We use words every day, without giving them much thought. Language, in all its various forms, is certainly one of humanity’s most outstanding creations, yet. So how did we end up with thousands of languages spread all around the world: each representing a distinct set of sounds and meanings? So let’s trace the story of […]Read More
Venerated as the most finest colossal epic of the Hindu Literature, the Ramcharitmanas or Ramayana is still widely read and referred to in not only India but also has been deciphered into numerous versions inked and archived across regions of Southeast Asia, Africa, Caribbean and Oceania. Entailing around 24,000 verses, the Ramayana also known as […]Read More
Ashtāpada, refers to the game’s 8×8 chekered-board. Patanjali mentioned this interpretation in a Mahābhāshya text from the second century. Literally translating, Ashtapada translates to “eight-legged” in Sanskrit. The Sutrakrilānga, an early Brahman book, explicitly denounced the game. The Vinayapitaka, a canonical Buddhist literature from the fourth or third century BC that introduces the Buddha’s Dialogues, […]Read More
Vishakhadatta, an illustrious figure in the tapestry of ancient Indian literature, remains shrouded in mystery, with only faint glimpses of his life found in the verses of his surviving works, Mudrārākṣasa and Devichandraguptam. Despite the scarcity of biographical details, scholars have attempted to place him in the chronicles of Indian history, sparking debates about his […]Read More
In the intricate tapestry of ancient Indian scholarship, Pāṇini is celebrated as a legendary figure, revered for his profound contributions to linguistics. Hailed as the father of Sanskrit and linguistics, he emerges from the mist of ancient India, mentioned in fables and texts, with even the Panchatantra weaving tales of his demise at the jaws […]Read More
The story of the jackal that jumped into the vat of blue dye is not new to us. Nor is the tale of the crocodile trying to trick a monkey into wilfully surrendering itself as prey. These are the famous Panchatantra tales, an integral part of any Indian’s childhood. While these stories are meticulously crafted […]Read More
Bharavi, who thrived in the 6th century AD, was a Sanskrit poet renowned for creating the epic “Kiratarjuniya” (”Arjuna and the Mountain Man”). This classical Sanskrit epic falls under the category of mahakavya, or “great poem.” Marked by its elevated expression and intricate style, Bharavi’s poetry possibly left an imprint on the work of the […]Read More
Shudraka, an enigmatic figure in the realm of classical Sanskrit literature, occupies a distinctive place in the historical and literary landscape of ancient India. Believed to have lived during the early centuries of the Common Era, Shudraka is primarily known for his celebrated work, the “Mrichchhakatika,” which translates to “The Little Clay Cart.” This timeless […]Read More
Pingala, a revered figure in the realm of ancient Indian mathematics and linguistics, stands as a beacon of intellectual curiosity and innovation that has left an enduring mark on the foundations of these disciplines. His contributions, although veiled by the mists of antiquity, have continued to intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike, drawing attention to the […]Read More
Bhāsa, who lived during the 3rd century AD in India, stands as the earliest known Sanskrit playwright. Bhāsa emerged as a prominent figure in the early history of Indian playwrights who composed their works in Sanskrit, predating the renowned Kālidasa. The name of Bhāsa had already achieved recognition by the 1st century BCE, and his […]Read More