Swami Vivekananda has rightly said “Youth is the best time. The way in which you utilize this period will decide the nature of coming years that lie ahead of you.” The youth today, indeed have within them the dynamism, creativity and energy, which, if utilized in the right manner would enable them to achieve great things in life. 

Unfortunately, in spite of so much advancement today, many or rather most of the youth today are faced with peculiar problems considering today’s times such as:

• Blindly/mechanically just racing ahead without a clear understanding of the real purpose of life
• Generation gap and desire to move and live separately away from family 
• Stress, anxiety and worry considering extreme competition and performance pressure in today’s fast paced technological world 
• Loneliness, depression, peer pressure and suicidal tendencies 
• Addiction to drugs, alcohol, smoking and other baser desires/passions as an “escape route” from sorrows
• Addiction to phone and social media 
• Usage of abusive and foul language in conversations

No wonder then, the youth today are facing many physiological and psychological issues.

Apart from the various solutions available for addressing the above problems, a unique solution is to encourage the youth to learn the beautiful Dev Bhaasha – Sanskrit! Let us discuss below the wonderful benefits that the youth will gain by learning Sanskrit: 

• Contribution to physical and mental well-being: Each of the Sanskrit alphabets is a divine sound seed which scientifically has a direct connection with the positive divine energies of the universe. Chanting and using the Sanskrit language (through Mantras, Stotras etc.) directly brings into manifestation these energies which in turn positively contribute to physical and mental well-being of the individual. The individual using Sanskrit language achieves physical health, longevity, mental focus, concentration, clarity, memory power, emotional balance, effective communication skills and inner security and peace. Through this, loneliness, depression and suicidal tendencies are avoided.

• Elevation of mind, intellect and speech: The use of Sanskrit elevates the mind and intellect of the individual because of its purity and high vibrational power and effect. People using the Sanskrit language daily “naturally” (as if through some magic or charm) gradually leave aside foul language, baser thoughts, desires, addictions, cravings and develop nobler and higher thoughts, aspirations, goals and purity in speech. No wonder then, that the nomenclature “Sanskrit” itself means “refined”, “cultured” or “polished”.

• Inculcation of patriotism and unity: The national song of Bharata “Vande Mataram” is written in Sanskrit language. The national motto of Bharat “Satyameva Jayate” is also in Sanskrit and is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad. Our Puranas and Itihasas (history) which are in Sanskrit also describe the glory of Bharata, its sacred geography, and the fortune of being born in this Holy Land. Learning the language will thus ignite in the youth a sense of belonging and consequently, patriotism for our motherland Bharata. This in turn will also contribute to individual unity and bonding in families.

• Education, values and insight with entertainment: One will find Sanskrit literature covering a vast range of insightful topics such as arts, music, politics, science, finance, astronomy, astrology, mathematics, rights & duties and laws of an individual etc. in treatises such as Artha Shastra, Neeti Shastra, Bhrigu Samhita, Manu Smriti etc. Entertaining humorous and witty stories/tales combined with lessons on great moral values are found in collections such as Hitopadesha and Panchatantra. The Sanskrit poetry and dramas comprise of Nava Rasas or Nine emotions namely – love, laughter, sorrow, anger, heroism, fear, disgust, wonder, and peace each used to connect with audiences of different temperaments. All this will give the youth great uplifting insight, morality as also entertainment. 

• Helps know and achieve the purpose of life: The ultimate purpose of life and the means to achieve the same are contained in the major scriptural texts of our Sanatana Dharma (such as Upanishads, Yoga Shastras and Bhagavad Gita) which are in Sanskrit. The youth learning the language will be encouraged to directly connect with those texts, comprehend and work towards achievement of that purpose.      

Basis the above, it is clear that Sanskrit, even though being the most ancient language, yet has an ever-new and eternal freshness, vigor and vitality and consequently an “Eternal Youthfulness” within itself which will contribute to the highest growth and development of our youth! 

by Chaitanya Bhatt

Om Tat Sat