Anuja Jogdeo works in the field of heritage and conservation with INTACH Trivandrum on project basis. She is passionate about Indian scriptures, Culture and Sanskrit. Being a Professional Contestant of The Sanskrit Challenge 2021, she has submitted 7 Mottos…
यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः - उच्चतम न्यायालयः
This motto is part of a shloka in Mahabharata. Mahabharata is written by Vyas rishi and it is one of the two greatest epics which describe the itihas (history) of Bharatvarsha (Ancient India). Through its 18 parvas (books) the epic narrates the conflict between Kaurav and Pandav, two groups of cousins, belonging to Kuru vansha. The story focuses on complexity of human behaviour and relationships while emphasizing the core values such as integrity, loyalty and sincerity. ‘Dharma’ forms the foundation of this epic. Westerners falsely translate dharma as ‘religion’. But in Hinduism, the concept of dharma has deeper interpretations. Dharma comes from the root ‘dhri’ which means ‘to sustain’. The word has multiple meanings such as duty, order, law or ‘a right way of living’. Hence, following dharma is following the path of righteousness.
The phrase ‘yato dharmastato jayah’ means ‘where there is Dharma, there is victory’. The phrase exhibits supremacy of dharma over everything. In Mahabharata, this phrase is repeatedly uttered by various prominent characters during important events. All of them accentuate the significance of dharma in our life. The great war fought between Kaurav and Pandav at Kurukshetra is known as ‘Dharma-yudddha’. In spite of being outnumbered by hundred Kauravas, five Pandavas who followed the path of dharma, came out to be victorious. As dharma stands for righteousness, nothing can ever be more victorious than dharma, it is unbeatable.
The phrase is chosen as a motto by the Supreme court, the most powerful institution in India. The phrase compliments the ultimate status of the institution. With this motto, the court conveys a strong message to the citizens – if one follows the path of righteousness, the supreme judicial body of India will always stand by their side. Simultaneously, the motto helps to establish faith in the constitutional power of this country.
Our scriptures are the strongest pillars of our culture and their teachings are relevant even today. In modern era, Supreme Court, the highest constitutional power in India, seals the importance of dharma in our life through its motto. Many times we come across situations where we have to choose between what is right and what is easy.
These mottos empower us to follow the right way. It will be tougher, sometimes one may have to wait for the justice to be delivered, but ultimately, only the path of dharma will lead to victory.
The Sanskrit Challenge 2021
Pick up any Institutional Motto(s) from the long list at https://www.rethinkindia.org/sanskrit.
Students (1 Motto),
Faculty Members (3 Mottos),
and Others (7 Mottos)
across all ages and affiliations….
Research & Prepare your very own commentary on the same in 200-400 words each.
Recite the Sanskrit Motto(s) & the Commentary thus prepared & Record the same in your VOICE and Whatsapp the same to 9910050957 with a screenshot of a nominal registration fee of Rs 108 paid to the same number 9910050957 via PayTM along with a brief introduction.
Do send the written commentary alongside as well.
The shortlisted entries would be invited to The Sanskrit Forum 2021 which shall now happen on December 5th, 2021 commemorating the Punya Tithi of Sri Aurobindo and shall be felicitated with Smt. Sushma Swaraj Samman 2021 for spearheading Scholarship in Sanskrit Intellectual Traditions.
Join the Telegram Group to this effect at https://t.me/joinchat/BavORjNZKSg4ZjM1
The ancient and classical creations of the Sanskrit tongue both in quality and in body and abundance of excellence, in their potent originality and force and beauty, in their substance and art and structure, in grandeur and justice and charm of speech and in the height and width of the reach of their spirit stand very evidently in the front rank among the world’s great literatures.
The language itself, as has been universally recognised by those competent to form a judgment, is one of the most magnificent, the most perfect and wonderfully sufficient literary instruments developed by the human mind, at once majestic and sweet and flexible, strong and clearly-formed and full and vibrant and subtle, and its quality and character would be of itself a sufficient evidence of the character and quality of the race whose mind it expressed and the culture of which it was the reflecting medium.
-Sri Aurobindo
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