Mini-Quiz: Do You Know the Spiritual Side of Sanskrit

---------- Sanskrit is one of the oldest and most sophisticated languages in the world, originating in ancient India, and is considered the “language of the gods” in Hindu culture due to its use in sacred texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, and Ramayana. Renowned for its precise grammar system codified by Panini in his work Astadhyayi, Sanskrit’s structure ()  allows for clarity and depth in expressing philosophical, spiritual, and abstract concepts. The language holds immense spiritual significance as it is believed that its phonetics and vibrations—especially through mantras like “Aum”—connect practitioners to higher states of consciousness and universal truths. Answer the questions in our short quiz and challenge your knowledge of the profound metaphysical concepts conveyed by this language. Answer all the questions and pick a single answer for each one. 1. What does the root “Vid-” mean in Sanskrit?  (A) To know  (B) To speak  (C) To see 2. How do “Samskaras” influence an individual’s behavior and tendencies?  (A) They act as subtle impressions left on the subconscious mind by past experiences, shaping habits and reactions over time  (B) They create physical changes in the brain and cause mental disorders  (C) They determine an individual’s destiny by controlling their behavior from within 3. Why is “Viveka” considered essential for spiritual progress?  (A) Because it helps individuals distinguish between eternal reality and temporary phenomena, allowing them to focus on self-realization  (B) Because it promotes blind faith in spiritual authorities thereby facilitating collective evolution  (C) Because it allows individuals to escape the challenges of the material world 4. Why is chanting mantras in Sanskrit believed to align one’s consciousness with universal energies?  (A) Because of the vibrational power embedded in its syllables  (B) Because the sounds of Sanskrit are inherently beautiful and pure  (C) Because Sanskrit was spoken by the gods 5. How does the concept of “Anirvachaniya” challenge the limits of human understanding?  (A) By highlighting that ultimate reality cannot be fully grasped through language or conceptual thought  (B) By demonstrating how easily humans are misled by illusions  (C) By proving that some spiritual teachings can only be understood through direct experience 6. What is an example of how Sanskrit’s etymological roots allow philosophers to explore the interconnectedness between seemingly disparate concepts?  (A) The way “Yuj-” means “to unite”, giving rise to “Yoga”, (union), and “Yukti” (logical reasoning)  (B) The way “Dharma” can be translated as both “duty” and “law”  (C) The way “Anirvachaniya” is used to describe things that cannot be put into words The correct answers are the ones corresponding to the letter A. Count the number of times you chose answer A and check your profile below. 0: Sanskrit, such a mysterious thing! 1-2: You exhibit a vague knowledge of Sanskrit 3-4: You know Sanskrit fairly well, keep it up! 5-6: Congratulations, you are a true Sanskrit lover!