Article | September 15, 2024
The origin of Sanskrit, often regarded as the "language of the gods," is a subject of great intrigue, scholarship, and reverence. Far from being a language that developed in isolation, Sanskrit was born through the reformation and amalgamation of four ancient languages. These languages represented the diverse geographical and cultural regions of the Indian subcontinent, known as Jambudvip. Among these, the first was Chhandas, which flourished in the eastern part of India. In the north, the language was Devas; in the west, it was Brahman; and in the south, it was Lokayata. Chhandas started in Ancient India around 0.65 Million Years ago.
This article explores the profound history, spiritual relevance, and cultural significance of these four ancient languages, focusing on their transformation into Sanskrit. We will also delve into the linguistic and metaphysical importance of Chhandas, the first among these languages, which concealed vast knowledge in its intricate geometry and sacred script.
The word "Chhandas" itself is derived from the root "Chanda," meaning "Rhythm," symbolizing the role of language in encapsulating the wisdom of the ancients which is Wave in Different Rhythm and Different Energy Patterns.
The Four Languages: Chhandas, Devas, Brahman, and Lokayat
Chhandas: The Language of Jambudvip's Eastern Heritage
Today's eastern India, particularly regions like Bengal including the Barendra part of Bangladesh, a part of Jharkhand, a small part of Bihar, is steeped in ancient heritage. Thousands of years ago, this region was known as Jambudvip, and it was here that Chhandas, one of the oldest known languages, flourished. Chhandas was not just a spoken language but also a highly structured script that encapsulated immense spiritual and philosophical knowledge. Its development marked a significant milestone in the intellectual and cultural history of ancient India.
Chhandas is most notable for its role in shaping the metrical compositions of the Vedas, particularly the Rig Veda, the oldest of all Vedic scriptures. Composed of verses and poetic meters, the hymns of the Rig Veda are written in the Chhandas script, reflecting the linguistic sophistication and spiritual wisdom of the time. The word "Chhandas" itself is derived from the root "Chanda," meaning "Rhythm," symbolizing the role of language in encapsulating the wisdom of the ancients which is Wave in Different Rhythm and Different Energy Patterns.
The Geometry of Chhandas: Beyond Language
Approximately 650,000 years ago, the Chhandas script emerged in Eastern, especially in a specific zone. However, it was not merely a medium of communication. The geometry within Chhanda's script concealed vast knowledge that transcended linguistic boundaries. There are other important parts in Chandas Language i.e. Anko Shashtra and Ganit Shastra are inscribed within it. Both are related to Modern Mathematics. Its script was composed of specific shapes and forms, representing cosmic patterns, rhythms, and energy flows. These patterns were not just for visual aesthetics but were deeply linked to the spiritual knowledge of the time.
The sages who mastered Chhandas recognized the vibrational and energetic essence of language. The sounds produced through the script were believed to align with the vibrations of the cosmos, creating a harmonic resonance between the practitioner and the universe. This idea forms the basis of mantra shastra, where reciting specific sounds in a particular meter or rhythm brings about changes in one's consciousness.
In this sense, Chhandas was not only a script or a language but also a tool for spiritual elevation and cosmic alignment. Each syllable, each verse, had a corresponding energy that could influence the physical and spiritual realms.
Other Three Languages: Devas, Brahmana, and Lokayata
Chhandas formed the linguistic foundation in the eastern part of Jambudvipa, and later the other three languages—Devas, Brahmana, and Lokayata came in shaping the cultural and spiritual landscape of their respective regions. The eventual synthesis of these languages led to the birth of Sanskrit, a language designed to unify and encompass the diverse knowledge systems of ancient India.
Devas: The Northern Tongue of the northern region, Devas, was closely associated with divine and celestial entities. Devas means "the shining ones" or "the gods," and the language itself was believed to be spoken by these higher beings. Devas was a language of light, purity, and cosmic order, which aligned with the ethos of the people living in the Himalayan region and the upper plains of India.
Devas contributed to the development of Sanskrit through its focus on precision, clarity, and purity of sound. In Vedic rituals, the recitation of mantras had to be perfect to invoke divine blessings, and Devas was the language that laid the foundation for these invocations. The northern influence also emphasized the spiritual power of words, where sound and meaning were inseparable.
Brahman: The Western Tongue of Knowledge is Brahman. in the western part of India. To transmit the Vedic knowledge. Brahmana was a scholarly language, deeply connected with intellectual discourses, rituals, and the interpretation of the Vedas.
Brahman texts, which are prose commentaries on the Vedas, laid down detailed instructions for conducting rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies. This language had a more philosophical and ritualistic tone, contributing to Sanskrit's precision in expressing intricate metaphysical concepts and ritual procedures.
Lokayata: The Southern Language of the People The southern region of India was home to Lokayata, a language that reflected the everyday lives, thoughts, and philosophies of the people. Unlike Devas and Brahmana, which were more elitist in nature, Lokayata was a language of the common folk. It was grounded in earthly wisdom, dealing with practical matters, nature, and material life.
The Lokayata philosophy itself, also known as Charvaka, advocated materialism and scepticism of the supernatural. The language was straightforward and unembellished, contributing to Sanskrit's ability to express both complex spiritual ideas and the more practical aspects of life.
The Emergence of Sanskrit: A Synthesis of Knowledge and Sound
Sanskrit emerged as a refined, perfected language by integrating the best elements of these four languages—Chhandas, Devas, Brahman, and Lokayata. This synthesis was not merely a linguistic achievement but also a spiritual unification of the diverse knowledge systems, philosophies, and cultural practices that existed in ancient India.
The Vedic sages, known as Rishis, were instrumental in this process. They understood that language is more than just a tool for communication; it is a vehicle for transmitting knowledge, preserving culture, and accessing higher states of consciousness. By combining the divine clarity of Devas, the intellectual rigour of Brahmana, the grounded wisdom of Lokayata, and the sacred geometry of Chhandas, they created a language that could express the full spectrum of human experience, from the mundane to the mystical.
Sanskrit, therefore, is not just a language of the gods but also a language of humanity, designed to elevate both individual and collective consciousness.
Chhandas and the Rig Veda: The Birth of Sacred Knowledge
Among the many contributions of Chhandas to the formation of Sanskrit, perhaps the most significant is its role in the creation of the Rig Veda, the oldest and most revered of the Vedas. The Rig Veda is a collection of hymns or Riks or Rigs, which are composed in various meters known as Chhandas. These meters, such as Gayatri, Anushtubh, Trishtubh, and Jagati, are not just poetic forms but also vibrational patterns that align the reciter with the cosmos. Chhandas is a language that is most lyrical in nature like mathematical equations. That's the reason in the Rig Veda we found many stotra.
The Nigama Shastras of Tantra, especially prevalent in the ancient Bengal region of Eastern India, played a crucial role in shaping the Rig Veda. The Nigama texts, which are part of the broader Tantric tradition, dealt with esoteric rituals, mantras, and the worship of the divine feminine. These practices, combined with the knowledge encoded in Chhandas, gave birth to the wisdom hymns of the Rig Veda.
Most of the Rig Vedic hymns are written in Chhandas, reflecting the deep connection between language, rhythm, and spirituality. The hymns praise various deities, such as Agni, Indra, Varuna, and Soma, but beyond their literal meanings, they contain layers of symbolic and mystical knowledge. The meters of Chhandas create a vibrational field that allows the practitioner to experience the essence of the cosmos through sound.
Chhandas is a language that is most lyrical in nature like mathematical equations. That's the reason in the Rig Veda we found many stotra.
The Geometry of Chhandas: Language as a Cosmic Tool
One of the most fascinating aspects of Chhandas is its geometrical structure, which is not just a means of linguistic expression but also a tool for cosmic alignment. The geometry of Chhandas reflects the patterns of the universe, where every sound, syllable, and verse corresponds to a specific energetic form. This idea forms the basis of mantra shastra, where the recitation of mantras in precise meters can influence one's mental, emotional, and spiritual state.
The ancient sages recognized that language, when properly understood and used, could act as a bridge between the material and the spiritual worlds. The vibrations created by reciting Chhandas in the proper meter were believed to resonate with the cosmic vibrations, creating harmony between the individual and the universe. This concept is echoed in modern physics, where the universe is understood to be a field of vibrations and energy.
Chhandas: The Language of the Soul
Chhandas, as the first of the four languages that contributed to the formation of Sanskrit, holds a special place in the spiritual and linguistic history of India. It was not merely a spoken or written language but a sacred tool for accessing higher knowledge and aligning with the cosmos. Through its intricate geometry, rhythmic patterns, and deep connection with the Nigama Shastras of Tantra, Chhandas gave birth to the Rig Veda, one of the most profound spiritual texts in human history.
The legacy of Chhandas lives on in Sanskrit, a language that continues to inspire scholars, mystics, and spiritual seekers around the world. In Sanskrit, the wisdom of the ancients, encapsulated in Chhandas and the other three languages, remains alive and accessible to those who seek to understand the universal truths that govern existence.
Conclusion: The Eternal Wisdom of Sanskrit
The origin of Sanskrit as a result of the reformation of four ancient languages—Chhandas, Devas, Brahmana, and Lokayata—represents a profound achievement in the history of human civilization. Sanskrit is more than just a language; it is a repository of knowledge, a vehicle for spiritual exploration, and a testament to the intellectual and cultural unity of ancient India.
At the heart of this linguistic synthesis lies Chhandas, the sacred language of Eastern India, whose script and geometry concealed vast wisdom. Through its connection with the Nigama Shastras of Tantra, Chhandas gave birth to the Rig Veda, a text that continues to guide spiritual seekers on the path to enlightenment.
In understanding the origin of Sanskrit, we gain insight not only into the history of language but also into the timeless wisdom that it carries—a wisdom that has the power to transform consciousness and elevate the human spirit.
