The document discusses the status of the Sanskrit language in Nepal. It notes that Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages and the root of many languages including Nepali. However, Sanskrit is now an endangered language due to several factors. These include its association primarily with religion and Brahmin culture, the rise of western philosophy, and a lack of daily use and modern research. The Nepal Sanskrit University was established in 1986 to help promote and preserve Sanskrit, but census data shows very few claim it as their first or second language. While some efforts have been made, Sanskrit remains limited mainly to ritual contexts and faces becoming a lost language if more steps are not taken for its upliftment and preservation.

1. Situation of Sanskrit Language in Republic Nepal
By: Ramesh K. Limbu & Rishi Ram Adhikari
Introduction
Sanskrit Language: one of the oldest languages, root of many
languages including Nepali, covers Hindu Kush-Himalayan region
Spiritual language but Endangered one, link of god and human
language and script for Hindu religious texts
Many Hindu religious books are found written in English
Also an official language in medieval Lichhavi period
What is the situation of Sanskrit language?
Utilization of Sanskrit language
Promotion and preservation in Nepal
Why those people (e.g. university teachers, students and Sanskrit
pundits) who know Sanskrit haven’t mentioned it as their second
language in the Census?

2. Causes of being Sanskrit as an endangered language in Nepal
Use of Language: a vehicle for the expression of thoughts, perceptions,
sentiments, values and characteristic of a community; means of
communication
Thought of pedantic, classical and religious language
Lack of research works, misunderstanding and disregard of new
generation
Application of classical approach
 domination of western philosophy, literature and language
Cultural Rigidity vs. freedom
Classroom and customary activity but lack of day-to-day use
Association with certain group and religion

3. Continued…
 introduced as language of Brahmin people and symbol of religious dogma.
 Officially CBS report dhow wrong statistics on Sanskrit language such as in
Dang there 2 Sanskrit college seconds lg speakers is only 13
 Threat to Sanskrit institutions from the political parties and communities
 Some rigid Hindu practitioners’ wrong practice of Sanskrit language who tried
to hold ownership of Sanskrit language in the name of Hindu religion and
restriction in sharing the knowledge and philosophy

4. Role of Nepal Sanskrit University in promoting Sanskrit language
 Nepal Sanskrit University (the then Mahendra Sanskrit University) was
established in Dang, mid western region of Nepal in 1986 (2043 BS).
 The university was established for the following purposes:
 To fulfill the need for an autonomous institution for teaching/learning
activities and research of Sanskrit field at various levels
 To systematize Sanskrit education up to the highest level in the Kingdom
 To preserve and promote Sanskrit education in different sectors of the
Nepalese society
 To develop the country (the then Kingdom) of Nepal into a centre for learning
through Sanskrit education.
 NSU also offers facilities for degree and non-degree research works based on
Sanskrit. It also organizes training programs on Vedic and Buddhist teaching
and Yoga training.

5. Situation of Sanskrit language
 Limited to classroom activities, references and ritual/cultural domain
 Becoming a teacher of Sanskrit language
 Lack of language speakers
 CBS report 2011 shows total mother tong Sanskrit speakers are 2115 they are
spread in 19 district in Nepal. In the same way second language Sanskrit
speakers are 2919, spread in 41 distict
 Sanskrit language is facing a similar situation as other endangered languages
of Nepal

6. Conclusion
Very less people have documented Sanskrit as their first and second
language.
It has mainly been a ceremonial, liturgical, ritualistic, sacred language.
The death of a language marks the loss of yet another piece of cultural
uniqueness
“When language dies, a way of thinking also dies” (Nobel Kishore Rai)
a tragedy for the heritage of all humanity as the death language is
often compared to “species extinction” (4 Turin).
Although taken some measures for the upliftment and preservation of
Sanskrit language the situation of Sanskrit language is going to be an
endangered language of the world.