I am glad to inform that I was invited as Chief Guest for the "Sanskrutotsava" of St Aloysius P U College, Mangalore on 14.11.2008. I was pleasantly surprised by the welcome they accorded with two Yakshagana artists with 'Aarathi'. I was truly touched by the words of College Principal who spoke good words about me and my few accomplishments. I give below the text of my speech. {Those who are not keen to read may skip the remaining portion or can have the luxury of a yawn or two. Those who dislike the speech are permitted to take a print out and tear it to hundred pieces}.
Respected dignitaries on the dias and my dear students,
धाराप्रवाह रूपेण संस्कृते वक्तुम अहम् न शक्नोमि । अतः आंग्ला भाषे वदामि.
I am glad to observe that all of you are truly fortunate. You are lucky to get associated with Sanskrit in one way or other. Sanskrit is a beautiful language. It has enriched our society from time immemorial.
The greatness of this language is that it is quite versatile. It is capable of describing any situation in the best possible manner. Let me quote just two examples:
In the 14th century, there was child prodigy by name Shankara Mishra. Even at a tender age of 5, he was very proficient in Sanskrit. The King of that province could not believe the immense talent of the boy. The king enquired with the boy how come he is writing shloka’s at such a tender age? The boy replied:
बालोहं जगादानंद न मे बाला सरस्वती
अपूर्णे पञ्चमे वर्षे वर्णयामि जगत्रयम् ।
(O King, I may be an infant but there is no infancy for my knowledge. I am yet to complete 5 years, but I can describe the three worlds!). See the confidence exhibited by such a young kid.
OK, I am aware that teenagers amongst you might prefer stories of young men and women, instead of children. Well, a city man visits a village. He saw a typical village girl carrying water in pots. Naturally, she gave a look of admiration to the well dressed city man. But the Man was arrogant. He rebuked the girl saying:
अन्यं निरीक्ष्य पुरुषं तव भाग्य योग्यं
नाहं घटान्कित कटीं तरुणीं भजामि
(I do not desire a girl like you। Look at someone else!)। The girl was equally strong. She retorted:
दासोद्यामे विघटितः तव तुल्य रूपः
सोयं भवेन्नहि भवेत् इति मे वितर्क:
(I am looking for my servant. He is resembling you.)
Well, we can go on like this for ever. But the essence is Sanskrit is a perfect language for any given situation. Those who could not study Sanskrit during their school and college days may please make use of various learning programmes of “Samskritha Bharathi” which is doing a great service for popularizing Samskrit. I was immensely benefited by their such useful programmes like Sanskrit through Correspondence and 'Sambhashana Shibira's'.
I am happy that Sanskrit Dept of St Aloysius College is contributing its bit in preserving and nurturing this great language। I am certainly honoured by your invitation. As the saying goes:
पुष्पमालानुषंगेण सूत्रं शिरसी धार्यते
Thank you so much for a very patient hearing.
