Spotlights on Hinduism and Religious Values : 4.
Though it may be true to some extent that a study of Sanskrit may help Harijans in feeling a sense of elevation in themselves, and to this extent a study of Sanskrit may be regarded as very helpful, the difficulty cannot be solved by a mere study of the Sanskrit language.
The solution lies more in a transformation of the mental attitude that people have towards them or they have towards others, which can be brought about by the spirit of education alone, and education cannot be equated merely with the knowledge of a language, whatever be the importance of the study of a language in the process of education.
As for the Harijans, the required incentive can be provided if they can be made to properly understand and appreciate the value of Sanskrit literature as also the knowledge of which it is the medium of expression.
The Smritis embody two aspects of dharma or the law : -
(a) Samanya dharma or the unchangeable basic law of life which cannot be changed and does not stand in need of any change; and
(b) Visesha dharma or the special forms of the law of life which have to be changed according to the prevailing conditions, social or personal.
This necessity has naturally to be acceptable to all section of the Hindus, for it is unavoidable.
Swami Krishnananda
To be continued .....
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