Rabia, when you first shared, “You don’t miss what you never knew was there,” I felt that the essay had already begun within that sentence. I am so glad you wrote it.
“It is a question that wants a price on my pursuits. So here is the invoice” made me smile. 😄 But what stayed with me most was your distinction between receiving a translated conclusion and entering the movement through which the text reveals it.
I am presently working closely with the Patañjali Yoga Sūtras through three separate layers: word-to-word meaning, literal translation and bhāvārtha. Again and again, I am discovering that these layers cannot simply replace one another. A translation may tell us what a passage means, while the original words, their order and their relationships allow us to encounter how that meaning moves.
Your description of *adaḥ* and *idam* made this beautifully visible. “That” and “this” may appear adequate on the translated page, yet grammar brought distance, nearness, sequence, emergence and dissolution into an active inquiry. The mantra was no longer merely informing you about wholeness; it was making your understanding move. Your phrase “from a statement to a movement… an abhyasa” captured this wonderfully.
I also loved, “The closeness to the words, so they can argue with me in my head.” Perhaps that is one of the gifts of approaching a text in its own language: it does not automatically guarantee understanding, but it restores questions and possibilities that a translation may already have resolved on our behalf.
Translation remains an invaluable bridge... it allows an encounter to begin. But your essay shows why some learners eventually feel called to examine the stones from which the bridge was built.
And perhaps this is the real answer to “What will you do with Sanskrit?” You are not learning it only to produce something visible afterward. The language is already altering how you read, question, contemplate and recognise what was present but unavailable to your earlier perception.
Thank you for writing the essay you promised. It did not merely explain why you chose Sanskrit; it allowed us to witness what Sanskrit has begun doing within you.
Wonderful read Rabia! The language is indeed a huge means to the context. This essay of yours has nudged me to write about the levels of meanings in Santana, I will dive into it with gratitude to you :)
100000% agreed. A beautiful piece and I loved reading it. Same discussions I have had with some friends. Translations are great, but without understanding Sanskrit, it’s the understanding of the translator that we are getting on a platter. So the choice is finally between a borrowed understanding or independent understanding. Thank you for writing this, keep writing 🙏🏾 🙏🏾
Languages have no boundaries,they act as a medium to express our thoughts,emotions and ideas.Those who embark on learning languages always open new frontiers to explore.Rabia your effort to learn sanskrit is not only opening a whole new world for you but also for us who read your journey.
Rabia, when you first shared, “You don’t miss what you never knew was there,” I felt that the essay had already begun within that sentence. I am so glad you wrote it.
“It is a question that wants a price on my pursuits. So here is the invoice” made me smile. 😄 But what stayed with me most was your distinction between receiving a translated conclusion and entering the movement through which the text reveals it.
I am presently working closely with the Patañjali Yoga Sūtras through three separate layers: word-to-word meaning, literal translation and bhāvārtha. Again and again, I am discovering that these layers cannot simply replace one another. A translation may tell us what a passage means, while the original words, their order and their relationships allow us to encounter how that meaning moves.
Your description of *adaḥ* and *idam* made this beautifully visible. “That” and “this” may appear adequate on the translated page, yet grammar brought distance, nearness, sequence, emergence and dissolution into an active inquiry. The mantra was no longer merely informing you about wholeness; it was making your understanding move. Your phrase “from a statement to a movement… an abhyasa” captured this wonderfully.
I also loved, “The closeness to the words, so they can argue with me in my head.” Perhaps that is one of the gifts of approaching a text in its own language: it does not automatically guarantee understanding, but it restores questions and possibilities that a translation may already have resolved on our behalf.
Translation remains an invaluable bridge... it allows an encounter to begin. But your essay shows why some learners eventually feel called to examine the stones from which the bridge was built.
And perhaps this is the real answer to “What will you do with Sanskrit?” You are not learning it only to produce something visible afterward. The language is already altering how you read, question, contemplate and recognise what was present but unavailable to your earlier perception.
Thank you for writing the essay you promised. It did not merely explain why you chose Sanskrit; it allowed us to witness what Sanskrit has begun doing within you.
My heart is full Ekta ❤️
My heart is so full ❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for this detailed comment. Hugs hugs and more hugs 🌼
❤️❤️❤️🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🌸🌸🌸
You are darn deep into it!
👀✨❤️ I hope to be at some point but I am only scratching the surface. Thank you Prommila 🙌🏾
You are sincere. 😊
Wonderful read Rabia! The language is indeed a huge means to the context. This essay of yours has nudged me to write about the levels of meanings in Santana, I will dive into it with gratitude to you :)
You know I look forward to your content 😃, thank you for reading this!
Brilliant piece of writing and way of life & learning. I'm Inspired 🌻🙌🪷❤️
Thank you Swati ❤️❤️❤️
100000% agreed. A beautiful piece and I loved reading it. Same discussions I have had with some friends. Translations are great, but without understanding Sanskrit, it’s the understanding of the translator that we are getting on a platter. So the choice is finally between a borrowed understanding or independent understanding. Thank you for writing this, keep writing 🙏🏾 🙏🏾
Thank you for your kind words AJ. I learn a lot from you about Sanskrit and the traditions, so I appreciate this! ❤️
I look forward to your next piece. 🙏🏾
🥳
Languages have no boundaries,they act as a medium to express our thoughts,emotions and ideas.Those who embark on learning languages always open new frontiers to explore.Rabia your effort to learn sanskrit is not only opening a whole new world for you but also for us who read your journey.
Thank you Kavya ❤️✨