Swanand Shloka: Reviving Sanskrit, Childhood Traditions

Since April 2022, Mangesh Khisty, a resident of Cosmos Horizon Complex, Thane, has been gathering children in the “Radha Krishna Mandir,” located within the housing society premises, every Sunday evening. He has been teaching some well-known and lesser-known Sanskrit shlokas to these young and impressionable minds. What started as a small group of three to four children has increased to about 20 children between the ages of 4 and 12.

The children enjoy this weekly meet and look forward to it, as it is now no longer limited to just shloka recitation alone but also encompasses long-lost childhood games, mythological and religious stories, and activities such as tree plantation drives. As a result, not only children but their parents and grandparents have started regularly joining these sessions.

An important benefit of teaching these shlokas to children would be the preservation of the Sanskrit language, which, despite its profound historical significance, has seen declining use in modern times. Children exposed to Sanskrit develop an appreciation for Indian philosophy, history, and values.

Reciting shlokas offers unique mental benefits. Sanskrit’s precise structure sharpens children’s analytical and thinking skills. Studies show that memorising and reciting these complex sound patterns improves memory, focus, and flexibility in thinking. Regular practice also boosts pronunciation, especially in Marathi and Hindi, while enhancing language comprehension and verbal reasoning.

This initiative, aptly named “Swanand Shloka,” recently completed 100 sessions, and a programme was organised by the parents to celebrate this occasion. The children performed about 30 Shlok recitations ranging from Aartees such as “Yei O Vitthale” to “Mahishasuramardini Stotra” and “Shri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram” to Marathi folk songs such as “Mani Nahi Bhaav, Mhane Devaa Mala Paav.” These renditions were well-appreciated by the audience and received generous praise and applause.

The presence of eminent personalities and speakers graced this event. Dr. Rajeev Puri, a motivational speaker and historian, mesmerised the audience with his immense knowledge of Indian history and his zeal and passion. He praised this noble initiative and acknowledged that such initiatives are the need of the hour if we wish to preserve our culture and heritage and pass on our values to the next generation.

Khisty plans to extend the Swanand Shloka initiative to other societies and communities in and around Thane, with efforts focused on creating a network of children and families committed to preserving these timeless traditions.

Additionally, the practice of chanting shlokas is also known to have a calming effect on the mind, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being. The rhythmic and repetitive nature of chanting fosters mindfulness, helping children focus and remain present in the moment, a skill that is crucial for emotional regulation and resilience in today’s fast-paced world.

As the sound of shlokas continues to echo through the halls of the Cosmos Horizon Complex and beyond, one can’t help but feel that this is only the beginning of something truly transformative.

(The writer is a resident of Thane. Views personal.)