Survey of Hinduism - A Great Recollection

Photo 5. Wayside shrine in Chennai (Tamilnadu)
INTRODUCTION 9
nineteenth century. It concentrated on classical drama and epics, on Vedānta,
Veda, and grammar, and eventually on the Prakrits, which were part of the
Sanskrit dramas and which are also the canonical languages of the Buddhists
and Jains. The study of modern Indian languages and especially the study of
South Indian languages developed only very recently in the West, and with
it the interest in popular religion, in the Purāṇas and in medieval literature
in Indian vernaculars. There would be few Indianists today who doubt the
importance of these languages and literatures for an understanding of almost
all aspects of Indian culture. But work is still scarce. Many more Western
scholars know Sanskrit than Tamil, and again there are many more translations
of ancient Pali and Ardhamāgadhī works available than of medieval or
modern Hindī, Marathī or Bengalī texts. Things are slowly changing and it is
encouraging to see many of the younger generation of Indianists, especially in
North America, devoting their talents and energies to translating such vernacular
literature. 12
Nobody will deny the importance of knowing Sanskrit and the intrinsic
value of Sanskrit literature for Indian studies. After all, Sanskrit was the
language of Brahmin scholarship for thousands of years, and Sanskrit literature
constitutes an irreplaceable treasure-house of the literary achievements of
many generations of Indian poets, scholars, and thinkers. One must not forget,
however, that several times in Indian history successful attempts were made
to break the monopoly of Sanskrit learning by expressing important ideas and