LANGUAGE IN INDIA

PRISTINE USE OF LANGUAGE - SANSKRIT STOTRAS
V. V. B. Rama Rao, Ph.D.

PRAISE, SUPPLICATION AND INVOCATION

Students of English Literature would readily identify these lines as forming a part of Milton's invocation to the Divine Muse or God at the beginning of his epic. That a work of sustained high seriousness should begin with a praise and supplication is not unique to English. Much, much earlier, this has been the tradition in Sanskrit literature, as it has been in Latin and Greek literatures, much later. Going by this invocation alone, Milton's epic can be viewed basically as a devotional or religious work.

PRAYER

Prayer is a universal category applicable to all climes and all regions and even the oldest of civilizations knew that there is a Supreme Being and the Being can be propitiated by prayer though there might have been several different other ways too. Prayer comes from Faith and Devotion. Fortunately these are not related to the devotee's societal status, riches or any other accomplishments. But for this, Faith could not have sustained itself down the millennia. But for this the scriptures in any religion would not have stood the ravages of time. Sometimes one is struck with the devotion of the poorest of the poor. Religion and faith draw perhaps the unlettered ones more than those of the upper strata.

IN PRAISE OF SHIVA - AN OFFERING FROM ADI SANKARA

Before taking up for a rapid overview devotional compositions, permit me to introduce the topic with a unique composition, which brings out the eminence of superb intellectuality in Sanskrit devotional compositions. In fact this is the trait of the Supreme Being and shared by Man's realized soul. This composition is a sestet (composition of six stanzas) entitled Nirvanashatkam. First, a transliterated text and then a rough and ready rendering.

No fear of death, no distinction of species or caste, no father, no mother, no birth for Me, no relations, no friends, no preceptor or disciple for Me, I am the form of Supreme Bliss perceived, ever the pristine, ever auspicious. I am Shiva.

No thought, no form have I; free lord I am of all organs: no attachment no detachment for Me, no bondage and no liberation for Me, I am the form of Supreme Bliss perceived, ever the pristine, ever auspicious. I am Shiva.

THE STRUCTURE OF PROPITIATORY VERSES

All these compositions have a similar, if not identical structure. There are five aspects to be noted:

1. Conceptualization
2. Compactness of the composition
3. Concretization of the Abstract for the benefit of the lay but devout
4. Crystallization to give the essence in a small capsule
5. Usually mentioning the fruit of the repetition/rendering or reading the stotra in terms of earthly benefits. This part is referred to as Phalasahruti.

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