We all understand an ATM. The money is already ours; the ATM simply gives us access to it when we need it.
What if happiness worked the same way?
Beyond the wealth we accumulate outside – in banks, investments and possessions – Vedanta tells us that there is an inexhaustible wealth within us: the Atman, our true Self, ever-conscious and blissful.
The Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and other ancient texts reveal the knowledge and practices that help us access this inner wealth.
But here is the intriguing question:
If the timeless wisdom of happiness lies in the Sanskrit scriptures, could Sanskrit be our “ATM” to this inner wealth?
The answer is a definite YES! Not because merely reading Sanskrit makes us happy, but because the language itself is uniquely structured to preserve and convey profound wisdom. Learning Sanskrit opens a more direct door to the Gita, Upanishads and other timeless texts – and the knowledge they hold about true happiness.
Sanskrit is really an “A.T.M” because through this ATM, one can easily and directly gain access to and ‘withdraw’ the requisite inspiration and knowledge from the inexhaustible ‘bank/wealth’ of eternal wisdom.
- A – Accessible and Easy: Unlike many misconceptions, the basics of Sanskrit language are accessible to all and easy to learn because the rules are very precise. Thus, Sanskrit is a ‘Sulabha’ or an easy to learn language.
- T – Tender and Sweet: A mother watches her child with all the tenderness and sweetness. Similarly, Sanskrit, the Mother of all languages, through Her mantras/shlokas fills Her learners’ minds with an uplifting nectarial sweetness, tenderness and purity. The very sound of Sanskrit mantras/shlokas (whether their meaning is known or not) is very enchanting and soothing to all. Sanskrit is therefore a ‘Madhura’ or a sweet language.
- M – Magnificent and Divine: Meditation on the Sanskrit mantras/shlokas makes one naturally connect with the magnificent and divine presence of God within. In fact, various Sanskrit mantras of different divine deities themselves are the seed or ‘Beeja’ of the form of the respective deities; in other words, the deity is non-different from the mantra. The Sanskrit script itself is known as “Devanagari” or “Abode of Gods”. Therefore, Sanskrit is a magnificent and divine or ‘Daivik’ language.
So let us all go to the “ATM” of Sanskrit and withdraw joy and bliss to our heart’s extent from the unlimited wealth of pristine knowledge and wisdom!
To join the Easy Sanskrit – Level 1 course conducted by Chinmaya International Foundation, please click here.
– Sevak Chaitanya Bhatt
