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Sanskrit Sahitya compendium is not merely another repository of scanned texts passing for digitisation, but an interactive platform with Sanskrit natively written in the Devanagari script in which it is most commonly studied In an age where technology is often thought to oversimplify the complexities of art and culture — as recently witnessed in the sudden spurt of Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli-style art exploding across the internet, bringing joy to thousands of ChatGPT users while simultaneously infringing upon an art style perfected over hundreds of hours — Sanskrit literature still seems to be struggling to find its footing in the digital realm. To combat this dissonance, a Silicon Valley engineer has created a comprehensive, user-friendly compendium of Sanskrit texts ( SanskritSahitya.org ) that transcends the limitations of existing digital repositories.
With a career spanning over a decade in software engineering and a profound interest in languages and linguistics, Antariksh Bothale hopes that a digital renaissance of Sanskrit is just around the corner. The IITB graduate has studied and is familiar with French, Japanese, Mandarin, and most Indian writing systems, and was introduced to Pāṇinian Grammar during his time at IIT. As is well recognised, the linguistic logic of Pāṇinian Sanskrit, developed around the 5th century BCE, is highly amenable to computational algorithmic logic.
Through SanskritSahitya.org , Antariksh applies his expertise in computational linguistics to create an aesthetically appealing learning and reference platform. Referred to as the language of the Gods, Sanskrit carries with it an immense literary and philosophical heritage.
Despite its significance and present-day connection to scores of languages and dialects spoken across Bharat, the digital landscape for Sanskrit remains relatively non-existent. Digitising this ancient language largely relies on scanning old books and manuscripts and employing optical character recognition (OCR) technology, which frequently misinterprets the intricate scripts and diacritics unique to Sanskrit. As a result, learners and scholars alike find themselves navigating a fragmented and often inaccessible digital ecosystem.
The recognition of these challenges led to the creation of the Sanskrit Sahitya compendium. It is not merely another repository of scanned texts passing for digitisation, but an interactive platform with Sanskrit natively written in the Devanagari script in which it is most commonly studied. It allows users to engage with Sanskrit in a space enhanced by thoughtful typography, considered design, and an intuitive user interface, easing the experience of reading.
What further sets the Sanskrit Sahitya project apart is its approach to ensuring textual integrity. Drawing from his academic background, which includes a Master’s in Computational Linguistics and an understanding of Pāṇinian grammar, Antariksh employs metrical analysis ( chhanda ) as a tool for error detection. In any particular text, if the chhanda does not match that of the overall literary piece, it is identified as an error and highlighted, thereby preventing mistranscription and subsequent mistranslation.
By integrating easy-to-use search functionalities, this compendium allows users to explore texts based on parameters such as genre, author, and chhanda . It provides a simple way for first-time users to engage with ancient Sanskrit literature compiled over time onto a digitised platform. While many existing platforms cater primarily to academic audiences, this initiative aims to democratise access to Sanskrit knowledge, extending it to enthusiasts as well.
Casual learners can benefit from direct translations of the shlokas without having to switch between tabs, while authors seeking to verify sources or find inspiration can cross-reference texts to ensure accuracy in their translations or adaptations. In the spirit of open access to all, Antariksh has put together a GitHub repository of all available data from the website in a structured form that can be used by researchers for further analysis. Through the efforts of a network of volunteers, this data will continue to improve in accuracy and coverage over time.
The Sanskrit Sahitya compendium means to create a comprehensive repository that serves not only as a reference point but also as a learning tool. By doing so, its creator hopes to inspire a new generation of Sanskrit enthusiasts who can appreciate the language’s depth and beauty without feeling overwhelmed by its complexities. It offers users: Structured navigation based on sarga , adhyāya , kāṇḍa , and śloka , with easily shareable pages.
Vyākhyā / ṭīkā and translations wherever available. Links to other relevant content; for instance, whenever a commentary refers to a Pāṇinian sūtra or a dictionary, the reference is linked directly to the corresponding sūtra or kośa page, allowing readers to learn more. Chhanda (metre) tagging and analysis, along with a glossary of chhandas featuring details and singing examples.
Detailed morphological analysis where available. Fast search across a single text or all texts, using both Devanagari and Romanised queries, making it easier to find a specific śloka based on partial text. The ability to search for ślokas matching a specific chhanda , serving as a tool for teachers seeking a variety of literary examples for uncommon chhandas .
The information age has carried partial knowledge across the world in ways that allow for misrepresentation, dilution, and appropriation. In such an era, where valuable cultural heritage is at risk of being lost — like the many languages that have already disappeared — a new compendium such as this, created by a mind considered valuable in the biggest and best of the software industry, serves as a testament to enduring interest in ancient wisdom. The project highlights the cultural imperative of preserving linguistic diversity and heritage.
Antariksh’s compendium does not merely house ancient texts to gather dust until an interested party ventures into it; it aims to draw in and create new learners of Sanskrit by presenting old, existing works simply. It fosters an environment that enables engagement with Sanskrit’s rich narratives without it feeling like an exercise in dusting off cobwebs from the mind or the books. As nostalgic as those ideas may once have been, the drastically reduced attention spans of a digitally literate generation require approaches suited to their methods of learning and exploration.
The revitalisation of interest in indigenous languages worldwide is a measure of decolonisation that ties into the preservation of ancient knowledge systems, many of which have disappeared or been homogenised over the last two centuries. This intellectual combat is a necessary process of reclaiming, through technology, the heritage of a language often deemed dead, despite its regular usage in discussions of Indian philosophy, in religious rituals, and in modern-day Indian names. Such an initiative embodies a growing cultural renaissance for Sanskrit beyond structured college degrees.
After all, that is not how Indians interact with languages such as Telugu, Hindi, or English. Instead, it is through more commonplace reference points — which Sanskrit Sahitya now seeks to provide. By collaborating on this open-source project, it can be collectively ensured that Sanskrit remains both technologically and literally relevant in the future, while learners may go on to popularise it in ways previously unthought of.
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