Guiding Light of The Month

O Lord, how ardently do I call and implore Thy love! Grant that my aspiration may be intense enough to awaken the same aspiration everywhere: oh, may good- ness, justice and peace reign as supreme masters, may ignorant egoism be overcome, darkness be suddenly illu- minated by Thy pure Light; may the blind see, the deaf hear, may Thy law be proclaimed in every place and, in a constantly progressive union, in an ever more perfect harmony, may all, like one single being, stretch out their arms towards Thee to identify themselves with Thee and manifest Thee upon earth. - The Mother

Sanskrit: The Language of the Gods and a way of life.

A 10-day ‘Spoken Sanskrit’ course, beautifully designed by Samskrita Bharati was conducted by Dr. Anuradha Choudry from the 13th of March 2010. Anu, as she is fondly known by members here was an instant draw, with her unmatched vibrancy.

This course was attended by a wide range of age groups, with participants ranging from 4 to 50 years in age. However, all were students of the same level trying to grasp all that was being taught in a multi-sensorial approach. It was a vibrant classroom where the power of words was being rediscovered through speech, action, songs, interactive drama and puzzles and games and stories. Authentic scientific facts to support the effect of the language on our mind and brain were also shared together with an explanation of their benefits.

Four classes was all it took of the 10-day course for the children, whose minds were like sponges, to start emailing and sending text messages in Sanskrit. One can envisage the effect of the course in the lives of these children.

The sessions were very interactive and this could be a reason for its grand success and its effectiveness. We had Chinese classmates who made simple poems and elaborate sentences. There were also calls for a repeat of this course in future.

We all came away so happy at the end of the 10 days. There was no examination pressure but the indicated objectives were met even so. All pre-conceived notions about Sanskrit being an exclusive language that was difficult to learn were shattered to pieces. There was great enjoyment and a sense of achievement which spoke well for the course of this nature. Participants showed great enthusiasm in wanting to master this language.

Here is a big THANK YOU to Anuradha for being such an effective facilitator.
- Jaishree

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