Knowing Samskrit, enables us to understand Bharat, said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak, Dr Mohan Bhagwat at the inauguration of Samskrita Bharati Karyalaya ‘Pranava‘ at DDU Marg, New Delhi on April 20, 2026.
He said, “The inauguration of new karyalaya is happening under the name ‘Pranava,’ which is considered an auspicious occasion. It is a matter of joy and enthusiasm for all of us. It is believed that on Akshaya Tritiya, any work started remains everlasting and successful”.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Bhagwat said, “Samskrit is a language. Yet, it is not merely a language. If you know Samskrit, understanding any Bharatiya language is possible. In Bharat, Samskrit constitutes the very soul of the nation because it is the most ancient tradition of thought, life, and culture, one that remains vibrant to this day that resides within Bharat.”
“In Bharat, Samskrit is the very life-breath of the nation. This is because the most ancient tradition that still exists today, a tradition of thought, life, and culture is that of Bharat. To understand and access its vast reservoir of knowledge, Samskrit must be learned and understood. And it must be understood, because this tradition has to be carried forward”, he further said.
“The existence of Bharat is not merely geographical. It is not just a political or economic entity. Bharat is a living tradition a civilisational flow that sustains life in its entirety, encompassing both the animate and inanimate aspects of creation. The need for this tradition continues in the world, and fulfilling it is the responsibility of those called Bharatiyas. They are addressed as Bharatiyas and live as such because they are meant to fulfill this duty. To fulfill this duty, one must know Bharat, accept Bharat, and become Bharat in oneself. And to truly understand Bharat, understanding Samskrit is essential”, he further said.
He further said that, “Bharat has many languages, and every language of Bharat is a national language. But what connects all these languages? It is Samskrit. Anyone who knows Samskrit can be placed anywhere in Bharat and will not take long to learn the local language; this is an inherent quality of Samskrit. Samskrit also has many other qualities. Those who study it develop clarity in pronunciation. Regular engagement with Samskrit leads to a distinct and refined development of intellect. These are established facts, even validated scientifically”.
“The knowledge embedded in this tradition is Dharmic in nature, and therefore it has the capacity to sustain the balance of life across creation and to restore that balance when it is disturbed. To attain all this, Samskrit is indispensable. However, this sense of necessity cannot be imposed externally, it must arise from within. For that, Samskrit must be introduced in a way that creates inner connection and interest. Since its inception, Samskrit Bharati has been working towards providing such an introduction, he said.
Samskrit is a unifying language. It is the mother language and also a bridge language. It connects all Indian languages. In every Indian language, at least 30–40 per cent of words are derived from Samskrit. Therefore, if someone speaks slowly in any Bharatiya language and we listen carefully, the meaning becomes understandable, because many of those words are familiar.
He also credited Samskrita Bharati for its role in reviving interest in Samskrit, saying the organisation has succeeded in fostering a renewed interest in Samskrit across the country within a relatively short period. Samskrita Bharati has made an important contribution in popularising Samskrit with communication method.
He added that the transformative shift in societal attitudes towards Samskrit over the past 15 years is clearly evident. He observed that changing circumstances are encouraging people to reconnect with their cultural roots, and in such a context, providing opportunities to learn and understand Samskrit becomes an important mission.
“The construction of a new office is, undoubtedly, a source of joy and enthusiasm; however, we must recognise that an office is not the cause of the work itself, but rather the result of the work’s expansion,” Dr Bhagwat said.
The event also featured a video message of blessings and congratulations from the revered Sringeri Sharada Peetham, along with a congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of Bharat.
Speaking on the occasion, Samskrit Bharati’s Rashtriya Sangathan Mantri Jayaprakash Gautam reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to its vision of promoting Samskrit across the nation. He stated that Samskrit Bharati aims to teach Samskrit to at least 10 per cent of Bharat’s population in the near future, as the organization approaches 50 years of its inception.
The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Praveen Kant, President of Samskrit Bharati Trust, Delhi.
