Introduction to Classical Indian Literary Tradition

This human life is believed to have evolved with difficulty after millions of birth. While on the other hand, the theory of “Karma” states that this birth and deaths are the results of one’s own action, and this human form is a unique opportunity to come out of this continuous circle of birth and death. With this life we are gifted with the power of “free will”. It suggests that unlike other animals we being the supreme organisms on the planet not only have the power to control nature, but also possess the capacity to use the free will.

The general attributes as eating, sleeping, fear, happiness, sorrow, courtship and perpetuation of humans and all other animals remains the same. However, it is the free will that makes us more superior to other beings which allows us to think, analyze, communicate effectively, visualize & plan our life judge what’s right or wrong and make decisions.

Literature in Sanskrit begins with the Vedas, and continues with the Sanskrit Epics of Iron Age India; the golden age of Classical Sanskrit literature dates to late Antiquity (roughly the 3rd to 8th centuries AD). Literary production saw a late bloom in the 11th century before declining after 1100 AD. There are contemporary efforts towards revival,

It was mostly used in religious literature, primarily during Vedic age, and the fact that most modern Indian languages have been directly derived from or strongly influenced by Sanskrit, the language and its literature is of great importance in Indian culture akin to that of Latin in European culture. Some Sanskrit literature such as the Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali and the Upanishads were translated into Arabic and Persian. The Panchatantra was also translated into Persian.

Sanskrit literature is as vast ...

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...rt of Vedas.

Due to such vastness of Vedas which makes it difficult to even read and understand the whole concept, it was recommended to begin with selective study of collection of scriptures complied under the title “Prasthanathraya” which contains Upanishada, Brahma Sutra, and Bhagavad-Gita. Adi Shankara, one of the greatest hindu philosopher from 8th century CE, gave elaborated commentary on all the three Prasthanathrayas and amongst Upanishads, he commented on 10 most important ones. The concluding of all the Upanishads identify to find one final truth. There are 108 Upanishads known to us, and 10 most important commented by Adi Shankara:

• Aithareya Upanishad

• Kena Upanishad

• Chandogya Upanishad

• Isavasya Upanishad

• Bhahadaranyaka Upanishad

• Thaittriyopanishad

• Kathopanishad

• Mundaka Upanishad

• Prasna Upanishad

• Madukya Upanishad