Why do Germans Prefer Learning Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is crowned as one of the most ancient languages prevalent in historic India. For Indians, Sanskrit is not merely a language, but is also the cultural pride that truly enhances the richness of customs and traditions of the Indian land.
With origins dating back to 3500 years in history, this language globally bags the list of the oldest languages in the world.
SANSKRIT IS MORE THAN JUST A LANGUAGE
Sanskrit, popularly known as ‘God’s language’ among Indians, is considered holy on the Indian soil. Before the Arabs invaded the Indian subcontinent, this language served as our national language!
One word can be depicted in hundred different words of Sanskrit. Due to its mind-blowing framework and vast vocabulary, learning this language is both challenging and excited together!
Indians believe that this language has been emerged from the God’s era and has the power to manifest sacred vibrations in the world around us. Along with its sacred status, Sanskrit due to its intricately systematic framework is interestingly also known as the most scientific language!
WHAT STARTED THIS INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGE CONNECTION?
Heinrich Roth, the first ever German who mastered this holy language, travelled to India, and got mesmerized with the mysteries of Indian culture. He realized that along with sacred beliefs, Sanskrit also features as the most well-planned language.
Friedrich Schlegel and August Schlegel were Indologists who closely researched the intricacies behind the fascinating language of Sanskrit. They were so appalled by the beauty of this language that they promoted the study of Indology in the esteemed German University. They even introduced the Latin translated Bhagavad Gita in the 1820s which later bagged the pride of being the first Sanskrit book ever printed in Europe!
In the current times, Indology is extensively taught in over 12 prestigious German Universities and is encouraged widely among citizens.
THE MYSTERIOUS LINKING OF SANSKRIT AND GERMAN!
Is it just the love and fascination towards Indian culture that has bound German with Sanskrit? Or does the connection trace back to some mysterious linking?
YES! This pair of Indo-European languages possess a similar structure not just in terms of vocabulary but also of grammar and phrasing. In both languages, the adjectives are used in accordance with the gender, number and cases. The popular 7 cases of Sanskrit link up closely with the 4 cases of German.
The concept of Upasargas in Sanskrit can also be seen in German where prefixes like emp, ent, be and so on are joined with certain verbs to generate new verbs.
Here are some jaw dropping resemblance among many German and Sanskrit words –
Mischung in German and मिश्रणं in Sanskrit both mean ‘mixtures’.
Mann in German and मनुः in Sanskrit are words for a male.
Nase and नसा in German and Sanskrit respectively, refer to the nose.
A mother is called माता in Sanskrit and Mutter in German.
A father is called पिता in Sanskrit and Vater in German.
Many such words are proof enough that there exists an amazing linking of the two great languages. Such cultural and vocabulary linking has intrigued the Germans even more to dig into the wonders of Sanskrit!
