Non-translatability (अननुवाद्यता)

Non-translatability (Samskrit : अनुवाद-अनीयता) of the Samskrit words is emphasized in articles on Dharmawiki. Many translations have taken place during the colonial era which have been passed on to us, the present day generation. Many conceptual words of esoteric meaning have integrated in the daily lives of people following Sanatana Dharma and as such words do not convey the comprehensive meaning of the original samskrit word.

Shabdas (Words) are not simply sounds. They are concepts. They are visions. Unless you have an identical vision in some other language, translation becomes burden. Whitehead, eminent Harvard Mathematician and Philosopher said "All lexicographers are murderers".

So samskrit words cannot be translated. No doubt, when an Upanishadic text is taught to a student, the text itself does not mean anything. The preceptor has to drive it to the core of the disciple. He does it through Anuvada (अनुवादः), the original is a concept, not merely translated; but interpreted, annotated, and expanded with many anecdotes until the disciple "digests" the concept and the exact nuances of the word. Thus Anuvada is perpetual and eternal.

Any translation be it English or Persian (say of Dara Shekhov) or the many native Bharatiya languages today tend to project a wrong orientation of the original concepts, not deliberately, but primarily because each language has its set of nuances. Although it is said that many Bharatiya languages arose from Samskrit, certain sets of words and thus concepts digressed from what was presented and intended in the mulam (primary source).

Shabda

A shabda (interpreted as a word as well as sound) has a mukhya pravrutti (the main purport) according to the Vaiyyakaranas (grammarians).