For those practising Hinduism in Tsirang, one can now explore the science of Sanskrit, all for free. In its bit to bring communities together through religion, the Hindu-Dharma Samudhaya in Tsirang has started a free teaching of Sanskrit to its members since November last year. Currently, there are about 27 members actively learning Sanskrit.
It is 6 PM and the day’s session begins for novice Sanskrit learners at the Hindu-Buddhist Temple in Damphu town. The class comprises two groups.
Elderly men and women learn pronunciations of Hindu prayers and their rhythms written in Sanskrit for about an hour and a half with the help of a Pundit. Most of them are learning the language for the first time.
And with the majority of the sacred texts for Hinduism written in Sanskrit, members say that unlike before it is helping them perform prayers and rituals better.
“I wanted to learn how to perform basic prayers and puja at my home and if possible, also at temples. We could be able to pray to five different Goddesses,” said one of the pupils, Kishor Chapagai. “There are about ten different mantras, for every god, there are two mantras.”
“Initially learning Sanskrit was quite difficult but I am picking up a bit now. It requires patience and hard work. Now I enjoy learning the subject,” said Tika Devi Dulal.
Aware of “the Sanskrit effect” a few school-going children have also joined their parents. A few international studies suggest Sanskrit can help expand the brain and improve memory and cognitive skills.
For now, the children are learning the Sanskrit alphabet and word formations.
“I am interested in learning Sanskrit. It is much tougher than the subjects that we learn in school maybe because I am learning for the first time. But equally, I enjoy the class,” said one of the young learners, Neesha Katal.
The Hindu Dharma Samudhaya in Tsirang has initiated the programme with support from the Tsirang District Administration.
“If we can attend classes daily, we will be able to acquire a better knowledge of Hinduism and learn how to recite prayers and know how to perform basic rituals. The initiative will also help introduce Hinduism to our young minds and will enable them to keep intact with the religion,” said Dina Nath Adhikari, the President of the Hindu-Dharma Samudhaya in Tsirang.
“It is very important for Hindu followers to learn and know Sanskrit because the Hindu scripts and prayers are in the Sanskrit language. Therefore, one must at least know how to read and write Sanskrit,” said the tutor, Lok Nath Bhandari.
More than sixty per cent of the population in Tsirang district follow Hinduism today. And initiatives like this are only expected to help take the religion to newer heights.
Pema Tshewang, Tsirang.
