Anish Regmi, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sanskrit at Pindeshwar Vidyapeeth, Dharan, has a unique motivation behind his choice of study. An event in 2014 inspired him to pursue Sanskrit education.

During a religious ceremony in his hometown of Pakali, Itahari, he was captivated by a Pandit who spoke all day through a microphone. This moment sparked his desire to one day address a congregation, just like the Pandit.

Motivated by this ambition, Regmi travelled to Dharan and enrolled in Chandra Sanskrit Secondary School to pursue his dream of becoming a Pandit. This marked the beginning of his journey into Sanskrit education in grade six.

In ancient times, the Sanskrit language was primarily associated with Hindu religious rituals, Vedic studies, and scholars. This historical limitation has led many people to mistakenly believe that only the sons of Brahmins can study Sanskrit.

However, Sanskrit has evolved over the years and has become more accessible to a broader audience. Institutions like Nepal Sanskrit University in Dang and its affiliated campuses now offer Sanskrit education to students from various backgrounds. Anyone interested in the language, regardless of gender, caste, or religion, can pursue it without restrictions.

Bhim Khatiwada, vice-chancellor of Nepal Sanskrit University, says, “The university provides an annual scholarship of nine thousand rupees for male students, while female students and those from marginalised communities receive an increased scholarship of eighteen thousand rupees.”

This initiative is helping to break down the long-standing stigma associated with Sanskrit education and encourages more participation from underrepresented groups. “Some of my friends from the marginalised community have a keen interest in this subject and are studying with me,” says Regmi.

Sabnam Meheta, a student from a non-Brahmin family currently studying Sanskrit at Pindeshwar Vidyapeeth, Dharan, shares, “I aspire to be a storyteller and narrate the Bhagwat. To achieve my dream, I did not allow societal criticism to deter me on my path.”

There is a common misconception that Sanskrit is a singular subject. However, it encompasses various branches, including Sanskrit grammar, Vedas, astrology, and literature. As a Sanskrit student, Regmi’s major subjects are Shukla Yajurveda and Major Nepali. In Major Nepali, students are not required to use Sanskrit for reading and writing. However, Shukla Yajurveda mandates that students read, write, discuss, and communicate in Sanskrit. “It is essential to focus on a specific branch of Sanskrit and gain expertise in it,” says Regmi.

Ironically, many Sanskrit professors lack fluency in the language. Still, Regmi explains, “Some professors may not be fluent in Sanskrit, yet they are experts in their specific branches, such as Sanskrit astrology. What matters most is their ability to acquire and effectively share knowledge in their respective subjects, rather than their fluency in the language.” However, professors teaching literature and language must be fluent.

Regmi adds, “Common people often view Sanskrit students through a narrow lens, envisioning them as individuals who wear dhotis, sport a tuppi, and follow strict dietary rules, particularly avoiding non-vegetarian food. They are frequently perceived as being confined to specific behaviours and rigid discipline. While these traditional views hold some truth, they do not truly reflect the essence of being a Sanskrit student.”

He continues, “The real focus should be on our strong commitment to learning and understanding Sanskrit, which defines us. It’s time for society to expand its perspective, recognising that following external symbols like the dhoti or tuppi is not as important as being a dedicated Sanskrit student. What should truly matter is our dedication to the language and its teachings.”

In today’s world, which is dominated by STEM fields, it can be challenging for Sanskrit students to find opportunities. Regmi notes, “In Nepali society, which is still quite conservative, a Sanskrit student from a marginalised community becoming a Pandit is often seen as unacceptable.”

As a result, many Sanskrit students from marginalised backgrounds tend to remain in the teaching profession. However, students who have completed secondary school in mainstream subjects like science, commerce, or humanities can still pursue a bachelor’s degree in Sanskrit after completing a nine-month training course. This course introduces various branches of Sanskrit, equipping aspiring students with the foundational knowledge necessary for their further studies.

Khatiwada observes that the teaching of Sanskrit in secondary schools began to wane following the Nepal Civil War. Regmi adds that during this time, numerous Sanskrit schools were destroyed by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which considered Sanskrit education to be outdated and unnecessary.

Students who have studied Sanskrit in secondary school can directly enrol in Bachelor’s programs without needing a bridge course. However, the nine-month course can appear daunting and lengthy, discouraging many interested students from pursuing Sanskrit studies. The decline of secondary Sanskrit schools in Nepal has made the pathway for students entering Bachelor-level Sanskrit programs increasingly uncertain. Had these schools not been destroyed, many students would likely be pursuing Sanskrit in Nepal.

Khatiwada says that Sanskrit plays a vital role in shaping and preserving cultural and historical identities. He states, “The study of Sanskrit is not just about learning an ancient language; it forms the foundation for Historians, Pandits, Professors, Storytellers, Astrologers, and other knowledgeable individuals. These scholars preserve the wisdom of the past and act as guardians of heritage that has endured over time.”

In an age marked by modernisation, Khatiwada expresses concern over the decline of our ancient civilisation, noting that cultural heritages, traditions, and invaluable manuscripts are frequently neglected in the pursuit of contemporary advancement. He believes that studying Sanskrit and its various branches equips us with the tools to protect timeless wisdom, centuries-old legacies, religious practices, and rich Eastern traditions.

“During the pandemic, interest in these traditions surged. People sought ancient teachings for guidance, which sparked a renewed awareness of the value found in Eastern knowledge,” Khatiwada adds. He emphasises that the study of Sanskrit “not only leads to intellectual growth but also fosters cultural preservation, connecting us to the roots of our shared human heritage.”

Languages like Mandarin, French, and Spanish flourish worldwide primarily because of their commercial value. This trend attracts individuals eager to learn for economic or social gain. However, while commercialisation may boost the number of speakers, it risks diluting the true essence and identity of the language.

Khatiwada comments, “If Sanskrit were marketed similarly to other languages, it might attract more learners, but its intrinsic wisdom and cultural richness could suffer.”

He continues, “To draw more students and speakers of Sanskrit, we plan to offer basic Sanskrit lessons to interested tourists in Kathmandu. There is also growing momentum to publish ancient research works, which will help expand the language’s reach. However, it is essential for scholars to actively preserve and share the deep wisdom of Sanskrit to prevent it from diminishing. Most importantly, the government must take genuine steps to enhance Sanskrit education nationwide.”

Regmi notes that out of around five hundred students at Pindeshwar Vidyapeeth, only three, including himself, are studying Shukla Yajurveda. The small number of students has led to a limited supply of course books. Most course materials are found in Kathmandu or distant religious cities like Banaras. As a result, Regmi and his peers rely on a single book for their studies. Additionally, PDFs of these course books are rarely available online.

Thus, the inaccessibility and scarcity of course books pose significant challenges for those pursuing Sanskrit in Nepal. While efforts have made the language more accessible and relevant, the journey to mastering Sanskrit is still filled with obstacles.