Ancient Code Powering the Modern World

When most people hear the word Sanskrit, they picture ancient temples, sacred chants, or dusty old books. It’s often boxed up as a “dead language,” frozen in time, with little use beyond religious ceremonies or classical education.

Think Sanskrit is dead? Think again.

I was reading ‘Introduction to Sanskrit’ on my flight from Delhi to Sydney, when my fellow passenger caught a glimpse of the title and mused, “Interesting?” He said with a smile, “I didn’t know that we could still learn a dead language.”

“There are people, who still believe in resurrection. But I think Sanskrit is a case of reincarnation-We need it to utilize it in artificial intelligence programming”, I responded with a smile.

He was startled and our conversation took a friendlier turn, from tease to appease.

Sanskrit is not just alive it’s deeply relevant, and perhaps more so today than ever before. Beyond its rich spiritual and literary heritage, Sanskrit offers lessons in structure, clarity, holistic thinking, and even insights for emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI). In fact, understanding Sanskrit can provide us with powerful tools for tackling some of the biggest intellectual and philosophical questions of our time.

Let’s explore how this ancient language still speaks powerfully to the modern world.

As the decimal system of numbers is to counting and arithmetic, so is the Sanskrit word system to language systematic, generative, and elegantly compact. Think of Sanskrit like the programming language of human expression. It’s modular, logical, and incredibly efficient. With just about 2,000 (verbal) root words (each known as a dhatu), and a system of prefixes, suffixes, and well-defined grammar rules including rules for combining words into a single word, Sanskrit can build an unlimited vocabulary.

This makes Sanskrit structurally unique and elegant. It’s much like object-oriented computer programming, where you start with base objects and layer on properties or behaviours to create new ones. For example, the word Adhyaatma (meaning spirituality) comes from the prefix Adhi (under the control of) and Aatman (self), literally translating to “the state of being in control of oneself.”

Let us take a few more examples. With the same verbal root word kri (to do), using the system of suffixes and prefixes, not only can verb forms in different tenses and moods be made-e.g., karoti (does), karishyati (will do), karotu (do, imperative), kuryaat (may do, potential)-but also several words related to the act of doing can be formed. Some examples are: kaarak (agent of doing), kartri (doer), kritvaa (having done), kaarya (work), kartavya (duty), karniiyam (must be done), kriti (creation), prakriti (nature), upkaar (beneficence). Further, new verbal roots (dhatu) can also be derived, such as kaari (cause someone else to do), chikiirsha (desire to do), chekriiya (doing again and again) that can be used in all the contexts e.g., tense, moods and making related words that the original root kri can be used.

Such modular modularity means Sanskrit can convey precise meanings while maintaining brevity and clarity. The ability to build complex ideas from root forms also makes it an ideal language for knowledge preservation and transmission.

Sanskrit grammar is among the most sophisticated and self-contained systems ever devised. The ancient grammarian Panini, who lived around the 4th century BCE, formulated the grammar of Sanskrit in about 4,000 succinct rules or sutras in his monumental work, the Ashtadhyayi¹.

These rules are not just grammatical; they are algorithmic. The Ashtadhyayi functions much like a programming language, using meta-rules to generate complex linguistic forms from basic units. It is arguably the first known example of a formal system, predating modern linguistic theory by millennia.

Each rule is interlocked with others, and the system accounts for conflicts and exceptions with an almost mathematical precision. The Ashtadhyayi includes methods to reduce ambiguity, correct errors, and prioritize certain rules over others when they overlap. Of several mechanisms to resolve conflict between rules, vipratiședhe param kaaryam (When there is a conflict between rules, the latter rule prevails) is most well-known. For example, when determining verbal suffixes, a rule may assign a suffix like ti for the third-person singular. Another rule might apply voice-specific transformations to the same verb form. If both rules apply, vipratiședhe param kaaryam ensures the later rule takes precedence. The Ashtadhyayi is so precise that scholars and computer scientists alike continue to marvel at it. The recent research by Rajpopat³ is a case in point.

The Ashtadhyayi is not just a grammar book; it’s a framework for structured thought.

The modern relevance of Sanskrit isn’t limited to linguistics or cultural studies. The language has become a subject of interest in cutting-edge technology fields like Artificial Intelligence and computational linguistics.

Why? Because of its clarity, rule-based logic, and absence of ambiguity when properly written.

In natural language processing (NLP), a major challenge is dealing with the irregularities and contextual ambiguities present in most modern languages. Sanskrit, with its strict syntax and morphological transparency, provides a near-perfect model for parsing and machine translation.

In fact, NASA and other scientific institutions have explored the use of Sanskrit for knowledge representation in Al systems. The idea is that Sanskrit’s structure makes it well-suited for the development of semantic networks and ontologies, which are key to Al reasoning and logic systems.

The idea here is not that Sanskrit will become a universal language for computers, but that its design offers a conceptual blueprint for how a language can be both human-readable and machine-parsable.

Each Sanskrit word is more than just a label; it’s a vessel carrying centuries of thought, analysis, and categorization. Because Sanskrit evolved alongside some of the most intellectually advanced cultures of the ancient world, it encapsulates a vast range of human experience and discovery.

For example, Sanskrit terms for natural phenomena, psychological states, and philosophical concepts often have layered meanings that reflect a deep understanding of the world. Words like Dharma, Karma, Maya, and Moksha encapsulate entire worldviews:

Dharma refers to the principle of cosmic order and moral duty. It is not merely religion or law, but the path of righteousness and living in accordance with the universal laws of nature and society.

Karma represents the law of cause and effect. It teaches that every action has consequences, encouraging personal responsibility and ethical behaviour.

Maya refers to the illusion or appearance of the phenomenal world. It denotes the transient nature of the material universe and the spiritual quest to see beyond illusion.

Moksha is the liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara – world). It signifies ultimate spiritual freedom and union with the divine.

Let us take some Sanskrit words of daily life:

Duhkha (misery) denotes being in a bad (duh) space (kha)

Sukha (happiness) literally means being in a good/sweet (su) space (kha)

• Parivaara (family) literally means something that covers you from all around (protects you)

Vivaaha (marriage) means carrying out the responsibility in a special way.

Studying these terms is like examining archaeological artifacts each one tells a story about how ancient people thought, reasoned, and interacted with the world around them. Sanskrit, in this sense, is a living museum of the evolution of human intellect.

This also makes it an invaluable tool for comparative linguistics and the study of Indo- European languages. Sanskrit shares a common ancestry with Greek, Latin, Persian, and many modern European languages. By analysing Sanskrit’s well-preserved structures, scholars have been able to reconstruct aspects of the Proto-Indo-European language and trace linguistic development across centuries and continents. Its clarity and systematic nature make Sanskrit a cornerstone in the field of historical linguistics.

Sanskrit is not just a language; it is a philosophical system encoded in speech. It reflects and transmits the wisdom of ancient sages who emphasized unity, interconnectedness, and harmony.

Consider the verse: “Ayam nijah paro veti ganana laghuchetasam, Udaracharitanam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam.” (Mahopanishad V1.71)

“This is mine, that is the other’s” – such thinking is for the narrow-minded. For the generous, the whole world is one family.

This ancient idea of vasudhaiva kutumbakam (the world is one family) is remarkably modern in spirit. In an era of nationalism and polarization, this holistic perspective serves as a timeless antidote. Sanskrit’s vocabulary is steeped in such concepts, which promote empathy, balance, and inclusive thinking.

Another powerful example comes from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: “Sarve bhavantu sukhinah, Sarve santu niramayah, Sarve bhadrani pashyantu, Ma kaschit duhkhabhag bhavet.”

“May all be happy; may all be healthy. May all see what is auspicious; may no one suffer.”

This universal prayer is not just aspirational; it reflects a value system where well-being is a collective endeavour. Sanskrit allows us to access such ideals in their original, poetic, and unifying form.

Even deeper metaphysical insights are offered by the Isha Upanishad: “Om Purnamadah Purnamidam Purnat Purnam Udachyate, Purnasya Purnam Adaya Purnam Eva Avashishyate.”

“That (the universe) is whole; this (the individual) is whole. From the whole, the whole arises. When the whole is removed from the whole, the whole remains.”

This mantra encapsulates the concept of non-duality and the completeness of existence. It implies that reality is indivisible and perfect, and that true knowledge lies in recognizing this unity. Sanskrit’s concise yet profound syntax makes such abstract ideas accessible and memorable.

Another profound invocation comes from the Yajurveda: “Dyauh Shantih Antariksha Shantih Prithivi Shantih Aapah Shantih Aushadhayah Shantih Vanaspatayah Shantih Vishwadevah Shantih Brahma Shantih Sarvam Shantih Shantireva Shantih Sa Ma Shantiredhi. Om Shantih Shantih Shantih”

“Peace be in the sky. Peace be in the atmosphere. Peace be in the earth. Peace be in the waters. Peace be in herbs. Peace be in vegetation. Peace be in all the gods. Peace be in Brahman. Peace in all things. Peace alone. Let that peace come to me. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.” (Yajurveda 36.17)

This mantra demonstrates a cosmological consciousness in Sanskrit thought, where peace and harmony are envisioned not just among humans but as a universal necessity encompassing all layers of existence.

Through its mantras, metaphors, and philosophical discourse, Sanskrit cultivates a holistic worldview-essential for addressing fragmented modern problems such as environmental degradation, loneliness, and moral confusion. Its emphasis on unity, peace, and inner harmony is as relevant to a start-up founder as to a spiritual seeker.

Sanskrit is not a fossilized tongue of the past that could be discarded. It is a living framework for thinking, expressing, and understanding the world in ways that is timeless and urgently needed today. Learning Sanskrit opens access not only to its vast and profound literary heritage-comprising texts on science, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, logic, poetry, and drama-but also to its extraordinary structure, philosophical depth, and intellectual legacy. The latter aspects position Sanskrit as a language of future that offers the ways for systematic holistic thinking, coherence and integration with the universe.

More than 90% of Sanskrit literature is secular, showcasing its application to a wide range of human pursuits. Studying Sanskrit helps us rediscover a culture that prioritized balance between material progress and ethical, holistic living.

In an age of rapid technological change, climate uncertainty, and social upheaval, the structured wisdom encoded in Sanskrit offers more than nostalgia it offers tools for survival. Its mantras nurture mental resilience. Its metaphysics fosters compassion. Its grammar cultivates precision. Its philosophy teaches interconnectedness.

In an era overwhelmed by information, speed, and fragmentation, Sanskrit offers a rare alternative: a structured, reflective, and integrative way of engaging with knowledge. It teaches us that words can heal, that language can connect rather than divide, and that thought, when disciplined, becomes a tool for liberation.

By embracing this language, we not only preserve a remarkable part of human history, but we also gain a compass for navigating the complexities of modern life. Sanskrit, in this light, is not just a window to the past. It is a guide for a more thoughtful, connected, and conscious future.

References

1. Ashtadhyayi.com
2. Saxena, P., Pandey, K., & Saxena, V. (2011). Panini’s Grammar in Computer Science. Recent Research in Science and Technology, 3(7), 109-111.
3. Rajpopat, R. (2022). In Pāṇini We Trust: Discovering the Algorithm for Rule Conflict Resolution in the Aṣṭādhyāyī (Doctoral dissertation).
4. Briggs, R. (1985). Knowledge representation in Sanskrit and artificial intelligence. AI magazine, 6(1), 32 32.

Dr. Awadhesh Prasad

Dr. Awadhesh Prasad is a KanYini volunteer and author of Kanyini Earth Journal. He is an accomplished poet who is trained in the scientific method and lives in Canberra.