SANKRIT STUDIES IN RAJASTHAN —Dr. Kalanath Shastri & Dr. Vasudev Shastri Rajasthan has been an unprecedented example of chivalry, sacrifice and learning. It has given birth to great warriors as well as literary artists and renowned Sanskrit scholars. Sanskrit literature has been flourishing here since 10th century. Pinkcity Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was regarded as the Centre of Sanskrit learning, next only to Varanasi, until a few decades back. Inquisitive students from different parts of the country and abroad would come to Jaipur to learn Sanskrit from ‘eminent scholars. The rulers of small states of Rajasthan also gave cooperation and support to promote the learning of Sanskrit. Though being war-loving people, the chivalrous families of Rajputs could not provide proper facilities to preserve manuscripts, still rare manuscripts of renowned Sanskrit writers can be found well preserved in their libraries, Granthagars, temples and even in Jain Upasharayas. Rajasthan is well known, for its collection of ancient Sanskrit manuscripts, through out the literary world. The libraries and granthagars of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Nagore, Jaipur, Bundi,Sanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 219 Jodhpur, Udaipur, Nathadwara and Kankroli have been centres of attraction to many Sanskrit scholars from all over the country and abroad. Patronage of Sanskrit by rulers and chiefs of Rajasthan : Sanskrit is our glorious cultural heritage. It has its own traditions of learning and teaching, teaching methodology, institutions and its own independent examination system. There is a separate Directorate of Sanskrit education in Rajas- than. In pre-merger period there was hardly any state in Rajasthan where due importance to Sanskrit learning was not given or due respect to Sanskrit scholars was not paid. The rulers of Jaipur showed their loyality to Sanskrit by inviting selected and renowned scholars of Sanskrit from other states of the country and providing them with all facilieties to settle here. Foundation of Maharaja Sanskrit college, construction of astrologi- cal ‘Yantralaya’ are living monuments to show their love for Sanskrit. On the other hand, the rulers of Sikar, Khetri, Malpura and Shahpura also patronised and encouraged the learning of Sanskrit by establishing Sanskrit teaching institutions. Similarly, the Maharana of Udaipur founded Maharana Sanskrit college, Udaipur and offered Gold in the form of Tula Dan to manage for its finance. It shows his great love for Sanskrit Education. The chiefs of states or the Temple Boards also established Sanskrit ‘Pathshalas’ in Nathadwara, Kankroli, Begun, Dungarpur, Chittor- garh, Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Bhawani Mandi, Dholpur, Bharatpur and Karauli. The ruler of Alwar built a grand institution and a seperate hostel220 Sanskrit Studies in India building for a Sanskrit school to be run on the system of Rishikula. Anoop singh, the Maharaja of Bikaner was himself a renowned scholar of Sanskrit. His love for Sanskrit is evident from Shardul Sanskrit Vidyapeeth and the famous Anoop Sanskrit Library, that he founded. The rulers of Jodhpur also patronised and promoted the learning of Sanskrit by establishing Darbar Sanskrit college in Jodhpur. It is obvious that Sanskrit institutions were managed by the rulers all over Rajasthan. No doubt the number of students in these schools was very small but the learning and teaching was profound and of the highest quality. The conventional way of teaching Sanskrit aimed at thorough learning of the subject by the students. It made them great scholars. The students in these different institutions wre prepared for the examination conducted by the Queen's college Benaras or the Bengal Sanskrit Association, Calcutta. After the Merger of the States: A seperate Directorate for Sanskrit education was formed after the unification of Rajasthan but it could not last long. In 1955, After abolishing the Sanskrit Directorate one post of Deputy Director for Sanskrit Education was created in the Direc- torate of Education Department, Rajasthan, Bikaner to supervise and suggest ways to manage Sanskrit institutions of the state. There was a strong protest from Sanskrit scholars. Thereupon a committee was formed,under the chairmanship of the renowned educationist Sh. Laxmi Lal Joshi, to discuss all the problems of Sanskrit education and suggest steps , for the same. This committee recommended theSanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 221 establishement of separate Directorarte for Sanskrit to the State Government. It would, give recognition to Sanskrit examinations as equivalent to other Board/University exams., establish a separate facul- ty of Sanskrit in universities; provide for separate teacher-training facilities for the candidates passing Sanskrit exams. improve hostels and look after the overall development of Sanskrit Education. Establishment of Directorate for Sanskrit Educa- tion: As per recommendations of Joshi Committee a separate Directorate for Sanskrit Education was established by the State Govt. in 1955. It was empowered to have administrative Control over the schools and take responsibility of promoting ‘Sanskrit in all the Sanskrit institutions and colleges of the state. . , Today, Rajasthan is the only State in the country to have a seperate Sanskrit Directorate for the Development and promotion of Sanskrit. The revival of Sanskrit education and _ its planned ' gradual development started from here. This Directorate is directly under the administrative control of the Education Secretary of Rajasthan. Sanskrit Examinations : The graduate and post graduate level examina- tions of oriental language -Shastri and Acharya exams. are conducted by the Universities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Udaipur. All the Universities - have established Faculties of Sanskrit. Similarly the Sanskrit Pravesika and Sr. Upadhyaya examinations are conducted by the Raj. Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer ever since 1962.222 Sanskrit Studies in India Centres of Conventional Sanskrit Education The old Sanskrit institutions of Rajasthan have been the centres of conventional tezching of Sanskrit. They were founded and nourished by the rulers of small states or Sanskrit scholars themsel- ves. Jaipur Sanskrit college running separately since 1852 is a wel! known college in India. There are conventional Sanskrit institutions in Jodhpur, Udaipur, Dungarpur, Alwar and Bikaner too. The conventional Sanskrit institutions running on the system of ‘Risikula’ are continuing even today at Chittorgarh, Ratangarh, Laxmangarh and other places. The local Sanskrit institutions that were run by different small states before the merger have been rcognised by the state govt. Today there are about 500 students of Acharya, 1000 students of Sasti 2500 students of senior Upadhyaya, 5000 students of Pravegika and about 10,000 students of Pre-pravesika classes studying as regular students. ‘ Five percent of the total no. of schools opened every year by the State Govt. are Sanskrit Schools. Rajasthan is the only State in the country where Sanskrit Education is being promoted without any difficulty. Recognition of Exams. and Employment Oppor- tunities.: The state Government has recognised the oriental examinations of Pravesika, Sr. Upadhyaya, Sastri and Acharya as equivalent to Secondary, Sr. Secondary, B.A. and M.A. Exams. respectively. It has resulted in more employment opportunities for the candidates passing Sanskrit examinations. They are also eligible for R.A.S., R.P.S., and otherSanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 223 competitive examinations. They can also apply for Post and Telegraph Services, Panchayat Samiti and other ministerial services. Sanskrit in the Main Stream of Education The number of students studying Sanskrit as their optional subject at graduate or post graduate level in Govt. and Non-Govt. colleges of Rajasthan is greater as compared to the number of such students in other states. The number of research students is also increasing gradually. The research scholars are provided with all the facilities and assistance by the university. Sanskrit is taught as a compulsory subject from class VI. to VII of the Department of Primary and secondary Education, Rajasthan, The number of students appearing at the Secondary Exam. of R.B.S.E., comes to 5 lacs each year. Out of this 4,95,000 students opt; for Sanskrit as their third language. Thus Sanskrit has been given due importance in the main stream of education. Rajasthan is the first state in the country that provides Teacher-training facilities of S.T.C. to Pravesika and Upadhyaya pass candidates. Separate training schools have been opened for them. Such Pravesiké and Upadhyaya pass condidates can also seek admission in General S.T.C. schools. The candidates obtaining Sastri or Acharya degrees of Oriental examination are allowed B.Ed. training with Sanskrit as their teaching subject in three Teacher Training Colleges of Rajasthan. These college are as follows : 1. Nimbark Teacher - Training college, Udaipur,224 Sanskrit Studies in India 2. Teacher-Training college, Shahpura Bagh, Jaipur. 3. Rajasthan Teacher-training college, Jaipur. The pre-B.Ed. examination for admission in the Teacher training colleges is conducted by Maharshi Dayanand University, Ajmer. Besides this the National Sanskrit Institute, New Dethi also deputes trainees in Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, branch Jaipur. The selection is made on the basis of all India pre-admission tests. Granthigar-libraries for old manuscripts According to a survey there are more than one lakh manuscripts in Rajasthan. More than 30,000 of them are present in the ‘Pothikhana’ Anoop Sanskrit vidyalaya, Bikaner and the Library of Jaipur. The third biggest collection of manuscripts in Rajasthan is in Jaisalmer. Besides Sanskrit, manuscripts of historical importance in other languages and ancient paintings. are also available. Such collections are mainly due to the love of rulers towards Sanskrit and its literature. There are many thikanas or small states who own hundreds of such valuable manuscripts. Unfor- tunately most of these museums or collections are personal and the research scholars have no access to them. Many of these manuscripts are of international importance. ‘Samudra Sangam’ a Sanskrit book written by Dara Shikoh. provides a beautiful comparative study of ‘Koran’ and ‘Upnishads’. Such manuscripts also include ‘Sam- hita Sar Samuchhaya’, Veer Mitrodayam’ etc, Thousands of manuscritps related to ‘Ayurved’,Sanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 225 The writings of the famous poets of Mughal ages Bhatt Kamalkar, Kavindracharya Saraswati, Todar- mal and the musical composition and writings of world famous musicians like Bhav Bhatt etc. and many historical documents. the Jaipur ‘Pothi Khana’ preserves many poetry books, plays, books on Astrology, Tantra, Dharma Sastra, Vedas, Puranas, Vedanta, History, Smirti,, Philosophy, Grammar, Ayurveda etc. The rare manuscripts of Jaisalmer library date back to 12th and 13th century. More ancient manuscripts written on dry palm leaves ‘tad patra’ are also available. Academy for oriental studies Rajasthan academy for oriental studies has been organising collection, studies and publications of the manuscripts in Rajasthan, for the last 27 or 28 years. At present it has collected about 1.25 lac - manuscripts. Most of them have already been published or are under publication. The academy has also preserved the manuscripts of other subjects and languages, such as, Arabic, Persian, Hindi, Rajasthani, Vedas, Uprishads, Puranas, Mantras, Tantras, Dharam Shastra, Jyotish, (astrology), Nyaya (Logic), Vyakarana, (Grammar), Ayurveda physics ete. Dvanyaloka Lockana of 147 A.D. and ‘Janaka kalpa Sutra’ of 1428 AD are worth mentioning. Seven branches of this academy are working in different cities of Rajasthan. Stone inscription Shilalekha The special feature of the history of Rajasthan is that all the stone inscriptions here are in Sanskrit. Shivaji and Mirza Jai singh used to have political correspondence in Sanskrit. Some of its record is226 Sanskrit Studies in India available in the Archeological department,, Bikaner, and Pothi Khana’ Jaipur. The medieval history was also written in Sanskrit poetry by the then rulers. Raja prashasti’ a historical Sanskrit poetry was inscribed on stone at the “Nau choki’ dam of the grand Rajasamand lake of Rajasamand district (formerly Udaipur district). This poetic expression preserves the history of Mewar of eighteenth centruy. The stone inscriptions at Chittorgarh and Bairath have also been written in Sanskrit poetry. Sanskrit Advisory Board The state Govenrment has constituted and Advisory Board to advise the state Govt. From time to time, for the development of Sanskrit language. All the renowned Sanskrit scholars of Rajasthan are its member. The Education Minister acts as the chairman, the Director of Education is the member-secretary and the Education Secretary is also a member of the Board. This board was formed in 1955. * Contribution to literary writing Learned Sanskrit scholars of different branches of studies were called from southern states, Maharastra, Bihar, Bengal, Kashmir and other States and were inhabited here with due honour. Their services, under the shelter of the rulers brought them worldfame. In astrology Jagannath, Padmakar and Poudreek Ratnakar of 18th century and Pt. Kewal Ram etc. of the 20th century have been glorious figures of their field. Vidya Vachaspati shri Madhu Sudan ojha, Shri Bhai Nath Maithil, Pt. Kanhaiya Lal Dadhimath, V.NandSanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 227 Kishore Sharma, Pt. Markandeya Mishra are well honoured in the field of philosophy. These scholars of the esteemed Sanskrit College Jaipur have been a perennial source of inspiration for deep study and creative writing in philosophy and specially in Nyaya Shastra. Pt. Pattabhiram Shastri the top most ‘Mimansak’s name shines like the pole star among them all. the names of Sh, Laxmi Narayan Shastri Dravid,Sh. Chandra Dutta ojha, Pt. Chandra Shekhar Dwivedi, Pt.Girid- har Sharma Chaturvedi are well known in the field of Grammar. _ The famous scholars and writers of Sahitya Shastra, are shri Krishna Shastri, Mathura Nath Shastri, Hari Shastri and others. The Sanskrit poets of Rajasthan have earned countrywide fame in the field of poetry. Mahakavi, Magha the writer of famous Sanskrit epic ‘Shishupal Vadha belonged . to Bhinmal in Rajasthan, Shri Dhanpala who composed Tilakamanjari, belonged to sanchor in Marwar. Vagbhatta’ the writer of Kavyanushasana belonged to Mewar. Hari Sari and Nayabhadra Stri ofChittorgarh and Jindutt Suri of Marwar also contributed a lot to Sanskrit literature. Shri. Krishan Bhatta the writer of ishvara vilisa padya Muktavali,’ Sita Ram Parvanikar the author of the epic ‘Jaya vanga Krishan Ram Bhatt, the composer of Kachcha vancha kavya, Hari Shastri the poet of Udara Prasasti, and Ranchhod Bhatt, Kanthmani Shastri Pt. Giridhar Lal Shastri, Pt. Laxmi Narayan Purohit, are some of the glorious writers of Sanskrit. Dr. Vasu dev Shastri and Dr. Prabhakar Shastri tried to give Sanskrit a very simple form by introducing its spoken form in the Sanskrit text books prepared228 Sanskrit Studies in India by them. Vidya Dhar Shastri, Nawal Kishore Kankar and others have kept the steam of Sanskrit writing ever flowing. Ft. Ambika Dutt Vyas, the famous prose writer earned an ever-lasting fame through his book Shiv Raja Vijay Rajasthani Scholars have also contributed to the compilation of wordbooks and dictonaries. Sabdartha chin- tamani by Sukhanand Nath has been a source of inspiration to many scholars. Deep Study of Vedic Literature Rajasthan has done a remarkable work in the study of Vedic literature Pt. Madhu sudan Ojha- scholar of international repute earned a name by his scientific approach to Vedas and Vedvigyan. ‘Vedic Tantra Shodh Sansthan, founded by Pt. Moti Lal Shastri is a leading research centre of India regularly pulishing valuable Vedic literature ‘Manavasharm’ Durgapura, Jaipur is doing remark- able service to Vedic learning by publishing Vedic literature written by Pt. Moti Lal Shastri, Sh. Karpur chand Kulish, the founder of the Rajasthan Patrika is whole heartedly devoted to giving Veda its esteemd position. Shrikulish has also founded an institution in Jodhpur, called Vak for the reserarch studies of Vedas. Sanskrit Academy and other voluntary organisation The State Govt. has established ‘Sanskrit Academy’ to preserve and promote Sanskrit lan- guage and literature. The Academy publishes the best ranking writings of potential writers and also gives them awards. It also honours them with all India awards on writings related to Ved, Vedant or Sansksrit prose writings. It also providesSanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 229 financial relief to helplesss needy Sanskrit scholars or the widows of Sanskrit shcolars. It is an auto-nomous body with its headquarter at Jaipur. Besides the Academy, many other private institutions are also performing remarkable work for promoting Sanskrit.Such institutions include Rajasthan Sanskrit Praishad, Jaipur, Rajasthan Sanskrit Sahitya Sammelan Jaipur, Vedic Shodha Sansthan Ajmer, Sanskrit Vagvardhini Parishad Jaipur, Mahamahopadhyaya Giridhar Shodh Sansthan Udaipur, All India Sanskrit Parishad Udaipur, Vishwa Bharati Bikaner and Jain Vishwa Bharati Ladnoo, They have contributed a lot to promote Sanskrit. New Researches Hundreds of manuscripts of the famous Pothi Khanan of Maharaja of Jaipur have been brought to light and they can bring about a great change in the world of Sanskrit literature. These manuscritpts include many valuable, still unknown original and books on Kavya, Tantra, Plays, Dharmaéghastra, Astrology, Nyaya and others. These manuscritps have remained in complete darkness for the last three or four centuries. The catalogue, giving full description of each item, prepared by Shri Gopal Narayan Bahura, has already been published. In addition to this the universities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Udaipur are also undertaking research works. The scholars at National Sanskrit Sansthan Jaipur and Central Sanskrit Vidyapeeth are also busily doing research work on conventional subjects.230 Sanskrit Studies in India Journalism Rajasthan has also achieved remarkable status in the field of Sanskrit Journalism. ‘Sanskrit Ratnakara, one of the leading monthly Sanskrit papers of the country was first published in 1904 by a group of learned scholars. It continued to be published from Jaipur, for about 50 years. After this a new montly magazine called ‘Bharati’ came into existence. It is being regularly published even today. Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy also published a quarterly Sanskrit magazine - ‘Saar Mangala’. The daily Hindi ‘Adhikara’ published from Jaipur also reserves one regular column for Sanskrit writings. Establishment of Sanskrit University in Rajasthan The state Govt. holds a record to declare in the Legislative Assembly that a Sanskrit University would ‘be established in the state to promote Sanskrit, After it is established it will conduct the various |, Sanskrit examinations-Praveshika and Upadhyaya as well as Shastri and Acharya which are at présent being conducted by the Raj. Board of Secondary Education and the universities respec- tively. It will provide a new direction to research work. It will also lead to improvement in learning and teaching conditions of different branches of Sanskrit. This university is being established in Jaipur and ten and half bighas of land has already been alloted for the purpose. The University will start functioning from the academic session 1997-98. It is just a glimpse of the tradition of Sanskrit language in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy is bringing out the detailed history. The renowned learned Sanskrit scholars of the state, Dr. PrabhakarSanskrit Studies in Rajasthan 231 Shastri, Dr. Vasudev Shastri, Dr. Pushkar Dutta Sharma, Pt. Shri Ram Dave, Dr. Laxmi Narayan Sharma And Pt. Daya Shankar Shstri have been appointed editors forthe same. Dr. Kala Nath Shastri, the chairman of the Academy, is an ex- officio chairman of the Editorial Board. This essay is just an attempt to indicate the different areas where the scholars of Rajasthan have worked to promote Sanskrit.