Renowned economist and Sanskrit scholar Bibek Debroy delves into the profound world of ancient Indian scriptures and the challenges and importance of translating these texts for a global audience. Debroy, who has dedicated himself to the monumental task, sheds light on the vast reservoir of untapped wisdom contained in these manuscripts.
Edited excerpts:
Navigating the Sea of Manuscripts
Saket Suman (S): Can you explain the significance of ancient Indian scriptures and how they have influenced ancient Indian society and history and coming to contemporary times?
Bibek Debroy (B): The term 'ancient Indian scriptures' is a vast umbrella that requires definition. With an estimated forty million manuscripts in India, the majority untranslated, the diversity is immense. Most translated works focus on Vedanta Upanishads and dharmashastra, creating a skewed representation of Hinduism. The challenge lies in unraveling texts on diverse topics, from householder duties to manuals for thieves, which form the itihaas purana corpus. My focus is on texts crystallized between 500 BCE and 1000 CE.
Reviving Sanskrit for Global Discourse
S: How do you believe that the system contained in the ancient Indian scriptures can be effectively imparted to a global audience in the contemporary times, and what can the bodies of the government or literary events do to take Indian wisdom?
B: English translations are crucial for a global audience, given the comfort with the language. It is counterproductive to criticize Western translations when it is our responsibility to bridge the gap. To understand the wisdom, we must first translate the 95 percent of manuscripts that remain untouched. Government bodies have other priorities, and it falls on us, as citizens, to preserve and disseminate this knowledge. Reviving interest in Sanskrit and translating these texts into English are vital steps.
Dharma vs. Religion: A Fundamental Distinction
S: How do you look at the distinction between the works that you have translated, and contrast with other religious texts from around? Is there any contrast with any texts that you have particularly translated, between them and other religions and other parts of the world that we have read and come across through talks?
B: Dharma, often misinterpreted as religion, holds a unique position. While Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism share some similarities, the core essence lies in the belief in the atman, punarjanma, and karma. The fundamental difference is the non-normative and non-prescriptive nature of Indian texts. Unlike major Middle Eastern religions, there is no claim of absolute truth. Each individual's perception of dharma is respected, fostering a scientific and open-minded approach.
The Art and Challenge of Translation
S: How do you approach the effort of translating scriptures, and what challenges do you face in this process? What would you like to advise to somebody who is just starting out?
B: Translating poetic Sanskrit texts into prose poses the initial dilemma. Remaining authentic while deviating only when necessary is a conscious decision. Some words, like dharma and karma, defy translation, and I chose not to alter them. Stylistically, I avoided diacritical marks for accessibility. The challenge lies in preserving the essence while making it readable. As for advice, the obsession to contribute must come from within, guiding one through the intricate journey of translating ancient wisdom.
(As told to Saket Suman, at Jaipur Literature Festival 2023)
