The Classical and Sanskrit Literature of India, and its influences and resemblance to Philippine culture

What is the Classical Period of India?

The Classical Period of India is the time span that started in the emergence of the th Gupta Empire up until the 8 Century. It has two main languages: the Sanskrit and the Prakrit. It is characterized by Indita being the most prosperous country

The Sanskrit Literature of India is a literature of Indian Literature wherein the main language used wherein lasting documents and records are written in is SANSKRIT. It starts from the writing of the Vedas (16th Century) up until the end of the Classical Sanskrit Period. On the other hand, Prakrit literatures is literature wherein dialects that have evolved through time are used. In this report, well be focusing on Sanskrit Literature.

What is the Sanskrit and Prakrit Literatures?

What is the Sanskrit?

Sanskrit is a part of the trio of classical literary languages. It is the ancient language of India and the subcontinent itself. It is part of the Indo Aryan sub branch of Indo Iranian branch of the Indoeuropean language family. It has 2 categories or periods, the Vedic Sanskrit and the Classical Sanskrit

Vedic the language of the Vedas, the prototype of the Classical Sanskrit Classical the refined form of Vedic Sanskrit, used in poetry and drama

What are the Vedic and Classical Sanskrit?

VEDIC Sanskrit: Vedas

Vedas are among the most celebrated possessions of man kind. These are the literary records of the entire Aryan Race. They are not only aimed at sacred rituals, but also at attaining higher levels of understanding about survival, death, and life. There are four accepted Vedas which are: Rigveda, Atharva Veda, Yajur Veda and Sama Veda

VEDIC Sanskrit: Vedas

Rigveda the oldest known indo-aryan literary piece of mankind - contains hymns that represent Hindu Philosophies, especially at attaining Moksha - the basis of all other Vedas Sama Veda a collection of sacred hymns and texts that are intended to be sung - imparts the application of Rigveda Yajur Veda a step by step guide in performing ritual activities Atharva Veda Related to sociocultural aspects of society - dwells on an entirely different knowledge (witchcraft, demonology)

CLASSICAL SANSKRIT
Classical Sanskrit Literature, on the other hand, is found to be in vogue when it comes to writing poetry and dance dramas. This form of Sanskrit has contributed to the field of literary knowledge. Classical Sanskrit has 2 pioneers, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata Ramayana - The Way of Rama -Written by Valkimi -Tells the story of the hero Rama, prince of Ayodhya and incarnation of the god Vishnu.

Mahabharata - The Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty -Written by Vyasal -A tale of dispute between two branches of the Bharata clans over the right to rule the kingdom.

 Classical Sanskrit Drama

CLASSICAL SANSKRIT
Classical Sanskrit drama evolved as early as 2nd Century BC - themes are based on heroic tales of protagonists, or has the setting of royalties Classical Sanskrit poetry has varied genre - can be recited and sung -can be considered the one that started Indian Classical Music - No tragedy in Indian drama ; impossible in the Hindu and Buddhist conception of the universe of karma linking humans with nature and the cosmos through networks of volition, action and response open-ended cycles of time -called kavya when in canon

Classical Sanskrit : Drama Examples

Abhijnanasakuntalam by Kalidasa a beautiful tale of love ad romance and how one moment can make or break a relation. Malavikagnimitram by Kalidasa his first play, about a kings love for his maid Ritusamhara by Kalidasa describes the seasons of India Vikramorvasiyam by Kalidasa tells the story about a kings love with a damsel Natya Shastra about details when dancing

Classical Sanskrit :Poems Examples

Kumarasambhayam by Kalidasa poem about the courtship of Shiva and Parvati Maghadutam by Kalidasa a poem about clouds Ritusamhara by Kalidasa harmonious relation between man and forces of nature Raghuvamsa by Kalidasa traces the roots of Prince Rama

KALIDASA
We can see that Kalidasa is behind the most popular Sanskrit dramas and poems. Kalidasa is regarded as the best Sanskrit dramatist and poet. He resided in Chandraguptas residence. According to legends, he is blessed with good looks.

The most prominent influence of the Classical Period to the Philippine Culture is the Filipino use of loan words to give specifications to seemingly indescribable ideas before. Examples are:

Influences/Resemblance to our very own culture

tala (star) - tara (star) masa (time) - masa (month) buti (kindness) - bhuti (adornment) Guro (Teacher)-Guru (Teacher) Mukha (face) - Mukha (face) Kapas (cotton)- Kapasa (cotton) Katha (fiction) - Kalpita Katha (fiction Yaya (maid) - Vaha (nurse)

Bathala (Diyos) - Bhattara Guru (highest of all Gods) Pana (arrow) - bana (length) kati (itchiness) - koti (ten millions) dalaga (unmarried girl) - darika (young girl) dala (carry) - shara (bear a burden) sakali (perhaps) - sahakala (perhaps)

The most prominent influence of the Classical Period to the Philippine Culture is the Filipino use of loan words to give specifications to seemingly inderscribable ideas before. Examples are:

Influences/Resemblance to our very own culture

tala (star) - tara (star) masa (time) - masa (month) buti (kindness) - bhuti (adornment) Guro (Teacher)-Guru (Teacher) Mukha (face) - Mukha (face) Kapas (cotton)- Kapasa (cotton) Katha (fiction) - Kalpita Katha (fiction Yaya (maid) - Vaha (nurse)

Bathala (Diyos) - Bhattara Guru (highest of all Gods) Pana (arrow) - bana (length) kati (itchiness) - koti (ten millions) dalaga (unmarried girl) - darika (young girl) dala (carry) - shara (bear a burden) sakali (perhaps) - sahakala (perhaps)

Dances and social norms may not have been influenced by this period, but this periods literary pieces hold very evident similarities to our very own folklore and mythology. Folklore seemed to be affected by Sanskrit Poems and Plays: Ifugao's Balituk who obtained water from a rock, is similar to Mahabharata's Arjuna. Maranaon Darangan, is said to be Indian in Plot. Ramayana is similar to the Agusan Legend Manubo Ango. Claims of this folklore might have been influenced by Indians here.

Influences/Resemblance to our very own culture

References
http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/plays/index.html http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/vedas/index.html http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/classical/index.html http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/index.html http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/poetry/index.html http://web.archive.org/web/20071102183718/http://www.geocities.c om/CollegePark/Pool/1644/precolonial.html http://www.iloveindia.com/literature/sanskrit/poets/kalidasa.html http://linguistics.byu.edu/classes/ling450ch/reports/Tagalog1.html http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/200910 11-229561/The-Indian-in-the-Filipino http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/language/g/021909Sanskrit.htm