What are the motivations to learn Sanskrit?
Sanskrit is a classical language of South Asia belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late Bronze Age. Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism, the language of classical Hindu philosophy, and of historical texts of Buddhism and Jainism. Sanskrit had a lasting impact on the languages of South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia, especially in their formal and learned vocabularies.
Now let's discuss the motivations a learner could have when he chooses to learn an ancient language such as Sanskrit which is not much in use as of date today except for being used in religious text and day-to-day prayers in homes and temples.
One reason why someone would want to learn an ancient language such as the Sanskrit language could be to empower themselves to read the ancient sacred texts written in religious and ancient books rather than read an opinion via translated texts, given by another person. Apart from acquiring general knowledge, the intent could also be to study the ancient Indian culture, history, traditions or the way the world evolved when Sanskrit was influencing all the other languages for how the Indian subcontinent evolved, studying the growth factors of Sanskrit, the books written the people responsible for promoting the use of Sanskrit. This could be either used for a research purpose or if one is working as an anthropologist or a historian who has a great interest in deciphering old manuscripts or studying artefacts and civilizations associated with them. It is indeed quite interesting if one was to pick the ancient Sanskrit language for the sake of understanding how civilizations in past could create which we as on date cannot one such example is the flying vessel that Ravana had created to abduct Sita; while there are blueprints available for the same, however, people are unable to understand the Sanskrit texts that are written to describe the assembly and operations of such things. So if the intention is to connect with ancient India one could definitely learn Sanskrit.
Studying Sanskrit also finds great use to acquire the ancient medical knowledge that enriches the alternate Indian medical system of Ayurveda. Sanskrit could be beneficial to read Ayurvedic books that explain therapies include medicines, special diets, meditation, yoga, massage, laxatives, enemas, and medical oils. Ayurveda talks about medicines that are typically based on complex herbal compounds, minerals, and metal substances (perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy or rasa shastra). Ancient Ayurveda texts also talk of surgical techniques, including rhinoplasty, kidney stone extractions, sutures, and the extraction of foreign objects that were taught to disciples in the past. Unfortunately, this has remained a topic of mockery by the modernized foreign Medical System that discourages the use of Ayurveda strongly, without realising the benefits, or even giving it a chance to flourish!
Since Sanskrit is the mother language of all the languages that exist in India, learning Sanskrit will give the learners a good base to learn other Indian languages due to their common roots. By learning Sanskrit one can build up a good career in the teaching profession. Most schools, colleges, and universities of India offer the Sanskrit language to study. The teachers who specialize in the Sanskrit language empower students with the linguistic knowledge of Sanskrit. A learner would need to study Masters or PhD besides the Bachelor’s in Education degree, or as may be required by the Institute or University they may be aspiring to teach in.
Sanskrit interpreter and translator is the most sought-after job profile after teaching. The translation is a very lucrative career because there are numerous ancient Sanskrit texts that await translation into multiple languages so that the world could understand the language of Hinduism and its teachings. A part of this many people looks for interpreters especially when the land of in India from abroad to learn the Sanskrit language in the hamlets of Mattur and Hosahalli, which are known for keeping the Sanskrit language alive by using it in their day-to-day communication! It might appear strange to people to see young adolescent men driving on bikes and talking on cell phones in pure Sanskrit. Sanskrit is known in these hamlets by a person who could be a vegetable vendor to a priest! Apart from these, proficient Sanskrit language students who have completed their degrees or courses could also work as content writers, are also responsible for writing various articles, speeches, books, stories, poems for general public knowledge or for creating a Sanskrit curriculum for various institutes and Universities.
Finally,
Unlike in the past, the Sanskrit language has started to gain importance as a result of being recognised as a language of great interest by scholars from many different countries. This is proven by the fact that the quiet hamlets of Mattur and Hosahalli have started seeing many foreigners lined up to learn Sanskrit in India. To fill in for the shortage, Foreign Universities have also started offering this language to study as a part of their curriculum. And with NASA qualifying it as the language st well suited logical language for space systems it’s reputation and demand has further increased!
So if you want to start learning Sanskrit I recommend you start with Multibhashi immediately.