St. James Independent Schools is a group of reputed schools in Britain. The unique feature about the school is that Sanskrit is taught to all students from Grade 1. It is compulsory. Parents often ask why they teach Sanskrit and they have prepared a flyer answering those questions. I wish to share them with you here.
AT THE ROOT OF EUROPEAN LANGUAGES
Sanskrit stands at the root of very many eastern and western languages, including English and most other European languages, classical or modern. Its studey illuminates their grammar and etymology. Innumerable English words can be shown to derive from forms still extant in Sanskrit.
SANSKRIT ROOTS:
दा
Sanskrit Root: daa - give
Sanskrit word: daana - gift
Latin : donum - gift
French : donner - to give
English : donate, dose, dedicate, etc
स्था
Sanskrit Root: Sthaa - stand still
Sanskrit Word : Sthaanam - resting place
Sto - I stand
German : stehen - I stand
English : stand, steady, stool, staff etc.
वह
Sanskrit Root : vah - carrying
Sanskrit Word : vaahana - vehicle
Latin : veho - I carry
German/ French : Wagen - waggon
English : vehicle, vein etc.
सर्वे भवन्तु सुख़िन:।
सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु।
मा कश्चिद दुःख्भाग्भवेत्॥
All be happy.
All be without disease.
All creatures have wellbeing.
None have misery of any kind.
AN EDUCATION IN BEAUTY
Sanskrit is full of beauty : beauty of sound, of structure, of script, of poetry and of prose. Such beauty opens the heart.
A LANGUAGE OF IMPECCABLE ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS
Sanskrit is highly respected by the academic community. It often forms a point of interest, comment and admiration when St. James pupils are interviewed for university admission.
A NEW VIEW OF THE WORLD
Sanskrit literature expresses a refreshing and unique view of human nature and purpose. In an era of unprecedented change and uncertainity, this offers our pupils a valuable tool by which to assess and look afresh at their own society. Sanskrit literature embodies a comprehensive map of the human makeup: spiritual, emotional, mental and physical. It presents a new way of understanding our relation to the rest of creation and lays out the laws productive of a happy life.
A MATCHLESS LITERATURE
Sanskrit has one of the richest and most extensive literatures of all known languages. It introduces children to vast epics, profound scripture, subtle philosophy, voluminous mythology, exquisite poetry and much else.
A SYSTEMATIC GRAMMAR
The word 'Sanskrit' means 'perfectly constructed'. Study of its grammar brings order to the mind and clarifies the thinking.