence of exposure and its intrinsic attributes—precise pronunciation enabled by its alphabet system, logically constructed grammar, and an extensive yet underexplored body of knowledge spanning millennia—made it an easy choice.
This choice turned out to be even more delightful than I anticipated. Once I delved into its depths, Sanskrit consumed me like no other pursuit before, filling me with such excitement that I felt compelled to share it with others, whether through a book or any other way. In fact, Sanskrit served as the glue that helped me shape the holistic concept of sujeevanam. This will become evident as I discuss how the three elements—Yoga, classical music, and Sanskrit—seamlessly work together to shape the Good Life.
Sanskrit, extending the metaphor of glue that holds the two visible components together, remains largely invisible, much like any effective glue. Its existence is unveiled solely through our understanding of the function it performs. From perfecting enunciation, which enhances mental acuity, to offering popular aalambana phrases, Sanskrit, when mastered, permeates every facet of one’s existence. The extensive body of knowledge encompassing all aspects and every evolution of Yoga, or on the experiments and development of music and arts, all written in Sanskrit, provides enduring insights into these disciplines. More significantly, the preservation of diverse and often contrasting philosophical perspectives, along with insights into every other field of knowledge and human existence, in distilled Sanskrit texts and treatises, served as invaluable aids in reaching the nuanced levels of cultural evolution. Engaging with these texts reveals the significance of drawing knowledge directly from its pure source, free from corruption or the interpretations of others.
All for One, One for All—this phrase captures how these three elements synergize to produce an outcome far greater than their individual contributions. Yoga helps maintain the vehicle for the pursuit of our duties and passions and a Good Life, our body and mind, in a perfect shape. Through yama and niyama, it builds micro-habits and a framework of character on which the whole endeavor of Sujeevanam subsists. aasana and praanaayama enable a person to achieve a level of physical fitness that allows them to practice Sujeevanam well into later life, ensuring that the mind remains willing and creatively sharp even when the body may not function optimally. For example, for musicians while aasanas not only maintain general fitness but also enhance readiness for playing specific instruments, while praanaayama is an essential component for developing a strong vocal foundation.
The most profound impact arises from the last four limbs of ashtaanga Yoga—pratyaahaara, dhaarana, dhyaana, and samaadhi. These interconnected practices help cultivate an illuminated mind, elevating one’s awareness and capabilities to levels where one can fully engage with and excel in music, study Sanskrit, and ultimately attain Sujeevanam—scaling heights that remain inaccessible to those without a foundation in Yoga.
Over its extensive history, Sanskrit was predominantly passed down through oral tradition. Consequently, techniques were devised to preserve the integrity of textual transmission. One such technique involved the incorporation of music. The vedic tradition of tonal recitation provides insights into the place of music in human assimilation and retention of knowledge.
Music practice creates a psychological sanctuary, instills a sense of moral elevation, and forges mental pathways that pure reason alone cannot etch. Music also serves as a powerful aalambana (support) in ascending the stages of pratyaahaara, dhaaranaa, dhyaana, and samaadhi. This is why practitioners of skills such as music, other arts, or even those engaged in more physical pursuits like crafts, sports, martial arts, and other such passions find themselves entering 'the zone' at the peak of their practice. Here, it is crucial to distinguish between music that arises from within and music that is perceived through our auditory senses. Using music to create a meditative environment, a widely practiced thing, actually contradicts the purpose of samaadhi, for the hallmark of samaadhi is not detachment from awareness but it's strengthening.
A prime example of this is the Sanskrit symbol ॐ (AUMkaara). This symbol is a composite of the vowel sounds aa (akaara), uu (ukaara), and the consonant mm (makaara). It is integral to yogic praanaayama practice, involving a low-frequency, continuous sound that originates as resonance in the abdominal cavity, moves through the thoracic cavity, and culminates in the final syllable providing a sonic massage to the brain. In Yoga, the alignment of the body and seating posture are meticulously perfected to achieve optimal results. Also, the knowledge length of each phase, the length of the full cycle, and number of repetitions are to be imparted diligently. This process further entails training to activate and open the pelvic region, starting at the perineum. Given the significant benefits of this technique for voice training, AUMkaara practice has become an essential component of vocal training and daily warm-ups for singers in both Indian classical music traditions- Hindustaani and Carnatic. Elements of these are now also employed by voice and drama coaches in the West. Owing to the multifaceted benefits of AUMkaara, it was sanctified and incorporated into ancient Sanskrit texts, mandated for invokation at the start of each shloka of a hymn. However, the benefits of reciting AUMkaara cannot be realized by a musician or Sanskrit hymn chanter unless they also are made to understand the rationale and purpose behind its chanting, and educated on the disciplines of proper seating posture, body alignment, and the rules of breath control and timing outlined in Yoga.
This represents just one of the many instances where these three disciplines intertwine, mutually supporting and enhancing each other. This is the reason I chose this trio as the core pillars for the realization of my Sujeevanam. The accessibility of these three skills and disciplines to me, and my ability to practice them, were undoubtedly influenced by my bith and upbringing, and played a significant role in my journey of discovery and influenced my personal philosophy. Yet, as the world grows smaller and more interconnected, and as people with a desire to learn and grow, gain access to global resources, I believe they will find their own diverse and personalized routes to attaining their ideal of the Good Life.
Next you can check out the libraries under:
menu item Yoga > Library,
menu item Hindustaani Classical Music > Library, or
menu item Sanskrit > Library.