Basics of Sanskrit language

 

Sanskrit is the ancient language which is the mother of all languages. It is also called as the  Devavani/surabharati means, it is the language of Gods. It is also said that the Sanskrit language is generated by God Brahma who passed it to the sages. It is the scientific language. The word Sanskrit literally means refined and elaborated. All the original texts of Ayurveda are in Sanskrit language. Therefore a person, aspiring the  knowledge of Ayurveda should know the basics of Sanskrit. 

अविभाज्यो ध्वनि: वर्ण:। This sutra means in the Varnamala-alphabets,  each letter has its unique sound.  One letter one sound, this is a specialty of Sanskrit Language.  Pronunciation of Sanskrit letters, words have a special effect on body, mind and our intellect too. But accurate pronunciation of the Sanskrit letters/words is very important. A very small mistake of pronunciation leads to drastic change in the meaning of original word. In ancient times speaking in Sanskrit was in regular practice.

There is one claim about Sanskrit language that, it is not a made up language.it is the language of existence.

The basic sounds of Sanskrit alphabets are the natural outcome of human physiology. The arrangement of these sounds are not arbitrary they are natural consequence of the origin sound itself.

There are two kinds of letters in the Sanskrit alphabet based on how the sound is produced. The letters that correspond the sounds which are  native- sva  to the vocal cavity are called as Swaras. The letters which correspond the sounds that are only produced with the special efforts of the organs of the vocal cavity are called as Vyanjanas. There are 16 Swaras in Sanskrit language. The musical note of Indian classical music is also called as Swara. The word Swara means स्वयं राजते इति स्वर:।, meaning - a self-established sound. In music it denotes seven notes and in language it denotes 16 vowels. The Swaras having three variants-

 Hrasva-short-अ, इ, उ, ऋ,लृ   

 Deergha-long- आ, ई, ऊ, ऋ

Pluta – Mixed- ए,ऐ,ओ,औ