Sanskrit is an ancient and classical language of India in which ever first book of the world Rigveda was compiled. The Vedas are dated by different scholars from 6500 B.C. to 1500 B.C. Panini (500 B.C.) was a great landmark in the development of Sanskrit language. He, concising about ten grammar schools prevalent during his time, wrote the master book of grammar named Ashtadhyayi which served as beacon for the later period. Literary Sanskrit and spoken Sanskrit both followed Panini’s system of language. Today the correctness of Sanskrit language is tested upon the touchstone of Panini’s Ashtadhyayee. Sanskrit literature is as vast as the human life. There are four aims of human life which are called Purusharthas. They are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Dharma stands for the duties and responsibilities of man. Artha communicates the monetary necessities, Karma stands for the human desires of all types and Moksha is freedom from birth and re-birth and worldly involvement. Any and every literature surrounds these four aims of human life. Sanskrit literature first of all presents Vedas which are the basis for Dharma. Vedas are the root of Dharma. There are four Vedas Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samveda, and Atharvaveda. Brahman granthas explain the Vedic literature and give the detailed process to perform the Yajnas. Aranyakas and Upanishads discuss the internal meaning of the Vedas and the path of renunciation – Moksha Purushartha. Pratishakhyas explain the grammatical issues of the Vedas. Six Vedangas i.e. Shiksha, Vyakarana, Kalpa, Chhandas, Nirukta, and Jyotish help to understand the Vedas. As per the Indian tradition the Veda is not written by any author but in fact it is the respiration of God. Veda has been seen by the seers, the Rishis. Later it was diversified into four Samhitas by the great seer Vyasa. Some Scholars hold that the Vedas were written by different seers and they estimated the time of these writings from 6500 BC to 1500 BC. The rest of the Vedic literature might have been completed before 600 BC. Valmiki was first to write the worldly poetry; Loka – Kavya. He wrote the Ramayana the great-epic which had the great impact on the later literature. Even today the latest poetry is written on the line of Valmiki. The Ramayana was written in 500BC. The second epic Mahabharata was written by Krishanadwaipayana Vyasa which is known as encyclopedia of knowledge.

Keeping in view the old age traditions, the department of Sanskrit established in Himachal Pradesh University to preserve and impart traditional knowledge amongst the students. The intake for M.A. programme is 45 seats. Any student seek admission will go through the hand book of information available in the website of the university. The department looking forwards to implement the national education policy 2020 with the feeling of commitment and ownership so that national vision led down in the policy document could be translated into reality.

I have no hesitation in putting it on record that since its inception, the Department of Sanskrit  has grown successfully. In view of its continuous growth, I wish the Department all the success for its future endeavours and am sure that the Department will continue to expand its horizons in future and strengthen the academic environment to maintain its renowned identity. The department makes every effort to live up to the motto 

अयं निजः परो वेति गणना लघुचेतसाम्। (ayaṃ nijaḥ paro veti gaṇanā laghucetasām)

उदारचरितानां तु वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम्॥ (udāracaritānāṃ tu vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam)

The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम) consists of several words: Vasudha (‘the earth’); eva (thus); and kutumbakam (‘family’). The original verse appears in chapter 6 of Maha Upnishad also found in the Rig Veda, it is considered the most important moral value in the Indian Society.